Spokes Mashiyane - Discography

Next week marks 40 years since the untimely death of Spokes Mashiyane at the age of 39. The South African legend died of cirrhosis of the liver on February 9th, 1972 at Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. Significantly last week marked the 79th anniversary of his birth. An extensive discography for Spokes Mashiyane has been compiled to mark this occasion. Many thanks to the team at Electric Jive, and Laurent Dalmasso for help with this. Also the Ballantine Collection and ILAM both hosted at SAMAP have been invaluable resources.

Willard Cele introduced pennywhistle jive or what would later become known as kwela to South African audiences in the classic 1951 film The Magic Garden. Remarkably the commercial potential of this music was not evident and thus was not exploited by the record companies at the time. Subsequently no other recordings of this music were made until three years later with a track by the Orlando Tin Whistlers. (Rob Allingham in Lara Allen, Circuits of Recognition…)

But it was Johannes 'Spokes' Mashiyane — more than any other — who would popularise this style of music and transform it into a household name starting with four tracks recorded for Trutone on October 8, 1954. One of those, Ace Blues, became a hit, and by 1955 was receiving favorable reviews in the black press. Soon every record company in South Africa was looking to capitalize on an instrument that had been regarded as a mere toy relegated to the rural life of young herd boys.

Of course the instrument’s history is more complex and elements of its 20th century use can be traced back to Scottish marching bands of the 1920s. Lara Allen’s excellent article Circuits of Recognition… elaborates on this subject in great detail and is well worth the read.

Spokes Mashiyane was born in Vlakfontein near Pretoria on January 20th 1933. According to the liner notes of his first Trutone EP, Mashiyane taught himself to play on a reed flute while tending his father’s cattle. Albert Ralulimi in an interview with Lara Allen reveals that Spokes first played on a plastic toy penny whistle before moving on to a metal one. When he was eighteen, Mashiyane moved to Johannesburg where he met Frans Pilane with whom he formed a duo. Together the two busked with flute and guitar on street corners and in parks. Ralulimi goes on to say that Mashiyane's style at the time improvised on grassroots tunes played by "anybody" - the community in general, kids on street corners, and those at shebeens and stokvel gatherings.

It was on one such occasion at Zoo Lake Park (Yvonne Huskisson has it at Phomolong Train Station) that the duo was spotted by Trutone producer and talent scout Strike Vilakazi. According to Rob Allingham, Vilakazi cut at least four tracks with them in 1954: Ace Blues (4080) Kwela Spokes (4081), Skokiaan (4082) and Meva (4083). Huskisson, on the other hand, does suggest that Mashiyane’s first recordings were made in 1949. He would have been sixteen at the time and given that Allen’s account has him moving to Johannesburg when he was eighteen, the earlier recordings may be unlikely.

While penny whistle recordings were popular amongst black consumers in South Africa between 1954 and 1958, two events in 1958 helped propel this style of music onto the international stage and subsequently elevated its stature with white consumers, as Lara Allen points out. One was the UK television show, The Killing Stones, which featured as its theme Elias Lerole’s Tom Hark (Columbia YE 164); and the other was the recording of Spokes Mashiyane and touring American bop pianist Claude Williamson.

In April 1958, Trutone arranged for a collaborative recording with Mashiyane and the Claude Williamson Trio who were touring the country with Bud Shank as the “Jazz West Coast No. 3” at the time. The concert took place at the Bantu Men’s Social Centre (BMSC) and the live recording produced at least two tracks with Mashiyane, Kwela Claude and Sheshisa!

While EMI did well marketing Tom Hark, Trutone did a better job of further branding Mashiyane by exploiting the American connection with the Claude Williamson Trio and transforming him into an “instant celebrity”.

Allen goes on to say: “Trutone's aggressive marketing included billing Mashiyane as 'King Kwela', and printing his picture on record labels; it was the first time a South African record company had lavished such extensive publicity on a black musician. Although it was unprecedented to print comments on record labels of 78s aimed at black consumers, the "Kwela Claude" label declares: "The famous American pianist CLAUDE WILLIAMSON, says: "The Kwela Rhythm, born in the craddle of jazz, is unlike any other I have played. It could well take its place alongside Calypso and the Samba.""" (Allen)

Such successful marketing certainly helped raise the prestige of kwela and Mashiyane at the time. Trutone issued copies of Kwela Claude not only on its Quality label but also on its Rave label. This is significant in South Africa in that Quality records were typically marketed to black consumers while Rave records were marketed to white consumers. The EP Kwela Claude (Rave, REP 4) is the first to feature a black artist in such a significant profile on a Rave release.

Likewise Mashiyane’s first full-length album, King Kwela (Rave, RMG 1107), issued around 1958 or 1959, became the first long-playing record to feature exclusively a single black artist. Most recordings by black musicians until that point were issued on 78 rpm. If black music appeared on compilation LPs, it was usually marketed to white consumers or intended for international export. Issued on the Trutone’s Rave label, it is likely that King Kwela was also being marketed in this way. Though a full length LP, King Kwela is still a compilation of previously issued 78 rpm tracks.

