PONE MASHIANGWAKO
Artists' Prayer - A Tribute to Motlhabane Mashiangwako
1) Solar Plexus – The Eye of Odin
2) Alice Coltrane – Journey in Satchidananda
3) Leon Thomas – China Doll
4) Ambrose Akinmusire – Dreamed of Manbahsniese
5) Ahmed Jamal – Patterns
6) Gilles Peterson’s Havana Cultural Band – Rezando
7) Abbey Lincoln – Africa
8) Lalo Schifrin – Room 26 (Movie Version)
9) Ambrose Akinmusire – M.I.T.A.G.
10) Thelonious Monk – ‘Round Midnight
11) Ndikho Xaba – Nomusa
12) Bethlehem Progressive Ensemble – Call to Worship
As a collector and Spinner I have learnt to appreciate music as if God is in every beat and melody or I am listening to an actual deity talking in different soothing dialects …I guess as music lovers we treat music differently and we all get various spiritual nourishments. I prepared for us some swing and spiritual jazz …we hope that you enjoy.
As a dedication to my father, this is An Artist’s Prayer About Bra’ Si. Simon Rakentse Mothlabane Mashiangwako looks at art from a philosophical point of view; he believed that art need not be limited to a canvas. In his words “Art is the basis of writing knowledge and therefore civilization.”
He began his art journey in the early seventies, when he was working with the likes of Winston Saoli which he then later joined 17 other black artists exhibiting their work in different embassies throughout Pretoria against the blight of segregation.
Simon Rakentse Mothlabane Mashiangwako’s art works are known all over Africa, Europe and other parts of the world. He became a brand and an icon in the arts over the past decades. He believed artists aren’t meant to be seasonal, an artist doesn’t cease to grow adding reference to the strong art influence he developed during the apartheid regime and throughout the post oppression state.
“People confuse art with struggle, whereas art is the strongest weapon to fight oppression in any form.” Art is a gift given by God through the existence of creation expressed by those who understood how to appreciate every ounce with the intent to show the true beauty of nature.
