Matsetse releases reloaded album with EMI

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Wednesday October 20, 2010 00:00

Seabelo Modibe, whose independent record label, Lekoko has a deal with EMI South Africa, also known as CCP records, says he negotiated the deal, which saw the group becoming the first of its kind to release a two-in-one CD and DVD album.

The all-male quartet of Matsetse is probably famous for the somewhat vulgar song, Nneele Ke Itlhobogele, which is more like Matsieng's Tinto in form and design.  Another version for the same song is Ikhurumetse, more like the continuation of the story in Nneele.  Meanwhile, the video for the song Nneele is likely to stir controversy with the way it portrays a female character there as a loose sex object who cannot resist any man.  Mogonono video provides unique and entertaining Tswana song and dance culture as acrobatic dancers entertain the villagers and their chief around a bonfire, all competing for the prize of a goat, which can be seen also around the fire.  The video mostly showcases the group members' specialty in Phathisi dance.  Botswana's rich natural environment is adopted as the dance on selected scenic views.

Modibe says the group has already peformed on SABC's cultural music programme, roots twice during this month and hopes that the appearance on South African channels will help expose Matsetse music to South African music consumers.Modibe says the group has already sold 2000 copies to South African music warehouses during the first release of the reloaded album and hopes that more orders would come soon as the group performs more and more on South African soil.

According to Modibe, working EMI has already helped the group a lot as their album sleeves and packaging is already on another level.  Professional photographers and top notch graphic designing was implored to meet the standards of EMI, while the music and the videos were re-engineered and mixed by the likes of award winning producer, Leeroy Monaheng of Virgin Brew, as well as EMI producers Ildiko Vizi.  Modibe adds that EMI will also play a pivotal role in the marketing of the album to ensure that it performs as anticipated.

Matsetse are not the first local traditional music group to be distributed and marketed by EMI.  Award winning Machesa traditional music group once won the deal through David Skizo Molosi's company although that particular album did not do as well as many had expected.