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Freshlyground

Freshlyground is a 7-piece ensemble with diverse cultural and musical backgrounds from South Africa. Their genre of music is Afro-fusion and is influenced by Afro-pop, jazz, classical and contemporary 'urban' music. They have been together since April 2002 and their debut album, 'Jika Jika' came out in 2003. The band is made up of Zolani Mahola (vocals, acoustic guitar), Josh Hawks (bass guitar, vocals), Aron Turest-Swartz (keyboards, vocals, percussion), Kyla-Rose Smith (violin), Simon Attwell (flute, mbira, harmonica), Justin Tonkin (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, saz) and Peter Cohen (drums)
Some of their hit songs include I am the man, Castles in the sky , Feels like Sunday and Zithande.

Born in 2002 out of the cultural hotbed that is Cape Town South Africa, Freshlyground have become the musical voice of a nation’s adolescent democracy. Featuring members of different ethnicities from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe their diverse backgrounds have allowed them to weave a musical magic that is highly infectious and undeniably groovy.

Beginning with the release of Jika Jika in 2003 Freshlyground have carved out a massive following both in South Africa and around the world. Their music - a fusion of rock, jazz and Afro-pop – has proven time and time again to be a favourite amongst all audiences from young children to their grandparents. The skill and joy with which it is delivered have made them perpetual crossover favourites.

Nomvula, their multi-platinum 2004 release, broke new ground for South African pop acts. Its first single - Doo Be Doo - was the most played song in South Africa in 2005. With four hit singles following it, Nomvula propelled the band to heights few reach. It has taken them to stages and festivals around Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. With 2007’s Ma Cheri the band cemented their status as one of the finest acts to have ever come out of Southern Africa. They have won numerous awards including 4 South African Music Awards, 4 Metro FM Awards and an MTV Europe Music Award for "Best African Act" - a first for any SA musician.

Freshlyground have not forgotten their roots in the gritty reality of sub-Saharan Africa where so many suffer. They have been supporters of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation since playing a fund raising concert for the Foundation in 2005.

Freshlyground are currently working on their fourth studio album, due for release in South Africa in May 2010. During the course of the year they will be touring extensively throughout South Africa as well as Europe, the US and Asia. Expect “the most important South African act of the 21st century” to continue winning the hearts of fans and packing venues all over the world.

Some of their songs include Mowbray kaap, Desire, Ma'cheri, Ask me, Baby tonight, Manyana, Vanish, Zithande, Father please, Butter cup, I am the man, Zipho phezulu, Ocean floor, Train love, Castles in the sky, Feels like Sunday, Fire is low, etc

Their Radio Africa album will be released in 2010. They collaborated with Colombia's Shakira
on the World Cup anthem, Time for Africa which sampled a popular Camerounian song called Zangelewa

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