1958 also marked another watershed moment in Mashiyane’s brilliant career. Trutone producer Strike Vilakazi persuaded Mashiyane to take up the saxophone and apply his penny whistle techniques to the instrument. Big Joe Special (Quality, TJ 500) recorded that year, was one of the early results of the saxophone experiment. As with his earlier Ace Blues, Big Joe Special was a sales phenomenon. The record became the trendsetting hit of that year and would inspire a whole new style of music. Sax jive — latter called mbaqanga — would dominate South African urban music for the next twenty years. In many ways this track marks the beginning of the eventual decline of not only the majuba big band jazz era (see Majuba Jazz on Electric Jive) but also penny whistle kwela itself. Younger consumers were looking for faster, heavier sounds and mbaqanga would soon satisfy those desires.

Trutone’s success with Mashiyane was extremely lucrative for the company, yet they continued to pay Mashiyane a flat fee for his recordings ranging from seven to fifty dollars per record. David Coplan mentions that after Mashiyane pressed the company on royalties he was assaulted by thugs. It is no surprise then that the musician was subsequently lured away by Gallo Records in 1958. Under a deal brokered by Union Artists with Gallo, Mashiyane became the first black musician in South Africa to receive royalties from his recordings.

Gallo picked up where Trutone left off and continued the extensive marketing of Mashiyane. Gallo’s New Sound label, with whom Mashiyane was recording, donned their all-to-familiar record sleeves with his image and a listing advertising his other recordings. View Chris Albertyn's two posts on some of the New Sound 78 rpm recordings here and here at Electric Jive.

In 1959 another full-length album Spokes of Africa was issued. Mashiyane's second, this LP to my knowledge was also the second for any black artist. Gallo’s New Sound label then launched an excellent series of LP records around late 1959 or early 1960. The first being New Sounds of Africa (NSL 1001) a compilation LP with Mashiyane, Miriam Makeba and the Skylarks but almost exclusively featured tracks by Mashiyane. This series would go on to included the classic 1962 Castle lager Jazz Festival (NSL 1010) and the highly acclaimed and collectable Chris McGregor and his Castle Lager Big Band (NSL 1011). Of the eight LPs that I am familiar with from this series, Mashiyane appears on four. View some of these at flatinternational.

Mashiyane continued recording with Gallo throughout the early to mid 1960s. In July of 1965 he was invited to appear at the Newport Folk Festival in the United States where he “stole the show” according to the sleeve notes of his US issued LP, (King Kwela) (London, TW 91408). An August 7, 1965 article in Billboard Magazine remarks that "Spokes Mashiyane, from Johannesburg, South Africa, was an unscheduled treat. His swingy beat and flute captured the audience. He was the unexpected highlight of the Saturday night concert."

Murray Lerner’s film Festival documents the concert and includes footage of Mashiyane's performance. Watch a clip here. Note that Mashiyane is not the first performer but comes in towards the end of this clip at around 7 mins and 40 secs.

A number of Mashiyane recordings post-Newport reference his US visit, for example the tracks 5th Avenue and New York City (New Sound, GB 3617) not to mention New Port and America on his final LP.

Though Mashiyane is present at the birth of Gallo’s Mavuthela, his recordings for Gallo appear to taper off towards the later half of the 1960s. It is not clear to me why, but I suspect that the success of the hard-mbaqanga sound produced by Mavuthela during this period might have contributed to what appears to be a waning interest in Mashiyane.

Interestingly a 1969 compilation LP, the Golden City Album does include a mbaqanga styled sax jive by Mashyiane. The track is noticeable for two reasons: one, the title “The Return of Spokes” suggests an absence, and two the record is issued by Trutone not Gallo. Perhaps the “Return of Spokes” has a double meaning here, and could be interpreted in one of two ways: he is returning to recording or he is returning to Trutone. A recording with Trutone does suggest a break with Gallo. Moreover his next LP King of the Penny Whistle was produced by David Thekwane and issued by Teal Records.

Released on Teal’s Star Black label (SKL 3000) (their first I believe) in 1969, Mashiyane here returns to the penny whistle, which for that time seems particularly unusual. The popularity of kwela had been waning since the late 1950s and with the rise of mbaqanga in the 1960s, it seemed that the style of music had all but been abandoned. Mashiyane here revisits in name at least some of his big hits like Ace Blues and TJ 500, the catalogue number for his first sax hit Big Joe Special. Surprisingly, he is backed by a band boasting a full elastic mbaqanga sound. My guess is that this is Mashiyane’s last album.


