Night Of A Thousand Selfies With Tlale

The Coverage& Exclusive By. Sir Kempson Ari weYulu

@ZambiazHarshTag @KempsonAri

kalembaweyulu.wordpress.com

The arts in their many different guises provide us with a glimpse of excellence, and a taste of the sublime. Art said Picasso, blows away the everyday cobwebs from the soul. All should have a chance to taste that breeze. The aesthetic of fashion has been on the back foot for a long time in Zambia, and is now just getting in its stride. A standing ovation must be given to Karen Nakawala (@karen_nakawala) and her Zambia Fashion Week (@zedfashionweek) squad for her diligence in putting together an event of such significance to the Zambian fashion industry, the astounding David Tlale Workshop. Sincere gratitude must be extended to the government through the Ministry of Tourism and Arts and Culture, as well as the National Arts Council for their unwavering support to this blossoming trade. A colossal curtain call is reserved for the maestro and avid advocate of fashion Mr. Tlale (@Tlale_large), who not only graced the occasion but also delivered a poignant discourse and spectacle indeed.  I’ll get to the selfies in a bit, but we must establish the raison d'etre.

To say the event was a success would be an injustice. It was an invaluable endeavor indeed that fed the minds and souls of hungry artist. There was enough wisdom decimated to put a fool on his course and guide a blind man to his destiny. The workshop unfolded like clockwork, from the dialogue with David, to his mini fashion show (in which the Zambian models strutted to the rhythms of Simphiwe Dana (@simphiwedana)) delivered to an attentive audience. The synthesis of the key note speech was the need for us as Africans to excel in excellence through the production of quality and pride in our culture, and aesthetics that go back a long way. Chairperson of The National Arts Council Mulenga Kapwepwe (@MulengaKapwepwe) also emphasized that, believers make us accountable for our dreams and as such we must seriously follow through and materialize our visions into actions. The Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Arts and Tourism put the exclamation mark when he stressed that there was a need to diversify from nature based tourism, and the fashion industry needed to tell government what incentives it needed.  A throng of talent in true Zambian flair was converged for awareness as well as to officially witness the launch of The Intern by David Zambia. 

The super eccentric gifted included Marilyn (@4ev3rMarilyn) in her signature felt Stetson hat, winner of the best upcoming designer at Zambia Fashion Week Debbie Chu (@debbiechu101) and Musha in an architectural inspired bespoke frock. Yves (shares name with one of my favourite designers Yves Saint Laurent) Katongo also showed up in a stunning white calico piece with a print collar she had sewn the morning of the event… what passion for the craft indeed. 

Wait! Did I just see and hear Fay with her stunning locks of natural shaggy hair & Betty (in her signature duku (head wrapper)) are headed to Paris while I was staring at and nodding at Lucie (@Lucie7) (in a fashionable stripped pink shirt) with best friend Nkole (@nkolewanseko) ? No, there was no drama or diva behaviour, everyone behaved themselves as the event was well organised and started on time. Thumbs up to the 100 strong crowd, each looking very original indeed, spotting their own eccentric designs and original African hair do’s.

If a bomb went off in the Intercontinental ballroom on Friday 21st August, Zambian fashion & arts and South Africa’s iconic designer David Tlale would have been wiped out with only an outstanding portfolio and legacy to survive the talent in the room. All protocols observed included the PS  Ministry of Tourism and Arts and Culture Hon. Stephen Mwansa , The Zambian mother of the arts Mulenga Kapwepwe (@Mulengakapwepwe), The Zambia Fashion Week master mind Karen Nakawala, seated next two me where the award winning originators of Zambian fashion

blogging MaFasho (@MaFashio) and in front of me was the retro Kutowa (@KutowaDesigns) visionary Towani Clarke (@TowaniClarke). The running shout outs and selfies would not be complete without an appearance by the sexiest news anchor on Zambian television (ZNBC) Chitalu Mulenga (@chil_mwelwa). The event was indeed worth a thousand selfies. David Tlale will also be in attendance at Zambian Fashion Week 2015 (15th -17th October 2015). 

