Afro Beats From Outer Space

The Pan African Space Station is a fascinating project currently happening in Cape Town. Inspired by Sun Ra’s aphorism, “There are other worlds out there they never told you about,” PASS is “a cross-cultural and cyber-spatial exploration bringing together diverse pan-African sounds, from ancient techno to future roots.”

This year’s programme includes amazing musos like Dr. Philip ‘Malombo’ Tabane, Thandiswa Mazwai and Camerounian drummer Brice Wassy, and a back-to-back DJ master class featuring Theo Parrish and Sowetan cutmaster Mbuso T.

Also emanating into the ethernet as part of the festival is an amazingly eclectic radio stream broadcast from Long Street. Get more info on the Shook site.

South African Music Goes "Boom"!

From Shangaan Electro and Spoek Mathambo (that's him above on the cover of the latest Fader mag) through to DJs Mujava and Cleo being spun by UK bass heavyweights like Kode9, South African music is invading planet earth's dancefloors. Check my recent round-up on Generation Bass, and enjoy the below, out now on Kode9's Hyperdub label: a collaboration between the UK's LV and SA's Okmalumkoolkat (who looks suspiciously like Spoek Mathambo):