DISCOGRAPHY

78 RPM (1954)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Rhythm
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), prob. Frans Pilane (guitar), others unknown
(Recorded on October 8, 1954)
• Quality, TJ 21, matrix 4082/3, RSA
01) Skokiaan
02) Meva

78 RPM (1954)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Rhythm
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), prob. Frans Pilane (guitar), others unknown
(Recorded on October 8, 1954)
• Quality, TJ 24, matrix 4080/1, RSA
01) Ace Blues (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Kwela Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)

78 RPM (1954)
Spokes and William
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown
• Quality, TJ 31, matrix 4175/7, RSA
01) Ndinovalo (Eric Nomvete)
02) Daisy's Blues (Spokes Mashiyane)






78 RPM (c1955)
Spokes Mashiyane and His Hum-A-Zoo and Rhythm
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown
• Quality, TJ 54, matrix 4359/60, RSA
01) Mjiva Phambele (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Thaba Zimbi (Spokes Mashiyane)
* source ILAM, SAMAP

78 RPM (1955)
Spokes Mashiyane and Frans Pilane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Frans Pilane (guitar), others unknown
• Quality, TJ 56, matrix 4503/4, RSA
01) Samson and Delilah (trad. arr. Strike Vilakazi)
02) Meadowlands Boogie (Spokes Mashiyane)





78 RPM (c1955)
Spokes Mashiyane and Ben Nkosi
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Ben Nkosi (guitar), others unknown
• Quality, TJ 107, matrix 4904/5, RSA
01) Kumnandi (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Al Die Clevers (Spokes Mashiyane)
* source ILAM, SAMAP

78 RPM (c1955)
Spokes Mashiyane and Ben Nkosi
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Ben Nkosi (guitar), others unknown
• Quality, TJ 109, matrix 4906/7, RSA
01) A Man se Cherry (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Kalla's Special (Spokes Mashiyane)
* source ILAM, SAMAP

PENNY WHISTLE JIVE (c1956)
Various Artists
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Frans Pilane, Ben Nkosi (guitar), others unknown
(Compilation of tracks sourced from 78rpms recorded for Trutone. Though having an identical cover, this LP has different tracks from the UK Oriole and Australian Galaxy issues.)
• Trutone, 10" LP, TLP 1047, RSA
• Rave, RMG 1047, RSA
Spokes Mashiyane and France Pilane
02) Xmas Jump (Spokes Mashiyane)
Spokes Mashiyane and Ben Nkosi
05) Sondela Ntombi (Spokes Mashiyane)
Spokes Mashiyane and France Pilane
07) Samson and Delilah (trad. arr. Strike Vilakazi)

• Trutone, 10" LP, TLP 1047, RSA

JAZZ FROM THE TOWNSHIP (c1957)
Various Artists - Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown
(Compilation of tracks sourced from 78rpms recorded for Trutone.)
• Trutone, TLP 2000, RSA
• Rave, RMG 2000, RSA
01) Kala's Special (Spokes Mashiyane)

78 RPM (c1957)
Spokes Mashiyane and Frans Pilane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Frans Pilane (guitar), others unknown
• Quality, TJ 132, matrix 5313/6451, RSA
01) Basimane Ba Gauteng (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Jika Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
* Thanks to Laurent Dalmasso for this images.

78 RPM (1957)
Spokes Mashiyane and Frans Pilane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown
• Quality, TJ 149, matrix 6775/6, RSA
01) Odlha-dlha (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Home Go (Spokes Mashiyane)

78 RPM (1957)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Rhythm
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown
(Track one recorded c1956, track two recorded 1957)
• Quality, TJ 172, matrix 5299/6930, RSA
01) Tsa Lefatshe Hadi Fele (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Umpinda (Spokes Mashiyane)





78 RPM (c1958)

Spokes Mashiyane and His Magic Sax

Spokes Mashiyane (sax), others unknown

• Quality, TJ ?, matrix 7478/79, RSA

01) Zoo Lake Jive (Spokes Mashiyane)

02) D.O.C.C. (Spokes Mashiyane)

* source Ballantine Collection, SAMAP

78 RPM (c1958)
Spokes Mashiyane and Robert Cele
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Robert Cele (violin), others unknown
• Quality, TJ 205, matrix 7481/3, RSA
01) 5.20 Special (Jill Desmond)
02) Ain't Got Blues (Jill Desmond)

78 RPM (c1958)
Spokes Mashiyane and Robert Cele
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Robert Cele (violin), others unknown
• Quality, TJ 213, matrix 7480/2, RSA
01) Manotcha (Jill Desmond)
02) Simple Simon (Jill Desmond)





78 RPM (c1958)
Spokes Mashiyane and His Two Stooges
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• TJ Quality, TJ ?, matrix 7485, RSA
01) King Kong Kwela (Mazembe Mpandlana)
02) Dambuza Jump (Mazembe Mpandlana)
* source Ballantine Collection, SAMAP

78 RPM (1958)
Spokes Mashiyane with the Claude Williamson Trio
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Claude Williamson (piano), Don Prell (bass), Jimmy Pratt (drums)
(Recorded at BMSC, JHB in April 1958)
• Quality, TJ 222, matrix 7548/9, RSA
• Rave, R 28, matrix 7548/9, RSA
01) Kwela Claude (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Sheshisa! (Spokes Mashiyane)
* Thanks to Laurent Dalmasso for the image.

