There’s a Brian Eno quote where he says, “I’m fascinated by musicians who don’t completely understand their territory; that’s when you do your best work.” This idea perfectly sums up Bl4nk G4l4xy‘s intrepid sound.
The duo comprises Sowetan music veteran Musa Zwane, formerly of Shameless Band, and local legend Hugh Davison, who are each out to explore a different side of how they make music.
“The Beauty” is their latest single, featuring TCIYF alum Sandile Mbatha and BongiNgoma TheSong. A mix of genres, it brilliantly combines Afrobeat, house, funk and pop, bringing something genuinely fresh to the table.
It’s seriously groovy, and in the duo’s own words, it’s “grounded and galactic, equally at home on dance floors or in headphones.”
Rich Afro-soul elements come alive through Bongi’s vocals, while fascinating production textures reflect the duo’s diverse musical backgrounds. Subtle hints of Mbaqanga come through the guitar work, while influence from artists like Bonobo and Felix Laband is obvious. Yet, thankfully, nothing feels like a replica.
Bl4nk G4l4xy represents the combination of seasoned musicianship and an adventurous spirit. They’re willing to play around with sounds and push boundaries, and I don’t know about you, but I’m incredibly excited to see what else these two visionaries cook up.
