Ralf GUM : In My City LP

Best Release Of The Month : Release Date 06th October 2014

Ralf GUM : In My City LP

2014 – Gogo Music

Record-Label Info

“In My City” is a very personal project for me. I intentionally put the skyline of Johannesburg on the cover as a tribute, South Africa is the most vibrant dance nation I know globally. I am grateful to be a part of it’s heartbeat and feel that I spiritually and musically now live in a place which I really call home. I am #InMyCity. » – Ralf GUM

Jumping straight in on the No.1 spot on iTunes South Africa on day of release and already one of the most celebrated albums of 2014 in the motherland, House veteran DJ/producer Ralf GUM unleashes his third album, ‘In My City’, unto the rest of the world on his acclaimed GOGO Music label.

Moulded with his soulful, organic, afrcocentric signature sounds, ‘In My City’ is a tapestry of beautifully weaved songs and features local South African and international artists – established and upcoming. These include top drawer artists such as the inimitable Hugh Masekela, « My love for his tone on the trumpet never faded », says Ralf, who grew up listening to Hugh. Many years later upon meeting, the two clicked instantly and whipped up two songs for the album: the gorgeous love song ‘With Her Hand’ and voices the topic of over population on ‘In The City’.

Icons prevail elsewhere on ‘In My City’ such as UK soul architect Omar with groovy ‘Love Core’ and Londoner Dele Sosimi (Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti) on the afrobeat outing ‘Bi ‘na ba n’jo’. The US queen of vocal House and long time collaborator, Monique Bingham lends her distinctive vocal tones to ‘The Pap’. Together Ralf and Monique have penned previous hits such as ‘Kissing Strangers’, which was the best selling soulful House tune of 2008 and 2012’s ‘Take Me To My Love’ was an official chart #1 in South Africa. There is also a refreshing assemblage of newer generation artists. We are introduced to the Ralf’s discovery Lee Bling on ‘The Best Thing’. Rising soul star Portia Monique sings on the first single ‘Free (Is All I Wanna Be)’, which instantly entered rotation on most South African radio stations and supported global DJ’s including Tony Humphries, among others. South African actress and Osunlade collaborator KB makes a return to house music on ‘My Angel’, while previous collaborators Parisian Jocelyn Mathieu (Masters At Work) and Kafele of the 2010 uber-hit ‘Complicated’ return with their magical tones. Produced together with Phil Kullmann and Michael Ehnes and spanning a range of influences like 70s Disco, Funk, Techno, Samba and Afro-beat, this album is a compelling reflection of German-born Ralf GUM’s universal take on the soul genre. South Africa has now been his home and vantage point for three years. And like many of his contemporaries there, he discovered his calling via the late 80’s Chicago House sound. “It is a beautiful country with a ‘joie de vivre’ and of course there is a love for real house music here », Ralf explains his kinship. « ‘In My City’ couldn’t have been made in a more apt place and time »…

« When making music I always look for challenges, hence I try to work with vocalist and musicians who I consider being top of their game and are challenging. All collaborations on the album were so exciting for me. Having worked on it for 1 and half years, I can definitely say that I learned a lot of new things during the process. ‘In My City’ is my greatest personal achievement ». – Ralf GUM

German producer/ DJ Ralf GUM’s music career dates back to 1990 when he started out as a DJ before establishing himself three years later as a full-on institution within the deep house scene and recognised in destinations throughout the world. Armed with solid calibre and rare longevity, in delivering his latest ‘In My City’, Ralf was able to follow in the traditions of his two previous albums, his debut ‘Uniting Music’ in 2008 and the South African gold-selling masterpiece, ‘Never Leaves You’ in 2012. Ralf also owns the record label GOGO Music which was set up in 2001 and now hailed as one of the world’s most reputable soulful house music labels, pivotal for the international breakthrough of artists like Raw Artistic Soul and South Africa’s proudest house music export Black Coffee. In 2003 Ralf initiated the GOGO Music radio-show, now one of the most popular broadcasts within the house community, aired weekly by more than 50 FM- and internet-stations around the globe.

Manutek’s Review

C’est peu de dire que le DJ allemand Ralf Gum est l’une des personnes les plus respectées de la communauté House, à la fois pour sa longévité dans le business et pour la qualité de ses productions.

In My City est le troisième album de Ralf, qui sortira en octobre en digital sur son label Gogo Music.

Déjà dispo en en Afrique du Sud, l’album rencontre un franc succès dans un pays où Ralf est une figure importante de la scène House et où il s’est installé il y a quelques années à Johannesburg.

Sur ce LP de 10 titres, vous retrouverez des collaborations avec Jocelyn Mathieu, Monique Bingham, Kafele, Omar, Portia Monique, KB, Lee Bling, Dele Sosimi ou encore Hugh Masekela.

Difficile de vous faire une sélection des titres qui m’ont le plus plu car tous les morceaux sont vraiment très réussis. Je vous ai tout de même choisi 6 tracks, histoire de vous faire une idée de ce magnifique LP.

Un album très orienté Soulful, avec des inspirations Afro House évidemment.

Incontournable !

My selection:

The contents of this blog are for promotional use only and are not intended to replace purchasing music by the artists for your music collection.
You as a listener, play a crucial role in the survival of any style of music, so don’t forget that artists and labels need your support in the form of purchases.
All tracks posted in this player are some audio snippets only.