Dejot — Uhujano

A month after releasing his ambient / experimental – this, that and some thick ass low end – sonic diaryentitled Holowez (Bandcamp exclusive Cassette Tape), Dejot (aka Daniel Jakob) is back with another full length, this time full of radio and dance-floor tailored bangers. Just like its predecessor, Uhujano was also recorded in Joburg (Johannesburg), South Africa. In contrast to its forerunner, instead of revelling in experimental aesthetics – the type deeply infused with introspection – this release is focused on vocal features and songwriting craft, in its club inflected renditions. The guest appearances on here are the stuff to brag about. Moonchild Sanelly – the same one that was just on tour with Die Antwoord and performed with the Gorillaz – makes a total of three appearances (Newtown Chips, Vento Sum, Troy Snake). Simangaliso Mfula of local heroes Radio123 sings on La Marchandise and Tooshtoo. Tshepang Ramoba of the mighty BLK JKS plays midi drums on a bunch of tunes (Tooshtoo, Uhujano, La Marchandise). The other half of Radio 123, Siphosenkosi Nkondlwane, throws in some horn arrangements (also Tooshtoo). And songstress Waterylillyrosa appears on Vermolca in the Dark, while the all-around musician and visual artist Chi aka Robert Machiri delivers a chant on Robot Machirine.

There is no over-arching genre designation that would do this record justice, every single song featured here is an exceptional hybrid. Techno, r&b, gqom, kwaito, modern pop, world, field / experimental all coexist, sharing the same sonic time/space. Although the source material was recorded in Joburg, the production took place in Dejot’s studio back in Bern and took a total of 2-years. Outside of the extensive work on arrangements and song structures, the production process also included layering and collaging field recordings, heavy use of granular synthesis and convolution reverbs. Those inclined to give Uhujano a careful listen on headphones are bound to discover that there is an elaborate sonic ecosystem buried right beneath the surface, with its own story to tell. This mixture of functional and experimental, accessible and off-kilter is what makes the Dejot sonic signature so singular and Uhujano so gratifying as a listening experience.