Image by Tseliso Monaheng

European-based, South African composer and saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane is releasing his new single Inner Freedom(revisited), an enchanting piece of art. The single opens with a strong groove deeply rooted in maskandi followed by a meditative melody with Sikhakhane taking the lead on the saxophone. Inner Freedom(revisited) takes you on a journey:

“Freedom starts from within and somehow my music is a reflection of what I regard as inner freedom,” explains Sikhakhane. 

Currently based in Norway the Durban-born improviser is no stranger to making waves with his music. In 2020 his album, An Open Dialogue was chosen as Apple Music’s Artist of the Month (November 2020), making Sikhakhane the second South African Jazz musician to achieve the feat. An Open Dialogue has also been nominated for a SAMA award under the Best Jazz Album category.

Sikhakhane is set to release his third album with the American record label Ropeadope.

“The music of Linda Sikhakhane deeply moves us as we move further into global Interdependence,” says Louis Marks, CEO of Ropeadope

His debut offering Two Sides, One Mirror (2017) featured a superior cast of young mavericks in the improvised music scene. The compositions were lyrical, offering the listener a chance to remain fully immersed in the spiritual aspects of the music while concurrently admiring the studious nature of its technical proficiency.

Linda Sikhakhane has worked with a broad array of artists: Sibongile Khumalo, Khaya Mahlangu, Nduduzo Makhathini, Gregory Porter, Rodney Kendrick, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, Logan Richardson, Derrick Hodge, Ted Daniel, Thandiswa Mazwai, Herbie Tsoaeli and more.