KWELA CLAUDE (1958)
Spokes Mashiyane with the Claude Williamson Trio
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Claude Williamson (piano), Don Prell (bass), Jimmy Pratt (drums)
(Recorded at BMSC, JHB in April 1958)
• Rave EP, REP 4, matrix 7548-50, RSA
01) Kwela Claude (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Sheshisa! (Spokes Mashiyane)
03) Tenderly (Gross, Lawrence)

HIT PARADE 10 (1958)
Spokes Mashiyane with the Claude Williamson Trio
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Claude Williamson (piano), Don Prell (bass), Jimmy Pratt (drums)
(Recorded at BMSC, JHB in April 1958)
• Rave EP, REP 6, matrix 7548, RSA
03) Kwela Claude (Spokes Mashiyane)

45 RPM (1958)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Frans Pilane, Ben Nkosi (guitar), others unknown
• Oriole, 45-1441, UK
Spokes Mashiyane and Ben Nkosi
01) Jika Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
Spokes Mashiyane and France Pilane
02) The Boys of Jo'burg (Spokes Mashiyane)

PENNY WHISTLE JIVE (1958)
Various Artists
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Frans Pilane, Ben Nkosi (guitar), others unknown
(Compilation of tracks sourced from 78rpms recorded for Trutone. Cover is identical to Trutone, TLP 1047, but tracks are mostly different.)
• Oriole 10" LP, MG 10022, UK
• Galaxy 10" LP, GL 002, AUS
Spokes Mashiyane and Ben Nkosi
01) Jika Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
Spokes Mashiyane and France Pilane
02) The Boys of Jo'burg (Spokes Mashiyane)

• Oriole 10" LP, MG 10022, UK

• Galaxy 10" LP, GL 002, AUS

KING KWELA (c1958)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown
(Compilation of tracks sourced from 78rpms recorded for Trutone between 1954 and 1958.)
• Rave , RMG 1107, RSA (orange + blue label)
• Rave , RMG 1107, RSA (black label)
• Trojan World, TWLP 001, UK (LP/CD reissue, 1990 as King of Kwela)
• Gallo - African Classics, CDZAC 50, RSA (CD reissue, 1991)
01) Meva (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Kwela Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
03) Aces Blues (Spokes Mashiyane)
04) Chobolo (Spokes Mashiyane)
05) Kwela Claude (Spokes Mashiyane)
06) Chicago Blues (Spokes Mashiyane)
07) Dolos (Spokes Mashiyane)
08) Ndinovalo (Spokes Mashiyane)
09) Sheshisa (Spokes Mashiyane)
10) New Year Eve Blues (Spokes Mashiyane)
11) Jika Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
12) Sono Sam' (trad. arr. F. Pilane)

• Rave , RMG 1107, RSA (orange + blue label)

• Rave , RMG 1107, RSA (black label)

KWELA SPOKES! (c1958)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Penny Whistle
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), other unnkown
(Tracks recorded between 1957 and 1958)
• Rave EP, REP 7, matrix 7250, 7484/5, 7606 RSA
01) Love Me Baby (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Cookie's Kwela (H. Makhaya)
03) Stooge Blues (H. Makhaya)
04) Zoo Lake Kwela (Spokes Mashiyane)

45 RPM (1958)
Spokes Mashiyane with his Flipple Flute
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), other unknown
• Dot, NFS promo, 45-15778, USA
01) French Fried (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Jika (Spokes Mashiyane)

45/78 RPM (1958)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Magic Sax
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), other unknown
• Quality, TJ 500, matrix 7607/8, RSA
• Quality, 45TJ 500, matrix 7607/8, RSA
01) Sweet Sax (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Big Joe Special (Spokes Mashiyane)

78 RPM (1958)
"King Kwela" Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown
(Track one recorded 1957, track two recorded 1958)
• Rave, R 31, matrix 6451/7609, RSA
01) Jika Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Dolos (Throwing the Bones) (Spokes Mashiyane)

78 RPM (1958)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Magic Sax
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), other unknown
• Rave, R 42, matrix 7479/7608, RSA
01) Kwela Sax (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Big Joe Special (Spokes Mashiyane)






78 RPM
Spokes Mashiyane and His Magic Sax
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), other unknown
• TJ Quality, TJ ?, matrix 7808/10, RSA
01) Midnight Party Jive (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Jealous Down (Spokes Mashiyane)
* source Ballantine Collection, SAMAP

78 RPM (1958)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Frans Pilane (guitar), Lemmy Special (flute), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2856, ABC 17170/4, RSA
01) Thaba Bosiu (Frans Pilane, Spokes Mashiyane)
Spokes Mashiyane and Lemmy Special
02) Manyatela (Spokes Mashiyane, Lemmy Mabaso)

78 RPM (1958)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Frans Pilane (guitar), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2857, ABC 17169/73, RSA
01) Mapula (Frans Pilane, Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Mambo Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)





