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Thandiswa Mazwai returns with new album

Picture credit: Supplied
Picture credit: Supplied

Award-winning musician Thandiswa Mazwai is making her long-awaited comeback.

Right after inking down a new deal with Universal Music South Africa, Mazwai announced that she will release a new album on November 25 titled Belede.

It has been six years since Mazwai last released an album.

Following on the success of her last two solo albums Zabalaza and Ibokwe, the new album will be Mazwai's third solo studio album.

The upcoming album, a jazz tribute, will see her revisit classic anthems by Busi Mhlongo, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Hugh Masekela, Dorothy Masuka and Miriam Makeba.

"It has been six years since I released new music, which is how I have always worked. I have been away writing. My fans should not expect that much of a departure from my past sound," she said.

"Making this album was a sonic delight and I feel blessed to have been able to sing some of these songs and pay tribute to some of the most rebellious musicians of my time.

"I've re-imagined these songs for a new space and time, and what's interesting is that even though a lot of these songs were written as rebel music against apartheid, they still make sense now. They still have the same impact, ask the same questions."

She worked with drummer Ayanda Sikade, pianist Nduduzo Makhathini and bassist Herbie Tsoaeli on the album named after her late mother.

Mazwai revealed that she would release another album in the next eight months or so - this time with new original songs.

Asked if she would release a song about the current state of the nation, she replied: "There wouldn't be just one song about the current political climate, there will be so many."

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