Curated by London-based producer Esa Williams, the double-vinyl LP coming out this summer.
Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, during the last days of Apartheid, Esa is one of the most active ambassador for the South African music scene within the crowded landscape of European nightlife.
A skilled DJ, producer and educator, Esa has found ways of bringing people together and enhancing the talent present – from being a band leader, reigniting the legendary Ata Kak band from Ghana, or a collaborator with the likes of Tanzanian artist Mim Suleiman, to focusing his energy on electronic music-focused educational programmes in Cuba, Brazil, and East & South Africa.
With Esa Presents Amandla: Music To The People, Williams recalls the immense power that music had in resisting oppression and division. The compilation’s title and inspiration comes from a popular chant during the era, “Amandla, Awethu,” which translates to, “The power is ours.”
Listen to Esa’s extended edit of “Tucheza” by Ze Spirits Band:
The result is a rainbow of complementary electronic styles hailing from not only South Africa but further afield, including zouk from Brazil and the French Antilles, as well as Afro-futurism and Tanzanian fusion.
Esa Presents Amandla: Music To The People will release on July 5th, 2019. Pre-order it on Bandcamp
Tracklist
01. Penny Penny – Shilungu
02. Alaska – Accuse (Instrumental)
03. Ze Spirits Band – Tucheza (Esa Extended Mix)
04. Nonku Phiri – Sîfó (feat. Dion Monti)
05. Os Panteras – Melo Do Anjo (Outra Edit)
06. Pascal Latour – Lague Yo (Boulo Edit)
07. Mim Suleiman – Presha Kuka (Unreleased Version)
08. Esa – Pantsula Traxx
09. Narchbeats – Cheeks
10. DJ Spoko – #Justsnares
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