Singeli music is a Tanzanian form of intense, underground electronic music. Dominating the nightlife of Dar es Salaam, I was intrigued when finding out more about the culture through Ugandan label Nyege Nyege Tapes – the go to place for underground, DIY African electronic music. One of Singeli’s pioneers is a man called Sisso, who has released a new tape titled Mateso.
Intense is the best word to describe this tape. With crazy, fast-paced rhythms and percussive elements, this tape brings energy. I can just imagine what this does to people at nightclubs within the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, where most of this music is played at. With subtle, percussive and synth-driven melodies in the background, the album’s beats can be sometimes repetitive, but like house and techno music, this kind of music puts you in a complete trance. Imagine having that freedom to dance and let loose to music like that. “Biti No-1” and the title track “Mateso” do that especially, with incredibly powerful grooves that channel through your body. It’s 16 tracks worth of intensity, and I absolutely love it.
Listen to Sisso’s Mateso below via Bandcamp and just bask yourself in the sounds of Tanzanian Singeli. Released via Nyege Nyege. Don’t forget to support!
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