Danny and Skitzo from Bass Breaks & Beats Records are two musicians/producers with roots in the East Rand of Joburg who for more than five years as a duo pride themselves on the delivery of their live music performances. They bring together an Electronic House sound that is fundamentally infused with a strong up-tempo Jazzy feel, complimented by insightful lyrics and smooth vocals [done by Paul Oliviera] in English, Swahili and Portuguese.
Their crossover style of producing music widens their market appeal globally with a focused aim on the greater parts of Africa.
“We make music for people who are into enjoying a good life. A life that is inspired by growing and being diverse. Who are willing to try something new and be adventurous” says Skitzo.
Danny originally formed part of Afro-Pop group ‘Mellow Ring’ playing the acoustic guitar and keyboard. While Skitzo grew up around a mom who was a vocalist and his dad, Babsy Mlangeni a Jazz musician. The developing influences in the early part of their lives laid the foundation for the pillars that holds up the House of music they are improving, maintaining and building upon each day. They draw inspiration from a variety of artists such as 4 Hero, Foreign Exchange, Jazzanova, Flying Lotus, Zakes Bantwini and St.Germain.
Their breakthrough hit Heaven is Here is the fruit of what first got them noticed. There is an embedded truth behind the meaning in the title.
“At that time in our careers before the release of that track we were struggling. We were listening to powerful stuff. Out of all our disappointments the only remedy for what we were going through was to get in the studio and express ourselves in a positive way. So in more than one way Heaven is Here was the breakthrough and relief for all our efforts” they explain.
C.9ine collaborated with Suges, Fish Go Deep, UPZ and Gene King on Harley & Muscle’s Deep House 5th Chapter CD. An impressive cut off this compilation is the remix of the track Sunrise.
“Sunrise was our dopest remix off that album. It has a lot of experimental elements. We threw a beat box on top of a House tune and the result was great!” explains Skitzo.
Their debut album Sound Garden, released last year, is an exploration of all that’s lush and deep in modern dance music. It has tracks like Wonder and Chasing on top ten hit rotation of national radio stations like Metro FM, Y-FM and Uhkozi FM.
Last month they were in Cape Town putting material together at the Red Bull Studio for two new tracks titled Chora with vocals in Portuguese and Garota also in Portuguese with hints of Swahili.
They were also on a national tour of Cape Town, Joburg, Durban, Newcastle and Rustenburg with promises of a kick-ass live set by their three man band which includes their vocalist Paul Oliviera.
I ask them how they respond to claims that they have previously ditched gigs by not showing up and how they feel this may have made them look.
“It has a lot to do with the management problem that we are having and working on at the moment. Sometimes we are double booked. Either Danny on his own or me; what we never do is send half or part of the product. We are a live act and deliver on that performance every time” says Skitzo.
“We stay true to our promise of delivery of the music quality. If people want to know for sure if we are definitely going to be at a gig it will be on both our Facebook profiles and the C.9ine fan page” adds Danny.
Other than their regular gig rotation and studio sessions when the duo are free of work commitments, separately they prefer spending it winding down with some relaxing home and family time.
Wondering what the fuss is about? Hop on over to bpmmag.co.za and checkout the video to their hit single Wonder.
Written By : Mary Honeychild
Connect with BPM