Julian Bahula, Malombo and Jabula — Discography

Trying to unpick a history (in vinyl issues, anyway) of one of South Africa's most memorable Afro-jazz-blues group's—Malombo—can at times be a difficult task. Often on eBay, one will find records by Malombo without the group's indomitable guitarist and leader, Philip Tabane, or sometimes one may see a record by the Malombo Jazzmen or the Malombo Jazz Makers. Occassionally Abbey Cindi may be the leader or Gabriel Thobejane performs on the "Malombo drums". Sometimes it is Julian Bahula at the helm with Lucky Ranku on guitar.

Essentially the broad history of Malombo can be broken up into two separate groups that often used the same name for different recordings by each group. Though starting as a single group, the two threads soon split apart, one wing with Philip Tabane, the other with Abbey Cindi and Julian Bahula. To unpack this history I have put together two discographies, one for Philip Tabane, the other for Julian Bahula. Though many others were involved, Tabane and Bahula are the two members of the original group that seemed to continue separately each thread of Malombo music. (Cindi and Ranku, of course, played major roles in what I am loosely calling the "Bahula" thread.) Today's post focuses on "Julian Bahula and Malombo" as well as his later group Jabula. The "Philip Tabane and Malombo" discography can be viewed here.

Some of these albums as well as their re-issues have fetched amazing prices on auction at eBay and so I have put together a discography that attempts, at least in part, to identify the many different issues. If you have an album or an issue not featured in this list please let us know and we can add it to the discography.

Yvonne Huskisson in her Bantu Composers of Southern Africa has Abbey Cindi and Philip Tabane forming a group called the Lullaby-Landers in 1961 or 1963, depending on which entry you read. In 1963 the group changed their name to the Malombo Jazz Men which included Julian Bahula on a set of "African drums". He had originally come from the Vlakfontein City Council Band. As Huskisson puts it, Malombo's aim was "to produce a new sound in Jazz by introducing African drums and African drum beats and an African traditional sound into a Progressive-Jazz trio." The group was hugely successful, winning a number of competitions most notably the 1964 Castle Lager Jazz Festival at Orlando Stadium. The trio made their first recordings with "Radio Bantu" that same year and soon a debut, studio LP—Castle Lager Jazz Festival 1964—was issued by EMI. The B-side of the album also included the Early Mabuza Quartet.

This classic record featured the original line-up of the Malombo Jazz Men (sometimes Jazzmen) with Philip Tabane on guitar, Abbey Cindi on flute and Julian Bahula on the "Malombo drums". The group would soon split somewhere around 1966.

After the break-up, Tabane began working with Gabriel 'Mabi' Thobejane and continued recording under the name Malombo Jazzmen and then later simplified it to just Malombo.

Bahula and Cindi teamed up with Lucky Ranku on guitar and formed the Malombo Jazz Makers, sometimes featuring Hilda Tloubatla (from the Mahotella Queens) on vocals. Their first LP after the break-up was simply titled Malompo Jazz (with a "p"). They issued roughly three albums as the Malombo Jazz Makers with Gallo and then in 1971 recorded an album with 3rd Ear Records as Malombo.

In 1973, Julian Bahula decided to go into exile and moved to the UK. Initially he toured with the South African group Hawk but soon started putting together a new group — Jabula — with Lucky Ranku and an international cast of musicians including a number of South Africans. The South African contingent of the group included Julian Bahula on drums and percussion, Lucky Ranku on guitar, Pinise Saul on vocals; Ernest Mothle (from the Early Mabuza Quartet and the Heshoo Beshoo Group) on bass, and sometimes Busi Mhlongo on vocals and Dudu Pukwana on saxophone. Jabula worked closely with the African National Congress and the Anti-Apartheid movement and subsequently a number of their records were banned in South Africa.

Certainly Bahula forming Jabula with Ranku could be viewed as a continuation of Malombo under another name. For more information on Julian Bahula and Jabula read his biography at jabulamusic.com. See also Matsuli and Wall of Sound. For more information on Malombo visit 3rd Ear Music.


