What kind of preparations go into a big performance like this one?
A load of rehearsing, as we often add or take away songs for playing outside of SA. Plus all the logistics, given that Mango Groove is twelve people, and that’s just on stage. Obviously there is a team behind this, but it still requires a lot of input from us. And let’s not forget all the media leading up to it.
This performance will be in aid of the launch of the Wilderness Foundation Global. Is it an organisation that is close to your heart?
Extremely. We were lucky enough to get to know the late and very great Dr Player several years ago, and he got us interested in the whole notion of “wilderness”. As a result, John [Leyden, founding member of Mango Groove] and I went on a few wilderness trails and found them unbelievably moving. [The] wilderness is increasingly being encroached on and the Wilderness Foundation seeks to highlight this and is now taking the message global.
Your solo album, featuring some big names in the South African music industry, is set to be released soon. What can fans expect?
[They can expect] a celebration of SA Music throughout the years. It’s a very diverse mix of songs, from Brenda Fassie’s “Vulindlela”, all the way through to Laurika Rauch’s hit “Kinders van die wind” and Johnny Clegg’s “Great heart”. There are eighteen songs, so it’s quite a journey and we are very pleased with how it’s sounding. It’s got kind of an SA meets Nashville [sound], which has the effect of creating a unified sound on the album. Some of my collaborators, to name just a few, are Zolani Mahola from Freshlyground, Juanita du Plessis and Vusi Mahlasela. I can’t wait to hear what people think.
Image provided.
