Beyond the percussion, undulating synths, crashing crescendos, and infectious rhythms Afro house is a culture (if you see Stars 29 merch you're at a house event). The beating drum could be one of log, the conga, or the bata, yet still the music would be the same language. The stages would have that same aesthetic and the essence of the experience would be one captured in emotion.
When it comes to Afro house, "Can you feel it?" has become a defining chant that the MC calls out when the music has reached its climax. Sometimes they say it because they feel like they are losing the crowd. The response is always "Yebo," and although sometimes called out as a reflex, at Garden Of House's Harare debut the crowd said it back meaning every syllable.
Although the marketing had been subpar (trying to read the flyer could've given you a seizure), the venue announcement last minute (then it was changed in the last second of the last minute), and our packed cooler boxes denied admission (if they had feelings they would feel the same as us when we asked to go out with our parents and they said "Go and put on your shoes"), the music was unforgettable.
House events often have a current that melds together Africa's different house sounds, yet at Garden Of House it was distinctly the sound of Afro house as a subgenre that blared from the speakers. What one DJ did, the next seemed to do one better and although the sound wasn't what we had hoped for (unless you came to the front), this was house music.
On arrival, Samuel Cosmic was gracing the decks and although the sun was only just sinking towards the Earth, the rhythms were vibrant and alive. A favourite moment being "One More," a Murphy Cubic & Mr Kamera collaboration that features Jah Prayzah and has a yet unknown day of release.
Kotwane Hikwa took up the mantle after him and blended together the impossible to create the beautiful. "Horns In Sun" was merged with "Mamela," "iPlan Francis Mercier Remix" and the Sax Remix, "Masterclass" with Jazzwrld & Thukuthela's "uValo," Avicii's "Levels" with Liquideep's "BBM." The music was layered, and what the ears missed, Shazam caught, but sometimes even technology couldn't keep.
This wasn't just the theme with Kotwane but almost everyone that graced the decks didn't simply play music but creates new sounds. The Djembe Monks were sensational, a duo with no peers when it comes to blending DJing with live percussion. The drums elevated the sound of each song and the peaks of the set were Nitefreak's "Maithori," the Francis Mercier Remix of Miishu & Emmanuel Jal's "Yuma," and Murphy Cubic & MJ Sings' "Asibe Mnandi."
Maxi OFE was a relatively unknown but he's an act the Garden Of House audience on the night won't soon forget. It was a combination of deep cuts and popular selections that was in equal parts an experience of sound and emotion. A meeting of "Abantwana Bakho" and "Ngyozama," and a blending of Zee Nxumalo's "Mamma" with DJ Tira's "Zasha" being the most memorable showcase of his ability on the decks.
However much the other acts had given a great account of themselves, the night belonged to Sfiso and Nizhe De Soul. The former curated a set of anthemic finesse, while the later had us on a marionette's cross moving to his every whim. The selections were undoubtedly impressive and we could go into that (Shazam hit 40+ across the 2 sets), but it's simply the feeling that made the moment what it was. An understanding of music, curation (particularly putting those 2 DJs in tandem) and how to control a crowd.
The stage was perfect (no other Zimbabwean house event puts it together quite like that), however the sound fell short of what was needed (neighbourhood regulations on volume and all), the parking was hectic and everything felt a bit cramped. Yet if in a typical garden life is given to flora, Garden Of House gives rhythm a new vein of existence. If house music had an Eden this would be it.
After 3 years of being the driving force of house music in Bulawayo, they came to Harare for the very first time and it can only be said that we came, we saw, we gardened.
Greedysouth rating: 7.7/10
When it comes to Afro house, "Can you feel it?" has become a defining chant that the MC calls out when the music has reached its climax. Sometimes they say it because they feel like they are losing the crowd. The response is always "Yebo," and although sometimes called out as a reflex, at Garden Of House's Harare debut the crowd said it back meaning every syllable.
Although the marketing had been subpar (trying to read the flyer could've given you a seizure), the venue announcement last minute (then it was changed in the last second of the last minute), and our packed cooler boxes denied admission (if they had feelings they would feel the same as us when we asked to go out with our parents and they said "Go and put on your shoes"), the music was unforgettable.
House events often have a current that melds together Africa's different house sounds, yet at Garden Of House it was distinctly the sound of Afro house as a subgenre that blared from the speakers. What one DJ did, the next seemed to do one better and although the sound wasn't what we had hoped for (unless you came to the front), this was house music.
On arrival, Samuel Cosmic was gracing the decks and although the sun was only just sinking towards the Earth, the rhythms were vibrant and alive. A favourite moment being "One More," a Murphy Cubic & Mr Kamera collaboration that features Jah Prayzah and has a yet unknown day of release.
Kotwane Hikwa took up the mantle after him and blended together the impossible to create the beautiful. "Horns In Sun" was merged with "Mamela," "iPlan Francis Mercier Remix" and the Sax Remix, "Masterclass" with Jazzwrld & Thukuthela's "uValo," Avicii's "Levels" with Liquideep's "BBM." The music was layered, and what the ears missed, Shazam caught, but sometimes even technology couldn't keep.
This wasn't just the theme with Kotwane but almost everyone that graced the decks didn't simply play music but creates new sounds. The Djembe Monks were sensational, a duo with no peers when it comes to blending DJing with live percussion. The drums elevated the sound of each song and the peaks of the set were Nitefreak's "Maithori," the Francis Mercier Remix of Miishu & Emmanuel Jal's "Yuma," and Murphy Cubic & MJ Sings' "Asibe Mnandi."
Maxi OFE was a relatively unknown but he's an act the Garden Of House audience on the night won't soon forget. It was a combination of deep cuts and popular selections that was in equal parts an experience of sound and emotion. A meeting of "Abantwana Bakho" and "Ngyozama," and a blending of Zee Nxumalo's "Mamma" with DJ Tira's "Zasha" being the most memorable showcase of his ability on the decks.
However much the other acts had given a great account of themselves, the night belonged to Sfiso and Nizhe De Soul. The former curated a set of anthemic finesse, while the later had us on a marionette's cross moving to his every whim. The selections were undoubtedly impressive and we could go into that (Shazam hit 40+ across the 2 sets), but it's simply the feeling that made the moment what it was. An understanding of music, curation (particularly putting those 2 DJs in tandem) and how to control a crowd.
The stage was perfect (no other Zimbabwean house event puts it together quite like that), however the sound fell short of what was needed (neighbourhood regulations on volume and all), the parking was hectic and everything felt a bit cramped. Yet if in a typical garden life is given to flora, Garden Of House gives rhythm a new vein of existence. If house music had an Eden this would be it.
After 3 years of being the driving force of house music in Bulawayo, they came to Harare for the very first time and it can only be said that we came, we saw, we gardened.
Greedysouth rating: 7.7/10