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Spokes Mashiyane - Discography

2012-01-29T23:30:00.000-08:00

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.

flatinternational vol. 1/2 (2008)

2012-01-03T01:58:00.000-08:00

Three years ago Matt Temple invited me to compile a mix of South African tracks for his blog Matsuli. I put together a two volume compilation of some of my favorite tracks from the flatinternational archive and it was posted on Matsuli in December 2008.

In many ways Matt's invitation marked the beginning for me of what would become a very fruitful exchange around South African music. In July 2009 Chris Albertyn and Matt started the blog Electric Jive featuring long out of print South African material. In September 2010, the flatinternational website and database, which had been in development since 2008, finally went online. In January 2011, I was invited, along with Nick Lotay and Francis Gooding, to join the blogging team at Electric Jive and this month marks a year of some incredible activity there.

At the time of the original posting of the 2008 flatinternational compilation, Matsuli operated under a limited-DL system and so in the interests of marking this anniversary of sorts I have re-posted the two volume set here today. The only exception is that the skandi-hop track, Amagwala by Zuluboy has been deleted from this DL compilation as his 2008 CD is still in print. Since the original posting, a number of the albums drawn from for this mix have been featured on Electric Jive, though there are still many more that have yet to come.

flatinternational - South African Audio Archive - Vol.1
(FX 6, 2008)

01) Unknown — Animal Imitations — 1966

(from The Naked Prey, Folkways, FS 3854)
From the Folkways soundtrack to the film, The Naked Prey.

02) Leslie Nkosi y Muchachos de Alexander Dead End — Baleka — c1958

(from Kwela, Vik, LZ 1026)

03) Letta & the Safaris — Walkin’ Around — 1966
(from 45 rpm, Columbia, 4-43675)
Letta Mbulu's first recording in the USA.

04) Nzimande All Stars — Side by Side — 1980
(from Side by Side Soul, Masterpiece, LMS 546)
One of my all time favorite tracks!

05) Zuluboy — Amagwala — 2008
(from Inqolobane, Native Rhythms, CDNATIV 007)
* deleted from this mix

06) Kabasa — Uzozibona — 1980
(from Kabasa, Atlantic, ATH 4042)

07) Uwandile — Tie Breaker — 1987
(from Apartheid, Mother Africa, MALP 01)

08) David Thekwane — Amanzi Ayeza — 1979
(from Sporo No. 4, Star Black, SKL 3010)

09) Woody Woodpeckers — Welele — 1959
(from Music and Rhythm of Africa - Hits of 1959, HMV, JCLP 18)

10) Louis Moholo’s Viva-La-Black — Woza — 1988
(from Ogun, OG 533)

11) Dorothy Masuka — Ingalo — c1981
(from Ingalo, Starplate, 001)

12) Sophie Thapedi — How Long — 1975
(from Sopie Thapedi and Lulama Legola, Soul Soul, SSL 0107)

13) Philip Tabane & his Malombo Jazzman — Kathlogano — 1969
(from The Indigenous Afro-Jazz Sounds of..., Atlantic City, AYC 1004)

14) The Wanderers & The Syndicate — Pezulu — 1975
(from Pezulu, Soul Brother, SOUL 103)

15) The Movers — Jacaranda — 1975
(from Jacaranda Phata Phata, City Special, CYL 1037)

16) Gideon Nxumalo — Jazz Fantasia / 2nd Movement — 1962
(From Jazz Fantasia, Renown, NLP 233)
A hint of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika and featuring Dudu Pukwana and Kippie Moeketsi.

flatinternational - South African Audio Archive - Vol.2
(FX 7, 2008)

01) Unknown — Tula Mtwana with conversation — 1960s
(from Zulu language LP set, Tegnidisc)

02) Princess Constance Magogo w/ Gatsha Buthelezi — Bambulal’ uJesu yama Juda — 1972
(from The Zulu Songs of..., MOA Series no. 37, Gallo / ILAM, SGALP 1678)

03) Martha Mdenge & Harmony Crotchets — Tell Me How Long Train’s Been Gone — c1956
(from Music was born in Africa, Trutone, TLP 2002)
The US issue of this LP did not feature this track, but rather had the famous Meadowlands.

