- Will it trump the super successful debut album?
- “I hope the new music will stretch the rhythmic and melodic conversations set off in Four String confessions”
GOSEGO MOTSUMI
Tomeletso Sereetsi of Sereetsi & the Natives is back in the studio with Swedish producer, drummer and engineer, Mikael Rosen, working on a follow-up album to Four String Confessions, which they also worked together on.
Sereetsi says he hopes that the new music will stretch the rhythmic and melodic conversations set off in Four String confessions and win them more ‘natives’ while retaining the loyal fan base which came with their initial success in the last three years following their debut.
“The album will come out April 2018. It doesn’t have a title yet. Like my debut, Four String Confessions, it will be produced by Swedish drummer, producer and engineer Mikael Rosen and myself. We are finalizing song arrangements and recording four string guitar parts before I bring in other natives to record other instruments,” the folk guitarist said.
The debut album was a resounding success as it sold impressively and earned the band sell-out gigs in and out of Botswana. The album has many hit songs including Robete, Maitsetsepelo, Ke boletsa Mongwe and Chankaneng among others which all have a clever wordplay and a message for the ardent music lover.
Asked about the sound and style of the upcoming album, Sereetsi said the music will do its own talking when the album is released. “I know for sure that I am going to enjoy playing the songs live for many more years. I am very excited about the music and I know people are going to find stuff they love. No song in the album will be a filler!”
Like in the previous album, Sereetsi will feature Kagiso Mangole on keyboards and other natives that he has been working with on stage; Sakkie Nonong on bass and Gomotsegang G Rapoo on electric guitar. “I have composed all of the music and the lyrics except for one folk song. I am looking to also feature a few musicians that I met along the way during my international tours,” he said, explaining that all the songs were written and arranged on the four-string guitar since it is still the core of the Sereetsi & The Natives sound.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Folk Guitar Project Workshop tour by Sereetsi returns in February 2018. The CIPA-sponsored project and tour will make stops in Tsabong, Gantsi, Gumare, Letlhakeng and Gaborone. “Look out for dates announcement soon. Come and join us as we share the joys of playing the four-string guitar of Botswana,’ he stated on social media.