A journey through the soul of South African house music, spanning 29 tracks and the full emotional spectrum of deep house, Deep Songs From The South is more than a mixtape, it’s a love letter to a pivotal era, a personal tribute, and a masterfully curated sonic odyssey.
The House Music Pedagogue weaves together a three-hour set that begins with warm, soulful grooves, dives deeper into moody, immersive rhythms mid-set, and then blooms into the rich, drum and horn-laced textures of vibey Afro-jazz in the final hour, an unmistakable precursor to today’s private school amapiano.
Drawn from releases between 2010 and 2015, the mix captures the essence of a golden age in South African house, when Pretoria pulsed with creativity, and the decks at places like Café Del Khuze and Dukes Grill told stories late into the night. From the mellow elegance of Scotch Flavio's "Fountain Of Love" to the wistful uplift of Kojo Akusa's reimagination of Adele's "Rolling In The Deep" and to the percussive heartbeat of Deep Xcape's "After Da Rain", every track was chosen for its mood, message, and mastery. This anthology pulses with rhythm and reverence, spotlighting anthems and underground gems.
Though 27 of the tracks were produced in South Africa, even the two remixes by international producers UPZ and Trinidadian Deep are grounded in local vocals and visions, honoring the South African artists at their core.
This mixtape is dedicated with love and gratitude to my friends and fellow DJs who shaped my musical identity during my time in Pretoria: Muzi Ntunja, Tiyani Ngobeni, Given Sefara, and Theobald Mhinga. Your ears inspired the journey and your taste, the compass.
And with deepest respect, we remember the late Scotch Flavio and Cannon Soul, artists whose work continues to echo in dancefloors and headphones across the country.
This is Deep Songs From The South.
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