MBABANE- Eswatini’s House and Jazz sounds are set to meet in an unexpected musical conversation as Afro House producer and DJ J.Khulu, whose real name is Wakhile Vilakati, teams up with Jazz and Soul artist Sphiwoshort for a new EP titled House in Jazz.
The three-track project is scheduled for release this summer across major digital platforms through Johannesburg-based independent label Garden Soil Records.
Rather than simply combining two genres, House in Jazz explores what happens when electronic House production meets the warmth, musicianship and improvisational spirit of Jazz.
At the centre of the project is the creative partnership between J.Khulu and Sphiwoshort, two artists whose musical backgrounds differ but share a common understanding of rhythm and musical expression.
For J.Khulu, House in Jazz represents another step in his continued exploration of House music. His sound draws heavily from Afro House, Deep House and Soulful House, with groove, atmosphere and storytelling at the heart of his production.
His passion for the genre also extends to House Gnostics, a platform he established in 2021 to explore different styles of House music while connecting artists and listeners through the culture.
Sphiwoshort, meanwhile, brings a Jazz and Afro Soul perspective to the collaboration. His musical credentials include a nomination for Best Jazz/Afro Soul Song at the 2020 SWAMA Awards for his song Miracle.
The partnership is particularly evident in the project’s use of live basslines, which add an organic layer to J.Khulu’s electronic production.
The basslines create a bridge between the dancefloor-driven pulse of House and the expressive character of Jazz, giving the tracks a warmer and more dynamic sound.
“I’ve worked with Jazz artist Sphiwoshort on this project. We wanted to mix both genres because we all speak one language, Music,” said J.Khulu.
Three Tracks, One Groove
The EP opens with “Kasi Starrings,” a tribute to everyday hustlers navigating life in the kasi.
The track carries themes of joy, hope and resilience, celebrating people who continue to work, dream and push forward despite the challenges around them.
The title track, “House in Jazz,” featuring Sphiwoshort, serves as the project’s clearest statement. House rhythms, Jazz influences and live basslines come together in a production designed to work on the dancefloor while maintaining the feel of live musicianship.
Closing the EP is “JK’s Groove,” a soulful blend of Jazz, Soulful House and Afro House.
The track further highlights the project’s live instrumentation while carrying a personal meaning for J.Khulu. “JK” is drawn from his JustKhulu identity, making the song an expression of his personal musical signature and groove.
Beyond Genre Fusion
For J.Khulu and Sphiwoshort, House in Jazz is less about forcing two genres together and more about allowing them to communicate.
J.Khulu provides the electronic foundation, rhythmic pulse and House sensibility, while Sphiwoshort introduces Jazz’s musical depth and live character.
The result is a project that sits between the electronic and organic worlds without being confined to either.
It is also a reflection of how Eswatini’s artists continue to experiment with sound while connecting with the broader Southern African music ecosystem.
A Johannesburg Connection
The EP will be released through Garden Soil Records, an independent Johannesburg-based label whose catalogue spans Afro House, Ancestral House, Deep House and Progressive House.
The label’s roster includes artists such as KeysGroove, Bamba M, Earworm, DeeCarv, Martial TP and Lord Kyno, alongside J.Khulu.
Its involvement gives House in Jazz another link between Eswatini’s growing electronic music scene and South Africa’s established House music ecosystem.
For J.Khulu, the EP is ultimately about exploration, showing that House music can evolve when artists remain open to collaboration and new musical influences.
Jazz, House and live instrumentation meeting across three tracks, House in Jazz delivers a simple message: different sounds can still speak the same language, music.
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