DISCOGRAPHY



















CASTLE LAGER JAZZ FESTIVAL 1964 (1964)
Malombo Jazz Men / Early Mabuza Quartet
Philip Tabane (guitar); Abbey Cindi (flute); Julian Bahula (drums)
• HMV, JCLP 62, RSA
• HMV (black label) JCLP 62, 2XAS 305/6, RSA (reissue)*
• HMV (blue label) JPL (M) 4019, RSA (reissue)
• Number One Records, N 9033, RSA (reissue)
• CCP Record Company, CDJPL (WB) 4041, RSA (1997, reissue)
1) Foolish Fly (Tabane)
2) Your Neighbour (Tabane)
3) Chief’s Kraal (Emkobola) (Tabane)
4) Blues for you (Tabane)
5) Zandile (Tabane)
6) Malombo Men’s Prayer (Tabane)
* Thanks to Olivier Ledure for images of the black label issue.

• HMV (red + color label) JCLP 62, 2XAS 305/6, RSA

• HMV (black label) JCLP 62, 2XAS 305/6, RSA (reissue)*

• HMV (blue label) JPL (M) 4019, RSA (reissue)

• Number One Records, N 9033, RSA (reissue)

• CCP Record Company, CDJPL (WB) 4041, RSA (1997, reissue)

SABC WHITE LABEL PROMO DISC (c1964)
Malombo Jazz Men
Philip Tabane (guitar); Abbey Cindi (flute); Julian Bahula (drums)
(Tracks identical to original 1964 LP issue)
• SABC 10" acetate, RSA
1) Foolish Fly (Tabane)
2) Malombo Prayer (Tabane)

WITS GREAT HALL – LIVE (1965)
Malombo Jazz Men
Philip Tabane (guitar); Abbey Cindi (flute); Julian Bahula (drums)
• Third Ear Music, 1/4–track demo tape recording, RSA
(Logo and info sourced from 3rd Ear Music)

SABC OVERSEAS TRANSCRIPTION SERVICE (1966)
Malombo Jazzmen
Abbey Cindi (flute); Julian Bahula (drums); Lucas Ranku (guitar)
• SABC, LT 8447 (mono), RSA
1) Tribute To Birds (Cindi)
2) Tribute To Birds (Cindi)
3) Abbey’s Mood (Cindi)
4) Grab This for Me (Cindi)
5) Lullaby for Angels (Cindi)

MALOMPO JAZZ (1966)
Malombo Jazz Makers
Abbey Cindi (flute, harmonica); Julian Bahula (drums); Lucas 'Lucky' Ranku (guitar); Hilda Tloubatla (vocals)
• Gallotone (red label), GALP 1464, ABC 26181/2, RSA
• Gallo (blue label), SGALP 1464, ABC 26181/2, RSA (1972, reissue)
1) Abbey’s Mood (Cindi)
2) Lullaby for Angels (Cindi)
3) Grab this for Me (Cindi)
4) Emakhaya (Cindi)
5) Blues After Lunch (Cindi)
6) Bababelo (Cindi)
7) Intandane (Cindi)
8) A Tribute to Birds (Cindi)
9) Root of Africa (Cindi)
10) Vuma Mbari (Cindi)
11) Lousy Fever (Cindi)
12) Jikeleza (Cindi)

• Gallotone (red label), GALP 1464, ABC 26181/2, RSA

• Gallo (blue lbl), SGALP 1464, ABC 26181/2, RSA (1972, reissue)

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS AND MUSIC OF SA (1966)
Various Artists / Malombo Jazz Men
The track here is different from the LP version and there are at least two different cover images for the EP. View the alternative cover image at Matsuli.
• Gallotone (blue label) EP, XYZ 111, ABC 26444, RSA
• Gallotone EP, XYZ 111, RSA (issued with different cover)
4) Abie’s Mood (The Malombo Jazz Men)
* Thanks to Paul Buttery for this image.