04) Dollar Brand — Air (excerpt) — 1971
(from African Sun, Spectator, SK 1025
From one of Abdullah Ibrahim's rarest LPs. The masters were destroyed in a fire.

05) Johnny Dynai / Okay Temiz — Yesil Fener — 1976
(from Witchdoctor's Son, Yonca YCSLP 5013)
A great but rare Turkish-only issue!

06) Kabasa — Burning Splinters — 1980
(from Kabasa, Atlantic, ATH 4042)

07) The Soweto Boys — Woza Sibali — 1977
(from The Soweto Boys, Disc Jockey, DJR 1047)

08) Nico Carstens met Rassie Erasmus — Boland Boogie — Columbia (1950s)
from Nuwe Klanke en Konsertinamusiek, Columbia, JS 11005)

09) Amandla — Gumboot Dance — 1980
(from Amandla, a-disc, BS 800718)

10) The Singing Zulus — Zinyakanyaka Zimkhonto Impela — 1976
(From Songs From the Valley, Skyline, SK 80168)

11) Green Pastures — Don’t Cry Baby — 1960s
(from Groovin' with..., Raj, RMC SLP 022)

12) The Savers — Brother — 1976
(from Darling, Darling, Pathe Marconi, 2C 064 82 443)

13) The Movers — Soul on the Moon — 1970
(from The Movers, City Special, NCYN 1000)

14) Beaters — Thiba Kamoo — 1975
(from Harari, The Sun, GL 1814)

15) Jabula — Journey to Africa — 1975
from Thunder Into Our Hearts, Jabula JBL 2001)

16) The Kings Messengers Quartet — My Lord — c1964
(from the EP Africa Calling, HMV, 7EYJ 6)

17) Banda Six — Khomba Ka Mina — 1984
(from Rosy Awulunganga, Motella, BL 467)

18) Ebrahim ‘Brian’ Isaacs — Meadowlands — 1970s
(from Bayete, Team Volym 1)

19) Dark City Sisters — Ngiboniseleni —1959
(from Music and Rhythm of Africa - Hits of 1959, HMV, JCLP 18)

20) Boogies — Did you Know it’s Soul? — Trutone (1969)
(from The Golden City Album, Trutone, TBL 1)

21) Malombo Jazzmakers — Abbey’s Mood — 1966
(from Malompo Jazz, Gallotone, GALP 1464)
This is the Abbey Cindi and Julian Bahula branch of Malombo.

22) J. Lenkoe — Tshaba Tshaba — 1970s
(from Transkei Special, Trojan, TWLP 003)

23) The Movers — Correction — 1975
(from Jacaranda Phata Phata, City Special, CYL 1037)

24) Eric Nomvete’s Big Five — Nomvete — 1962
(from Cold Castle National Jazz Festival 1962, New Sound NSL 1010)
My favorite track on this classic LP!

Philip Tabane and Malombo - Discography

2011-11-21T18:43:00.000-08:00

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 Lucky Ranku, of course, played major roles in what I am loosely calling the "Bahula" thread.) Today's post focuses on "Philip Tabane and Malombo". The "Julian Bahula 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. In 1978 Oupa Monareng took over the Malombo drums with Fish Phale on percussion. And then around the mid to late 1980s, Raymond Motau assumed percussion.

For more information on Malombo visit 3rd Ear Music.

DISCOGRAPHY

78 RPM (c1960)
Philip Tabane and the Pretoria Mellow Crooners
Drum (Teal), B61D 0013/4, RSA
1) Hayiya-Hayiya
2) Nolizwe
* info sourced from SAMAP

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

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

THE INDIGENOUS AFRO-JAZZ SOUNDS OF... (1969)
Philip Tabane and his Malombo Jazzman
Philip Tabane (guitar); Gabriel "Sonnyboy" Thobejane (drums, percussion)
(Recorded April 18th, 1969 in Johannesburg. The Atlas City issue has the Atlantic City logo on the cover.)
• Atlas City, AYC 1004, RSA (1969)
• Up Up Up, UPL 5009, RSA (1974, reissue)
• Plum, GSL 267, RSA (1985, reissue)
1) Kathlogano (Tabane)
2) Inhliziyo (Tabane)
3) Man Feeling (Tabane)
4) Ke Utilwile (Tabane)
5) Tsela (Tabane)
6) Babedi (Tabane)
7) Dithabeng (Tabane)
8) Mahlomola (Tabane)
* Thanks to Olivier Ledure for the images of the Plum issue.

