The Brother Moves On: A Fearless Fusion of Afrocentric sound, political reflection

Their Pan-African musical influences are deeply felt throughout the album. Tracks such as ‘Bayakhala’ (“they are crying”) feature intricate polyrhythms and frequent call-and-response interplay between vocals and instrumentation, producing a dense, energetic sound reminiscent of West African traditions. This intensity is amplified by multi-instrumentalist Shabaka Hutchings, whose contributions on flute, clarinet, and production add layers of texture and depth.

Traditional elements are woven thoughtfully into the work. The album incorporates amagwijo, chants historically sung by Xhosa warriors to inspire courage, most notably in ‘Ta Tom’, an ode to legendary guitarist Madala Kunene. While the track blends jazz and rock, it remains firmly rooted in Afrocentric sensibilities. Elsewhere, $/He Who Feeds You Owns You incorporates mokorokotlo-inspired chants from the BaSotho people alongside nostalgic vocalisations that bridge South Africa’s ancestral past and its transitional present.

Genre-defying and expansive, the album spans Afro-jazz, maskandi rock, and what the band describes as “ninja gospel.” It balances a reflective, sincere approach to politically charged music with compositions of remarkable intricacy, inviting listeners to engage with both its baroque arrangements and its themes of corruption and the enduring colonial legacy in South Africa. Ultimately, $/He Who Feeds You Owns You functions as a vessel of healing, connecting contemporary struggles to a fearless lineage of global resistance.

You can stream the album here and here.

Artist: The Brother Moves On
Album: $/He Who Feeds You Owns You
Year: 2022