Timothy Moloi
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | INDIE
Music
Press
July 16, 2009 Edition 1
Therese Owen
TIMOTHY Moloi''s debut album, Love That Music, is probably the most feel good album of the year.
Unchallenging, sweet, friendly, warm and fuzzy, it is everything adult contemporary (AC) music should be. But as banal as it is for people who like their music more cutting edge, good AC music is a difficult genre to perfect.
Unlike punk or hip hop which can be busked up to a point by any wannabe rock star, AC music has strict technical requirements which, if not adhered to, will show the artist up as an untalented charlatan.
The artist must possess real talent and a good technical understanding of his art. His musicians must be well-rehearsed and his production, live and recorded, must be perfect.
Tim Moloi meets all requirements. Besides being a gifted singer, he is technically sound and has a profound understanding of live performance.
After studying music in Ohio, he returned to South Africa where he cut his teeth on various productions, including performances with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, various theatre productions and events such as the Starlight Pop Opera, at which he starred alongside Al Jarreau and George Benson.
Through his theatre and corporate work, plus youtube videos (go to www. youtube. com/user/TimothyMoloi) where he performed acoustic covers of some of today''s biggest hits, he has earned an army of fans worldwide who await his debut album. It consists of original tracks, bar one.
"I did Sipho Mabuse''s Burnout because I wanted a track with a South African flavour," explained Tim. "It is one of the greatest South African hits. "
He admits that releasing an original album has made him nervous and excited. The impetus to record his offering came after musician and businessman, James Basinthwaite heard Tim sing. He was so impressed at what he heard that he upped and left Cape Town for Johannesburg and started a record label, Thatch Music.
James hired a bunch of musicians and producer Robin Walsh and they spent the better part of last year on pre-production of Tim''s album before recording it in February of this year.
"It was amazing, because we had the space and time to be creative," enthuses Tim. "That is a luxury most people don''t normally have. We were all quite critical of ourselves and paid attention to detail. In fact, we agonised over the creative process, but there were no egos involved.
"There is a gap in the market for my music, but there is no pressure to create a hit. I have always wanted to make music I can still sing in 40 years'' time, not just a quick buck. I have created an album with integrity. We made the best choices for the music. As for success, I have the foresight to know it is not going to happen overnight. "
However, Tim is enjoying success on AC radio with his hit, Friday Morning.
He sums up his debut album by saying: "My music gives you a smile. People don''t want frivolous songs, just songs that are apt. " - Cape Argus Newspaper
This is talent at its best and Thatch Music should be proud of Moloi.
The velvet-voiced youngster is going places with this debut solo album.
He music isnot forced (sic), it just happens naturally.
Music lovers will want to buy stacks of his albums and listen to each one as if it were their first time hearing it.
his trademark is what makes him special.
tracks like Friday Morning and Feel Me Smile are surely going to help him clear the shelves with this album.
He reminds one of legends like Teddy Pendergras, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and Phil Collins.
his songs will touch your heart and make you want to listen more.
Keep it up Moloi, there is place for you in this industry.
-Mathews Mpete - Daily Sun Newspaper
Discography
Love That Music (2009)
Photos
Bio
TIMOTHY MOLOI - BIOGRAPHY 2009
Timothy Moloi is one of South Africa’s most extraordinary and yet up till now, unsung talents.
With his smooth-as-velvet voice and masterful range, Moloi is an established and formidable singer with a talent that ranks up amongst the all-time greats.
Highly revered and respected by his singing peers, Timothy has shared stages with some of the country’s finest acts, performed at some of the most prestigious events and been highly active in the music world, yet he has managed to remain, for the most part, out of the public eye.
However, all that is destined to change with the 2009 release of his debut solo album through Thatch Music.
An online campaign based solely on Timothy’s powerful acoustic versions of some of today’s biggest hits, what started as a small online community has quietly but very quickly turned into a frenzy of anticipation. His smooth renditions of some of the world’s biggest songs including One Republic’s Apologise, Kelly Clarkson’s My Life Would Suck Without You and a host of others. have spawned a massive online community of Timothy Moloi fans, all desperate to get their hands on his original work.
This much anticipated album of original music is currently being recorded with Robin Walsh in South Africa and will be mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London. The release is scheduled for early May 2009.
Some history:
Timothy was born and raised in Orlando, Soweto into a musical family and he was brought up with a love for music which nurtured and developed his flair for infusing familiar and classic standards with new freshness.
Having studied in the USA, Timothy returned to South Africa in 1999 and threw himself into a very busy performance schedule. Over the years he has had a diverse performing career, including appearances with every top South African Orchestra, The Soweto Gospel Choir and the Jonny Cooper Big Band. Timothy has also been very active in the theatre world, singing in productions such as The Little Shop of Horrors, His Way: A Tribute To Frank Sinatra, Motown Gold and many others.
No stranger to large-scale productions, other memorable performances have included singing for former-President Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel, as well as Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands. Timothy has performed at numerous top award ceremonies including the Africa Peace Awards and Oprah Winfrey’s Live Your Best Life event. He sang at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Bid Banquet and rocked the Starlight Pop Opera alongside Al Jarreau and George Benson. He was also honoured to be invited to sing at Albertina Sisulu's 90th birthday celebration. The list of events and sporting celebrations that Tim has performed at is endless, making him a firm favourite for corporate bookings and high society events.
Timothy has recently just finished recording a number of songs for the soundtracks of the South African films Hansie and Mr Bones 2.
However, with the release of his debut album that will include all original work, the true extent of Timothy’s singing and performing talent is about to be revealed. Timothy has the support of some of South Africa’s greatest session musicians, writers and arrangers, and together, their collaboration has produced something powerful, fresh and timeless.
There is no substitute for pure talent, combined with quality song writing and production. Timothy Moloi is poised for stardom.
Press quotes about Timothy Moloi:
"Timothy Moloi effortlessly demonstrates his range" - Rafiek Mammon, Cape Times
"Simply masterful" - Sylvester Haskins, The Star
"Tim Moloi's velvet voice was a hiatus from the icy winds" - Omeshnie Naidoo, The Mercury
"WOW! Timothy is the most professional, warm person - with a superb voice that blew people away! - Michelle Brown, The Herald
"Timothy Moloi is fast making his mark on the South African entertainment scene" - Elliot Makhanya, The Sowetan
"He’ll be one of South Africa’s major singing stars before very long" - Caroline Smart, www.artsmart.co.za
for publicity information: Caroline Hillary or Grace Kadzere at Red Flag Design and Marketing on +27(11) 447-8283 or caroline@redflag.co.za or grace@redflag.co.za
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