Eminent South African multi-instrumentalist Guy Buttery releases the third and final single from his upcoming album Orchestrations, set to drop on the 20th February. The new track, titled “Werner Meets Egberto in Manaus”, is a wildly ambitious composition that encapsulates the album’s 12-year journey through orchestral and experimental landscapes.
Orchestrations is being hailed as Buttery’s magnum opus—a sprawling, deeply immersive project that features collaborations recorded across ten countries. The album’s creation began in 2012 when Buttery first performed with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, igniting his fascination with orchestral arrangements and the possibilities of fusing his distinctive guitar work with a full ensemble.
“Werner Meets Egberto in Manaus” is a rhythmical fury where Buttery’s guitar leads the orchestral players down an unpredictable, winding path of sharp turns and abrupt stops. The track is further elevated by the legendary Zulu musician Dr. Madala Kunene, a longtime collaborator, who lends his mesmerizing vocal harmonies and masterful isitolotolo (jaw harp) playing to the piece. The interplay of instruments, melodies, and unexpected movements pushes the boundaries of composition, making for a dynamic and electrifying listening experience.
Orchestrations is an album that has been built, broken down, revisited, and reshaped over more than a decade. Across its 14 tracks, it showcases Buttery’s signature fusion of global sounds, featuring contributions from renowned artists such as Kaki King (New York), Derek Gripper (Cape Town), Julian Sartorius (Berne), Mudassir Khan (New Delhi), and more. The album’s structure is held together by composer Chris Letcher’s expansive orchestral arrangements, forming a vast, interconnected musical ecosystem.
Buy / Stream “Werner Meets Egberto in Manaus” on Bandcamp an all DSP’s
Pre-order Orchestrations on Bandcamp and all DSP’s
In celebration of the album, Guy Buttery will offer an extremely rare opportunity to see and hear him in a very intimate setting playing live tracks as well as sharing snippets from Orchestrations and unpacking this creative process in a Q&A format. This is an invitation to immerse in an intimate evening of sound and storytelling, where Guy will take you on a sonic journey.
- Date – Friday, 21st February 2025
- Venue – Westville Theatre Club, Durban, KZN, South Africa
- Buy Tickets
- Date – Saturday, 22nd February 2025
- Venue – Soul Centre, Umhlali, KZN, South Africa
- Buy Tickets
Guy Buttery is thrilled to announce a series of shows across the USA this March and April. For full details and ticket information, visit the link below.
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