CASTLE LAGER SPECIAL EDITION (1967)
Malombo Jazzmen
Philip Tabane (guitar); Abbey Cindi (flute); Julian Bahula (drums)
(Tracks identical to original 1964 LP issue.)
• Rave 10” acetate, 235, RSA (March 1967)
1) Zandile (Tabane)
2) Emkobola (Tabane)
3) Malombo Prayer (Tabane)
4) Blues (Tabane)

MALOMBO JAZZMEN (c1967)
Malombo Jazzmen
Philip Tabane (guitar); Abbey Cindi (flute); Julian Bahula (drums)
(Tracks unknown)
• Phillips 10” acetate, C 2143, RSA

MALOMBO JAZZ MAKERS - VOL. 2 (1967)
Malombo Jazz Makers
Abbey Cindi (flute, harmonica); Julian Bahula (drums); Lucky Ranku (guitar); Hilda Tloubatla (vocals)
• Continental (red label), ZB 8162, ABC 30773/4, RSA*
• Gallo (blue label), SZB 8162, ABC 30773/4, RSA (1971, reissue)
1) Ngivulele (Cindi)
2) Udondolo (Cindi)
3) Soul of Africa (Cindi)
4) Jolly Journey (Cindi)
5) Umkhosi (Cindi)
6) Majazana (Cindi)
7) Abbey’s Body (Cindi)
8) Vukani (Cindi)
9) Hleziphi (Cindi)
10) Sibathathu (Ranku)
11) Malombi Walk (Cindi)
12) Emoubane (Cindi)
* Thanks to Olivier Ledure for the images of the original Continental issue.

• Continental (red label), ZB 8162, ABC 30773/4, RSA*

• Gallo (blue lbl), SZB 8162, ABC 30773/4, RSA (1971, reissue)

NONGQUASE (1967)
Basil Somhlahlo and the African Theatre Company
Stephen Moloi (narrator); Julian Bahula, Dennis Nene (Malombo Sound)
• Quality, LTJ 223, RSA (April 1967)
1) Joy and Sadness (Somhlahlo)
2) U Loliwe (Somhlahlo)
3) Yekiinto Zabantu (Somhlahlo)
4) Qula Kwedini (Somhlahlo)
5) Manyauza (Somhlahlo)
6) Botani (Somhlahlo)
7) Nongqause Vision (Somhlahlo)
8) Isikhalo Sohlanga (Somhlahlo)
9) The Kings’s Verdict (Somhlahlo)
10) Bula Sangoma (Somhlahlo)
11) Osenyangweni (Somhlahlo)
12) Xolani Mawethu (Somhlahlo)

• Quality, LTJ 223, RSA (April 1967)

45 RPM (1968)
Malombo Jazz Makers Plus 2
• Continental (red label), PD 9378, ABC 27652/3, RSA
1) Away from Malombo's (Bahula)
2) Bahula Dithabeng (Ranku)

45 RPM (1968)
Malombo Jazz Makers Plus 2
• Continental (red label), PD 9379, ABC 27654/5, RSA
1) Maroping (Ranku)
2) Malombo Messengers (Bahula)

MUSIC SOUNDS OF AFRICA (1969)
Various Artists / Malombo Jazz Makers
Abbey Cindi (flute); Julian Bahula (drums); Lucky Ranku (guitar)
• Gallo (blue label, black corner), SGALP 1578, ABC 27784/5, RSA
• Gallo (blue label, blue corner), SGALP 1578, ABC 27784/5, RSA
14) Umkhosi (Cindi)

DOWN LUCK'S WAY WITH MALOMBO JAZZ MAKERS (1969)
Malombo Jazz Makers
Abbey Cindi (flute, harmonica); Julian Bahula (vocals, drums); Lucky Ranku (guitar)
(Sleeve notes by Aggrey Robeson Zola Klaaste.)
• Continental, SZB 8245, RSA*
1) Tribute to A. Motjoadi (Ranku)
2) Bahula Dithabeng (Ranku)
3) Gae-Mamelodi (Bahula, Ranku)
4) Sefuralong (Ranku)
5) Matshenyogo (Ranku)
6) Lucky's Way (Bahula)
* Thanks to Francis Gooding for the info on this LP.

MUSIC OF THE SPIRIT (1971)
Malombo
Abbey Cindi (flute); Julian Bahula (drums); Lucky Ranku (guitar)
• Third Ear Music, TEE 01, RSA
1) Heavens Door Steps (Cindi)
2) Birds Meet Elephant (Cindi)
3) Gae Mamelodi (Ranku, Bahula)
4) Exerpt from Ourang Outang (not listed on the labels)
5) Malombo Workshop (Ranku, Bahula)
6) Inyoni (Cindi)
7) Dikomeng (Ranku, Bahula)
8) Ungaokhala (Cindi)
* Thanks to Chris Albertyn for images of the labels.

