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A million RPM
The Slow-cook Groove of 2 Cardigans & Bowtie’s New Single, Umkhathi

August 14, 2021 by Shaun ONeill In Music Reviews
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Umkaithi actually means space and the song’s sonic landscape is smattered with tasteful bass licks, driving brass, and transitions that flow naturally into each other, like a great river basin welcoming home its many tributaries.

— Shaun O’Neill

Johannesburg-based ethno-jazz R&B ensemble 2 Cardigans and Bowtie released their debut single, Umkhathi, on May 31. The five-piece are founding member Nkululeko Biyana on bass, Utsukushii Likwidskillz on vocals, InkosiKhethiwe “King Khethiwe” Mdlalose on drums/vocals, Moeketsi “Macsou” Tshabalala on keys and synths and Liziwe “Ziwe” Fihlani on alto sax. 2020 has been far from easy but they did manage to feature on a Zimbabwean online series called “Working Wives”, and performed at the annual OR and Adelaide Tambo youth Debate. This single titled Umkaithi precedes the new album which will be available in early 2022.
Umkaithi actually means space and the song’s sonic landscape is smattered with tasteful bass licks, driving brass, and transitions that flow naturally into each other, like a great river basin welcoming home its many tributaries. The rap/hip/hop vocal delivery is both reminiscent of the soulful social
commentary of Lauren Hill and Wyclef Jean-era Fugees, while also remaining distinctly and proudly rooted in South Africa and the beautiful kaleidoscope of continental influences that have coloured the palate of the group.
The lyrics are peppered with symbolism and references to nature, wildlife, the hunt, the hunted – but there are some curveballs thrown in that illicit confusion.

“I be acute like a sniper
More venomous and tedious than mambas or a viper
Or rapists taking showers”

The fusion of the sax and synths for the chorus melds powerfully to lift us to its heady musical climax. Now that our lives might finally return to some semblance of “normality”, maybe we might be better taking a leaf out of the band’s lyric book and enjoying a “deep drink” from the “tree of life”. God knows we’ve earned it. I look forward to hearing the band’s new album in the coming months to find out what other styles and influences they have up their musical sleeves.

2 Cardigans & Bowtie is on Kraków Music

Shout African, alto-sax, Ethan Smith
on 2 Cardigans & Bowtie’s new single

Ethan Smith
is on Kraków Music

Space… “Umkhathi”, the latest single release by 2 Cardigans & Bowtie  sees the group presenting their universal message of travel, transcendence and transformation at a trajectory of a million RPM and a hundred light years. The musical elements are unmistakably representative of the Afro Pop and Afro Hip Hop genres. As a South African myself, I found “Umkhathi” reminiscent of the music of artist such as Andile Yenana, Zim Ngqawana, and Marcus Wyatt (especially the brass and wind arrangements toward the middle and latter end of the song), with the lyric and poetic feel reminiscent of Lebo Mashile. And as a South African that now lives abroad, I found the track a very welcomed reminder of the music from home.
 2 Cardigans & Bowtie Afro Hip Hop Afro Pop hip hop jazz South Africa

Shaun O'Neill is based in Poland. He writes, teaches, and when not playing, attending, listening to or recording music, you will find him in a field near Rudawa growing stuff.

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