Allou April

Guitarist Allou April got his start over 15 years ago playing with garage bands from the tender age of 16. After moving from his hometown of Saldanha to Cape Town in the 1970’s, he was discovered by some of the city’s top gospel bands, and so began his career as one of the most sought after session musicians in the Mother City. He later moved on to playing in clubs, doing standards with instrumental jazz bands.

Over the years, Allou has developed his own unique style of guitar playing that reflects the many eclectic genres within the South African music environment. He has become a significant voice within South Africa on the contemporary African and jazz music landscape, now with his most recent album “The Living Years” he branches even further into commercial R&B and fusion sounds, even with tracks that have “club” and dance focus.

Allou says…”I find it important to project my personal passion through the music of Cape Town, Africa and also the international jazz genre. The time is ripe to share this music with the rest of the global community by encouraging the meeting of different cultures which adds many more dimensions to the world of music.”

Allou has had the opportunity of collaborating with many outstanding musicians such as Sibongile Khumalo, Robbie Jansen, Hotep Galeta, Joe McBride and Al Jarreau.

Sheer Sound released his long-awaited debut album, Bringing Joy in 2003 to critical acclaim and good market responses. This album reflects on various styles, including funk, goema, gospel, township contemporary, and R&B, and is a collection of the best material from compositions he has been putting together for the past 10 years. Allou says of his music that it “…covers a wide range of experiences that reflect my roots and place in the new world.”

This album featured, amongst others, pianist Andile Yenana, trumpeter Marcus Wyatt, Basi Mahlasela on percussion, Robbie Jansen on saxophones, and R&B songstress TK.

“A Place Called Love” with TK saw a video being filmed and being widely flighted, matched by nationwide high rotational airplay.

“Colourful World”, like the previous album, it is a fusion of various styles and influences with many different flavours presented from song to song. Featuring awesome personnel and guests, this album has something for everyone.

R&B comes to the fore with Jennifer Jones and Carla Diamonde on lead vocals (“Like an Angel,” “In My World and “Thank You”” respectively). Jazzy vibes prevail and dominate with guests and top personnel the likes of Robbie Jansen. House flavours emanate in “Colour People”, Gospel comes to the fore in “I Found You Lord”.

An album jam packed with amazing tunes!

Allou Aprils brand new release “The Living Years” follows the above trends, and takes them a step further, with even more musical diversity and amazing guests! Haunting jazzy instrumentals like “New Day”, “Motherland”, “Soul Heart” and “Let’s Worship Him” combine with killer funk oriented gospel track “Uphold Me” (made famous by the Winans brothers) and other more “Ronnie Jordan/ Santana” like commercial tracks such as “Saving All My Love” and “Summer Dance.” Robbbie Jansen again comes to the fore on this release, this time as a vocalist rather than sax player, on the crooner track “I Belong With You.” R&B oriented tracks get a very good look in on this album with tracks such as “Love is the Only Way” (with Alicia Solomons). “I’m Yours” (with Neville D). A new commercial line that Allou also represents well and strongly in this album is the more Cape based “club” sound with dance tracks like “One Love, One Heart”, Can’t Hurt Me” and In The Club.”