Sioen 'Calling Up Soweto'

At the invitation of Oxfam's campaign 'One Day For Another World', Sioen went to the township of SOWETO in South Africa to set up a collaboration with local musicians. There he met living legends Pops Mohamed (cora, kalimbe, bira) and Khaya Mahlangu (saxophonist with Hugh Masekela, among others) and together with Stella Khumalo >(backing vocalist with Myriam Makeba, among others) he organized an audition in the heart of Soweto from which 4 wonderful backing vocalists were selected.

During During the past Ghent Festivities he brought the musicians to Belgium and the performance, bursting with melody and energy, became a spontaneous success and 'talk of the town'. De Standaard wrote: "We always have sympathy for someone who gives new repertoire a baptism of fire in front of an audience. Sioen also passed with flying colors! After one song we saw him lean back with a broad smile, probably relieved that something had fallen into place nicely. 'Calling Up Soweto' might become a CD and tour after the Festivities. That would be nice: we don't get to hear three great new songs and half a dozen more with potential every concert."

And so it happened. Supported by the enthusiasm of the audience, Sioen teamed up with Ghent residents Laurens Smagghe (Sioen's regular drummer), Mirko Banovic (bass with Arno and Arsenal) and Frederik Segers. (guitarist Members of Marvelas) to Johannesburg to record the album 'Calling Up Soweto' with the South African musicians. 'To the township of the townships, where I took my boots. On the train to Naledi, where Jo'burg has its roots. To the sound of revolution, and the vibe on the streets. When I'm gone I sing the blues, in Soweto, that's where I lost my shoes'. Bring your dancing shoes, standing still is prohibited!