Production duo ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS have announced the release of their latest single, ‘Tebamanyi feat. MoRoots’ on the 6th of November. The single is taken from their groundbreaking Afro-European album ZIK ZAK, which will be released on the 22nd of January 2021 via Switchstance Recordings and features a variety of rising African musicians. The album was preceded by the noteworthy Kampala Fire EP and the single Ziinga Zanram.
Ugandan born and London based MoRoots is a fast-rising singer, songwriter, composer, saxophonist, classical pianist who is currently making waves across both continents. The songstress has been supported by several publications including Bella Naija, New Vision, The New Times, Chimp Reports, The Observer and Sofar Sounds.
ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS find inspiration in a variety of styles, including the likes of Madlib, Apollo Brown, Clutchy Hopkins, RJD2, King Tubby, Lee Perry, Dubmatix, Stone Love, J Dilla, Augustus Pablo, Midnite, DJ Premiere, Pete Rock and 9th Wonder. However, ‘Tebamanyi feat. MoRoots’ sits closer to the likes of the production stylings of Thievery Corporation, Kruder & Dorfmeister, the haunting string work of Portishead and Quakers (Katalyst) the while the vocals call to mind the powerful likes of Amy Winehouse and Mary J. Blige.
Radiating with strong feminism and bold vocals, ‘Tebamanyi feat. MoRoots’ is made with deep grooves that keep the listener entranced. An “in-your-face, I-don’t-care” attitude opens the single. However, instead of allowing this rhythm to dominate the single, there is a deep sense of refinement and precision within the vocals that is only further accentuated by the production stylings of ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS.
ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS tell us a little about the joys of working with MoRoots, “She has such an amazing voice and her lyrics are just pure honesty, nothing played or acted. She is just being herself. None of that fake artist character created for the world of Instagram and such, she is pure artistry and a phenomenal voice in one person.”
lyrics
Tebamanyi – Written by MoRoots
Tebamanyi x 4
Tebamanyi - what I've been through
Tebamanyi - my insecurity
Tebamanyi – the pressure that I put
Tebamanyi - so just let them me be
There's a box, and I don't sit
I can't fit in it,
But i'm not too thin, I'm just that thick
My hair ain't fit
Just right too blue,
Too blue for you, too bad your blind
Blinded by mine
I can't see your hate
You put on me
Hold it far, that far from this
This Golden Heart, Tainted by purity
And all of my scars, my insecurities
They live with me, and I carry mine
Tebamanyi – They don’t know me
People think all kinda shit when they see me
They don't see a down ass chick when they see me
All they see is ass and tits and tats and bits that they can't quit
No they can’t quit
Tebamanyi - what I've been through
Tebamanyi - my insecurity
Tebamanyi – the pressure that I put
Tebamanyi - so just let them me be, Tebamanyi
Tebamanyi – where I’ve been
Tebamanyi - my insecurity
Tebamanyi – the pressure I put on me
Tebamanyi - My demons so let me be
Walking through my
Struggles and my life
That you don’t know about I
And I don’t know why
You judge me like
You know what I
Go through when I’m all alone
And you don’t know
Walking through my
Struggles and my life
That you don’t know about I
And I don’t know why
You judge me yet
you don’t know what I
What I go through when I’m all alone
Tebamanyi
There's a box,
And I don't sit
I can't fit in it
I'm just that thick
My hair ain't big
Just right too blue,
But too blue for you
Too bad your blind
Blinded by mine
I can't see your hate
That you put on me
Hold it far
That far from me
credits
released November 6, 2020
Music composed by Ingo Moell
Lyrics written by Maureen Rutabingwa
Mixed by Kabanjak
Produced by Ancient Astronauts
Vocals by MoRoots
Published by Oneminded Soul Publishing.
Executive producer: Thomas Katongole-Strauch
Mastering by Artur Wnorowski
Artwork by Lisse / Brushwood Entertainment
P & C 2020 Switchstance Recordings
The label's creed and therefore the style of its producers and DJs is to have ultimate freedom, whether in their musical
movements or in "switching" between various styles. The aim of the label is to combine early musical influences such as Funk, Jazz, Latin, 90´s Hip Hop and Reggae with the most progressive techniques of electronic music production.
The two sides to producer Steve White’s music—futurism and soulfulness—sit more comfortably together than ever before on his latest album as Steve Spacek, which balances boundary-testing sonics with earnest, heart-on-sleeve lyrics. Bandcamp Album of the Day Dec 11, 2018