SA folklore musician Madosini re-releases 1995 debut album

Madosini now obtains full masters of Power To The Women, which marks the first of the three albums that will be re-released later in this year. Power To The Women was re-released with the assistance of ALT BLK, a community of artists that seek to develop, support, release and archive music by alternative and independent artists. The 15-track album is available for streaming and download on major streaming platforms. It features songs such as ‘Uthando Lupelile’, ‘Yitileni’, ‘Wenu Se Goli’ and ‘Bafazi’, among others.

“Power To The Women comes after an extensive history of partnership between Madosini and ALT BLK’s mother visionary Oneshushuday Artistry,” founder of independent label Oneshushuday and member of ALT BLK Msaki said. “Madosini was a key feature in their RiverSong Collaborative Arts Festival which takes place in the beautiful village of Hamburg in the Eastern Cape and the intergenerational conversation, At The Feet Of A Living Archive curated alongside Youngblood Arts and Culture Development in Cape Town and contemporary music makers who are greatly inspired by Madosini’s music.”

She added: “Madosini believes deeply in the generosity of sharing her wealth of musical and traditional wisdom to the generations following her.”

Born Latozi Mphahleni on 25 December 1943, Madosini has performed at WOMAD festival and other evenets around the world. She was the first person to be recorded and documented in the festival's Musical Elders Archives project. Her song ‘Wen'usegoli’ was featured in the South African film, Yesterday (2004). She has collaborated with South African musicians Thandiswa Mazwai, Ringo Madlingozi, Derek Gripper and Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil.

Last year Madosini received an honorary doctorate in music from Rhodes University for her contribution and skill in making, playing and teaching traditional Xhosa music of uhadi and mhrubhe musical bows, and the isitolotolo.