• Third Ear Music, TEE 01, RSA 

MALOMPO JAZZ (1972)
Malombo Jazz Makers
Abbey Cindi (flute, harmonica); Julian Bahula (drums); Lucky Ranku (guitar)
(Tracks appear to be identical to original A-side of 1966 LP issue.)
• Gallo, acetate with engineering notes, GALP 1464, MA 738, RSA (3rd July, 1972)






Jabula — Discography

In 1973, Julian Bahula decided to go into exile and moved to the UK. Initially he toured with the South African group Hawk but soon started putting together a new group — Jabula — with Lucky Ranku and an international cast of musicians including a number of South Africans. Jabula worked closely with the African National Congress and the Anti-Apartheid movement and subsequently a number of their records were banned in South Africa.

JABULA (1975)
Jabula
Busi Mhlongo (vocals); Ken Eley (tenor, soprano saxes); Lucky Ranku (guitar, percussion); Ernest Mothle (bass); Graham Morgan (drums); Julian Bahula (drums); Dudu Pukwana (alto sax)
(Cover art by Dumeli Feni, recorded September 1974)
• Caroline, CA 2004, UK
• Virgin, 88645 ET, Germany
• Jabula, JBL 2002, UK (1979, reissued as Jabula Happiness)
• Pläne, 88215, Germany (1980, reissued as Let Us Be Free)
1) Jabula Happiness (Bahula, Apps)
2) Baile – They Are Gone (Ranku, Bahula)
3) Listen to me Crying (Mothle, Ranku, Apps)
4) Naledi (Bahula)
5) Badishi – Herdboys (Ranku, Bahula)
6) Thandi (Ranku)
7) Siakala – We are Sad (Bahula)
8) Our Fathers (Bahula, Apps)
9) Let Us Be Free (Bahula, Ranku)
* Images of the JBL 2002 issue sourced from Soul Safari.

• Caroline, CA 2004, UK

• Virgin, 88645 ET, Germany

• Jabula, JBL 2002, UK (1979, reissued as Jabula Happiness)

• Pläne, 88215, Germany (1980, reissued as Let Us Be Free)

45 RPM (1975)
Jabula
• Virgin, VS 118, UK (view at 45cat)
• Virgin, VS 118, UK (with large side A + B)
1) Jabula Happiness (Bahula, Apps)
2) Baile – They Are gone (Ranku, Bahula)

V (1975)
Various Artists / Jabula
(Compilation, track originally released on 1975 LP, Jabula.)
• Virgin, VD 2502, UK
• Virgin, VD 2502 (with artist list at top of front cover)
14) Baile - They Are Gone (Ranku, Bahula)
* Image sourced from Captain Beefheart Electricity.

THUNDER INTO OUR HEARTS (1976)
Jabula
Julian Bahula (drums, vocals); Ernest Mothle (bass); Dudu Pukwana (alto sax); Lucky Ranku (guitar, vocals)
(Recorded Nov/Dec 1975)
• Caroline, CA 2009, UK*
• Jabula, JBL 2001, UK (1977, reissue)
1) Thunder Into Our Hearts (Ranku)
2) Soweto My Love (Bahula)
3) Ithumelang Ba Memelodi (Bahula)
4) Tears of Afrika (Bahula)
5) Baleka – Run Away (Ranku)
6) Journey to Afrika (Bahula)
7) Harvest Part II (Bedeau)
* Image of the Caroline issue back cover sourced from The Growing Bin.

