Freshlyground: Nomvula

Nomvula (after the rain) is the second album released by local legends, Freshlyground. This album is more chilled than the first one. Track 5 in particular, ‘Zithande’, sounds like an eclectic xhosa version of Morcheeba. It’s not all downbeat, though. They have retained their unique jazzy, kwaito sound that continues to inspire crowds of wiggling hips, stomping feet and waving arms. Track 7, ‘Doo Be Doo’, has received plenty of radio time. If you listen to radio, you have heard this classic. Several of the tracks are sung in Xhosa and capture a Latin American feeling. If music was a wine I’d describe Freshlyground as ‘fruity, full-bodied, easy listening, best enjoyed now’. Something about their sound just makes me smile and then before I know it, I’m dancing. What’s their secret? Some locals believe that they have subliminal ‘feel good’ messages in their music. Lead singer, Xolani’s, mellifluous voice (sounds like honey) is quite hypnotic. Get this CD and discover why they have been described as the “REAL new-South African-sound”.