Author: Yusuf (Yusuf Brahma)

Nur Felix is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Athlone, Cape Town. Over the last ten years, Nur has been sharing his message of peace promotion in theatres, at music festivals, and at community upliftment events across South Africa. Singing and composing from the heart, Nur‘s upbeat acoustic sound encourages the audience that ‘We Are All We Need'. Happiness is not found in material things, but in the pursuit of dreams, the search for deeper meaning, love, and breaking down the barriers against authentic life expression.

There is a tad of activism in his songs, room for emotional processing through love and heartache, all carried by unique guitar riffs and melodies that are bound to uplift your soul. Nur‘s music and music videos have been featured on TV, in documentaries, and on the radio. His song ‘Peace Date’ (co-written with Nancy Beaudette) was nominated for the International Peace Song awards in Los Angeles in 2018.

Nur Felix is an inspiration for a new wave of singer-songwriters in Cape Town. The concert included performances by highly accomplished local musicians such as Violinist Rayelle Goodman (CT Philharmonic Orchestra), Backing vocalist Mpumi Sizani (backing vocalist for Judith Sephuma), Bass player Josh Hawks (ex Freshly Ground), Backing Vocalist Ruby Paton (Featured on the album), Saxophonist Gareth Harvey, Keyboardist Desmond Blake, and Drummer Byron Asher. The evening was a wondrous collection of eclectic music that expresses a sense of hope for a better world.

To download Nur Felix's We Are All We Need album, go to www.rootspring.co.za/all-albums/

Rootspring and Cape Town Arts Festival bring you a Field Recording by Nceba Gongxeka and Duane Star called Mpempe - captured at HoutBay river on a winter's morning in June.

With the talented Nceba Gongxeka on the Harp and the main vocals and Duane Star on the Cello, Mpempe is the name of Nceba's late uncle who mentored him throughout his childhood. The song is made out of two songs merged as one - the first part of the lyrics is him thanking his clan ooMfene, Lisa, Msuthu, and Jambase ooMalukazi for their gifts, talents, and guidance. The final part of the lyrics is about being at a gathering with lots of girls and wanting to see who will be chosen first through the traditional dance umtyityimbo mixed with umnqokolo.

The sound of the stream is a perfect background to this gentle and spiritual song.

Music Director: Jonny Blundell (Rootspring)
Film Director: Bruce Meissner (Ode to Road)
Executive Producer: Yusuf Ganief (Cape Town Festival)
Supported by WC Dept of Cultural Affairs and Sports

Special thanks to Penny and Graham from Homestead for the use of their property.

Isitiso is a Rootspring and Cape Town Arts Festival Field Recording featuring Nceba Gongxeka, Fancy Galada, and Duane Star. On a winter's morning in June, Rootspring went to a river in HoutBay to capture this field recording.

The sound of the stream is a perfect background to a gentle song called Isitiso - led by the very talented Nceba Gongxeka on the Harp and the main vocals. The song lyrics are made up of children's language that Nceba used to sing as a child - the lyrics do not have meaning and are more like a fun game! Nceba’s ability to sing over the complex and unusual harp part he created is exceptional.

Fancy Galada's great vocals add a melody to Nceba’s lead vocal. She gives the song a fresh West African flavor and adds a grounding bass drum to hold down the flighty harp rhythm. We love the moment in this video when you first hear the Cello but have not seen it yet! Duane Star plays the sweetest tasteful Cello improvised solo and adds the right crossover element to this artwork!

Like the bubbles in the stream, this field recording bubbles with the joy and enthusiasm emitted by this unusual trio.

The Cape Town Festival with Ariva Arts Foundation created the Beyond Busking project to empower buskers through a training and mentorship programme which includes vocal training, stage presence master classes, song writing, musical arrangement and in studio production. The goal of the project is to ultimately uplift the image of busking in South Africa to international standards and create international work opportunities for local buskers. This promo was produced by Nur Felix and filmed at the Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town on 15 June 2022. The beyond Busking Project is supported by Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports, The Castle of Good Hope and Rootspring NPC.