09 November 2014
Newsdesk
Inspired by his recent role as Nelson Mandela in ‘Long Walk To Freedom’, Emmy nominated, Golden Globe winning actor and DJ Idris Elba has curated, written and produced ‘mi Mandela’, an album of songs which uncovers some of South Africa’s most gifted yet largely undiscovered world music talents. ‘mi Mandela’ will be released on November 24th on 7wallace (Idris’ own imprint) /Parlophone. The first single, ‘You Give Me Love’, features vocals from Maverick Sabre and will be available from November 10th.
The eleven-track album seamlessly blends exuberant South African talent alongside established British artists. The former category includes veteran female vocal harmony group the Mahotella Queens who front the opening track ‘Aero Mathata’; Nothembi Mkhwebane, the Queen of Ndebele Music, who features on her ‘Nothembi Jam’ as well as ‘Home’ which was written by Mumford & Sons; the brass band of the South African collective Future History heighten the atmosphere of several tracks; while the inimitable style of maskandi pioneer Phuzekhemisi is central to ‘Thank You For Freedom’.
In addition to Mumford & Sons, the accompanying British roster includes the album’s co-producer and multi-instrumentalist Mr. Hudson; vocals from Maverick Sabre on ‘You Give Me Love’ and ‘Home’; London-based spoken word / recording artist George The Poet (‘Hold On’, ‘One’); and Mercury Prize / Ivor Novello winner James Blake (‘Nothembi Jam’). Also featured is Atlanta’s neo-soul / funk / R&B creative force Cody ChestnuTT on the track ‘Tree’ and Oklahoma City singer-songwriter Audra Mae provides vocals.
The roots for ‘mi Mandela’ were set when Elba filmed his lead role in ‘Long Walk To Freedom’ during the summer of 2012 and into early 2013. The great Nelson Mandela’s musical interest formed part of Elba’s research and soon the actor was hooked on South Africa’s joyous traditional rhythms.
He recalls: “South Africa has numerous different tribes and each one has a musical expression, and each one has a very unique, different sound style. At the time I had my studio at the apartment I was staying in while I was making Mandela – a little keyboard, a laptop – and as an experiment to myself, I vowed to keep making music.”
Yet later in 2013 it would take the influence of another great man found closer to home to help bring the concept to fruition. Idris showed his dying father Winston the ‘Long Walk To Freedom’ film and exuded enthusiasm for the music that he had discovered. Winston encouraged his son to follow his new passion but wouldn’t live to see the end result following his tragic death that September.
At his funeral, Idris listened to a selection of his father’s favourite music and decided to push ahead with the album project. Two weeks later, Idris had started work on the record in Jazzworks Studio in Johannesburg, with further recording to follow in London and Mali. Idris’ tribute to his late father is also captured with the handwritten letter that features on the album’s cover art.
The first in an innovative series of character-driven projects in which Elba further explores his acting roles within the world of music, ‘mi Mandela’ is a fitting tribute to Nelson Mandela, Winston Elba and the long and glorious tradition of South African music.
