KwaDukuza man and machine compose what could be an African first

Artists who want to push the boundaries of possibility are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) in what may be the start of a ‘golden age’ of creativity.

Progress in AI – computer generated – music is advancing rapidly, thanks to researchers and musicians who want to integrate widespread AI into the music world.

Locally, University of KwaZulu-Natal student Dane Francis from KwaDukuza has collaborated with AI in remixer and producer Vulani Mthembu’s new AI album Nguni Machina.

The album’s name references the shared heritage and languages of the Nguni people, as well as the Latin phrase “Deus Ex Machina” (god in the machine).

Francis is a talented composer, producer and performing artist from Stanger Manor and collaborated on the composition of ‘The Pale Blue Dot’.

The song focuses on the future of Jazz and popular music.

The album – probably a first for Africa – is the shortest fully artificial intelligence created music album, totalling some 5 minutes.

Using the Turing Test as his methodological framework (a test that measures the appearance of intelligence from a computer’s output to be equal to or indistinguishable from a human’s), Mthembu proposed that the success for Nguni Machina would not be based on its popularity, but rather whether listeners could tell if the music was made by AI.

The Nguni Machina Project was at first solely the product of AI, without any human aid of composing, arranging to the mix and mastering. In this case the AI was fed the data from different compositions and genres of music and, with what it learnt, it composed it’s own music.

Francis listened to, and studied the composition which was mostly piano-based.

“Initially, I had to take the midi information and study it. It was not possible to use the information because the computer did not synchronise universal time, instead it had its own kind of time.”

“Since there was no score, I had to look at each note and study the brain of the computer to understand it’s approach. The process in producing this piece of music required I test and try various options. It evolved as I began to hear different elements, from its rhythm, beat, harmony and futuristic sounds embracing the unknown,” said Francis.

He added a small orchestra which was comprised of French trombones, horns, trumpets and a string section.

“I also introduced the composition using a robotic voice embracing unity of man and machine, with cinematic distortion and synth guitar sounds carrying the melodies.”

The collaboration showcases futuristic sound elements and concepts using the DF Washburn Synth Guitar which was modified by Luthier Alec Mackay at Musicians Gear Zone in Ballito, and Garry Gibb.

‘The Pale Blue Dot’ is available on Spotify, iTunes, Deezer, Apple Music and Amazon Music.

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