Born in the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa in 2016, Beating Heart is a collective of artists and enthusiasts who believe ‘in the power of music to create a world without borders’. With privileged access to the world’s largest archive of African field recordings, the collective have been tapping the most laudatory producers to marry these recordings with their own compositions to create something truly unique.
Recorded by pioneering British ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey between the 1920s and 1970s and across 18 Sub-Saharan countries, in the last year Beating Heat have already released a debut album covering the sounds of Malawi (featuring artists such as Machinedrum, Luke Vibert, Clap! Clap! and Afriquoi), as well as two volumes focused on South African this summer (with contributions from Auntie Flo, Goldie and The Busy Twist).
For Volume 3, London-based producer, DJ and NTS Radio presenter Throwing Shade worked her own magic to produce ‘Wonderful Sushi’; a delicate hand-clap driven journey through sultry ambience. Breathy flutes are blended with cloudy synths and panning textures awash with reverb that puts South Africa somewhere in space for three minutes.
You can purchase the release here. Profits support the Women’s Legal Centre and Access Music Project in South Africa. More info at beatingheartproject.com.