78 RPM (c1958)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2870, ABC 17312/3, RSA
01) Monate
02) City Hall Special

78 RPM (c1958)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2871, RSA
01) Umzimkulu
02) Vela Bahleke

KWELA-KWELA (c1959)
Various Artists
Spokes Mashiyane (flute, sax), Frans Pilane, others unknown
(Compilation of tracks sourced from 78rpms recorded for Trutone between 1954 and 1958.)
• Rave, RMG 1129, RSA
Spokes Mashiyane and his Magic Sax
08) Sweet Sax
09) Zoo Lake Jive
Spokes Mashiyane and Frans Pilane
11) Basimane
Spokes Mashiyane and his Rhythm
12) Kwela Time


78 RPM (c1959)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2906, ABC 17464/73, RSA
01) Kwela Kong
02) Little Kong

78 RPM (c1959)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2907, RSA
01) Hae Phokeng
02) Mosupa Tsela

78 RPM (c1959)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2908, RSA
01) Banana Ba Rustenburg
02) Jika Dinto

78 RPM (1959)
Miriam Makeba and the Skylarks with Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Miriam Makeba (vocal), Abigail Kubeka, Mummy Girl Nketle, Mary Rabotapi, Reggie Msomi (guitar), Johannes 'Chooks' Tshukudu (bass), Louis Molubi (drums)
(Recorded cMarch 1959)
• New Sound, GB 2909, ABC 17494/5, RSA
01) Ekoneni (Gibson Kente)
02) Inkomo Zodwa (Gibson Kente)

PENNY WHISTLE JIVE (THE "KWELA") (1959)
Various Artists
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Frans Pilane, Ben Nkosi (guitar), others unknown
• Arlequin, 1009, Spain
Por Spokes Mashiyane y Ben Nkosi
01) Jika Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
Por Spokes Mashiyane y France Pilane
02) Los Muchachos de Johannesburgo (Spokes Mashiyane)

45/78 RPM (1959)
The Skylarks with Miriam Makeba and Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), Miriam Makeba (vocal), Mary Rabotapi (vocal), Abigail Kubeka (vocal), Sam Ngakane (vocal), Mummy Girl Nketle (vocal), Dan Hill (organ), Reggie Msomi (guitar), Johannes 'Chooks' Tshukudu (bass), Louis Molubi (drums), others unknown
(Recorded cMarch 1959.)
• New Sound 78, GB 2910, ABC 17496/7, RSA
• New Sound 45, GB 2910, ABC 17496/7, RSA
1) Ishayisa Mfana (Reggie Msomi)
2) Umtha Kathi (Miriam Makeba)

SPOKES OF AFRICA (1959)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute, sax), others unknown
• Gallotone, GALP 1049, ABC 17506/7, RSA
• New Sound, NSL/GALP 1049, RSA (reissued, c1962)
01) Mambo Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) City Hall Special (Spokes Mashiyane)
03) Thaba Bosiu (F. Pilane, Spokes Mashiyane)
04) Mosupa Tsela (Spokes Mashiyane)
05) Kwela Kong (Todd Matshikiza)
06) Monate (Spokes Mashiyane)
07) Manyatela (Spokes Mashiyane, Lemmy Mabaso)
08) Banana Ba Rustenburg (Spokes Mashiyane)
09) Hae Phokeng (Spokes Mashiyane)
10) Little Kong Kwela (Todd Matshikiza)
11) Vela Bahleke (Spokes Mashiyane)
12) Jika Dinto (Spokes Mashiyane)

• Gallotone, GALP 1049, ABC 17506/7, RSA

• New Sound, NSL/GALP 1049, RSA

78 RPM (1959)
Spokes Mashiyane and his All Stars
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2975, ABC 17576/7, RSA
01) Habo Phati
02) Mekoalaba
* Thanks to Laurent Dalmasso for this image.

45/78 RPM (1959)
Spokes Mashiyane and his All Star Flutes
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown
• New Sound 78, GB 2939, ABC 17634/5, RSA
• New Sound 45, GB 2939, ABC 17634/5, RSA
01) July Handicap (Reggie Msomi)
02) Kwela 3 (Reggie Msomi)

78 RPM (c1959)
Spokes Mashiyane and his All Stars
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2941, ABC 17578/9, RSA
01) Bo Joang Joala
02) Qo Petsa
* Thanks to Laurent Dalmasso for this image.

78 RPM (1959)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Golden Saxophone
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2950, ABC 17655/6, RSA
01) Kwela Zulu (Reggie Msomi)
02) Phatha Phatha (Reggie Msomi)

78 RPM (c1959)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2962, RSA
01) Emafini
02) Pretoria
* Thanks to Chris Albertyn at Electric Jive

78 RPM (c1959)
Spokes Mashiyane and his All Star Flutes
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2964, RSA
01) The Last Sixpence
02) Banjo Special
* Thanks to Chris Albertyn at Electric Jive

78 RPM (c1959)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 2975, RSA
01) Emakhaya
02) Shisa Phatha Phatha
* Thanks to Laurent Dalmasso for this image.

