Vusi Mahlasela releases Umoya after 14 years since his last album
After 14 years since his last album release, legendary muso Vusi Mahlasela recently released his long awaited 10 track album titled Umoya (Embracing The Human Spirit) and since the release, he said the reception from the audience has been reassuring that the album has a place in the market.
The title alone Umoya, which means a spirit in Inguni languages, speaks to the manner in which the music came to him. Through a dream from the spirit world that directed him on what exactly to do and how to go about it.
“The album is a tribute to our spirit beings, the part that gives life to our physical bodies. The album acknowledges the supremacy of the Almighty and the connection to our human spirits. I had recorded this album during a time when there was a huge test of our lives, that is during the Covid pandemic. It was during that time when I was offered the opportunity to record mt demos at the Flame Studios, at the Constitutional Hill.
And what was meant to be just a demo experience morphed into a fully fledged album, adding that he was guided by the spirits.
“The songs and the direction came while I was sleeping. The spirits would tell me exactly what to write and sing and when you listen to it, you can tell of its spiritual potency, celebrating the African people and our power,” he added.
The album is purely in South African languages like English, Venda and Pedi, including Swahili.
He adds that recording at the Flame Studios was another powerful occurrence of the making of the entire project, due to the background of the location.
“It was a prison where very prominent struggle heros like Winnie Madikizela Mandela were detained, so in some way the music was cleansing the place. The album also is an act of dismantling the colonial framework, and you see it with songs like Africa, The Sun is Risen which embodies the right time of Africa’s revelation. That it is Africa’s time to rise and that the children of Africa are going to be and do exactly what our ancestors
want from them,” he said.
Umoya addresses some crucial personal and social issues, and is described as a work that cocoons deeply introspective and spiritual explorations within its rootsy soundbeds.
With many years within the industry, the multi award-winning artist has performed with the late Hugh Masekela and Mahotella Queens and continues to use his socially-inclined music to convey messages both timeless and borderless, crafting balms as much for individual souls as communities.
“I don’t just release music. I am always very attentive to what the spirit wants and adhere to it. And I think that is what has helped me remain so relevant in our society. And if one listens to the music and regards it as very light, the messages are so deep and do what they are sent out to do. Educate and ignite true Africanism,” he said.
As the release date of Umoya approaches, Vusi Mahlasela’s music promises to speak to generations old and new and instill a sense of pride around their nations, heritage and cumulative talents. “You who are chosen to deliver the healing message through music,” he advises. “Teach an understanding of the power of the soul, that aligns us to destiny and begin to heal collective illnesses and balance the harmony of new beginnings.”