Bakithi Kumalo’s bass playing can be found in the heart and soul of the modern day anthems that have shaped our sense of music and culture as we know it. Ranked among the top 50 bass players in the world by Bass Player Magazine, Bakithi Kumalo is a five-time Grammy Award winning multi-instrumentalist. Born in the Soweto township of Johannesburg, South Africa and surrounded by relatives who loved music and actively performed, Kumalo landed his first job at the age of seven filling in for his uncle's bass player. Kumalo worked as a session musician in South Africa during the 1970s and early 1980s, eventually becoming a top session bassist and accompanying international performers during their South African tours.
In 1985, Kumalo was introduced to Paul Simon by producer Hendrick Lebone during the recording sessions for Simon's Graceland album. Kumalo then traveled with Simon to New York to finish the album and after the accompanying premier tour, spent several years commuting between Soweto and New York City before permanently settling in the United States. Kumalo has toured regularly with Simon throughout his career and has recorded with and performed alongside many other artists such as Joan Baez, Cyndi Lauper, Hugh Masekela, Herbie Hancock, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Randy Brecker, Grover Washington Jr., Mickey Hart and Disney’s The Lion King.
Bakithi has released several albums as a solo artist and most recently has been working alongside producer Maxfeld Gast and Militia Hill in creating his upcoming album What You Hear Is What You See, featured on Ropeadope, due to premiere in the fall of 2021.
credits
released October 22, 2021
Album recorded at:
Kumalo Studio in Bethlehem, PA
Militia Hill Studio in North Wales, PA
Sonic Architecture & Design Music Studio in Rutherford, NJ.
Produced: Maxfield Gast & Bakithi Kumalo
Co-Produced: Jason Kronick (Tracks 2, 3, 8)
Executive Produced: Bakithi Kumalo
Mixing: Adam Tilzer
Additional Mixing: Jason Kronick
Mastering: Matt Kilmer
Editing: Maxfield Gast
Additional Editing: Jason Kronick & Bakithi Kumalo
Arranging: Bakithi Kumalo & Maxfield Gast
Kumalo Music Assistant, Social Media & Website: Nina Moran
Kumalo Studio Production & Assistance: Bali Kumalo
Album Design & Original Background Paintings: Jane Eger
Original Cover Artwork: GussWhat
Photo: Janene Otten
01: What You Hear is What You See
Written by Bakithi Kumalo & Maxfield Gast
Lyrics by Tshila
Bakithi Kumalo: Bass, Organ, Kalimba, Percussion
Tshila: Voice
Maxfield Gast: Alto Saxophone
Aaron Rimbui: Electric Piano
Omar Haddad: Guitar
02: Zululand Nation
Written by Bakithi Kumalo
Bakithi Kumalo: Bass, Vocals, Aerophone, Percussion
Nonhlanhla Kheswa: Vocals
Alex Blade Silver: Tenor Saxophone, EWI
Oscar Williams II: Piano
Joel Guzman: Accordion
Christos Rafalides: Vibraphone
Pablo Batista: Ilubache Drum
Jason Kronick: Drums
Antonio Sanchez: Drums
03: Desert Walk
Written by Bakithi Kumalo
Bakithi Kumalo: Bass, Vocal Chant, Aerophone, Percussion
Steven Kirsty: Soprano & Tenor Saxophones, Saxophone Arrangement
Oscar Williams II: Piano
Jason Kronick: Drums
04: Nomvula
(A dedication to Bakithi’s sister)
Written by Bakithi Kumalo & Maxfield Gast
Bakithi Kumalo: Bass, Piccolo Bass, Keyboards
Maxfield Gast: Flute, Alto Saxophone, EWI, Keyboards, Chimes
Tim Motzer: Guitar
Mike Pietrusko: Drums, Congas, Percussion
05: Let’s Be One
Written by Bakithi Kumalo, Alyson Faith & Maxfield Gast,
Lyrics by Alyson Faith
Bakithi Kumalo: Bass, Vocal Chant, Keyboards
Alyson Faith: Lead Vocals
Didi Kumalo: Additional Vocals
Maxfield Gast: Soprano, Alto & Tenor Saxophones
William Smith: Electric Piano
Oz Noy: Guitar
Poogie Bell: Drums
06: Happy Village
Written by Bakithi Kumalo & Biodun Kuti
Bakithi Kumalo: Aerophone, Marimba Programming
Biodun Kuti: Vocals, Guitar, Bass
Alex Blade Silver: Tenor Saxophone, EWI
Shawn Hennessey: Hadjira Drum, Surdo Drum, Shakers
07: Electric Flow
Written by Bakithi Kumalo & Maxfield Gast
Lyrics by Dacia Gypsy
Bakithi Kumalo: Bass, Piccolo Bass, Aerophone, Percussion
Dacia Gypsy: Vocals
Maxfield Gast: Flute, Alto Saxophone
Jeremy Grenhart: Fender Rhodes, Keyboards
Biodun Kuti: Guitar
Rodney Harris: Drums
08: Nice Day
Written by Bakithi Kumalo
Bakithi Kumalo: Bass, Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion
Steven Kirsty: Tenor Saxophone
Oscar Williams II: Piano
Gregory McMullen: Guitar
Jason Kronick: Drums
09: Long Story Short
Written by Bakithi Kumalo
Bakithi Kumalo: Bass, Voice Chant, Kalimba
Maxfield Gast: Soprano Saxophone
Aaron Rimbui: Acoustic Piano
Joel Guzman: Accordion
Patrick Graney: Cajon, Hand Claps, Tap Dancing
Jamey Haddad: Hadjira Drum
10: Peaceful Water
Written by Bakithi Kumalo & Maxfield Gast
Bakithi Kumalo: Bass, U-bass, Aerophone, Percussion
Maxfield Gast: Flute, Alto & Tenor Saxophones, Keyboards
Diego Urcola: Trumpet
William Smith II: Electric Piano
James Rouse: Drums
Ranked among the top 50 bass players in the world, BK has played on 5-time Grammy Award-winning albums. A South African
multi-instrumentalist. He has spent a career touring the world performing alongside many famous artists. From Paul Simon’s Graceland to Disney’s The Lion King, Bakithi’s bass playing can be found in the heart and soul of the music that has shaped our sense of music and culture....more
supported by 15 fans who also own “What You Hear Is What You See”
A great companion to Little Big. Similar to the first album in concept, but more subtle in style. It lacks the raw power of Siren, Digital Society, and Rising Mind, but replaces it with a barely perceptible build in tension throughout the album, with a clear resolution (Unknown). This album is as much of a story as its predecessor. ianjworsomething