Moreira Chonguica with his second album: Citizen of the World

SAMA winning producer Moreira Chonguica launches an astonishing new album featuring Manu Dibango, Najee and Jaco Maria

Music is a colourful form of energy that has the power to appeal to people from all around the world; Southern African music in particular. 

It’s that inherent power within music that interests and inspires us here at CapeTownMagazine.com, so we’re always on the lookout for outstanding new South African albums and upcoming Southern African artists to let the world know about.

One such new album is The Moreira Project, Volume 2: Citizen of the World from internationally celebrated jazz saxophonist Moreira Chonguica, originally from Mzambique, and in Cape Town for the last 5 years. Moreira blends urban, traditonal, lounge and jazz in a style and character that makes this album one of the absolute must have albums in 2009.

It’s a fresh and energetic African fusion of world class jazz, recorded by local independent label Morestar Entertainment.

CapeTownMagazine.com was extremely privileged to be present at an intimate prelaunch of the album with the team involved in the new album at the Grand Daddy in September.

If you like a combination of traditional and contemporary local sounds mixed with jazz, groove & lounge flavours this is something to not miss.

Moreira, a SAMA award-winning producer, leads the listener on a pensive and inspiring musical journey while demonstrating the vast scope of jazz in 18 finely tuned tracks, showing respect for an extensive audience with an impressive (and eclectic) compilation.

The album, which derives inspiration from a multitude of musical influences, is sure to equally enthuse young and old, traditionalists and newcomers.

We asked Moreira to tell us about the significance of this album in the international music scene.

“This is world music from Africa at its best. I have used musical influences from all over the world from people I have met to music I have heard or seen live,” he says.

“As an Ethnomusicologist, I am fascinated by the relationship between societies/ cultures and music and the significance of music in these cultures. I respect how cultures use music in their daily environments as a means of communication. This is my tribute to people of the world. This album show influences from all over the world from eastern sounds in The Geisha to salsa in Sambabenta.”

“Ashanti has samples from the people from Nampula in northern Mozambique, while Eyes don't Lie has strong Cape rhythms. West South Side uses the strong Cameroon influences courtesy of the Lion of Africa Manu Dibango and Boarding Time has hip hop influences as does Umjita. The Art of Love has classical elements,” he told CapeTownMagazine.com.

Moreira’s own life journey has seen him travel extensively and the album reflects and pays tribute to global citizens who all have their own life lessons with stories to share.

The album features some of the finest talents in the industry, all of whom have contributed and added their unique sounds to create an exceptional product.

These include international jazz legend Najee, the Lion of Africa - Manu Dibango, vibrant and original hip hop artist Simba, local vocalist Jaco Maria together with South Africa’s top musicians.

The essence of the album is to acknowledge every aspect of life from those that live the jet set life with sleek expensive cars to the barefoot man that walks to work in an African storm all of us are on the very same path yet with different forms of travelling.

The album is available at all Musica, Look'n Listen and top independent music stores in South Africa. Teasers from the album are available on www.moreiramusic.com.

Molo Says: “We’re chuffed that Moreira himself has said that “CapeTownMagazine.com has the credibility and audience to profile music well internationally,” and that’s exactly what plan to keep on doing – giving quality South African music a great platform to show the world what South African music is all about.”

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