Catch the full Tlale Exclusive: The Struggle Is Never In Vain Slayed David on Wed 26^th August 2015, 3pm CAT at kalembaweyulu.wordpress.com

Thought Of You Burning Up!

the Review By. Sir Kempson Ari weYulu

@ZambiazHarshTag @KempsonAri

A

pproaching or getting on a track, is like getting 3 minutes to whisper all the right sweet nothings, something like you are about to put a ring on a stone cold fox. From the opening croon on Thought Of You, there is no doubt in the left and right ear that indeed Mike Burner (@micburnermsic) and Magician were on a mission. For the entire 4 minutes the song is on, I’m immediately transported to Miami on a vice yacht party, a scene straight out of Ballers with centerfold Serena and Venus vixens. One hand on the wheel, coasting in a hazy state without a care in the world, is the feel the song evokes. Downloaded 2649 times (at the time the article was written) and counting, the masses feel the same about this summer anthem.

Everything on the catchy riddim is pure calypso. The raspy delivery by Mic saliently scorches the disco funk synth driven melody and rides clap drum pattern. The lyrics are witty and create a mental visual of the situation and scenario of typical day in the life of a guy over the bass line. The backing vocalist deserves applause for being the butter on the cut. The mastering is stellar, sign that the sound engineer did his job thoroughly at mastering. There’s welcome buzz of a video which will send Thought Of You out of the park.                     

A hit record is the combination of the producer doing their job of interpreting the artists’ idea and the artist then getting behind the mic and delivering a one take performance.  A club banger or summer anthem however requires the midas touch to get it heavy rotation status, from the first beat and note you will know without a doubt it’s a hit record and a video will follow. The name you choose as an artist or producer can also be the game changer. Producer Magician and the MC Mic Burner (officially signed to Crystal Ball Entertainment/Music) checked all the right boxes when they chose their respective callings. The result of this rare combo was a Knuckle Punch. Can’t wait for the video to drop and cause mass commotion! 

#NICETOMEETCHA

Download Link

www.datafilehost.com//d/fe846ecf

Flow 1ne Finally Drop!

the Review By. Sir Kempson Ari weYulu

@ZambiazHarshTag @KempsonAri

R

emember that “keep your eyes on Jesus” solo refrain at the end of Pompi’s Mulungu Samagona? And the harmonies on the groovy tune Packaging? As well as the concords on Peace Be Still? Or maybe you where at the 2014 Jazz Festival and saw them live backing Pompi? Yes, that was all the talented duo of Seya and Abi Mali (born and based in Lusaka) collectively known as Flow 1ne (@The_Flow1ne). The gifted singer/songwriter duet signed to Atmosphere (atmospherenation.com) on Friday 14^th August 2015 (now only a week old) officially released their maiden single Gwesa.

The approach to the song itself is refreshing as the title of the song suggests, Gwesa (Nyanja for drop or taking a load off). From the strong opening vocal delivery, I feel the spirit move, and when the beat kicks in, I get stomping and clapping because the Lord got me feeling brad new through this jiving gospel up tempo tune. The subtle church organ chiming smoothly in the background immediately reminds me of my Grandma playing her favourite spirituals but with a new twist to it. Every note is on time and in sync with every beat, a well arranged composition and easy to listen to. The complex harmonies that come strong on the hook were well executed, giving Gwesa the rich texture on which the poignantly crafted lyrics are woven. Indeed this soulful ballad “will kill a hangover” and definitely bless and lift someone’s spirit.                                   

Backing vocals seldom get the recognition they deserve for the ineffable contribution they make to a song, an album, a live performance and a musical career. The harmonies and adlibs on a lot of hit records are often the work of the backup singers. While some remain session artists, others go on to pursue solo careers, like the legendary Yolanda Adams. Applause on Flow 1ne finally dropping Gwesa and the album should be forthcoming soon. We hope. Radio; please keep Gwesa in rotation because someone out there needs to take a load off. It’s a definite 10 from me, Bless.

Download Link http://www.datafilehost.com/d/806e70e7#.Vc