Afro House has often been referred to as the 4th wave. We’ve had House, Techno, then EDM and now Afro House. This is not to discount other variations of the genres sound but they’re just movements that have changed the sound at it’s core.
Afro House is also seen as a reclamation of the House sound by black people and they’ve certainly not dimmed under the lights. Yet even with the bracket of Afro House they’ve been movements that have shifted it. From the roots of the genre in our tribal sounds, to the first wave of South African House that had ancestral house, tribal house and soulful house sounds.
These have been added onto and transcended, giving life to the sounds of Gqom, Amapiano and Afro Tech among others. The latter being the genre that Shona SA now calls home. A sound on the rise across the globe and firmly establishing itself on the continent. Although the global limelight has been limited to names like Black Coffee, Shimza, and De Capo, the genre has a wide field of talent. Shona SA being one of those that make up the field.
Born Tichaona Ponde, he has evolved into Shona. A tribute in life and being to his family tribe, the Shona. Though years of working with various styles, Shona has honed his craft into a perfect mix of rhythm and melody with unmistakable African flavor that both pays homage to his roots but experiments and merges the styles of tech house and techno that are current today.
Now when I hear the words “Cupid Dreams”, dreaming of love and lonely hearts is what comes to mind. Then when I consider that in reference to music, I think of a sound so good that it makes you fall in love with it, that it takes you somewhere else. This is something house music has always been able to do. Something Shona SA attempts to bring it to life.
Cupid Dreams is the latest offering from him and it’s certainly a packed quiver of arrows from a mythical being, destined to make you fall in love with Africa’s electronic music. The ten track project is a burgeoning cauldron of soul, techno, tribal sounds and deep house. It’s born out of collaboration and displays just how dexterous Shona is. Cupid Dreams features 10 tracks and it’s very much based on collaboration.
The album opens with a smooth yet soulful tune in Suka Kude. The track features Mazet SA and it combines a drumming beat with beautiful vocals, humming and moments of spoken word. Suka Kude has a gently rising tempo that levels out without ever fully intensifying. Shona utilises moments of silence to devastating effect, and he takes us through a myriad of emotions through the song.
Vuka features Nomvula SA and Sazi Cele, and it picks up the pace with a more vibrant beat from the get go. You could say it sparkles in the sound it delivers with Nomvula adding some to it. The music ebbs and flows but never truly reaches a climax. It has moments it comes almost to a standstill and these are characterised by acapella-esque chanting. It’s brilliant both sonically and in it’s composition.
There’s a beating heart to Shona SA’s sound on this album, and he offers it up in different alterations with vocals adding the missing piece to the puzzle. Thula Mama is the perfect example of this, and Shona once again collaborates with Mazet SA. It’s tribal and soulful house elements that are at the centre of Cupid Dreams. Mia Amore which is one of favourites off the project follows the same model and it’s like a prayer in dance music form.
Nguva has a deeper sound and a more insistent rhythm for lack of better words. It is infused with drums and percussion, complimented by singing, chanting and what can only be described as lamentation. It’s rave music but distinctly African in sound. Time Away brings to mind Mono T’s hit from long back Bashana in how it begins. It’s the sounds of ceremonial chanting and intermittent beating of drums before Justin Chalice enters the fray and gives the song a certain gentleness with his vocals.
Cupid Dreams is the perfect kaleidoscope of the Afrotech sound. Werre Werre is transcendant and takes us on a journey, while Mbira Dzekwedu is multilayered and Afro Opera is just, an onstage eloquent performance of Afro House.
Cupid Dreams is a name that comes from a mythical creature of love, one not found in African folklore. Our love spells and potions have often been a lot more spiritual and less romantic. Which is what this album gives. It’s love in the form of House music, with a sound that feels like home. Shona SA certainly makes a statement in ten tracks.
