Andreas Loven - District Six
Andreas Loven - District Six
Losen Records LOS 152-2 / EAN 7090025831522 / Vertrieb: New Arts International
Veröffentlichung D/A/CH: 8. Juli 2016
Nach den ersten Sekunden wird klar: hier erwartet uns Tiefe und Klarheit; tiefe Grooves und klare Melodien - aus der Kombination von Norwegischem und Südafrikanischem Jazz. Pure Freude.
Up until 1966, District Six was a warm, peaceful, multicultural community in Cape Town. Its inhabitants included muslims (Cape Malay), Xhosa, Afrikaans, English, and Indian people. It thrived in artistic diversity, and was heavily engaged in live music and Cape Town´s own minstrel carnival tradition. The goema rhythm, a highly danceable groove created by the intersection of various South African cultures, became a signature sound of both the carnival and District Six itself.
The residents in District Six set an outstanding example of how different cultures could coexist and thrive,as the curious, warm and welcoming potential of the human spirit defeated prejudice and xenophobia, making the neighborhood diverse and lively, yet peaceful.
Unfortunately, that mattered little to the ruling apartheid regime that enforced strict segregation policies. Hence, 50 years ago, on the 11th of february 1966, the authorities decided that District Six was to be demolished and the inhabitants moved to appropriate areas depending on their skin colour. Bulldozers destroyed the area a few years later.
I relate to District Six, and its fate, in many ways. As a citizen of Cape Town for many years, I believe the goema has become permanently stuck in my body, flowing around in my blood vessels. I also like to think that the music on this album is created in a spirit similar to that of District Six. Being jazz musicians we live our lives aspiring to those spiritual moments where music truly connects us. And, as this band in particular, we strive for a new, indigenous sound based on the musical heritage of our diverse backgrounds. In spite of being physically demolished, the spirit and cultural creations of District Six continue to live on.
By artists who utilize the creative contributions of the community. But above all, by people all over the world approaching their lives with the belief that the inclusive, empathic nature of the human being eventually will prevail.
I dedicate this music to the people living in that spirit. The Spirit of District Six.
Andreas Loven
ANDREAS LOVEN
Andreas Loven, born 28.10.1981, is a pianist and composer from Oslo, Norway, that departed from his career in engineering, moved to South Africa and ventured into jazz in his early twenties. He has since performed extensively all over South Africa with Shane Cooper, Mandla Mlangeni, Buddy Wells, Keenan Ahrends, Jonno Sweetman, Nick Williams, Romy Brauteseth, Clement Benny and others.
Recent performances in Europe include Oslo Jazz Festival, Canal Street and the National Jazz Scene, Oslo. In 2015, Andreas released his debut album, Nangijala, to critical acclaim at Losen Records. He is currently establishing a new norwegian quartet with Trygve Fiske, Andre Roligheten and Hans Hulbækmo.
BUDDY WELLS
Buddy Wells is a south african saxophonist and composer that resides in Cape Town. Performances include Cape Town International Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Swedish Jazz Celebration, National Jazz Scene (Oslo), Nehru Center (Mumbai), Festival d’Automne à Paris and Oslo Jazz festival. He has recorded with artists such as Marcus Wyatt, Moses Mololekwa, Tribe, Kyle Shepherd, Bokani Dyer, Feya Faku, Shane Cooper, Oliver Mtukudzi, Mark Fransman, Alou April, Jimmy Dludlu, Musa Manzini and many others.
CLEMENT BENNY
Clement Benny is an award winning drummer from East London, SA. He is a recipient of the Harvard Nelson Mandela Scholarship, and has since recorded and performed with notable artists such as Herbie Tsoale, Bheki Khoza, Carlo Mombelli, Abdullah Ibrahim, Andile Yenana, Miriam Makeba, Buddy Wells, Mandla Mlangeni and many others.
ROMY BRAUTESETH
Romy Brauteseth is an high-in-demand bassist from East London that currently resides in Cape Town. She has performed and recorded with Marcus Wyatt, Mark Fransman, Keenan Ahrends, Dan Shout, Andrew Liley and many others.
www.musikklosen.no www.losenrecords.no
TUNES EXPLAINED
Good NewsThe title of this tune, coupled with the uplifting nature of the simple, folk-like melody does´t need much explanation I believe. The message is an old, yet important cliche. It is my version of Chaplin´s "Smile", or neo-motown artist Raphael Saadiq´s "Keep Marching on". We all need to nourish our ability to hold on to good news to make life a meaningful journey. Buddy Wells, singer Spha Mdlalose and myself have written lyrics for the tune. It will definitely be recorded again with vocals on a future release. The intentions and moods of the DISTRICT SIX album is a bit different than the previous record, hence I felt putting this track as the opening act made that very clear to a listener.
In TuneI wrote this mellow ballad a few years ago. Even though it is slow, it is not super slow., The subtle funk groove gives it a a somewhat warm, balanced feeling. Like having having your first cold beer early friday evening while chafing for friends yet to arrive.
RootsI grew up in Norway, and have resided many years in South Africa. In my opinion this tune to some extent reflects how I move between, and grow roots in both these worlds. The first melody is very Nordic, then the chorus blasts outs some ideas that are subtly South African.
African PianoThis tune is built from a static groove, similar to those prevalent in indigenous music by african cultures such as Zulu and Xhosa. I can sit on the piano and play a groove like this one for hours and hours non stop. It´s meditative an mobilising at once. Both previous piano giants like Bheki Mseleku and young comets such as Bokani Dyer helped me discover and love this music. Some people say it reminds them of Coltrane, and that might be. Truth is, I haven't really listened to him (I am sure he is great though). My favourite moment on the record, is the outro on that tune. Buddy reaches far back in history, and creates a bass line in the manner of the bow music of Khoisan people, while simultaneously using harmonics to play a melody reminiscent of the overtone singing by the Xhosa people. Spine chilling.
ShineShine is a ballad dedicated to my late grandmother, who was my first piano teacher and introduced me to the magic of music in the best way possible. I wrote this tune in 2009, before she passed, but I knew immediately that the music was for her, and that this ballad would stay with me to honour her memory, long after she would move on.
Inside District Six / Please forgive meInside District Six is a full on goema tune, a danceable groove developed in the District Six community. The music style was at the core of their carnival tradition. The vibrant tune flows directly into the next one, Please forgive me. The duality in those two tunes reflects the the two sides of the District SIx story. The warm, vibrant community, and eventually the devastating destruction.
The BoilerI am an avid surfer and ocean addict, and the Boiler is our nickname for a special surf break close to Cape of Good Hope. As surfers we sit on our boards, at the edge of the reef, waiting. There is this quiet anticipation, up until just the right, bigger wave appear in the horizon. Slowly it moves towards us, and, and eventually hit the shallow reef. The wave suck up water with such momentum that the ocean seems to boil over, and the water is spat out down the reef with tremendous force. Hold on!
Departing TokyoThe obvious tune to round up the musical journey of this album. An ending, and a departure at once. Why Tokyo? Well, if you know all there is to know about one of my heroes, Keith Jarrett, you´ll figure it out for yourself.