BINGELELA: Live EP

by Bingelela

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$8 USD or more

1.	Bingelela 06:13	info
2.	The Road to Poynton 08:05	info
3.	Cabanga 07:14	info
4.	Kulungile (Intro) 02:01	info
5.	Kulungile 03:25	info
6.	Thula Sana (Intro) 01:50	info
7.	Thula Sana 04:01	info

about

BINGELELA was recorded in a single live session in New York City in December, 2018. The performers were all part of a large-scale theater work by South African artist William Kentridge called The Head and the Load. The piece featured a 50-member team of designers, actors, dancers, and musicians, all hailing from South Africa, Guinea, Europe, and the US, including the NYC-based chamber orchestra The Knights.

While the story of The Head and the Load was a solemn look at the experiences of Africans under colonial rule during World War I, the coming together of artists from so many different backgrounds provided some truly joyful moments. Impromptu grooves and jam sessions permeated the long rehearsals and pre-show warm-ups.

This record captures a special afternoon when a small group of the performers were able to extend the impromptu moments into a dedicated jam session, gathering to share music with each other, improvise, and even compose brand new tunes. The recording was all done live, and essentially unrehearsed. The learning and coalescing process is transparent and audible throughout, and while some edits have been made for length's sake, the goal was to keep the recording honest. The end result is hopefully a small snapshot of incredibly talented folks having a really good time together.

HUGE THANKS to The Knights, everyone at the Park Avenue Armory (but especially Jenni Bowman), William Kentridge, everyone at The Office, Rachel Chanoff, Laurie Cearley, Lynn Koek, Brett Parnell, Chris Boerner, and all of the artists of the Head and the Load for making this possible.

credits

released July 9, 2020

Track 1 by Tlale Makhene
Track 2 by Rob Harbron, arranged by Bham Ntabeni
Tracks 3, 4, 5 by Bham Ntabeni
Tracks 6, 7 by Hamilton Dlamini

Performed by:
Bham Ntabeni: Vocals (All Tracks), Guitar (Tracks 3-7)
Mhlaba Buthelezi: Vocals (All Tracks)
Hamilton Dlamini: Vocals (Tracks 3-7)
Xolani Dlamini: Spoken Word (Track 3)
Tlale Makhene: Percussion, Vocals (All Tracks)
Shawn Conley*: Bass (All Tracks)
Nathan Koci*: Accordion (All Tracks)
Alex Sopp*: Tin Whistle & Flute (Track 1, 2)

*member of The Knights chamber orchestra, NYC

Recorded live at the Park Avenue Armory, NYC in December 2018

Recorded and mixed by Brett Parnell - Brooklyn, NY
Mastered by Chris Boerner at The Kitchen - Carrboro, NC
Produced by Nathan Koci