Recorded at Rhodes University Beethoven Room,
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
26 November 2015

"Solar", a jazz standard composed by Miles Davis was the bonus track of our first recording session. We were not meant to include it in this selection and it was recorded at soundcheck with just one indication for both players: C pedal.

Solar

Recorded at Rhodes University Beethoven Room,
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
26 November 2015

"The day we met" recalls the first encounter (in Grahamstown, a small town in rural Eastern Cape) between a local Xhosa pianist and a European saxophone player who happened to study at Rhodes University. 
From that day on we developed a certain kind of sound,  harmonic texture and aim for melodies that crystalized into this first tune composed together. 


The day we met

Recorded at Rhodes University Beethoven Room,
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
26 November 2015

Following the trail opened by the first tune we composed together ("The day we met") this "When the time is right" sounds like a well-planned sequel. However, it came out of a quite structured form developed by Lonwabo which had a lot of tricky parts and, after having worked it out, we included an open ending with two different interacting melodies.
 

When the time is right

Recorded at Rhodes University Beethoven Room,
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
26 November 2015

When we started our journey we just had a couple of tunes we played over and over. Along with a refurbished version of the popular "Autumn leaves", "Dienda" (composed by pianist Kenny Kirkland), with its harmonic complexity and contemporary 3/4 feel was a challenge to our saxophone player, who had never played it before. It was a Lonwabo favourite.
For the sake of recording this song, we counted on Qhawe's savoir-faire. Aside from singing beautifully she adapted the lyrics to the urban context we were living in.
"With the promise of spring on a Joza street ..."

The second part of this track is an extension called "Ndiyabulela" ("I am grateful" in isiXhosa, the local language at Makana), a sort of spiritual melody composed "on the spot" during one of our endless jams together.

Dienda + Ndiyabulela

Recorded at Rhodes University Beethoven Room,
by Elijah Madiba
Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
26 November 2015

Although we had worked a little on this track before, it was only at the recording session that we gave it a proper shape. The melodic lines were Lonwabo's idea exclusively and at the recording it had the perfect feel to include Qhawe's voice.
Aside from being a popular isiXhosa name, Lonwabo expresses happiness. Nothing better to describe this tune.

Lonwabo

with
Lonwabo Diba Mafani - piano
Pep Solà-Niubó - tenor sax
special guest :: Qhawekazi Giyose - voice

Ndiyabulela

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