Releases / Ralf GUM - “In My City”

“’In My City’ is a very personal project for me. I intentionally put the skyline of Johannesburg on the cover as a tribute, South Africa is the most vibrant dance nation I know globally. I am grateful to be a part of its heartbeat and feel that I spiritually and musically now live in a place which I really call home. I am #InMyCity.” - Ralf GUM

Jumping straight in on the No.1 spot on iTunes South Africa on day of release and already one of the most celebrated albums of 2014 in the motherland, House veteran DJ/producer Ralf GUM unleashes his third album, ‘In My City’, unto the rest of the world on his acclaimed GOGO Music label.

Moulded with his soulful, organic signature sounds,‘In My City’ is a tapestry of beautifully weaved songs and features local South African and international artists - established and upcoming. These include top drawer artists such as the inimitable Hugh Masekela, 'My love for his tone on the trumpet never faded', says Ralf, who grew up listening to Hugh. Many years later upon meeting, the two clicked instantly and whipped up two songs for the album: the gorgeous love song 'With Her Hand' and voices the topic of over population on 'In The City'.

Icons prevail elsewhere on ‘In My City’ such as UK soul architect Omar with groovy 'Love Core' and Londoner Dele Sosimi (Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti) on the afrobeat outing 'Bi 'na ba n'jo'. The US queen of vocal House Monique Bingham lends her distinctive vocal tones to 'The Pap'. Together Ralf and Monique have penned previous hits such as ‘Kissing Strangers’, which was the best selling soulful House tune of 2008 and 2012’s ‘Take Me To My Love’ was an official chart #1 in South Africa. There is also a refreshing assemblage of newer generation artists. We are introduced to the discovery Lee Bling on ‘The Best Thing’. Rising soul star Portia Monique sings on the first single ‘Free (Is All I Wanna Be)’, which instantly entered rotation on most South African radio stations and gets global support from DJ's as Tony Humphries and Dr Bob Jones. South African actress and Osunlade collaborator KB makes a return to house music on ‘My Angel’, while previous collaborators Parisian Jocelyn Mathieu and Kafele of the 2010 uber-hit ‘Complicated’ return with their magical tones. Produced together with long-time collaborators Phil Kullmann aka Raw Artistic Soul and Michael Ehnes, this album is a compelling reflection of German-born Ralf GUM’s universal take on the soul genre. South Africa has now been his home and vantage point for three years. 'It is a beautiful country with a 'joie de vivre' and of course there is a love for real house music', Ralf explains his kinship. ‘In My City’ couldn’t have been made in a more apt place and time...

Tracklist Ralf GUM - In My City - GOCD 008:

01 With Her Hand feat. Hugh Masekela
02 Our Love Is A Star feat. Jocelyn Mathieu
03 A Brighter Dream feat. Kafele
04 Free (Is All I Wanna Be) feat. Portia Monique
05 The Pap feat. Monique Bingham
06 In The City feat. Hugh Masekela
07 Bi 'na ba n'jo feat. Dele Sosimi
08 My Angel feat. KB
09 Love Core feat. Omar
10 The Best Thing feat. Lee Bling

GOGO Music ... Music it is and is it!

PRESS REACTIONS AND REVIEWS:

IDM Mag (South Africa)
'In My City’ has almost instantly been dubbed as a classic.'

5 Magazine (USA)
'This is a real album…'

SoulandJazzandFunk (UK)
‘'In My City' is a masterwork'

DMC World (UK)
'The German superstar brings beautiful house music to our world'

Times Mag (USA)
‘Ralf GUM tears it up on this superb, soulful house, 10 track, full-length album.’

In Da Mix Worldwide (France)
'a collection of vibrant and meaningful compositions'

Spirit Of House (Switzerland)
'Quite simply, what you get with ’In My City’ is the finest in soulful house music this planet has to offer.'

Soul Survivors (UK)
'an interesting piece of musical freedom.'

Deep House News (South Africa)
'The legendary connoisseur of Deep Soulful House is back with a third studio album that will rock your world...'

The Set Magazine (South Africa)
'Every song on this album is perfectionism at its best. It’s quite clear that Ralf GUM wanted to take his time with this album and come up with a masterpiece.'

Renight (UK)
'This is a great album worth having in your music collection whether you're into South African house music or into just house or just into music as a standard. Its one of those albums that reaches far and wide...'

Mixcollectors (France)
'Best Release Of The Month!'

Yule Dark (South Africa)
'a truly outstanding album.'

Basic Soul (UK)
'This is a glorious tribute filled with positive vibes and uplifting house rhythms.'

Destiny Man (South Africa)
'GUM’s musical offerings always have a soulful and timeless edge.'

Juno (UK)
‘German-born South African-based superstar Ralf GUM unleashes his third studio album, and it's nothing short of a soulful sensation. Peppered with sun-kissed grooves and golden-toned vocalists throughout, it will instantly flash you back to the warmer months. Highlights include the rich harmonies and oceanic Rhodes on 'Our Love Is A Star', the slinky tech wriggles, gradual dynamics and Portia Monique's purring voice on 'Free'; and the delicate African percussion and gravelly tones of the title track. A genuine document of depth and soul, this is a reminder to all deep house pretenders of what can be achieved when you understand the real roots.’

With Her Hand feat. Hugh Masekela
Our Love Is A Star feat. Jocelyn Mathieu
A Brighter Dream feat. Kafele
Free (Is All I Wanna Be) feat. Portia Monique
The Pap feat. Monique Bingham
In The City feat. Hugh Masekela
Bi na ba n jo feat. Dele Sosimi
My Angel feat. KB
Love Core feat. Omar
The Best Thing feat. Lee Bling