By Neo Kolane
Harambe Global Records has opted to do compilations of various artists so as to expose them to their large number of fans.
Harambee has been in existence for 30 years.
However, in its current state, where it has been operational for less than two years, it has managed to set up a fully functional recording studio with advanced equipment.
Through its current facility and resources Harambee has managef to sign up 200 artists and recorded 80 of their products which are due for release next month.
Amongst them are Pitso Ramakhula, Tšitso Chalatsi, Nthako Mongali, Sipho Lukhele and Kamohelo Tshola to name but a few
Speaking with theReporter, founder, chairman and executive producer of Harambe, Masitise Seleso indicated that they opted for compilation of 16 artists.
He said that the energy of making one album and focusing on one artist is equivalent to the energy of making one album but with many artists.
Seleso explained that rather than delaying artists who they had signed the company sought to expose many of them so as to expose them to the music lovers. It will only be then when they would consider producing albums for individual artists.
Seleso said that while the majority songs on the album have an Afrojazz or Afrosoul contemporary touch, the variety of artists that are featured bring out the diversity of talent that Lesotho possesses
He added that what makes the album more relevant at this point in time is the fact that young and old talents have been compiled together under the very able hands of talented producers at Harambee.
“We are doing a combination of indigenous music like mangae, (songs composed by initiates) a fusion of that and a contemporary sound which will be the first in the whole of Africa.
“We have done a lot of experiments and it is working,” Seleso said.
Seleso also told the publication that Harambe is on the verge of commissioning a new state-of-the art music recording studio, visual studio and artists’ management centre at its base in Maseru’s Sea- Point.
“Over the past two years, Harambe has been working on recording new and existing talent from Lesotho with the aim of changing the musical landscape in the country as well as to have more locally produced music being played on the national and international airwaves.
Seleso revealed that Volume 2 of the compilation will be released in the next coming two months.
“We also intend to sign up 20 international solo artists from South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. There are six that are already signed up. The balance of 14 solo artists therefore becomes our target for the next 12 months,” Seleso revealed.
