Sawubona.
Beyond the migration and borders that divide Africa, it seems the two were not capable enough to divide the music Africans make among themselves.
This is proof with the coming together of ESINAM and Sibusile Xaba, an outfit that describes themselves as an Afro-Roots-Electro Cosmic Spiritual Poetic Duo.
The pair is a coming together of two artists with the knowledge of traditions, a taste for futurism -and are both open to the freedom frequency.
ESINAM: The Multi-instrumentalist Electric Lady
Nkosazane Esinam Dogbatse, is a Belgian-Ghanaian multi-instrumentalist, who plays both traditional and modern instruments.
With her EP, ESINAM (2018), the world was introduced to her sound of “jazztronica”. With her debut album, Shapes in Twilights of Infinity (2021), using her flute, the “electric lady” took us through galaxies of sound, where “traces of house, trip hop and hip hop intertwine with tones from traditionals, blues and psychedelica.”
About the album, the Jazz Journal said, “The Belgian-Ghanaian flautist and singer offers a rich fusion of the ancestral and the futuristic, the acoustic and the electronic.”
That project, was where she first worked with mnumzane Sibusile Xaba, on a song called Flowing River.
“…I invited Sibusile to be part of my first album,” ESINAM said, “as a guest on the track ‘Flowing River’, we collaborated during Covid time, long distance work…he just added his magic and it all worked out well…we knew we wanted to make more music together.”
The chance to make more music, came when she had an opportunity to play at the Womad Festival, where she invited Xaba to join her for her solo show.
“During our rehearsals,” she said, “we were sure we wanted to start a new project as a duo. Especially when we spent time together in Dyer Tribe studio to jam and prepare our set and we could record the first traces of the new collaborative tracks.”
Sibusile Xaba: Another Mzansi Musician Taking Afro-Folk Global
Mnumzane Sibusile Xaba, is a South African mystic guitarist, vocalist and another guardian of the avant-garde. A shaper of sounds to come, standing on the shoulders of South African musical greats like Dr.Madala Kunene and Dr.Phillip Tabane.
Though with one foot firmly steeped in the traditional, he never shies away from experimentation with the eclectic and electricity. If you ever came across the album NgoMa(2023), which he did with their 15-piece blast of an ensemble IzangoMa, you go know.
His debut double CD album Open Letter To Adoniah/Unlearning (2017), specifically the latter, is a reminder that he can also play the Jazz guitar.
Throughout his career, he has seemed to be open with playing around with sounds. He has said, “It’s what you do when you’re not playing that gives you a voice and gives you a sound.”
But what many of us know and following him for, is the distinct Afro-Folk he has shared with us in these three albums respectfully: Open Letter To Adoniah(2017), Ngiwu Shwabada(2020), KwaNTU[With Dr.Madala Kunene], (2025).
A guitar sound that is usually rich with poetic stories and reflections. The Zulu language spoken with depth and pride, and Xaba has mentioned that one of his goals, is to “Mystify our culture” through music and storytelling.
Ngiwu Shwabada, is probably Xaba’s predecessors’ wildest dreams. Not just those that carry the Xaba clan name, Shwabada. But also those carry the music he plays, as well as those that play the music that carries the music he plays. It’s a long train of cords.
ESINAM and Sibusile Xaba: Their Collaboration Album, Healing Voices
When these two artists got in studio together, what emerged was not just a collaboration, but an outpouring from their ancestry. A true Sankofa sound –drawing from the past, to create future sounds.
Their first joint album, Healing Voices, was released on April 25, 2025 on W.E.R.F. Records. You can check the 11 track project here. They are currently on their Healing Voices Africa Tour.
