(Madala Kunene)
Legendary Durban musician Madala Kunene, dubbed the “king of
Zulu guitar”, has teamed up with local music store Khaya Records for an
exclusive 7” single release.
Recorded, produced by and featuring guitar player Guy
Buttery, this will be Madala’s first release on the 7” format in his four
decades in the industry. This limited-edition release will be launched at
Durban’s singular vinyl shop on Florida Road on November 24 with Kunene.
Combining blues and soul with African folk, Kunene has crafted
a unique style which is completely his own. Armed with a six-string guitar and
a mouth harp, he blurs the lines between jazz, funk, maskandi and East Coast
Blues. With hypnotic vocals, he picks and strums his way into a deep meditative
state while performing. With over 40 years in the industry Kunene has eight
albums under his belt. The first was recorded with bass guitarist Sipho Gumede
and vocalist Jabu Khanyile in 1988. The album has since slipped off the radar,
presumably lost in the wilderness of the 80’s and was Kunene’s singular release
on the vinyl format.
Kunene is one of the top South African folk-guitar marksmen,
a true original and one of KwaZulu-Natal’s musical lighthouses. “It’s strange
when people are interested in your music, particularly as a guitarist, because
there are so many people who play this instrument at one level or another. As
far as uniqueness goes, if you want to stand out, playing the guitar is hard
because it’s difficult to distinguish yourself,” he says.
Part shop, part venue, part basement from That 70s Show, Khaya Records has existed
as a physical store since 2015. In its short life so far, Khaya Records has
already set itself up as something of a beacon for up-and-coming artists
throughout Durban’s disparate scene. The reason for this lies in the store’s
slightly different approach to event nights, which focus on the artist rather
than the audience. Anyone with something to perform is welcome to do so at
Khaya, and audiences are regularly told to STFU if they speak over the acts.
It’s a model that seems to be working.
Together with Kunene, Khaya Records is enriching the Durban
music scene one 7” at a time.
Catch Madala Kunene
Live at Khaya Records on November 24 at 19h00 at 48 Florida Road, Durban.
Entrance R50. Tickets at door. For more information phone 079 343 8634.
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