Get it Hot: ‘Something In the Water’ by Zaki Ibrahim

Three years after her last solo studio outing, Zaki Ibrahim’s return is a matter of absolute necessity. Something in the Water matches the occasion – coupled with Zaki’s signature mystique its kalimba (thumb piano) and percussion pulsates with an urgency to summon the spirits with.

Produced by Alister Johnson (Yukimi of Little Dragon), it’s the lead single for Every Opposite her forth-coming album. Like her previous EPs, 2006’s Sho: Iqra in Orange and 2008’s Eclectica: Episodes in Purple, Zaki’s free-ranging palettes and experiences culminate into this set, all the more significant for being her very first full-length album, as well as for being the first to be conceived and released out of one of the countries that is home to her – South Africa.

House music, the country’s currently most impacting music export, benefits from her foray. Zaki’s dreamy vocals appear on DJ Kent’s soulful tech tune Sunrise, and afro-house wunderkind and protégé to Black Coffee, Culoe de Song’s album Elevation. Culoe also remixed Ansomnia, Zaki’s contribution to the soundtrack of Tyler Perry’s film For Colored Girls. The soundtrack features Janelle Monae, Lalah Hathaway and Macy Gray, among others

Elsewhere Zaki has invited collaborations from acclaimed artists and producers such as King Britt, DJ Spinna, Nick Holder, Spoek Mathambo and Boddhi Satva, to name a few.
ZAKI IBRAHIM – SOMETHING IN THE WATER by motifrecords

Every Opposite’scarefully selected cast of producers includes Kenyan producer Wawesh (Just a Band, Muthoni the Drummer Queen) South London production team LV, Canadian Rich Kidd (Drake, K-OS, Redman). The core of the project was helmed by Tiago of Tumi and the Volume and 340ml fame. Every Opposite drops January 2012