Soweto - Various Artists (Zensor/Rough Trade 1982)
This compilation from 1982 is a total treasure. Here's what Robert Christgau had to say back when the album was released:
"It's fair to assume that these fourteen crude, tuneful little singles, released six or seven years ago out of a Johannesburg record shop and featuring a writer-producer named Wilbur Dlamini and a backing band of Jo'burg Zulus called the Bamalangabis, are typical of nothing. They're apolitical except by their sheer existence, mostly small-group instrumental, with guitar, sax, and organ leads. Not too clearly recorded, either. And they're delightful. It's possible Dlamini is a lost genius. It's also possible that when I've heard more music from South Africa's hellish black urban work zones I'll find him minor or derivative. But what's certain is that a lot of very talented people are getting lost in black South Africa. Ain't capitalism grand?"
Tracklist:
A1 New Lucky Boys Jane A2 Kid Bera-Bera And Mister King Jerroo Katanga Country Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The A3 Unknown Artist Nobamba A4 Unknown Artist Wilburforce Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The A5 S. Tshabalala Bonakele Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The A6 Unknown Artist Saulsville Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The A7 New Lucky Boys Indoda
B1 Steven Phiri Malangabi D-One Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The B2 S. Tshabalala Ukwenza Kwendoda Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The B3 John Motha Zulu Boy B4 Unknown Artist Queen Shikwambani B5 Elfas Zondi Umkumbani Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The B6 Saul Malapane And Mister King Jerroo Here We Come Backing - Abafana Bamalangabi B7 A.M'Kosane Amaswti Special Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The
Many thanks indeed for this. Here's some info:
ReplyDeleteSoweto - Various Artists (Zensor/Rough Trade 1982)
This compilation from 1982 is a total treasure. Here's what Robert Christgau had to say back when the album was released:
"It's fair to assume that these fourteen crude, tuneful little singles, released six or seven years ago out of a Johannesburg record shop and featuring a writer-producer named Wilbur Dlamini and a backing band of Jo'burg Zulus called the Bamalangabis, are typical of nothing. They're apolitical except by their sheer existence, mostly small-group instrumental, with guitar, sax, and organ leads. Not too clearly recorded, either. And they're delightful. It's possible Dlamini is a lost genius. It's also possible that when I've heard more music from South Africa's hellish black urban work zones I'll find him minor or derivative. But what's certain is that a lot of very talented people are getting lost in black South Africa. Ain't capitalism grand?"
Tracklist:
A1 New Lucky Boys Jane
A2 Kid Bera-Bera And Mister King Jerroo Katanga Country
Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The
A3 Unknown Artist Nobamba
A4 Unknown Artist Wilburforce
Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The
A5 S. Tshabalala Bonakele
Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The
A6 Unknown Artist Saulsville
Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The
A7 New Lucky Boys Indoda
B1 Steven Phiri Malangabi D-One
Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The
B2 S. Tshabalala Ukwenza Kwendoda
Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The
B3 John Motha Zulu Boy
B4 Unknown Artist Queen Shikwambani
B5 Elfas Zondi Umkumbani
Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The
B6 Saul Malapane And Mister King Jerroo Here We Come
Backing - Abafana Bamalangabi
B7 A.M'Kosane Amaswti Special
Backing Group - Bamalangabis, The
Thanks again, Dave Sez.