Esa Williams - VANGUARD DRIVE ft. Tasneem Williams

https://orcd.co/vanguarddrive

Esa Williams - “Vanguard Drive is the first single from my forthcoming album Dala What We Must to be release April 2026 and really, it’s a love letter to Cape Town, to the people and the sounds that made me.

That road was part of my life growing up, my mother working these long shifts as a nurse while my grandma looked after me, and I can still remember those drives, the morning vibe on the Cape Flats, taxis hooting & blaring music, the city waking up. Even as a kid, I could feel how alive it all was, how music was everywhere.

The ideas took shape while reminiscing in the studio with my co-creator, Robin Breeze, as the original demos started to come together. I kept thinking about those taxi rides back home, the gaatjie leaning out the window shouting, “Bontas, Langa, Athlone, Mowbray, Kaap!” That rhythm and energy became the foundation for the song.

I wrote the hook first, then developed the lyrics with my sister, Tasneem, who’s still in Cape Town. We built it across time zones, sending voice notes and ideas back and forth. Tasneem’s voice carries the sound and spirit of home.

The song is backed by my friends, Another Taste, recorded live to tape at their Space Grapes Studios in Rotterdam to capture that warm, human feel. The horn section from Kujenga, a seven... more
credits
releases December 5, 2025

Created - Esa Williams
Co-created - Robin G Breeze
Vocals - Tasneem Williams

Horns:
Tenor Sax - Matthew Rightfold
Trumpet - Shaw Komori
Trombone - Tamzyn Freeks

Band:
Bass - Bob Roche
Keys/Synths - Barend Lippens
Drums - Teun van Zoggel
Percussion - Diogo Carvalho
Guitar - Florian Verhagen
Recorded - Bobby van Putten
...
Real Music For Real People, since 1996.
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