Collaborations are often exciting pieces of work in music. Especially when two artists come together to produce a body of work, as a listener you look forward to actually engage the project. There’s often so many things to look forward to, such as; synergy, conceptualisation and if the collaboration makes sense. A lot can go wrong when two acts come together to create a piece. I’ve enjoyed a great deal of collaborations, from international artists to local bodies. My top pick in recent times has to be the surprise release of Glitch by producer U.Beyond and singer songwriter Vogue, the extended play ticks all the boxes when it comes to collaboration.

Now Cape Town DJ and producer Mark Akol joins forces with Durban international Indie star Robin Thirdfloor. The two acts make an attempt to tick the boxes of what make a collaborative piece work. Isomiso is the first joint effort between Mark Akol & Robin Thirdfloor, the project is Robin’s first project this year and his first since the release of his groundbreaking Bhotela EP. It also serves as Mark’s first body of work this year, previously releasing singles which were aided by various acts that include Patty Monroe, singer Refentse and a few more. Isomiso was recorded earlier this year in Cape Town at the Red Bull studios on Bree Street. The concept behind it is based on the heavy drought that’s been hitting Cape Town. Robin Thirdfloor also explains it to serve as a thirst quencher since the South African music market has been in drought as well.

Late in August this year, I bumped into Mr Thirdfloor and we caught up regarding his plans for the fourth quarter. He alluded to the fact that he’s planning to drop his joint effort with Mark soon, so it was only a matter of when rather than if. The three song mixtape opens up with Piki ne Fosholo, which is a phrase that embodies hard work. Robin embraces the do it yourself mentally of an independent artist, where the solution is constantly working. The buzzing intro sets the mood of the tape, the record feels like vintage Robin Thirdfloor in his comfort zone.

Mthunzi Wezinkukhu is the second song on the project, the easy flowing track is perfect for December chilling. Somdanger goes on a tangent and paints a story of weed smoking and getting high with the main lady, field trips in Umlazi, hot boxing and choking in smoke. He even sounds like he was high when he recorded it and curates the mood so well. The chill wave song is by far the best song on the tape and makes for the best mood. The two acts wrap things up with Delakufa, which is the third and final track on the piece.

When it comes to the production, you can hear that Mark tried his best to suit Robin’s style of music, incorporating  the synth heavy almost electronic sounds that are most compatible with Robin’s style. The two acts had a good deal of synergy and understood each other for the creative process of Isomiso. The three track EP makes perfect sense and does somewhat quench the necessary thirst.

Stream Isomiso below.