• Caroline, CA 2009, UK*

• Jabula, JBL 2001, UK (1977, reissue)

JOURNEY TO AFRICA (1977)
Jabula
(Compilation reissue of tracks from previous two LPs)
• Jabula/Gallo, BL 134, ABC 7524/5, RSA
1) Journey To Africa (Bahula)
2) Badishi – Herdboys (Ranku, Bahula)
3) Ithumeleng Ba Mamelodi (Bahula)
4) Jabula Happiness (Bahula, Apps)
5) Soweto My Love (Bahula)
6) Naledi (Bahula)
7) Baleka – Run Away (Ranku)

• Jabula/Gallo, BL 134, ABC 7524/5, RSA

JABULA IN AMSTERDAM - ZUID AFRIKAANSE MUSIEK (1977)
Jabula
Julian Bahula (drums); Lucky Ranku (guitar); Mike Rose (flute, alto sax); Dave Defries (trumpet); Steve Scipio (bass); Pinise Saul (vocals); Judith De Kom (poetry); Hans Dagelet (poetry); Peer Mascini
(Live in Amsterdam in association with the Mayibuye group, the cultural arm of the ANC in exile. LP not to be confused with later UK issues of the same name. This is the album that is referred to as being banned in the SA Government Gazette featured on the cover of the Afrika Awake and In Amsterdam LPs that followed.)
• Anti-Apartheidsbeweging Nederland, AABN 177, Netherlands
1) The Promised Land (Bahula, Ranku)
2) All for One (Ranku)
3) That Day (Bahula, Ranku)
4) Herdboys (Ranku, Bahula)
5) Sorrows (Bahula)
6) Journey to Africa (Bahula)

• Anti-Apartheidsbeweging Nederland, AABN 177, Netherlands

AFRIKA AWAKE / BANNED IN RSA (1978)
Jabula
Julian Bahula (drums); Lucky Ranku (guitar); Mike Rose (flute, alto sax); Steve Scipio (bass); Pinise Saul (vocals); John Matshikiza and Judith de Kom (spoken poetry)
• Jabula, JBL 2003, UK
• Jabula, JBL 2003, UK (issued as In Amsterdam / Banned in RSA)
• Varagram, ET 27, Netherlands (issued as Afrika Awake / Verboden in RSA)
• Plane, 88154, Germany (1979, reissued as African Soul)
1) Afrika Awake (Ranku, Bahula)
2) Thunder (Ranku, Bahula)
3) Mathome (Ranku)
4) Sorrows (Bahula)
5) Soweto My Love (Bahula)
6) Soweto’s Children (Bahula)
7) Siakala (Bahula)
8) I Know My Way (Bahula, Bahula)
9) Raining in Amsterdam (Ranku)

• Jabula, JBL 2003, UK

• Jabula, JBL 2003, UK (issued as In Amsterdam / Banned in RSA)

• Varagram, ET 27, Netherlands (issued as AA / Verboden in RSA)

• Plane, 88154, Germany (1979, reissued as African Soul )

FREEDOM YES! APARTHEID NO! (1979)
Jabula / SA Freedom Singers
Julian Bahula (Malombo drums); Pinise Saul (vocals); Mike Rose (flute, alto-sax); Lucky Ranku (guitar); Steve Scipio (bass)
(Live recording in Stockholm Sweden, 18 February, 1979.)
• A-Disc, BS 790218, Sweden
5) Siakala (Bahula)
6) Soweto (Bahula)
7) Badishi (Ranku, Bahula)
8) Afrika Awake (Ranku, L. Bahula)
9) Stamping Out Apartheid (Barnarnd, Mzimela)

• A-Disc, BS 790218, Sweden 

JABULA (1981)
Jabula
Lucky Madumetja Ranku (guitar); Pinise Saul (vocal); Mike Mathombe Rose (keyboard, strings, synthesizer); Glenn Helstone (bass); Julian Sebothane Bahula (malombo drums, percussion); Paul Robinson; Sol Amarfino (drums); Mackie Subero (congas, percussion); Harry Beckett (trumpet, flugel horn); Mike Qsapanin (trombone); Peggie Phango (vocal)
(It is unclear whether the "Star Bag" and the "Moonshine" issues may be one in the same. Also the track listing is very similar to the 1982 Jabula With Me LP, though the artists are different. "Vukani" here is replaced by "Sha Laang" on that LP. There are also two issues of the Jabula With Me LP and their track listings are not identical either - one of them matches the track listing here. So in theory, one of the Jabula With Me LPs could be the reissue of this LP.)
• Star Bag, unknown
• Moonshine (licenced from Tsafrika Records), unknown*
1) Jabula With Me
2) Botlokwa
3) Loving You
4) Thunder
5) Dance to the Music (Sa Kosha Ke Lerole)
6) Be With Us
7) Vukani
* Thanks to Olivier Ledure for the information about this LP.

