Bristol’s Andy Compton is a beast when it comes to releasing music, and here he is once again with his – you heard it right – 30th album out on his own label Peng. Known for his deep love of all things South African he’s spent a huge chunk of time over the last 5 years in what is probably House Music’s biggest growing scene.
In 2014 while playing a gig in Jozi, Andy met featured resident conga/percussionist Bonging and guitarist Shamrock (both from Soweto) and within a day they had created the song “Chillin’ In The Ghetto.” Fast forward 5 more trips to South Africa and the album Sowetan Onesteps was completed. (The name for the group and project evolved from the notion that it took “one step” to get to the kitchen, “one step” to get to the lounge and “one step” to get to the studio.)
Added to the mix are vocalist Asali from Kenya, appearing in the the songs “Time,” “Ganga,” the mesmerizing Afro Soul “Revolutions Child,” as well as backings with Shamrock’s vocals. Rounding out the vocal spectrum are the talented Celestine in Bristol for “I Belong” and from Ladybird in Paris for “Life On the Moon.”
Considered by Andy to be his most challenging, it truly is an ode to the spirit of Africa. The tunes are deep and lush, the vocals sweet, the sound true to his scrumptious Rurals roots.
1) Time Feat. Asali
Vocals – Asali Msanii
Keys, Beats & Arrangements – Andy Compton
Guitars & Backing Vocals – Shamrock
Percussion – Bongani
2) Pushit
Keys & Arrangements – Andy Compton
Guitars and Vocals – Shamrock
Percussion – Bongani
Backing Vocals – Asali Msanii
3) Stoneless Soul
Keys, Beats & Arrangements – Andy Compton
Guitars – Shamrock
Percussion – Bongani
4) Revolutions Child
Vocals – Asali Msanii
Beats & Arrangements – Andy Compton
Guitars – Shamrock
Keys & Percussion – Bongani
5) Slam
Keys, Bass, Wah Guitar & Arrangements – Andy Compton
Guitars – Shamrock
Percussion – Bongani
6) A Fathers Love
Beats, Additional Keys, Additional Guitars & Arrangements – Andy Compton
Guitars – Shamrock
Keys & Percussion – Bongani
Spoken Word – Mpho
7) Shams Jam
Beats, Additional Keys, Voice & Arrangements – Andy Compton
Guitars & Vocals – Shamrock
Keys & Percussion & Backing Vocals – Bongani
8) Life On The Moon Feat. Ladybird
Vocals by Ladybird (Julie Monnin)
Keys, Bass, Beats & Arrangements – Andy Compton
Guitars – Shamrock
Percussion – Bongani
9) I Belong Feat. Celestine
Vocals By Celestine Walcott – Gordon
Beats, Additional Keys & Arrangements – Andy Compton
Guitars & Vocal scats – Shamrock
Keys & Percussion – Bongani
10) Ganga Feat. Asali
Vocals – Asali Msanii
Keys, Beats & Arrangements – Andy Compton
Guitars & Backing Vocals – Shamrock
Percussion – Bongani
11) Chillin’ InThe Ghetto
Beats, Additional Keys, Guitars & Arrangements – Andy Compton
Guitars & Vocal scats – Shamrock
Keys & Percussion – Bongani
Spoken Word – Mpho
Music Written & Produced by Andy Compton & The Sowetan Onesteps
Edited and mixed at the Peng Studio, By Andy Compton
Mastered at Capsule Labs L.A
