Egoli

by Africa Express

Overview

"Egoli" is the Xhosa word for Johannesburg -- translated into English it means "city of gold" -- which is where the collective Africa Express recorded this album in a matter of weeks at the dawn of 2019. Like the five previous albums by Africa Express, Damon Albarn acts as a ringleader in the shadows, omnipresent and largely invisible as he conducts an ever-shifting lineup of South African musicians through lithe electro grooves and spacy pop. Everything on Egoli defies easy categorization. The music doesn't follow conventional paths, either by the standards of African or Western music, and it's a reflection of how every musician involved in Africa Express is aiming at music that crosses cultures. The music is usually anchored in danceable rhythms that slyly evade both hip-hop and mbaqanga cliches, but Egoli also slides into lovely folkie territory: witness the delicate duet between Zolani Mahola and Gruff Rhys on "Absolutely Everything Is Pointing Towards the Light." Generally, Egoli bends toward joyous exuberance, music that sustains itself through its spontaneity and its open heart. The immediacy makes Egoli an instantly inviting listen but it's the camaraderie that makes it a nourishing one. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	07/12/2019
Label:	Africa Express Records
UPC:	0730003612213
Rank:	101650

Tracks

1. Welcome
2. City In Lights
3. The River
4. Bittersweet Escape
5. Johannesburg
6. Become The Tiger
7. Africa To The World
8. Absolutely Everything Is Pointing Towards The Light
9. Where Will This Lead Us To?
10. Mama
11. No Games
12. Morals
13. Taranau
14. The Return Of Bacardi
15. Sizi Freaks
16. I Can't Move
17. See The World

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Africa Express   Primary Artist
Nick Zinner   Featured Artist
Mahotella Queens   Featured Artist
Gruff Rhys   Featured Artist
Damon Albarn   Featured Artist
Phuzekhemisi   Featured Artist
Remi Kabaka   Featured Artist
Sibot   Featured Artist
Ghetts   Featured Artist
Georgia   Featured Artist,Featured Artist
Zolani Mahola   Featured Artist
DJ Spoko   Featured Artist
Blue May   Featured Artist
Nonku Phiri   Featured Artist
Dominowe   Featured Artist
Pote   Featured Artist
Muzi   Featured Artist
Moonchild Sanelly   Featured Artist
Mr. Jukes   Featured Artist
Otim Alpha   Featured Artist
Sho Madjozi   Featured Artist
Faka   Featured Artist
Infamous Boiz   Featured Artist
Morena Lerab   Featured Artist
Radio 123   Featured Artist
Zola 7   Featured Artist
Morena Leraba   Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Jason Walsh   Group Member
Andy Morgan   Group Member
Damon Albarn   Group Member
Remi Kabaka   Group Member
Stephen Sedgwick   Engineer
Rob Aitken   Group Member
Jenny Adlington   Group Member
Stephen Budd   Group Member
Matt Thame   Package Design
Africa Express   Engineer
Frank Merritt   Mastering
Scott Knapper   Mixing Assistant
Blue May   Mixing
Bridin Murphy-Mitchell   Group Member
Gareth Halliday   Cover Art,Graphic Design
Remi Graves   Group Member
Denholm Hewlett   Photography,Group Member
Ian Birrell   Group Member
Owen Mthembu   Composer
Lauren Roth De Wolf   Group Member