78 RPM (1959)
Spokes Mashiyane and his All Star Flutes
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3000, ABC 17845/6, RSA
01) Thata Thata (H. Tau)
02) Durban Line (D. Petersen)






78 RPM (1959)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3002, RSA
01) Harare Special
02) Mapetla

78 RPM (1959)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Big Five
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3003, ABC 18121/2, RSA
01) 77 Phatha (J. Monahen)
02) Mahlalela (P. Rametsi)

45/78 RPM (1959)
Spokes Mashiyane and Lemmy Special
Spokes Mashiyane, Lemmy 'Special' Mabaso (flute), others unknown
• New Sound 78, GB 3045, ABC 18215/6, RSA
• New Sound 45, GB 3045, ABC 18215/6, RSA
1) Matsetse (Frans Pilane)
2) Copper Avenue (J. Monaheng)

78 RPM (1959)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Golden Saxophone
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3086, ABC 18065/6, RSA
01) Phata Phata No. 2 (H. Mathaba)
02) Mojira Special (S. Manikela)

78 RPM (1959)
Spokes Mashiyane and Lemmy Special
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Lemmy Special (flute), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3187, ABC 18217, RSA
01) Jericho (J. Monaheng)
02) Shukuma

78 RPM (1960)
Spokes Mashiyane, Lemmy Special and his Big Five
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Lemmy Mabaso (flute), Reggie Msomi (guitar), Stanford Tsiu (guitar), Chooks Tshukudu (bass, Louis Molubi (drums)
• New Sound, GB 3125, ABC 18857, RSA
01) Dube Village (J. Monaheng)
02) Spokes - Lemmy

78 RPM (c1960)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Golden Saxophone
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3128, ABC 18864, RSA
01) Phuza Spokes
02) Phakamisa Spokes
* Thanks to Laurent Dalmasso for this image.

NEW SOUNDS OF AFRICA VOL. 1 (1960)
Various Artists
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), Miriam Makeba (vocal), Mary Rabotapi (vocal), Abigail Kubeka (vocal), Mummy Girl Nketle (vocal), Reggie Msomi (guitar), Johannes 'Chooks' Tshukudu (bass), Louis Molubi (drums), Leo De Lyon (vocal), others unknown
(Compilation of tracks sourced from 78rpms recorded for Gallo. Although billed as a Various Artists LP, every track includes Spokes.)
• New Sound, NSL 1001, ABC 18959/60, RSA
• Fiesta, FLP 1358, USA
Spokes Mashiyane and Leo De Lyon
01) Kwela Dudu (J. Monheng)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Golden Sax
02) Phata Phata (Reggie Msomi)
Miriam Makeba and the Skylarks with Spokes Mashiyane
03) Uile Ngoan'a Batho (Mary Rabotapi)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Big Five
04) Mafeteng (arr. H. Mathabe)
Spokes Mashiyane and the Melody Sisters
05) Lenyalo Le Thata (J. Phalatsi)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Golden Saxophone
06) Phata Phata No.2 (H. Mathabe)
Spokes Mashiyane and Leo De Lyon
07) Six and Six (J. Monaheng)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Big Five
08) Big Five (T. Madi)
Spokes Mashiyane and the Melody Sisters
09) Hula Mahula (Frans Pilane)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Golden Saxophone
10) Mojira Special (S. Manikela)
11) Kwela Zulu (Reggie Msomi)
Spokes Mashiyane, Miriam Makeba and the Skylarks
11) Ndidliwe Zintaba (Gibson Kente)

• New Sound, NSL 1001, ABC 18959/60, RSA

• Fiesta, FLP 1358, USA

NEW SOUNDS OF AFRICA VOL. 2 (1960)
Various Artists
Spokes Mashiyane (sax, flute), Miriam Makeba (vocal), Mary Rabotapi (vocal), Abigail Kubeka (vocal), Sam Ngakane (vocal), Mummy Girl Nketle (vocal), Lemmy 'Special' Mabaso (flute), Dan Hill (organ), Reggie Msomi (guitar), Johannes 'Chooks' Tshukudu (bass), Louis Molubi (drums), Leo De Lyon (vocal), others unknown
(Compilation of tracks sourced from 78rpms recorded for Gallo. Although billed as a Various Artists LP, almost every track includes Spokes.)
• New Sound, NSL 1002, ABC 18961/62, RSA
Spokes Mashiyane and Leo De Lyon
01) Reggie Special (Reggie Msomi)
The Skylarks
02) Hush (trad.)
Spokes Mashiyane and Lemmy Special
03) Baile Batho (H. Mathabe)
Spokes Mashiyane, Miriam Makeba and the Skylarks
04) Miriam and Spokes Phata Phata (Miriam Makeba)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Big Five
05) 77 Phata (J. Monaheng)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Golden Saxophone
06) Monate (Spokes Mashiyane)
Spokes and Leo De Lyon
07) Dilika (Reggie Msomi)
The Skylarks with Miriam Makeba and Spokes Mashiyane
08) Ishayisa Mfana (Reggie Msomi)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Big Five
09) Mahlalela (P. Rametshi)
Spokes Mashiyane and his All Star Flutes
10) Banjo Special (Reggie Msomi)
Spokes Mashiyane and Lemmy Special
11) Ilali Mothoana (H. Mathabe)
The Skylarks, with Miriam Makeba
12) Miriam's Goodbye to Africa (Msomi, Makeba)

