Nthatuoa Koeshe

A LONDON based music collective named Africa Express has released a four track EP titled Molo which it says was “created in Johannesburg during a week of discovery, collaboration, music-making and live performances”.

Africa Express, was set up to promote artistic collaborations between African and western musicians and to widen the appreciation of African music and culture. The EP was released through the newly created label Africa Express Records.

The EP features Morena Leraba, a Lesotho musician who fuses his homegrown traditional famo inspired vocals with electro dances, reggae and hip-hop among others meshing cultures and sounds to create a unique sonic experience through collaborations with producers from across the world.

Speaking to the Express People, Africa Express’ Maria McCloy, said other featured artistes include, BCUC, Blk Jks, Damon Albarn, Blue May, Gruff Rhys, Georgia, Ghetts, Infamous Boiz, Mr Jukes, Moonchild Sanelly, Muzi, Nick Zinner, Otim Alpha, Poté, Phuzekhemisi, Radio 123, Remi Kabaka, Sho Madjozi, and Zolani Mahola who all came together to create a fusion of genre blending sounds.

“Molo, is named after a Xhosa word for hello and it is a meeting of musical minds which occurred when Africa Express travelled to Johannesburg for a week of discovery, collaboration, music-making and live performances,” Maria said.

She said the Ep has songs including Nayena featuring Infamous Boiz, Morena Leraba, Moonchild Sanelly, Mr Jukes, Zolani Mahola and Remi Kabaka, No Games which features Muzi, Ghetts, Sho Madjozi, Moonchild Sanelly, Poté, Radio123, Xhosa featuring Moonchild Sanelly, Otim Alpha, Damon Albarn, Blue May, Georgia, Nick Zinner, BCUC, Blk Jks and Vessels ft. Phuzekhemisi, Gruff Rhys, Muzi, BCUC.

“Africa Express invites musicians from the Europe and the US to collaborate with African and Middle Eastern artistes on live shows, events and album recordings to promote African and Middle Eastern music. We have been doing this for more than a decade, working with hundreds of brilliant musicians.

“Africa Express is a non-profit organisation. As we pay all the travel, accommodation and other costs for Western artistes joining us on trips, we ask them to volunteer their time. They can contribute to our costs if they are willing. We do not pay them. All our contracts are negotiated, discussed and agreed, not inflicted.

“The artistes in Africa are treated differently, often reflecting on different circumstances. We do pay them for their time and we ensure that all profits made from recordings, after costs, go to artistes and the promotion of African music,” Maria said.