South Africa’s Freshlyground Shake Up The Dancefloor With Their New Album

(credit Jonx Pillemar)

by Matt Kelchner

As far as artists from South Africa, it’s difficult to name a few. It’s difficult to even name one. Freshlyground are looking to change that. The seven-member band fronted by singer Zolani Mahola combines traditional sounds from South Africa with blues, funk and indie rock elements. Since they came together in 2002, the group has been working to polish this special blend.

On their latest release, Take Me To The Dance, Freshlyground has taken a turn towards the pop world by incorporating more dance music into their songs. For the album they also teamed up with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, describing the experience as “an absolute pleasure”. “He allowed everyone to express themselves but was also able to be firm when he needed to be which is something that is definitely required in a large collaboration like ourselves,” Mahola adds.

With the assistance of Berlin, Freshlyground developed a new level of complexity in their songwriting. More orchestral instrumentation, flutes and violins for example, has been brought into the mix. “The diversity of sound and instrumentation within the band was not something planned but just naturally evolved that way.” Mahola explains, “It is sonically interesting to have those more traditional classical instruments within a pop context, especially within an African pop context.”

Berlin’s influence can be heard from beginning to end on Take Me To The Dance. For most bands, it is difficult to continuously push their sound the way that Freshlyground has, especially in their later albums. The ground describes how in their South African studio with Berlin, he helped introduce different aspects that were not present while keeping true to their original sound. “Something we’ve never been able to achieve ourselves” Mahola says.

With new albums come new tours. Freshlyground has been out on the road since March, when they did a short trek through the United States. Currently they are making their way through shows in London before hitting the Azgo festival in Maputo, Mozambique. As they make their way back towards home, they will play shows locally around Africa. The group plans to wrap everything up before taking a break in July as singer Mahola is expecting a newborn edition to her family.

The current tour is not the first time Freshlyground has ventured outside of Africa to perform. They have been touring internationally for years now. “Every country is different which is the great thing about touring” Mahola explains. One of the highlights while touring stateside for the band was playing to a sold out show in Harlem. “I guess it’s one of those things on any touring musicians ‘to do’ list”.

The relentless touring for the group has paid off. Take Me To The Dance has already reached number 1 on iTunes World Music charts. After taking a short break later this year, the band looks to continue right where they left off, with hopes to come back to America in early 2014. It’s hard to imagine that while still in May, thoughts of next year are already coming forth but such is life of professional musicians. Freshlyground have made not only their most accessible album in Take Me To The Dance, but one of their best. To make an album that is as expansive musically while still being cohesive is no easy task, but Freshlyground make it sound like it.