Calling Up Soweto by Sioen Feat Pops Mohamed & Khaya Mahlangu – A Raw, Soulful Journey That Sticks With You
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when folk meets world music, with a splash of blues and rock thrown in for good measure, Calling Up Soweto is your answer. Released back in 2009 on the Belgian label Kabron, this album feels like an old friend who shows up unannounced but somehow fits right into your life. It’s not perfect—heck, it doesn’t even try to be—but that’s exactly why it works.
The mix of genres here is wild. You’ve got tracks that feel like they belong in a smoky jazz club one minute and then something so upbeat you wanna grab someone’s hand and dance barefoot in the grass the next. And yeah, I know “folk, world, country, pop, rock, AND blues” sounds like a mess, but trust me, these guys pull it off. Somehow.
Let me tell you about two songs that stuck with me long after the first listen. First up: "Mother Please." Oh man, this track hits different. It starts soft, almost hesitant, like someone trying to find their footing after falling hard. Then it builds into this raw, emotional plea that just punches you in the gut. The lyrics are simple, but they don’t need to be fancy—they’re real. By the time the chorus kicks in, you can’t help but feel like you’re eavesdropping on someone’s most vulnerable moment. Like, dang, should I turn away or keep listening? Spoiler: You’ll stay.
Then there’s "Calling Up Soweto," the title track. This one’s got rhythm for days. It’s impossible not to move to it—even if all you do is tap your foot under the table while pretending to focus on work (no judgment). There’s something hypnotic about how the percussion pulls you in, layer by layer, until you’re completely lost in it. For me, this song isn’t just catchy; it feels alive. Every beat feels like it has its own heartbeat, its own story to tell. Honestly, I played it three times in a row before realizing I hadn’t moved from my chair.
Other standouts include "Wash Away" and "With Your Beautiful Smile," both of which bring a kind of bittersweet nostalgia that lingers. But honestly, the whole album flows together in this weird, beautiful way that makes it hard to pick favorites.
Here’s the thing: Calling Up Soweto isn’t gonna blow you away with flashy production or over-the-top vocals. What it does instead is sneak up on you. One day you’re casually listening, and the next you realize you’ve been humming "Mother Please" while brushing your teeth. It’s the little things—the cracks in the voice, the unexpected pauses, the way the instruments seem to talk to each other—that make this album special.
And look, maybe it’s cheesy, but listening to this record made me think about how music connects us across oceans and cultures. Sioen, Pops Mohamed, and Khaya Mahlangu come from totally different worlds, yet they created something that feels universal. Kinda like finding out your neighbor speaks the same second language as you—it’s small, but it means something.
Final thought: If you’re looking for perfection, skip this. But if you want music that feels human—flaws and all—you won’t regret giving Calling Up Soweto a spin. Just don’t blame me when you catch yourself swaying alone in your kitchen at midnight.
