This five-piece electronic band is made up by musical mavericks Spoek Mathambo, Michael Buchanan, Andre Geldenhuys, Bhekisenzo Cele and Marvin Ramalepe (DJ Spoko). Their debut LP Free Love, released in March this 2015 by Soundway Records, was featured on The Guardian UK’s Best Albums of 2015 So Far.
Fantasma’s genre-bending sound has been described by Dazed Digital as a “combination of traditional Zulu maskandi music with Shangaan electro, hip hop and electronica.” BBC Radio 6 regularly played their single “Basbizile” earlier this year. The group also performed on BBC Radio 4 and toured across Europe earlier this year. They played at London’s revered 100 Club, Band on the Wall in Manchester and in Paris.
Fantasma, the latest project of South African innovator and creative pioneer Spoek Mathambo, is a five-man collective which weaves together electronica, hip-hop, traditional Zulu maskandi music, shangaan electro, South African house, psych-rock and punk to form a unique, original and fresh hybrid.
The godfather of ‘Bacardi House’, producer DJ Spoko joins with former Machineri guitarist André Geldenhuys, drummer Michael Buchanan and maskandi multi-instrumentist Bhekisenzo Cele to complete the line up.
Fused by Spoek Mathambo’s futurist vision, Fantasma pulls inspiration from all corners of South Africa: the sounds and spirits of townships and cities as well as the rural countryside. It is diverse not only in its membership but also in its forward-looking music.
Facebook: fantasmamusic
references:
http://livemag.co.za/featured/south-african-musicians-famous-overseas/