• New Sound, NSL 1002, ABC 18961/62, RSA

SPOKES MASHIYANE (1960)
Spokes Mashiyane and his BIG FIVE
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), others unknown
• New Sound EP, XEP 7027, ABC 19314/5, RSA
1) Isi Shimiyane (Rametsi)
2) Ngenaye (Christopher Songxaka)






78 RPM (c1960)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3205, RSA
01) Tap-Tap No. 1
02) Tap-Tap No. 2

78 RPM (c1960)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3222, ABC 19574/5, RSA
01) Bechuanaland (P. Mokonotela)
02) Basutoland (P. Mokonotela)






78 RPM (c1960)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3232, RSA
01) Jump to Tap
02) New Jive Blues

78 RPM (1961)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Golden Saxophone
Spokes Mashiyane, prob. Reggie Msomi (guitar), Lucky Monama (banjo), Chooks Tshukudu (bass), Louis Molubi (drums)
• New Sound, GB 3233, ABC 19896, RSA
01) Se Hong-Hong
02) Moreneng Matsieng




78 RPM (c1961)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3249, RSA
01) Moreletsane
02) Uthomile

78 RPM (c1961)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3333, RSA
01) Spokes Twist
02) Shova Spokes

TOP HITS OF THE BIG THREE - NEW SOUND VOL. 4 (1961)
Reggie Msomi, Lemmy Mabaso, Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), Reggie Msomi (sax), Lemmy Mabaso (flute), others unknown
(Compilation of tracks sourced from 78rpms recorded for Gallo. Ten of the twelve tracks feature Mashiyane.)
• New Sound, NSL 1006, ABC 21462/3, RSA
Mashiyane and Msomi Double Five
01) Zulu Khayalami (arr. Msomi, Mathaba)
02) Durban Express (Mathaba)
03) Dumazile (Mathaba)
04) One More (Mathaba)
Spokes and his Golden Sax
05) Kwela Zulu (Reggie Msomi)
06) Phata Phata (Reggie Msomi)
Spokes and his Big Band
07) Taps Phata (Sonto Madi)
08) Tau (Tshukudu)
09) Phuza Tywala (Mosela Rametsi
10) Siyahamba (Mosela Rametsi)
Lemmy Special
11) Casanova (Lemmy Mabaso)
12) Mohlakaso (Lemmy Mabaso)

• New Sound, NSL 1006, ABC 21462/3, RSA

78 RPM (1962)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), others unknown
• New Sound, GB 3400, ABC 22374, RSA
01) Lehalima
02) Labenya
* Thanks to Laurent Dalmasso for this image.

BIG FIVE TWIST (1962)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), others unknown
• All Star 45, AD 7-8722, ABC 22434, RSA
01) Three Moves Twist (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Big Five Twist (Moncho)
* Thanks to Laurent Dalmasso for this image.

SPOKES HIT PARADE NO. 1 (1962)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (sax, flute), others unknown
• New Sound, NSL 1009, ABC 22569/70, RSA
01) Fire Up (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Pas op My Kind (Nkosi)
03) Shukuma Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
04) Sipho (Spokes Mashiyane)
05) Imenduka Twist (Spokes Mashiyane)
06) Memela Special (Memela)
07) Hit and Run (Nkosi)
08) Theo's Blues (Spokes Mashiyane)
09) Quasha (Spokes Mashiyane)
10) Hlotse (Spokes Mashiyane)
11) Phehello (Spokes Mashiyane)
12) F.M. Special (Spokes Mashiyane)

• New Sound, NSL 1009, ABC 22569/70, RSA

KWELA SPOKES! VOL. 2 (c1962)
Spokes Mashiyane and his Penny Whistle
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), other unnkown
(Compilation of tracks recorded for Trutone between 1954 and 1958. Kwela Cactus is likely to be Meva retitled.)
• Rave EP, REP 27, matrix 4083, 4080, ?, ?, RSA
01) Kwela Cactus (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Ace Blues (H. Makhaya)
03) Jumping Bean (H. Makhaya)
04) Pretoria Rocket (Spokes Mashiyane)

