There are reasons why deep house music has always been different in South Africa.
For many of us, it has always been related to our real-life experience. This could mean hearing Sunday cleaning music while someone in the house is singing wrong lyrics confidently or catching a taxi with some deep house mix at 6 AM. Those chilled days spent with friends when everyone keeps silent but no one switches off the music because it is spot-on are among such moments as well.
Deep house has never just existed in clubs for us. It exists in everyday life.
This Album Doesn’t Have Any Efforts To Be Noticed
One of the things you get right away, listening to House Alive, is its relaxed nature.
No forced sounds are present here. There are no efforts aimed at making a viral song that would go crazy on TikTok. No screaming to make someone look at you. All the music flows perfectly, following the deep house rules.
Everything here has a nice beat and warm melodies and doesn’t sound like an effort made to show off. This kind of music usually requires a few hours of playing, as people usually can’t stop listening to deep house.
Unfortunately, there are fewer albums like this these days, as they often seem to be done too fast.
Soulfreakah and ZuluMafia Know Each Other Inside Out
When it comes to collaborations, many musicians make albums that seem to be the product of some kind of business deal. In contrast, collaboration between Soulfreakah and ZuluMafia sounds quite natural.
First of all, Soulfreakah manages to bring a sense of emotion to this deep house album. It means that you will recognize it in soft chords and the atmosphere created by some tracks. On the other hand, ZuluMafia brings his own groove to the mix, thus adding movement.
In addition, there isn’t anything forced in any of the artists’ performances, as neither of them strives to be better than the other. Moreover, they complement each other nicely, thus creating a perfect album. You can tell that this album wasn’t made quickly and by using just online communication.
The Music Sounds Like It Belongs
Listening to House Alive brings memories of home somehow. This album features tracks that remind you of driving in Cape Town on a sunny afternoon with the windows wide open; spending a lazy day in Joburg when the city finally becomes quiet; having a chill vibe at some roof party, etc. All these moments become associated with the album.
Of course, this effect is achieved due to the fact that deep house music should sound natural and fit into the environment of any moment when you decide to listen to it.
It Shows Why Deep House Music Means Something Important
When deep house wasn’t overshadowed by the new genre, amapiano, it was one of the main pillars of the South African music scene. The whole weekend was spent around mixes and sessions made on the music tracks. DJs gained fame due to word of mouth; all of us had a particular USB or playlist with deep house tracks that were too precious to delete. However, this type of music didn’t disappear despite the rise of the new one. People continued listening to soulful house tracks because they provided something that is missing today: feelings.
Deep house music doesn’t require explosions during the first 20 seconds of the track. All it requires is a good rhythm and melody.
Concluding Remarks
When you listen to House Alive, made by Soulfreakah and ZuluMafia, you can notice that this work is more than just another deep house album. House Alive sounds local and real. It makes you remember why we have fallen in love with the sound of deep house.
This music genre doesn’t need to be trendy; it just needs to fit in every moment perfectly.
Born and raised in the charming town of Empangeni, KwaZulu Natal, Sabelo Khanyile has carved out a unique niche in the creative world. Now based in Cape Town, Sabelo is a multifaceted artist known for his dynamic work as a DJ and photographer. His creative journey has led him to collaborate with notable figures such as Micael Matthews and showcase his work at prestigious events like SA Men's Fashion Week. His striking photography has also graced the pages of Vogue Italia, marking him as a significant force in the global art scene. In addition to his work as a DJ and photographer, Sabelo serves as the Creative Director of Adult Content Dreams, an innovative online platform dedicated to celebrating art, fashion, and music. Despite the provocative name, the platform is far from a site for adult content. Instead, it offers a vibrant space for the youth in South Africa to explore and engage with contemporary art and fashion, providing a creative outlet that fosters expression and connection through various artistic mediums. Sabelo’s diverse talents and creative vision continue to influence and inspire, making him a prominent figure in South Africa’s evolving cultural landscape.
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