FULL ALBUM INFORMATION:
Album Title: “Idris Elba Presents mi Mandela”
Curated, written and produced by Idris Elba
Co-produced by Oliver Wright / Mr Hudson
Engineered by Oliver Wright & Alex Burns
Recorded at Jazzworks Studio, Johannesburg, South Africa, Strongroom Studios & www.HatchTheStudio.com
Mixed at Strongroom Studios by Oliver Wright
Assisted by Alex Burns & Joel Davies
Additional recording in Mali at our makeshift studio, Strongroom Studios, Red Bull Studios London, The Library & www.HatchTheStudio.com
P&C Parlophone Records/Seven Wallace productions
Aero Mathata 4:53
Written by: Idris Elba / Mahotella Queens / Aero Manyelo
Produced by: Aero Manyelo
Published by: Copyright control / Global Music Publishers / Herbal 3 Records
Drums by Michael Buchannon
Guitars by Tokoloho Moeketsi
Keys by Theo Tuge
Strings written & arranged by Izzi Dunn
Performed by The Demon Strings courtesy of Demon Sessions
Vocals by Mahotella Queens
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So Many People 4:07
Written by: Idris Elba / Shaun Escoffery / Mr Hudson
Produced by: Idris Elba
Published by: Copyright control / Copyright control / Imagem
Choir by GSI Choir
Drums by Michael Buchannon
Guitar by Dan Muir & Rory O'Donoghue
Keys by Oke
Vocals by Shaun Escoffery
Shaun Escoffery appears courtesy of Dome Records ltd
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You Give Me Love 3:53
Written by: Idris Elba / Mr Hudson / Maverick Sabre
Produced by: Mr Hudson
Published by: Copyright control / Imagem / Virgin|Emi
All instruments by Mr Hudson except
Backing vocals by Tori Allen-Martin
Brass by Future History Brass Section
Hammond Organ by Rory O'Donoghue
Vocals by Maverick Sabre
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Thank You For Freedom 3:22
Written by: Idris Elba / London African Gospel Choir
Produced by: Mash-O
Co-produced by: Idris Elba
Published by: Copyright control / Crystal Kassi
Beats by Mash-O
Choir section by London African Gospel Choir
Drums by Michael Buchannon
Guitar by Tokoloho Moeketsi & Phuzekhemisi
Trumpet by Neil Waters
Additional vocal by Chaka Kore
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One 2:49
Written by: Idris Elba / George The Poet
Produced by: Idris Elba
Published by: Copyright control / Island Records
Backing vocals by Tori Allen-Martin
Brass by Future History Brass Section
Drums by Remi Kabaka
Guitar & Bass guitar by Mr Hudson
Keys by Oke & Theo Tuge
Spoken word by George The Poet
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mi Mandela 2:29
Written by: Idris Elba / Mr Hudson
Produced by: Mr Hudson & Idris Elba
Brass by Future History Brass Section
Choir by Djigui Choir
Guitar, Bass Guitar & Keyboards by Mr Hudson
Published by: Copyright control / Imagem
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Tree 3:44
Written by: Idris Elba / Mr Hudson / Dan Muir / Cody Chestnutt
Produced by: Mr Hudson
Co-produced by: Idris Elba
Published by: Copyright control / Imagem / Copyright control / Hand to Harvest
Guitar by Dan Muir
Strings written & arranged by Izzi Dunn
Performed by The Demon Strings courtesy of Demon Sessions
Vocals by Audra Mae & Cody Chestnutt
Additional vocal by Sacko Soumailia & Tasha Baxter
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Home 5:05
Written by: Mumford & Sons
Produced by: Idris Elba
Co-produced: Mr Hudson
Published by: Copyright Control / Gallo Records / Universal Music / Imagem / Virgin|Emi
Backing vocals by Tori & Nomza Mazouai AKA 'Nomisupasta'
Banjo by Winston Marshall
Bass Guitar by Mr Hudson
Brass by Future History Brass Section
Cello by Izzi Dunn
Choir by SA Choir and GSI Choir
Drums by Michael Buchannon
Guitar by Tokoloho Moeketsi & Nothembi Mkhwebane
Keys by Ben Lovett
Vocals performed by Thandiswa Mazwai & Maverick Sabre
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Nothembi Jam 5:13
Written by: Idris / Nothembi Mkhwebane / Mr Hudson
Produced by: Idris Elba / Mr Hudson
Published by: Copyright control / Copyright control / Imagem
Bass guitar and percussion by Mr Hudson
Brass by Future History Brass Section
Drums by Michael Buchannon
Guitar, Isidonodono & Impalampala by Nothembi Mkhwebane
Rhodes by James Blake
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Hold On 4:22
Written by: Idris / Mr Hudson / Maverick Sabre / George The Poet
Produced by: Idris Elba / Mr Hudson
Published by: Copyright control / Imagem / Virgin|Emi / Virgin|Emi / Island Records
Guitar by Mr Hudson
Spoken word by George The Poet
Strings written & arranged by Izzi Dunn
Performed by The Demon Strings courtesy of Demon Sessions
Vocals from Thabo from Thabo and the Real Deal
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Soldiers Don't Back Down 4:35
Written by: Idris Elba / Izzi Dunn / Dan Muir
Produced by: Idris Elba
Published by: Copyright control / Hand to Harvest / Copyright control
Vocals and instruments by Djatta Music USA Mali except
Cello by Izzi Dunn
Guitar by Dan Muir
Keys by Oke
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