SWEET FLUTE - SWEET SAX (c1962)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute, sax), others unknown
(Compilation of tracks sourced from 78rpms recorded for Trutone between 1954 and 1958. Back cover advertises Gideon Nxumalo's Jazz Fantasia which was recorded in 1962.)
• Quality, LTJ 201, RSA
01) Sweet Sax (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Midnight Party Jive (Spokes Mashiyane)
03) Don't Be Mad (Spokes Mashiyane)
04) Girls, What about Jerry (Spokes Mashiyane)
05) Jealous Down Twist (Spokes Mashiyane)
06) Big Joe Special (Spokes Mashiyane)
07) Sheshisa Twist (Spokes Mashiyane)
08) Bennie's 2nd Avenue Special (Spokes Mashiyane)
09) Emily Ngoma (Spokes Mashiyane)
10) Double Up (Spokes Mashiyane)
11) Daisy's Blues (Spokes Mashiyane)
12) Mamlambo (Spokes Mashiyane)

• Quality, LTJ 201, RSA

SPOKES' BIG FOUR (1963)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
• New Sound EP, XEP 7122, ABC 23667/8, RSA
01) Phata Phata (Reggie Msomi)
02) Kwela Zulu (Reggie Msomi)
03) Mojira Special (S. Manikela)
04) Phata Phata No.2 (H. Mathaba)

NEW SOUNDS OF AFRICA VOL. 2 (c1963)
Spokes Mashiyane with Miriam Makeba and the Skylarks
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), Miriam Makeba (vocal), Mary Rabotapi (vocal), Abigail Kubeka (vocal), Sam Ngakane (vocal), Mummy Girl Nketle (vocal), Dan Hill (organ), Reggie Msomi (guitar), Johannes 'Chooks' Tshukudu (bass), Louis Molubi (drums), others unknown
• New Sound EP, ESL 7141, ABC 23849/50, RSA
01) Ishayisa Mfana (Reggie Msomi)
02) Miriam and Spokes Phata Phata (Miriam Makeba)

78 RPM (1965)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), Makgone Tsohle Band
• New Sound, GB 3617, ABC 30354/5, RSA
01) New York City (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Fifth Avenue (Spokes Mashiyane)

(KING KWELA) (c1965)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute, sax), others unknown
(Compilation of tracks sourced from 78rpms recorded for Gallo between 1958 and 1965. LP issued in the USA after Mashiyane's appearance at the Newport Folk Festival in July, 1965.)
• London International, TW 91408, USA
01) July Handicap (Reggie Msomi)
02) Kwela 3 (Reggie Msomi)
03) The Last Sixpence (Reggie Msomi)
04) Banjo Special (Reggie Msomi)
05) Thata Thata (H. Tau)
06) Durban Line (D. Petersen)
07) Woza Woza (H. Tau)
08) Phesheya (H. Tau)
09) Bechuanaland (P. Mokonetela)
10) Basutoland (P. Makonetela)
11) Spokes Twist (Moncho)
12) Shova Spokes (Moncho)

• London International, TW 91408, USA

78 RPM (1966)
Spokes and his Golden Sax
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), Makghona Tsohle Band
• New Sound, GB 3663, RSA
01) Sediba (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Le Gotla

45 RPM (1967)
Spokes and his Golden Sax
Spokes Mashiyane (sax), Makghona Tsohle Band
• Gallotone, GB 7-3666, ABC 30747, RSA
01) Amabhodo (Rupert Bopape, Shadrack Piliso)
02) Kgwale (Rupert Bopape, Shadrack Piliso)
* Thanks to Nick Lotay for this image.

THE GOLDEN CITY ALBUM (1969)
Various Artists - Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane, others unknown
(Compilation LP issued by Trutone)
• Trutone, TBL 1, RSA
06) The Return of Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)

KING OF THE PENNY WHISTLE (1969)
Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), others unknown, produced by David Thekwane, arranged by L. Botha
(LP issued by Teal)
• Star Black, SKL 3000, RSA
01) Kroonstad (Spokes Mashiyane)
02) Kwela Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
03) America (Spokes Mashiyane)
04) Newport (Spokes Mashiyane)
05) Come Back (Spokes Mashiyane)
06) Phomolong (Spokes Mashiyane)
07) T.J 500 (Spokes Mashiyane)
08) Mafeking (Spokes Mashiyane)
09) Maqwaza (Spokes Mashiyane)
10) Ace Blues (Spokes Mashiyane)
11) Amavovo (Spokes Mashiyane)
12) Enanyeni (Spokes Mashiyane)

• Star Black, SKL 3000, RSA

MUSIC SOUNDS OF AFRICA
Various Artists - Spokes Mashiyane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), other unkown
(Track originally recorded in c1959 for Gallo, GALP 1049.)
• Gallo, SGALP 1578, RSA
16) Kwela Kong (Williams, Matshikiza)

JAZZ AND HOT DANCE IN SOUTH AFRICA 1946 - 1959
Various Artists - Spokes Mashiyane and Frans Pilane
Spokes Mashiyane (flute), Frans Pilane (guitar), other unkown
(Track originally recorded in 1955 for Trutone's Quality label, TJ 56.)
• Harlequin, HQ 2020, UK
16) Meadowlands Boogie (Spokes Mashiyane)




Tracks by Spokes Mashiyane have been featured on a number of compilation CDs and these will be listed in the near future.