Galalabadimo // Sãn Kalahari Desert Vocal and Instrumental Music Cassette

LTG 015 30 years ago today I was sat round a fire deep in the Kalahari Desert, Botswana, Africa. Approaching midnight, every generation of the San people Galalabadimo settlement singing polyphonic chants which likely go back centuries, the younger ones stomping barefoot in the sand to create deep rhythm tones to accompany the poly rhythmic claps. Really ancient chants, not simple music, intricate, multi-layered, interwoven melodies. Beautiful and dark, evoking mysteries, mystery music, in-tune with the nature and wildlife surrounding it. In-tune with the spirit world ever present and evident in the raw desert lands. They would bicker, tease and laugh in between these powerful songs. It was a delight to witness them being so composed, stern and serious but in an instance burst with joy. It's a revelation when I listen now to the Mbira player I recorded the next day, Modise Maitshwapelo; at the time I was a young musician and didn't fully appreciate the guy's skill - now after 30 more y