Baobab Sisters partner with SA musicians on Sondela album

South African artist Bubele Mgele contributed five original songs to the album, which also includes cover versions such as the late jazz great Hugh Masekela’s ‘Chileshe’, Nathi’s ‘Nomvula’ and the Danish folk song ‘Jeg kan se på dine øjne’, which translates to “I can see in your eyes that you love someone else.”

The project’s recording was split between Copenhagen and Pretoria due to COVID-19. At MSS Studios in Pretoria, South African bassist Fana Zulu and percussionist Godfrey Mgcina worked on five songs recorded before the pandemic. Meanwhile, in Copenhagen’s MillFactory Studios, Mozambican percussionist Deodato Siquir and renowned Danish jazz saxophonist Benjamin Koppel tracked their parts.

“We received an offer in 2019 to record for the South African label MSS and to choose which of their artists we would like to collaborate with on the project,” Baobab Sisters’ musical director, Rikke Forchhammer, said. “The choice fell naturally on guitarist Cameron Ward who had played with Hugh Masekela for 10 years.

“With no limitations, Cameron Ward and I chose the songs and worked on the harmonies and arrangements. It turned out to be a very creative and heartfelt collaboration. MSS covered all expenses and we all had a wonderful time, as you’ll feel listening to the songs.”

Since 2009, the Baobab Sisters have focused on performing South African songs, collaborating extensively with renowned musicians from the region, including Hugh Masekela, Mbongeni Ngema and Ntsika Ngxanga.