Press Article

2003 September   "The time, The season"
Publication: Rootz Magazine
Byline: Dinga Sikwebu

(Drocnoc Music)

Debut albums seldom indicate future musical directions that an artist may take. They tend to be platforms for paying homage as well as reflections of influences. This is what electric bass guitarist Concord Nkabinde’s debut album is all about. No seed, No Life is the guitarist’s dedication “to musicians who left this earth earlier than expected” such as Wendy Mseleku and Moses Molelekwa. Nkabinde’s use of a sampled muted trumpet gives the positive song a sombre colouring.

Fun-filled The Time, The Season reflects “musical and non-musical influences” on Nkabinde. The track Vuka uzenzele while steeped in Blacksmith Mambazo’s a cappella traditions, has a gospel feel about it. Calypsoweto has strong Caribbean inflections. Nkabinde’s bass lines give U make me fly, a reggae beat while Ngizw’ ingoma uses Afro-Cuban rhythms. The 14-track CD also has township grooves reflective of Nkabinde’s growing up in Soweto. Having performed and toured overseas with people like Johnny Clegg, Zim Ngqawana and Deepak Ram, Nkabinde has incorporated these varied experiences into his music.

Unlike his mates who have taken the acoustic straight-ahead jazz route, Nkabinde does not shun technology. In his new album the guitarist who does also vocals, uses samples and programming to enhance his music. Having paid tribute to his influences, we await Nkabinde’s second album. It may tell us more about his direction and sound