The album with no name

After two years, Umdloti resident Guy Buttery has brought out his sixth solo album, which will delight your ears and take you on a musical journey via different voices and instruments.

“I love collaborating,” said Buttery, who shared this album with some of the country’s finest musicians.

The recording took place in a small, secluded farmhouse in Zululand, which Buttery described as “the spiritual ground”.

“I never wanted to be a traditional musician, sticking to one genre and perfecting it. I always dabbled in all sorts of music, trying to amalgamate styles to see if I can fit them together.”

The album features greats like Dan Patlansky, Nibs van der Spuy, Shane Cooper, Derek Gripper, Chris Letcher, French singer Piers Faccini, and the man he described as “quite a big deal” – multi-Grammy Award winner and founder of Windham Hill Records, Will Ackerman.

Working with Vusi Mahlasela however, was “a career highlight” for Buttery.

“I have loved him for years. He is such a giant in the world music scene and he represents SA in such beautiful light. Sessions with him were really memorable. He did some freestyle and pulled a Vusi the one day, which was just a profound moment.”

Another special aspect to this album is that it was his first crowdfunded creation.

“I did not have a record company. People helped me fund it. There was some confusion with this concept at first, as people thought I was a charity and they were donating money to me. I had to explain a few times that by supporting the album, you get something cool in return. I gave away guitars, created fun demos, sent out T-shirts and always made sure people got something back.”

The other slightly odd thing about the new creation, is that it has no name.

“The vinyl is completely blank. There is no name. Neither mine nor the name of the album. I suppose it is a slightly symbolic reference of a new beginning or a turning point. Where it will lead, we will see.”

One of his most-loved songs on the album is a story of him traveling to Kashmir, India, featuring his favourite instrument, the sarangi.

“People think cherubs sit on clouds playing harps, but they are actually playing the sarangi,” he said with a chuckle.

The album will be officially released on February 29 and is available on iTunes, Amazon, Deezer and numerous other outlets. To stream, or buy the album on download, CD or vinyl, visit – https://guybuttery.bandcamp.com/

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