Multi-award winning recording artist Swazi Dlamini, who is based in Durban, has released her third album, her first since 2006, and it has been created in collaboration with her husband, violinist and producer Tshepo Mngoma.
Arriving after Dlamini embarked on a series of shows in Durban and a national tour, the album, titled Gospel Meets Jazz, is one about which Dlamini is very proud, as she believes it is “an interesting expression of spiritual and inspirational music, an album like no other”.
“Gospel and jazz are soothing and inspiring genres and, as an artist with a love for both, it is only natural that I would fuse the styles to create my own sound,” she adds, pointing out that she believes she’s created a balanced album showing who she is and what she is about.
Why the five-year wait to record the new collection?
“Now that I am releasing under my own label, with no dictators as to what works and what doesn’t, I did a pre-recording tour to find out how people would respond to the notion of fusing gospel and jazz, especially my fans, who had always seemed to be in two minds about whether they like the one style over the other. This way, I got to satisfy them while staying true to my craft and my passion,” explains Dlamini.
To introduce the collection, she made an appearance on one of South Africa’s biggest TV gospel programmes, Gospel Time, performing two songs – Mkhothameleni and Psalm 23, which wowed her fans.
Gospel Meets Jazz introduces a different sound, essence and feel to the gospel and jazz genre. The marriage of vocals with Mngoma’s string arrangements bears testimony to their love for music and each other.
The album has been released on the Shammah Records label, which Dlamini co-owns with her husband, who won last year’s SA Music Award (Sama) as Best Newcomer for his album People and Places.
Also signed to this label is 2010 Crown Gospel Award winner Sifaniso, who won the Sama for Best Jazz Album, and fans are sure to be happy to know he features on Dlamini’s new album, performing a salsa song, Yek’ ubuhle.
Also included on the album are Crown Gospel Award nominees Songs and Psalms, a talented gospel group comprising singers from Durban.
“This album represents my heart and soul, my purpose for being, my passions, love and victories. I trust those who love my music will love it just as much as I do,” adds Dlamini.
She first hit the recording scene with her 2003 debut album, My First Love, released through Sony Music.
It was an instant hit and showcased Dlamini’s versatility as a singer, and scooped the 2004 Sama for best female artist, as well as the 2004 Kora Award for most promising female artist of that year.
Produced by award-winning Jimmy Dludlu, the album was dedicated to Dlamini’s son, Thandolwami, who was born in the same year.
Dlamini’s second album, featuring Gloria Bosman as a special guest, was released in 2006. Titled Dance With Me, it again highlighted Dlamini’s versatility, offering a fine mix of songs that yo-yoed between R&B, jazz, gospel, blues and African music styles.
The collection is of special note for featuring Dlamini’s rendition of the African Renaissance speech by former South African president Thabo Mbeki, I Am an African. The track speaks about the pride Dlamini has in being an African woman.
Plans for Dlamini for the rest of this year include touring to Port Elizabeth and Cape Town soon to promote Gospel Meets Jazz and, later, to also tour with Songs and Psalms, whose new album was recorded at the end of July.
“I will also continue to host the Old Mutual Jazz At the Theatre series in Nelson Mandela Square, Joburg, and, of course, Shammah Records and Swazitainment will keep the wheels turning for me,” adds Dlamini. - The Mercury