(Cover of the CD)
KZN-based isicathamiya group, Durban Black Drifters, have just released their latest CD, Ubude abuphangwa.
Chris Ntuli, founder and director of Durban Black Drifters, states that the idea behind this CD is to “uphold and motivate the youth to love the music of Isicathamiya”.
“The title means to not rush to be an adult, the time will come (referring to the youth who tend to rush things and mess up their lives),” he adds.
Thanda Ndlovu, former presenter of Cothoza music and now a sports commentator on uKhozi FM, praises the CD: “It’s very good quality. I have followed the Durban Black Drifters’ progress and ever since I have listened to them, this is their best. Besides the quality of the lyrics, the style differs to accommodate new and old listeners.”
From humble beginnings in the early 1990’s to the present day, Chris Ntuli and his Durban Black Drifters have proved to be an outstanding isicathamiya group in KZN with a strong and successful focus on development.
After working with the legendary group Ladysmith Black Mambazo on various projects from the late 80’s to the early 90’s, Chris Ntuli started Durban Black Drifters (DBD) in 1992 as a workshop project. The main aim was to preserve, promote and educate school pupils in the rich, unique and cultural music of isicathamiya which started in the late 18th century and proudly originates from the early Zulu hymns.
“I have known Chris Ntuli since 1998 when he called me to ask for my advice in advancing his isicathamiya group, Durban Black Drifters. During our discussions, I suggested that he might look at expanding the knowledge of isicathamiya music to wider audiences and the best starting point would be to start with young people. I encouraged him to start his highly successful isicathamiya school choir competition. Over the years, this project has been hosted by The Playhouse and has developed to the stage where it has made a major impact on the KZN schools’ music calendar,” says artSMart owner/editor Caroline Smart.
DBD’s is currently conducting workshops around KZN and is on a mission to attract more girls’ choirs. The workshops have so far established and transferred skills to over 2,000 school groups.
Durban Black Drifters have won a BASA award and numerous other cultural awards as the best youth-based Isicathamiya music development project. DBD has also toured Europe, Canada, USA, China and Japan.
The Ubude abuphangwa.CD was recorded at United Rhythms Studio in Glenwood with engineer Neil Snyman mastering with Chris Ntuli who composed all the songs. Photography for the covers is by Langa Ntuli.
Ubude abuphangwa is available at digital stores handled by Bhavani Entertainment and if you do not understand isiZulu, don’t worry - the songs’ meanings are on the back cover image.
Other CDs produced by Durban Black Drifters are Obababethu, Amangisi Amnyama, Bafana Bafana and Lathini Ilembe.
For more information contact Chris Ntuli on 073 301 6740 or email: blackdrifters@yahoo.co.uk
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