The Brother Moves On

“ The Brother’s sound is a tradition-trouncing trans-Atlantic Afro-centric futuristically ancient fusion that jack knifes between off-world spectral dub-metal, hyper rhythmic rock psychedelia, indie-township, and astro-afro-free-jazz. Taking a cue from that other “Brother From Another Planet” Sun Ra they embrace a multi-genre, multimedia aesthetic, re-challenging hip-hop’s five pillars (MCing, DJing, B-boying, and graffiti writing) into a conceptechnic performance art project that incorporates historical, political, and sociological perspectives”. Stacey from the African Space Station.

The Brother Moves On collective have recorded two new albums since the Covid break, a retrospective of the South African jazz tradition “Tolika Mtoliki”with Matsuli Records featuring Bokani Dyer, Muhammad Dawjee and Mthunzi Mvubu, and their sophomore album “S/he Who Feeds You..” due out on another UK boutique label in 2022. The collective is part of the acclaimed “Indaba Is” compilation out on Brownswood Recordings in January 2021 having recorded a track with Thandi Ntuli entitled “Umthandazo Wamagenge” which is an ode to the tradition and its intersection with the streets. The band perform as their stripped-down 4 piece act featuring Ayanda Zalekile on vox & bass, Simphiwe Tshabalala on vox & drums, Siyabonga Mthembu on vox & chants, Zelizwe Mthembu on vox and guitar. The band become a big band with the addition of their horn section comprised of Mthunzi Mvubu on alto sax and flute, Muhammad Dawjee on tenor sax and Malcolm Jiyane on trombone.
Milestones:
First solo exhibition in a commercial gallery - “Hlabelele” 24 September 2016: https://www.goodman-gallery.com/exhibitions/683
Six European tours, two SADC tours,one East Africa tour and two United Kingdom tours to date.
Represented South Africa in both the South African Season in France and the South African Season in the UK.
The band was invited to the Berlin Festspiele as part of a William Kentridge celebration where they presented their work in reaction to “Ubu and the Truth Commission” entitled “Ubu Never Loved Us”.
The band has opened for Saul Williams at Mimi Festival in Marseille, opened for Hugh Masekela and have been regulars in the London underground scene sharing stages with Yussef Kamaal, Shabaka Hutchings, and United Vibrations.
The collective has grabbed the attention of CNN​, The Telegraph UK and The Mail and Guardian and the Guardian(UK) and their debut album was the Bandcamp featured album thanks to the curatorship of Giles Petersen.