{"title":"Lorraine Klaasen","description":"\u003cp\u003eLorraine Klaasen, the daughter of the late legendary South African Jazz singer Thandie Klaasen, is one of the few South African artists who have preserved the classic sound of ‘Township Music', which continues to be the most distinctive sound to come out of South Africa. Born and raised in Soweto and now based in London, Ontario, Lorraine has electrified audiences worldwide with her dynamic stage presence and showmanship\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2008, Lorraine released the highly charged album ‘\u003cem\u003eAfrica Calling’\u003c\/em\u003e.  Through working with South African record producer Mongezi Ntaka, and featuring bassist Bakhiti Khumalo (who also memorably performed on Paul Simon’s landmark album, Graceland), Lorraine accomplished her childhood dreams of taking Township music to the rest of the globe and making a truly African record that touches every heart \u0026amp; soul that beats the world over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer CD \u003cem\u003e'A Tribute To Miriam Makeba’ \u003c\/em\u003ewon Lorraine the 2013 Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year and was nominated for an APCMA Award in the Best International Indigenous Artist category.  It is a tribute to the legendary songstress, who remains the most important female vocalist to emerge out of South Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e Lorraine’s 2017 Juno Award nominated release ‘\u003cem\u003eNouvelle Journée’\u003c\/em\u003e showcases some of the musical styles that Lorraine had not yet recorded in her long musical career.  On this album she sings in the Tsonga, Sotho, isiZulu and Xhosa languages of South Africa as well as English and French.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor her latest undertaking – Lorraine teams up with long-time collaborator, guitarist and producer Mongezi Ntaka.  Entitled ‘\u003cem\u003eUkubonga (Gratitude\u003c\/em\u003e)’ (2022), this recording is a collection of songs from the Southern Africa’s Township music songbook and features songs written by some of Southern Africa’s celebrated singers and composers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/lorraine.klaasen\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003ci class=\"fa fa-facebook-square fa-3x\"\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"africa-calling-2","title":"Africa Calling","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLORRAINE KLAASEN'S LATEST ALBUM WEAVES SOUTH AFRICAN FLAVOUR WITH A DISTINCT WORLD MUSIC SOUND - Montreal-based Lorraine Klaasen is set to debut her first major-label release, Africa Calling, on October 21, 2008 across English Canada (released in Quebec on September 23, 2008). Klaasen, already a known talent in the world music community, has recorded several albums independently and has toured to enthusiastic audiences internationally. Africa Calling includes both original songs and traditional South African classics. The album blends diverse cultures, languages and sounds in one uplifting and spellbinding package. \"Africa Calling is a personal reflection of my deep cultural roots in South Africa. I explore cultural diversity with my music and I hope my album will bring audiences of different musical flavours together,\" exclaims Klaasen. The album is storytelling put to music. \"Jabulani\" opens the album as a positive, upbeat song of celebration. The title itself means happiness and the song captures the essence of an African wedding, telling the story of a mother's joy that her son has found a wonderful bride. \"La Reine\" inspires other African artists to continue producing and sharing their work with the world. \"La Reine\" is sung in French, one of five languages sung on the record. Daughter of legendary South African singer Thandie Klaasen, Klaasen was born and raised in South Africa, but has called Montreal home since 1979. Her warmth and energy is infectious and she has thrilled audiences with her live show across North America, Europe and the Caribbean. With the help of talented and notable South African musicians, including Bakithi Kumalo, who played bass on Paul Simon's Graceland album, Klaasen has created an album sure to enchant people of all cultures. On October 25 Klaasen was honoured with the prestigious 2008 Planet Africa Media and Entertainment Award at the Planet Africa Awards in Toronto.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lorraine Klaasen","offers":[{"title":"Digital Download","offer_id":39517563846816,"sku":"0068944023158","price":9.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":39517583638688,"sku":"","price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/8477\/2768\/products\/e54a8083-b80e-4573-af6e-fd9c10bfa52a10750005394644870162-LARGE_2179c1ad-ff63-4d56-81c3-fedeceba9858.jpg?v=1616182813"},{"product_id":"nouvelle-journee-2","title":"Nouvelle Journée","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1149\"\u003eOn seeing her coming at him arms open, radiant in her multi-coloured stage outfit, Nelson Mandela, then on an official visit to Canada, hugged her warmly and said, with a broad smile, “You really are the spitting image of your mother! But can you sing like her?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1150\"\u003eBased in Montreal for more than 35 years, Lorraine still has the bearing of a queen. Through her mother the legendary South African singing star Thandie Klaasen, this unique child decoded the authentic grooves of her country’s Townships. And yet, it is in Montreal that she chose to build her life and give birth to her children. Then came a brilliant solo career, during which she has delighted music lovers with her irresistible mix of South Africans sounds strongly spiced with West Indian flavors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1151\"\u003eHaving taken home a Juno for World Music Album of the Year in 2013 for her tribute to fellow South African Miriam Makeba, as well as the SOCAN award as chosen by her peers the following year, Lorraine knew that the bar had been raised for future projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1152\"\u003eShe decided to call on a trusted man and a long-time friend. Based in Washington, the incomparable guitarist and producer Mongezi Ntaka, with whom she had already worked in the past on the album\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1153\"\u003eAfrica Calling\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(2008), did not hesitate for a moment and came up to Quebec. Others on board for the project are the brilliant Congolese drummer Noel Mpiaza and Haitian musician Medad Ernest contributing his jazz and gospel groove on the accordion and keyboards. Local musicians completing the roster of participants are Assane Seck, the most in-demand Senegalese artist in town, brothers André and Ross Whitman (of the famed West Indian Soca band Jab Jab) as well as Quebec double-bassist Cédric Dind-Lavoie, who has become a fixture on the local world music scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1154\"\u003eAnd just to add a little extra dynamite to the mix, an irrepressible trio of young black backing vocalists (Anne Metellus, Melissa Gresseau, Cynthia Binette) give added tone and infuse some youthful energy into Lorraine Klaasen’s repertoire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1155\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1156\"\u003eNouvelle journée\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis an optimistic, danceable record but also a lucid, sincere and engaged work. Not holding back, Lorraine sings in Tsonga, Sotho, IsiZulu and Xhosa – tribal languages of her home country – as well as in English, all with her charming Soweto accent. The title track even features her singing in French for the first time!