The Sunday News
Mbongeni Msimanga Sunday Leisure Correspondent
TRIBAL house music outfit, Djembe Monks is definitely destined for greatness, as it recently attracted the attention of an Italian electro dance music producer, Gianluca Pandullo, who is keen on partnering them.
Pandullo reportedly wants to remix one of his chart blazing songs – Come to Harm from his 2007 debut album – I-Robots – Laws of Robotics.
“We were fortunate enough to get in touch with Pandullo and he asked if we could work with him on a house music track, so we could give it an African feel. He identified us through social media as we post various works online,” said the group’s percussionist Emmanuel Nkomo.
He said the outfit felt this was their best chance in making a breakthrough internationally and also rekindle Bulawayo’s lost pride, as the country’s hub of entertainment.
“Right now we are focusing on getting our music to new global audiences, improving our sound and making more friends. We believe that house music is still growing in Bulawayo and with our sizeable crowd we hope to get our music on a global scene as well,” said Emmanuel. Emmanuel said Pandullo had already started playing their music in Italy and this would market them globally.
Having already worked with names in the form of Eltonic in South Africa and featured in music projects in Canada, Emmanuel said Djembe Monks was moving in the right direction.
“We hope to explore more musical possibilities. I believe we are in the right direction at the moment because we have featured in music projects from as far as Canada and also South Africa. It really gives us value for our work,” he said.
Pandullo, in an interview said he has always had an interest in African music and expressed interest in working with the local outfit.
He said he discovered Djembe Monks after coming across some of their work online, through a platform known as Peng Africa.
“I discovered Djembe Monks through Peng Africa; I decided to contact them to involve them in my I-Robots/Opilec Music project. It could be great to collaborate on stage with Djembe Monks in Africa or somewhere around the planet and I really want to make it possible. I always had a special interest for African music and I have roots around 70s/80s Afro Sounds,” said Pandullo.
The Italian producer has also worked with well known Dj’s such as South Africa’s Black Coffee, Culoe De Song, Manoo, Osunlade and Joe Claussell and this could be a plus for Djembe Monks.
Djembe Monks headlined this year’s Hifa performing alongside Electro Dance Music acts such as Bassjackers from Netherlands, Blinders from Poland and Jason LeRoux from Zimbabwe.
This year they shared the stage with Casper Nyovest and they have also headlined at Festivals such as the Shoko Festival were they have showcased their talent.
Djembe Monks was formed in 2010 and is made up of four artistes, namely – Emmanuel ‘Rootsz’ Nkomo, Khotso Nare, Ndumiso Tshuma aka Black Cee and Ngqabutho Ncube aka Slimzar Wa Afrika.
