Pretoria - One of South Africa’s top Afro house producers, DJ and artist Dr Feel, is dropping his debut album Made In Africa next month.
“The album, which features a star-studded array of artists, will be released by Portugal-based record label Bosom on May 20.
“Made In Africa has been long time coming. I have been working on it for some time – about 4 years or so,” Dr Feel said.
“Tracks such To Forget, featuring Zhane, and Ndiwe Unondidadisa, featuring Sarchieman were recorded a while ago.
“I wanted to create and have a sound that defines Dr Feel, a sound with my signature, and I feel like this is the right time to release it.
“Taking into consideration the success of my previous releases and the growth of my brand in the Afro house scene, I wanted to build momentum and excite my supporters when I drop the album. I believe I have achieved that part and all I wanted to do with this project.”
He said the best part was being able to put together a collective of talented artists from across the globe to work on the album. These were artists with different sounds and styles, and this made the album very diverse, he said.
“Made in Africa was inspired by my love for the continent. It is rich in culture as well as spiritual and traditional uniqueness.
“I wanted to create a project that embodies all these aspects and have everyone who is from the continent relate, and feel a certain pride. In addition, people from outside the continent had to be in awe and intrigued, but also be captivated by not just my album, but by Africa too.”
The album has Afro house original mixes and a touch of progressive and soulful house.
It features a range of vocalists and producers such as Peter Mac, Kreative Natives, Zhane, Nwabisa Magadla, Michelle Cartello, Native Tribe & Da Q-Bic, Sarchieman, Sergio Martella, Ele Producer, Rusty Gold and KayTee En Glent.
To say Dr Feel is one of the most consistent and busiest producers and musicians in the Afro house/tech scene in South Africa is an understatement.
He has been churning out hit after hit in the past few years. His music is regularly featured in live sets by the likes of Black Coffee and DJ Edit SA, among others.
He is among the crop of producers, artists and DJs who have quietly revived the Afro house genre in the country.
Dr Feel is based in Johannesburg and has been a part of the music industry since the late 2000s, working with many up-and-coming hip hop artists from Pretoria.
“My diversity, experience and talent allows me to create and produce any genre of music depending on the artist,” he said.
He has been exposed to musical environments since childhood, when he went to church with his parents.
Dr Feel has so many hit songs that he struggles to pick his favourites. However, Vaudzeyi Vanamate and Alien Speech are among them.
His advice for others wanting to venture into the industry: “Allow yourself to be driven by passion more than money. Also you need to have a thick skin. The music industry is not for the faint-hearted.”
Regarding his future, he said he intended to make lots of new music and stage live shows now that the lockdown restrictions were being lifted.
Pretoria News