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Dec 03, 2013 John Wizards By Tom Fenwick

When it comes to John Wizards, serendipity has a lot to answer for: a chance encounter on the streets of Cape Town led to one of the most mellifluous and self-assured debuts of 2013. John Wizards incorporates influences that pay homage to the duo’s African heritage, but extends well beyond those boundaries into a seamless musical patchwork. The sound refuses to be constrained by any single genre, yet never feels muddled or schizophrenic; rather, it remains entrancing even when it attempts to work through multiple styles in single three-minute bursts—incorporating everything from indie rock to reggae to Shangaan electro. With such a rich sonic palette, their sound may catch you off-guard on first listen—but stick with it. You’ll be treated to one of the most exciting debuts of the year—a consistently surprising and joyous album, which only improves with each listen. You see, it’s not just in their name—there is a magic in John Wizards. (www.johnwizards.com)

Author rating: 8/10