THE MIGHTY ZULU NATION
2004-06-12 Röda Sten
Det är nu klart att Fun^da^mental kommer till Clandestinofestivalen i sällskap med The Mighty Zulu Nation från Sydafrika, dvs den grupp sångare och dansare som FDM samarbetat med på det nya albumet. Totalt handlar det om 16 personer på scen som skär till kanter på alla genrer som någonsin sett ljuset i musikens historia.
The collective that is Fun-da-mental were prime movers in the creation of Global Fusion: Traditional cultural wordage, sounds and expression combined with contemporary beats, technology and progressive idealogy. In some quarters, deemed as controversial and outstpoken, Fun-da-mental have tackled many issues regarding the people of the sun, the diaspora and the consequences of being here, wherever that be. The aim has always been to provoke discussion and debate, even if it hurts.
For their album, ‘THERE SHALL BE LOVE’ (Nation 2001), the band entertained Qawalli singers from Pakistan; Throat-singers from Siberia and Township singers from South Africa to engage in further creative cultural exploration. This train of thought has continued with a live collaboration with The Mighty Zulu Nation, a group of traditional singers from South Africa.
The Mighty Zulu Nation, often dubbed ‘....the young Ladysmith’ hail from Kwa Zulu Natal, and present a diverse, rich and vibrant interpretation of Zulu folklore. Their performance style is rooted in rich traditional forms, a colourful tapestry of song and dance for now’s generation in and outside of South Africa.
Their debut album, ’Abantu....’ has just been completed with Fun-da-mental main-man, Aki Nawaz handling production duties. The album enters a new arena with a collision of Zulu harmonies and melodies slamming into Eastern flava courtesy of tablas, dhol drums, violins and subtle break beats. Stories of intoxication, vast landscapes, political and social upheaval, pain and most importantly hope are in abundance. No passport is required for this journey, only open ears and airwaves.
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