JABULA WITH ME (1982)
Jabula
Lucky Ranku (guitar, bass); Pinise Saul (vocals); Mervyn Africa (keyboards); Glenn Helstone (bass); Thebe Lipere (percussion); Mike Rose (alto sax, flute); Julian Bahula (drums)
(Recorded in London. The track listing is very similar to the 1981 Jabula LP, though the artists are different. "Vukani" there is replaced by "Sha Laang" on this LP. There are also two issues of the Jabula With Me LP and their track listings are not identical either - the Pläne issue matches the track listing on the 1981 Jabula LP. So in theory, it could be the reissue of the 1981 Jabula LP.)
• Inner City, IC 1160, USA
• Pläne, 88298, Germany (reissue with a different cover)*
1) Jabula With Me
2) Sha Laang (*track replaced by "Vukani" on Pläne issue)
3) Be With Us
4) Botlokwa
5) Sa Kosha Ke Lerole
6) Loving You
7) Thunder
* Image of the Pläne cover sourced from the designer, Peter Bucker's website.
* Thanks to Afrikola for the discrepancy info in track 2.

• Inner City, IC 1160, USA

• Pläne, 88298, Germany*

SON OF THE SOIL (1982)
Julian Bahula's Jazz Afrika
Michael Nielson (flute, tenor, soprano sax); Lucky Ranku (guitar); Mervyn Africa (acoustic piano); Alan Jackson (drums); Roberto Bellatalia (double bass); Chucho Merchan (double bass); Julian Bahula (Malombo drums)
• Tsafrika, TSA 001, UK
• Pläne, 88 337, Germany (1983, reissue with a different cover)
1) Molebatsi
2) Tribute to the People
3) What’s Wrong with Jazz!!
4) Woza Cindi
5) Son of the Soil
6) Morwa Bahula
* Image of the Pläne cover sourced from the designer, Peter Bucker's website.

• Tsafrika, TSA 001, UK

• Pläne, 88 337, Germany (1983, reissue with a different cover)*

AFRICAN SOUNDS! FOR MANDELA (1984)
Various Artists / Julian Bahula’s Jazz Afrika
(Recorded live at Alexandra Palace, July 17, 1983)
• Tsafrika, TSA 1003, UK
1) Mandela
3) Tihompho

AFRIKA (1985)
Jabula
• Hawk EP, MX 01, Sweden
1) Afrika
2) Afrika (extended remix)

WIND OF CHANGE (1994)
Julian Bahula featuring Chico Freeman
Chico Freeman (tenor sax); Frank Williams (tenor sax); Mickey Jacques (guitar); Louis Jardim (percussion); Peter Lemer; Geoff Castle (keyboards); Julian Bahula (drums)
• JSB CD, JSBCD 9004, Germany
• Sterns CD, 9004, UK (1999, reissue)
• Gallo CD, CDGSP 3070, RSA (2005, reissue with different cover)
1) Wind Of Change
2) Make It Happen
3) Tribute To You
4) Mandela Village
5) Back To The Soil
6) Heita Cindi
7) Time For Afrika, Part 1
8) Mamelodi Moods

BILONGO – A Third Collection of Modern African Rhythms (2000)
Various Artists / Julian Bahula’s Jazz Africa
(Compilation featuring track from 1982 album)
• Comet, CD 017, France
11) Woza Cindi

AFRIKA UNDERGROUND (2002)
Various Artists / Jabula
 (Compilation featuring track from the 1975 LP of the same name)
• Counterpoint Records, CRLP 015, UK
4) Thunder Into Our Hearts

JULIAN BAHULA LIVE AGAIN (2007)
Jabula
Julian Bahula (drums); Derek Nash (sax); Geoff Castle (piano, keyboards)
• Gallo CD, CDGSP 3126, RSA
1) Uya Hamba

2) Sechaba The People

3) I’m Up And About

4) Live Again Bahula
5) Joy Of A Nation
6) Images Of Magubane
7) Changes Of The Wind
8) Bahula Bahula
9) Mamelodi Revisited

10) Tears For OR Tambo

11) Heita Cindi

12) The Woman Next To Me