SA jazzist Bokani Dyer joins Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings

The announcement coincides with the release of his single ‘Resonance of Truth’, which is now available for streaming and download. The song is off his upcoming album Radio Sechaba, set for release on 12 May.

“It is a great feeling to be affiliated with a label that is known for ground-breaking recordings,” Dyer told Music In Africa. “After working with Brownswood for some time now, it is also great that they respect artistic integrity.

“London has been the centre of some of the most exciting recordings in recent years. For me, the biggest draw to them was through Gilles Peterson who started the label. He is a global tastemaker and is open-minded about music, which is a good fit for my ideas about music.”

Brownswood Recordings wrote on Facebook: “We are overjoyed to introduce you to our newest family member, South African pianist, composer and music producer Bokani Dyer. We were blessed to have joined forces with him for the critically acclaimed Johannesburg scene jazz compilation Indaba Is, and so we are excited to be welcoming him to the family.”

Dyer’s signing to the label comes after the Indaba Is release in 2021, which features various other South African artists from the country’s new jazz/experimental school like Thandi Nthuli, Sibusile Xaba and The Brother Moves On, among others.

Dyer describes the concept of ‘Resonance of Truth’ as the “highest when someone follows the path of things which mean the most to them – their truth.”

“I use home in this instance as an idea of being home within yourself with all your complex and unique individuality. This is a song for the social media generation. I see so many people lose themselves to present an idea they think is more palatable to the outside world,” he said.