Qkumba Zoo
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| Qkumba Zoo | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Genre(s) | Electronic, House, South African, Dance |
| Years active | 1995–2001 |
| Label(s) | Sony BMG |
Qkumba Zoo is a dance music trio from Johannesburg, South Africa, consisting of vocalist Levannah, dancer/sculptor Tziki and producer Owl. The band was originally formed by Owl and Levannah, who created a duo called "Ocean Road". The members have strong feelings about the politics in South Africa, which can often be heard in their music.
"Everyone who finds this music nutritious, know that your enjoyment feeds it in return -- may the butterflies of peace lend you their wings!" ~Qkumba Zoo
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[edit] Wake Up & Dream
Their first album, Wake Up & Dream, was released on Arista Records in 1996, and features 11 tracks of "feel-good" dance music. Owl's intriguing instruments and sounds create a fusion of tribal + dance, and when combined with Levannah's trilling vocals, a purely unique sound is born. As Levannah said, "We wanted to form something that could be part of the global village. And, at the same time, have it be tied to its birthplace."
Track Listing
1. Rain (3:51)
2. The Child (Inside) (4:02)
3. Cloud Eyes (I'm Scared, You're Scared) (4:37)
4. Flesh & Blood (4:07)
5. Big (3:52)
6. Into The Night (5:08)
7. Weeping (5:10)
8. Mermaids (4:49)
9. Happy Earthday (3:45)
10. Time of Wonder (5:15)
11. Big Mothership (15:27)
Their first single, The Child (Inside), produced by the Berman Brothers, hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1996 and #69 on the Hot 100. It peaked on the charts at #34 on 10/18/96. In recent years, The Child (Inside) has been used in several US television commercials, the most popular being from Seaworld amusement parks and Carnival Cruise Lines.
The track Weeping provides a storyteller view of apartheid in South Africa, and reaches the listener's heart. Bonus tracks are also included at the end of Big Mothership and Time of Wonder, two of which are stories/poems narrated by Levannah.
[edit] Butterfly Peepl
Several years after the album's release, band member Tziki committed suicide. This was one of the catalysts that changed Owl and Levannah over the next several years, which can be heard in the music of their second album, Butterfly Peepl, released in 2000. In addition to the album's release, the band's name was officially shortened from Qkumba Zoo to QZoo. The group also left Arista Records in favor of their own independent label, Zoocumba Music. The unfortunate part of the Butterfly Peepl release is that it hardly gained attention, and even slipped through the hands of many QZoo fans, only having been for sale for a short time on QZoo's long-gone official site.
Track Listing
1. Beautiful (4:30)
2. Torn Between You and the Sky (7:03)
3. Invisible (3:56)
4. Slap Bang (4:02)
5. Virgin (4:30)
6. Wonder Woman (4:55)
7. DNA (4:53)
8. Butterfly People (4:05)
9. Let the Light In (4:52)
10. Words (6:42)
11. In The Moon (8:42)
The album, simply put, is all about "becoming a butterfly" - going through the cocoon and emerging as something better and new. Butterfly Peepl shows a deeper side of QZoo, diving into emotional tracks like Torn Between You and the Sky and Let the Light In. However, the band still retains its initial upbeat nature, while Owl has an opportunity to create music with an even wider world feel, such as the Eastern-sounding Words. Bonus tracks are also included on this album, such as a narrative spoken by Owl split between DNA and Butterfly Peepl, and an ear-tingling melody at the end of In The Moon.
[edit] Singles
While on the Arista label, several singles/samplers were released, as well as an "Enhanced CD Bio" that could be played on the computer, featuring a completely interactive presentation that included recipes, quotes, info, music, games, and the music video for The Child (Inside).
I'm Scared, You're Scared {Cloud Eyes} (1997)
1. I'm Scared, You're Scared {Cloud Eyes} Radio Mix
2. I'm Scared, You're Scared {Cloud Eyes} Album Version
3. I'm Scared, You're Scared {Cloud Eyes} Dance Radio Mix
Child Inside Remixes (1996)
1. Extended Album Mix (4:54)
2. Junior's Club Mix (8:47)
3. Berman Brothers Club Mix (6:40)
4. Anthony Acid's Up-Lift Mix (8:41)
5. Toxic Twins Solid Waste Dub (6:13)
CD Sampler (1996)
1. The Child (Inside) (4:01)
2. Weeping (4:50)
3. Flesh & Blood (4:04)
4. Cloud Eyes (I'm Scared, You're Scared) (4:56)
The Child (Inside) (1996)
1. The Child (Inside) - Radio Mix (3:58)
2. The Child (Inside) - Berman Bros. Remix Edit (3:58)
3. Wake Up & Dream (Album Snippets) - Weeping & Flesh and Blood & Big (4:40)
Enhanced CD Bio (1996)
1. Multimedia Presentation
2. The Child (Inside) (4:01)
3. Weeping (4:50)
4. Flesh and Blood (4:04)
5. Cloud Eyes (I'm Scared, You're Scared) (4:56)
[edit] The Santa Sessions
In 2002, QZoo performed a cover of the Christmas hymn O Holy Night, which appeared on the CD "5fm Presents: The Santa Sessions", only released in South Africa and featuring many other South African bands. Track Listing
1. Winter Wonderland - Henry Tate
2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Just Ginger
3. When A Child Is Born - Mean Mr. Mustard
4. Last Christmas - Tweak
5. Santa Clause Is Coming To Town - Jimmy 12"
6. Shop Lifters Of The World Unite - Sugardrive
7. Blue Christmas - Wess-Lee
8. Happy Christmas - War Is Over - Toxic Shame
9. Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer - Zen Arcade
10. Away In A Manger - Kreesan
11. Do You Hear What I Hear - Jo Day
12. 12 Days Of Christmas - Perez
13. Little Drummer Boy - Martin Rocka And Danny De Wet
14. O Holy Night - QZoo
15. Psycho Christmas - Psycho Reptiles
16. Silent Night - Marlowe
17. Auld Lang Syne - Kelvin Declined
[edit] Innaskinz & Beyond
In 2001, long after their domain had disappeared, QZoo popped up on a new website under the name "Innaskinz". The band still consisted of Owl and Levannah, who were now paired with a woman named Cajun. The site promoted the band and its history, as well as Owl personally running a mailing list. Lyrics for a new song, "Rise Up Against the Tide", appeared on the main page for a brief while. Unfortunately, the site no longer exists and no other albums were made.
As of 2007, Owl is still active with his music. He has written much of his own music outside of Qkumba Zoo (such as "Vision Afrika 2000"), and performs at concerts in South Africa, occasionally accompanied by his former bandmate Levannah.
[edit] See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
