Homecoming by Benjamin Jephta
At only 22, Benjamin has already become on of the premiere bass players in South Africa. 'Homecoming' marks his debut as a solo artist.
“As musicians coming from different training institutions, we are taught a variety of
concepts and are exposed to various styles and genres of music. We are taught what
is ‘hip’ and what is not. I assimilated what was trendy and emulated the people I
looked up to. In the processes, I lost track of the real spirit of my music. The reason I
play music, the essence of what first inspired me to compose a melody.
It’s that spirit I wanted to capture by calling this album ‘Homecoming’. I wanted to
explore my own history and incorporate it into this sound. To capture the spark that
was my first, purest love for music. Having been raised on the Cape Flats in Mitchells
Plain and coming through the church, I want to give the listener a musical biography
of my life by using the harmonies and melodies associated with that upbringing. As an
artist, I believe one should create music that is significant (firstly) to you. I have
always been captivated by this kind of honesty in the musicians I look up to. It is
exactly what I’m hoping to achieve with this album: to move and uplift the spirit. To
welcome you, the listener, to my musical home.”
Tracklist
| 1. | Homecoming | 9:14 |
| 2. | One for the Plein (part 1) | 5:58 |
| 3. | One for the Plein (part 2) | 3:53 |
| 4. | Prayer for... | 4:42 |
| 5. | Hymn for Ada | 8:52 |
| 6. | The Blessing | 6:38 |
| 7. | Bass solo | 1:41 |
| 8. | Requiem for the Wandering | 8:15 |
| 9. | The Blessing (continued) | 1:18 |
| 10. | Still I Rise | 5:51 |
| 11. | Be Strong | 6:18 |
| 12. | Be Strong (continued) | 0:59 |
Credits
Benjamin Jephta – Basses/inserts
Kyle Shepherd – Piano/Rhodes
Sphelelo Mazibuko – drums
Sisonke Xonti – Tenor Sax
Marcus Wyatt – Trumpet
Spha Mdlalose - Voice
Album Credits
Recorded at Sumo Sound Recording Studio in June 2014 Engineer – Peter Auret
Assistant Engineer – Luyanda Molao
Mixed by Peter Auret and Benjamin Jephta
Video & Stills – Hannah Paton and Ryan Roux Artwork/Illustrations and CD/poster design – Mzwandile Buthelezi
License
All rights reserved.
Bassist and composer Benjamin Jephta (30) has made a name for himself as one of South Africa’s premier double and electric bass players.
He has since performed with Danilo Perez, Terri-lyne Carrington, Jason Palmer and Dianne Reeves among others. He is currently based in Johannesburg, as a performer, film/TV composer and lecturing in Jazz and Film music at the University of Witwatersrand.