Nozinja & Tessela - Wa Chacha

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  • Cheery and energetic, Shangaan electro is a no-nonsense style of dance music, and its creator, South African producer Nozinja, seems to be similarly matter-of-fact. Speaking to The FADER about his work with Tessela on their new split 12-inch, Nozinja said, "He's very good at mixing sounds. I taught him Shangaan sounds and drums and I learned how he puts together different sounds. I wish to do it again." To which Tessela replied, "It was wicked to work with someone with so much enthusiasm." They're an odd pair—Nozinja's percussive, sun-kissed synths are an antithesis to the crumbling, saturated sounds Tessela often works with—but such differences can make compelling music when blended together. Nozinja has explained that "Wa Chacha," his original on the A-side, is a song traditionally "sung by women, especially the mother of a girl who is back from adulthood or school." It's textbook Shangaan electro: the tempo is double-timed, the melodies are jittery and helium-fueled, the beats are preset drum samples and the mix is endearingly rough. Despite some charms, "Wa Chacha" would be hard to distinguish from many other Nozinja tracks were it not for Nkata Mawewe. Her presence feels essential as she enlivens the basic structure with her impassioned voice and group harmonies. Tessela's version of "Wa Chacha" is something else entirely. The UK artist deconstructs Shangaan electro into a heap of smoldering chunks, all of which rumble and roll like boulders bouncing down a volcano. Without overshadowing Tessela's formidable production, the raspy Nurse Matala completes the track with her powerful singing. Both versions stick to a single trajectory for over four minutes, so the added ingenuity from Tessela gives his take some necessary depth.
  • Tracklist
      01. Wa Chacha (Nozinja Version) 02. Wa Chacha (Tessela Version)
RA