In this unrehearsed untitled offering we enter a past present future portal. In this free download for the weekend of 20 – 22 May 2016 you find the Thath’i Cover Okestra that makes new super nostalgic African futuristic spiritual chant non-genre. Freestyle: that improvised offspring to ungovernable mammal called Kwaito and its family tree, this is histories in songs, songs of histories. Our ‘Weekend Special’ to you.

Thath’i is the brainchild of Rangoato Hlasane and Malose Malahlela from Keleketla! Library. It invites a mutable crew of independent musicians to investigate the meaning and importance of Kwaito music’s legacy for a new generation – a unique collaborative re-exploration of Kwaito music. It has generated a great interest in Southern Africa due to the relevance of dance music in general and Kwaito music specifically. Its premise – a speculation into the direction that Kwaito could have taken post-2004 positions the project as both nostalgic and futuristic, thus appealing to a wide audience that cuts across age, race and geography.

The first orchestra, supported by the Goethe Institut on occasion of the Shoe Shop project, consisted of 11 Johannesburg-based musicians namely: Mngomezulu Neku on bass, Tito Zwane on electric bass guitar, Zweli Mthembu on rhythm guitar, Nkosinathi Mathunjwa on keyboard, Kgomotso Mamaila on vocals, Tiko Ngobeni on percussions and didgeridoo, RubyGold on vocals, Gwyza on vocals, Sibusiso Galaweni on drums and Tebogo Mokoena on saxophone.

We give thanks to Mmaphuthi ‘Muptee’ Morule (who played a sghubu set) and her brother Tumi Morule who joined on stage to share memories, stories and mad skills.

Recorded live at the Drill Hall on 5 May 2012 / the track is available for download.