Invitation 2 Don Laka

• 1 Streams 04:13
• 2 Blue Monday 03:28
• 3 Fast Talk 03:27
• 4 Drive My Car 03:43
• 5 Ibambeni 04:09
• 6 Rekaofela 04:27
• 7 eGawutini 04:55
• 8 Father & Son 03:48
• 9 Ancient Wells 04:14
• 10 Monate Ofedile 04:18
• 11 Mamelodi 2 03:23
• 12 Dancing (In The Moonlite) 03:45
• 13 Survival 03:15
• 14 Ngiyakutsandza 03:59
• 15 Ndiphulukene 04:49
• 16 Woza 05:14
• 17 Uzobuya Nini 03:21
• 18 Better Days 04:05
• 19 Nocturne 03:14
• 20 KwaNongoma 04:50
• 21 When the Sun Rise 04:12
• 22 Things We Said 04:30
• 23 The Two Of Us 05:10
• 24 My Beautiful Sunday 02:44
• Total Runtime 01:37:13

Info zu Invitation 2

South African jazz legend Don Laka is opening a new chapter in his celebrated career with Invitation 2, the long-awaited second instalment of his revered Invitations album series.

The 24-track album arrives nearly two decades after the original Invitations, which was released in 2007. The project sees Laka bringing his distinctive musical language into a new era while staying rooted in the melodies, musicianship and South African influences that have shaped his career.

At the centre of Invitation 2 is Laka’s pioneering approach to kwaai jazz, his genre-defying fusion of jazz with South African sounds including kwaito, kwela and marabi.

The new album continues that legacy while exploring fresh melodic territory and bringing together a new generation of voices and collaborators. It is a project that connects different generations while reflecting the continued evolution of South African music.

The album also follows Laka’s return to the Sony Music family in April 2026, marking another significant milestone in his career.

“Joining Sony Music marks, a powerful new chapter for my music. I’ve spent my life honouring South African heritage while pushing boundaries, and this partnership allows me to expand that mission with renewed energy. The music coming later this year blends where I’ve come from with where I am headed,” says Don Laka.

With Invitation 2, Laka is not simply looking back at a celebrated part of his catalogue. Instead, he is extending its legacy, bringing the sounds, stories and spirit of South African jazz into the present while creating space for the future.

Initially self-taught as a musician; Don Laka kicked-off his recording career in 1972 with the release of a record titled In The West. He went on to play with several bands and groups such as Sakhile and Umoja. He has collaborated and written songs that became huge for several popular acts including Mafikizolo. Among giant artists whose music he has produced is the late Hugh Masekela’s Grammy-nominated (2013) Jabulani.

Don Laka

Don Laka
is a South African musician and producer. Born in 1958 in Mamelodi, Pretoria, he formed his first band in 1969 and made his first recording in 1972. After passing matric in 1978 he started formal music lessons, obtaining his licentiate in high school music teaching in 1979. From 1980 to 1981 he joined the influential Afro-fusion group Sakhile, that was formed by Sipho Gumede and Khaya Mahlangu.

Don later formed his own band with Sello ‘Chicco' Twala, called ‘Image' (or Ymage). The group lasted for 10 years, releasing numerous albums. During the same period Don ventured into recording solo albums (like 'I Wanna Be Myself' in 1984) and producing other artists. In 1990 he started writing orchestral arrangements for Sibongile Khumalo, who performed with the National Symphony Orchestra. He has produced and arranged for the likes of Sankomota, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Rebecca Malope, Ray Phiri, Sipho Mabuse, Mango Groove, Sharon Dee and Johnny Clegg.

In the 1990s Don started a record company together with a friend Oscar Mdlongwa (Oskido) called Kalawa Records (later known as Kalawa Jazmee), one of the first successful black-owned record company in South Africa, releasing many of the era's top kwaito stars. As a solo artist he successfully fused kwaito and jazz, calling it 'kwai-jazz'. He currently runs his own label, Bokone Music. His most recent albums are 'Portraits' (2014) and 'Afro Chopin' (2015).

Don is also a vocal advocate for increasing local content on radio and TV, an issue he has been promoting for much of the past two decades.

Dieses Album enthält kein Booklet