While only dipping his toes into the music arena in the last few years, Bandros has proven to be an artist that understands himself and his sound. Inspired by names such as DJ Stokie, DJ Lastborn, and Vinny Da Vinci, the producer has been on a journey that has seen him absorb multiple influences, and channel them into a unique sonic flair that sounds exotic, yet familiar.
Initially a deep house DJ, Bandros has ventured into amapiano with a particular focus on jazzy and soulful sounds that verge on lounge music. If Kelvin Momo is the king of private school piano, then Bandros is certainly one of its princes. Yet that doesn’t feel like it quite captures him. Bandros has Brazilian influences to his sound that help create a soundscape all of his own.
This peculiar groove of house music is at the heart of Never Stop The Music, the producer’s third album. Coming on the heels of Brenda and Teboho, it is a deviation from his usual dedication of album titles to specific people, and this is all due to the album’s inspiration. Never Stop The Music is a call to keep going, in both music and in life. The album was born out of challenges that almost made Bandros quit music.
“This album is not just for me. It’s a message of solidarity to everyone out there battling their own struggles, whether it’s with their job, their art or their life. Don’t stop. That perseverance, that decision not to quit, is what creates your success.” – Bandros
The essence of this message is captured in the track “Keep Going,” a collaboration with Sizwe Alakine and Ciniso that calls for perseverance. Over soft percussion Ciniso soulfully sings: “Oh it’s all in your head, the water is shallow, jump in and see for yourself.” The is further emphasised by Sizwe as he raps, “Just believe in yourself, because who gonn’ believe in you if you believe in someone else?”
Never Stop The Music is layered in production but with an emotive cushion that gives it a soft landing on the ear, and everything is touched by jazz. The pop influenced “Be my shoulder” has beautiful vocals from the talented Jinger Stone, who also lends her voice to “LA LA LA.” Maline Aura & Noex are at the heart of the groovy “Kuwe,” a livelier moment on the moment, and Bandros joins hands with MDU aka TRP for the exotic “Trip To Brazil.”
The album’s best moment, however, comes on “Brenda 2.0,” a second chapter to the title track on Bandros’ debut album. It is 16 minutes and 42 seconds of lush amapiano production that feels more jazz than house in some moments but captivating in every second. A meeting of synth and live instrumentation. The percussion, the horns, the guitar, the vocals. Bandros, Mia, Sipho Magudulela, Simon, Nathii Keys, Kagiso, Kgethi and Mo_live_bass come together to create a masterpiece.
Never Stop Music stands as a monument to the beauty of collaboration and experimentation. There’s a constant theme of love that is executed to perfection in tracks like “Something Special,” “Lomtana,” and “Mtano Muntu.” This album is both a message for us to carry on and a testament that if Bandros hadn’t carried on with music, the world would’ve missed out on something special.
House rating: 8.8/10