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1157\"\u003eLorraine Klaasen pays tribute to her mother by covering\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1158\"\u003eIzani Nonke\u003c\/em\u003e, a song that stridently criticizes those elected to govern us. “Never trust a politician”, she sings, and goes on to deplore the lack of ethics displayed by these untouchable, high-placed figures, described as “dishonest puppets” who profess to love the people, all the better to fleece and abuse them. Sadly, this remains so very pertinent today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1159\"\u003eNo less relevant is\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1160\"\u003eWhere to now?\u003c\/em\u003e, a poignant, soul-charged ballad that Lorraine wrote nearly 30 years ago, imploring people to have compassion and condemning greed. “There are a lot of homeless and destitute people and my heart is heavy,” admits Lorraine, evoking the migrant crisis currently affecting European countries. She adds, echoing the great Anoushka Shankar, whose album\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1161\"\u003eLand of Gold\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis being released simultaneously, “We can’t ignore what’s been happening in the world today.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1162\"\u003eNonetheless,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1163\"\u003eNouvelle journée\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etranslates as New Day, and it represents a new beginning!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1164\"\u003eIn anticipation of the pending return to the concert scene of Lorraine Klaasen, a born stage performer if there ever was one, we can start the hips shaking and the feet tapping by listening to\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1165\"\u003eTownship Memories\u003c\/em\u003e,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1166\"\u003ePolokwane\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eor else\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1167\"\u003eBabalazi\u003c\/em\u003e  (Hangover), which brings to mind the South African mega hit Pata Pata.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" abp=\"1168\"\u003eRadiating beauty and an eternal youthfulness, always flamboyant with her turban shaped like a crown, Lorraine is a natural queen. Our South African queen right here in Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lorraine Klaasen","offers":[{"title":"Digital Download","offer_id":39517624926368,"sku":"0068944025657","price":9.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":39517638787232,"sku":"","price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/8477\/2768\/products\/0877609f-3871-4cc4-82a9-aab15139e32b15105361414130535211-LARGE_629bbe78-83d6-4858-ac7d-6ffa3737a2a1.jpg?v=1616183922"},{"product_id":"a-tribute-to-miriam-makeba-1","title":"A Tribute To Miriam Makeba","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLorraine Klaasen is one of the few South African artists who have preserved the classic sound of 'Township music', which continues to be the most distinctive sound to come out of South Africa. Born and raised in Soweto, South Africa, Lorraine has electrified audiences worldwide with her dynamic stage presence and showmanship.  Her latest show and accompanying CD are a tribute to the legendary songstress Miriam Makeba, a close friend of Klaasen's and her mother - the incomparable Thandi Klaasen. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMakeba remains the most important female vocalist to emerge out of South Africa. Hailed as the 'Empress of African Song' and 'Mama Africa', she helped bring African music to a global audience in the '60s. In a fitting homage, Lorraine and her band do 'Auntie' Miriam justice with energetic and heartfelt renditions of South African classic and traditional folk songs, including those that Miriam Makeba brought to the masses, as well as Lorraine's own compositions inspired by the lady herself.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lorraine Klaasen","offers":[{"title":"Digital Download","offer_id":39517678928032,"sku":"0068944024650","price":9.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/8477\/2768\/products\/d88330f1-2460-4e2e-a376-f74bb2d106cc5920313412575193846-LARGE_805b0ca4-7cba-4bd3-83db-34153b311741.jpg?v=1616185002"},{"product_id":"ukubonga-gratitude","title":"Ukubonga Gratitude","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eUkubonga Gratitude, the new album of the duo composed of singer Lorraine Klaasen and guitarist Mongezi Ntaka is a collection of songs from the Townships of South Africa songbook and includes songs written by some of the famous South African singers and songwriters including Dorothy Masuka, Miriam Makeba, The Dark City Sisters, Dolly Rathebe , Mahotella Queens and Hugh Masekela.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTownships music comes from a people who have endured and triumphed over very difficult times. It has preserved many indigenous cultures of Africa through its flexibility in adapting to new technologies and has also influenced political and social changes. Both Lorraine Klaasen and Mongezi Ntaka experienced some of the conditions that this generation of artists experienced in South Africa during the dark apartheid years, but not to the extent experienced by those famous artists whose songs that Lorraine and Mongezi borrow to remind Africans of the basic concept of gratitude.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lorraine Klaasen","offers":[{"title":"Digital Download","offer_id":42711677141152,"sku":"068944027156","price":9.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":42711713611936,"sku":"068944027125","price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/8477\/2768\/products\/artwork9909e49d-e03f-4230-9833-756f3a220a81-LARGE_0b14d075-3aac-46f3-814b-5a28ea9ff88a.jpg?v=1666635843"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/8477\/2768\/collections\/LorraineKlaasen.jpg?v=1616162032","url":"https:\/\/justin-time-records.myshopify.com\/collections\/lorraine-klaasen.oembed","provider":"Justin Time Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}