Frigid Armadillo - Goliath's Footprint

  • The South African group continue to redefine Afro house with an ambitious and approachable style that folds in Afrotech and amapiano.
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  • After making their Afro house debut with 2020's Adam's Calendar EP, South African duo Frigid Armadillo return with another record of quirky, forward-facing dance music for the ambitious Afro house label Aluku Records. The Johannesburg-based producer-DJs Lebo Lechela and Siyabulela Buhlungu have married their own styles of Afrotech and deep house into an intriguing, unique sound you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else in South Africa or beyond. Equal parts nostalgic, progressive, methodical and unconventional, Frigid Armadillo's tracks have unusual but precise arrangements, and the warm feeling (and sumptuous reverb) of a live recording. Named after a massive footprint in a rock near Mpumalanga (also known as Impuluzi's Footprint, Impuluzi being a leviathan goddess from ages before), Goliath's Footprint is said to be a place of healing, love and mythical African giants. That idea isn't far off from the colossal ambitions the duo have with their own arena-ready sound. "Rule Of Calm" opens the EP with idyllic strings and dynamic basslines in an almost yogic juxtaposition of motion and stillness for the body, mind and soul. Then the title track throws everything at the wall, with curiously guttural ad-libs cradled by bassy sweeps, slurps and siren sounds. Moving on from this year's vocal track "Imbokodo," the duo tap South African singer Qhawe to lend a crisp, convincing performance that uplifts the four-on-the-floor foundation of "Makukhanye," and invite Durban's Classic Desire on "Invisible People." The best collaboration is with Hulumeni on "uMashonisa," where the duo break new ground by balancing the frantic melodies of amapiano with their more careful and theatrical style. The "Bonus Test Mix" subtitle feels like an ironic nod to how the duo have tested the limits of Afro house with every one of their releases to date.
  • Tracklist
      01. Rule Of Calm 02. Makukhanye feat. Qhawe 03. Invisible People feat. Classic Desire 04. Goliath's Footprint 05. uMashonisa feat. Hulumeni (Frigid Amapiano Bonus Test Mix)
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