Legendary British house music producer and DJ, Jimpster made his debut in Eswatini over the past weekend, performing at the Unleash the Wolf (UTW) event in Ezulwini at the plush Oryx Restaurant and Lounge. A venue that gave classy, cozy vibes.
The well-attended event saw a well-curated flow of play kickstarting on a high, with Expo followed by The seasoned Bishop (Smish), then onto DJ Tibza, who brought the deep-house sound into full perspective, setting the stage for the host of UTW, !Sooks. As per usual, the Wolf delivered an atmospheric, hit-laced sound experience before the main act, Jimpster, left the crowd in a daze. He later handed over to Ndumz DJ, who, as many were heard saying, came in guns blazing as the closing act, bringing the house down and sealing a brilliantly curated event by Antidote Music.
Jimpster (real name Jamie Odell), is a pioneering British deep house producer, DJ, and founder of Freerange Records, also known for his work under the aliases Audiomontage and Franc Spangle.
Speaking after his set, He said he came into the country with an open mind. He did not have a fixed idea of what to expect from the crowd. For an artist who has spent more than two decades traveling the world, this visit marked a fresh and scenic, truly memorable experience.
“I didn’t think too much about what the crowd would be like, but because Eswatini is so close to Johannesburg, I guessed the sound would be similar. And I think that was correct. Everyone seemed to be in sync. It felt like a familiar crowd.”
The close link between Eswatini and South Africa’s house music culture made his first performance here feel natural. He mentioned that he notes that some jockeys from Eswatini have started regularly playing in Johannesburg and other parts of South Africa.
“The South African deep house sound is massive. It’s even starting to filter slowly into Europe now. It’s great to see some of the guys from here breaking out, playing places like Ibiza, there definitely is room for more.”
A Sound That Shifts With Time
Many know Jimpster for his deep, soulful, and sometimes jazzy productions. But he says his sound changes depending on the moment.
“I go through phases,” he explained. “Sometimes I’m more soulful, sometimes more jazzy, and sometimes more techie and quick. Here in Eswatini, people usually like a sound below 120 BPM. In Europe, that tempo is very rare; it’s like chill-out, nap music. So it was nice to play some of my more mellow stuff here.”
Jimpster, who is also a trained keyboard player, says this background influences his music. It adds a layer of harmony and movement that some listeners describe as his ‘signature sound,’ though he admits he still doesn’t quite know what makes it unique.
“I try not to make things too complicated. Even though I know jazz theory, I sometimes choose to keep things simple. I like sampling chords and shifting them around to get something basic but interesting.”
His albums, he added, are more experimental than his club single tracks. Each one shows who he was at that time, rather than a fixed style.
“They’re snapshots,” he said. “For albums, I experiment more. I’m not thinking about dance floors. I try different tempos and work with live, often non-professional singers to get that pure vocal flow that house music is well known for.”
Discovering African Artists
Jimpster has been traveling to South Africa since 1999, and that long relationship with the region has helped him discover new talent.
He credits Kid Fonque of Stay True Sounds for introducing him to many emerging artists.
“I get sent a lot of promos and demos from South African producers, and I really try to listen as much as possible. When I see a name I recognize, or that stands out, I’ll always check it out.”
Performing across the region over the years has also helped him meet local DJs, forming connections that grow with each visit.
Still Driven After Decades
Even after so many years in the industry, Jimpster’s passion remains strong.
“I still enjoy what I do a lot, and I love visiting new places. I like the pressure of not knowing how people will respond to my set. Traveling is undoubtedly getting harder for my body, but I wouldn’t consider hanging up my headphones as long as the inspiration is there, and I still enjoy the gigs that keep me going.”
Advice for Young Southern African Artists
For upcoming producers hoping to break into the international scene, Jimpster offered honest advice.
“It’s really hard, especially in the UK,” he said. “You need patience. You need to find a unique sound to separate yourself from everyone else. And today, you also have to be a social media manager, a content creator, everything really, stuff that we never had to worry ourselves about at the time we started, a challenge one needs to conquer. So, it’s even more complex than it was before.”
He encouraged artists to reach beyond local labels and connect with European ones to reach wider audiences. This way, they get to socialize and network, and it’s easier to have your name pulled in confidence because of that association with a trusted and familiar brand.”
Most importantly, he said, artists must stay humble and bring good energy wherever they go.
