I’ll leave it to the people in the driver’s seat to say how Ralf Gum has changed South Africa’s music scene since he pulled up stakes and moved there five or so years ago. But how has Africa changed Ralf Gum’s music? I was listening to Uniting Music, his 2008 album, and there are a few differences to the casual listener. His music feels more open now, there’s room to breathe, and he seems more at ease letting the melody and hooks carry a song than sweating over popping the bass and the drums for the dancefloor.
One thing that hasn’t changed is a relentless optimism, an uptempo shuffle that has remained a constant through his three albums and many thousands of miles of travel. “Back To Love” is his latest single and it’s in full effect, featuring artists Joseph Junior and Ayanda Jiya. The vocals also feel more at ease, looser, with a feeling that’s more spontaneous than the carefully arranged tracks of a decade ago (and in the era when most tracks are conceived of and almost entirely created in DAWs, there aren’t many people making music that feels more “spontaneous” than they did in the past).
Ralf Gum ft Joseph Junior and Ayanda Jiya: Back To Love (Ralf Gum Main Mix) / GOGO Music
1. Ralf Gum ft Joseph Junior and Ayanda Jiya: Back To Love (Ralf Gum Main Mix) (6:58)
2. Ralf Gum ft Joseph Junior and Ayanda Jiya: Back To Love (Ralf Gum Instrumental) (6:59)
3. Ralf Gum ft Joseph Junior and Ayanda Jiya: Back To Love (Ralf Gum Beat (6:59)
4. Ralf Gum ft Joseph Junior and Ayanda Jiya: Back To Love (Ralf Gum Radio Edit) (3:40)
IN THE GROOVE: Originally published inside #5Mag165 featuring Danny J Lewis, Aakmael, Roman Zawodny & UKR, Nate Manic & more. Help support 5 Mag by becoming a member for just $1 per issue.