• Atlas City, AYC 1004, RSA (1969)

• Up Up Up, UPL 5009, RSA (1974, reissue)

• Plum, GSL 267, RSA (1985, reissue)

PELE PELE (1976)
Malombo
Philip Tabane (guitar, bass, flute, vocal); Gabriel Thobejane (african percussion)
• Atlantic, ATC 8003, RSA (1976)
• WEA, 9791, RSA (8-track, 1976)
• Atlantic, USA
• Tusk, WOND 8003, RSA (CD reissue)
1) Mbaqanga Blues (Tabane)
2) Father and Mother (Tabane)
3) Marabi (Tabane)
4) Sitando Sam (Tabane)
5) Shebokeshana (Tabane)
6) Perefere (Tabane)
7) Malombo Blues (Tabane)
8) Kow-Kow (Tabane)

• Atlantic, ATC 8003, RSA (1976)

• Atlantic, USA

45 RPM (1976)
Malombo
Philip Tabane (guitar, bass, flute, vocal); Gabriel Thobejane (african percussion)
• Atlantic, ATS 807, RSA
1) Marabi - Part 1 (Tabane)
2) Marabi - Part 2 (Tabane)
* sourced from Soul Safari

LIVE WITS 1976 (1976)
Malombo
(Recorded July 19th or 20th, 1976 at the WITS Great Hall, Johannesburg.)
• HYMAP, HY 528A, RSA (CDR)
* sourced from 3rd Ear Music

SWAZILAND LIKWINDLA FESTIVAL (1977)
Malombo / Various Artists
(Recorded live in Swaziland)
• Atlantic, ATH 4011, RSA
1) Father and Son (Tabane)
2) Shebokeshana (Tabane)
* Thanks to Matt Temple at Matsuli for this image.

SANGOMA (1978)
Malombo
Philip Tabane (guitar, vocals); Franz Monareng (drums); Raphudu Phale (drums); Alpheus Koloti (flute); Amos Lebombo (bass)
• Atlantic, ATH 4024, RSA
1) Sangoma (Tabane)
2) Maskanta (Tabane)
3) Hi Congo (Tabane)
4) Keya Bereka (Tabane)
5) Happy Song (Tabane)
6) Setlekehleke (Tabane)
7) Venie (Tabane)
8) Mae Kutlo (Tabane)
9) Ngezi Inyawo (Tabane)
10) Dumela (Tabane)

• Atlantic, ATH 4024, RSA

MALOMBO (1984)
Malombo
Philip Tabane (guitar, vocals); Oupa Monareng (drums); Fish Phale (drums); Thuli Tabane (vocals); Motshile Wa Nthodi (kudu horn)
• Kaya, KAYA(E) 300, RSA
• Kaya, KAYA(T) 300, RSA (cassette)
1) Motshile (Tabane)
2) Mashaba (Tabane)
3) Ke Gale (Tabane)
4) Mgwana Oyalela (Tabane)
5) Thabang (Tabane)
6) Phampha Madiba (Tabane)
7) Riverside (Tabane)
8) Abantwana (Tabane)

• Kaya, KAYA(E) 300, RSA

MAN PHILY (c1986)
Philip Tabane and his Malombo Jazzmen
Philip Tabane (guitar); Gabriel Thobejane (Malombo drums); Oupa Monareng (Malombo drums); Fish Phale (percussion); Alpheus Koloti (flute); Amos Lebombo (bass); Raymond Motau (percussion)
(A compilation that includes tracks from four of Tabane's albums, but also a unique live track recorded on cassette in Dortmund, Germany, May 28th, 1986.)
• African Music, PAM 04, GER
1) Hi Congo
2) Sethlekeleke (Tabane)
3) Venie (Tabane)
4) Marabi (Tabane)
5) Malombo Blues (Tabane)
6) Dithabeng (Tabane)
7) Ngwawa Oyalela (Tabane)
8) Phamba Madiba (Tabane)
9) Riverside (Tabane)
10) Man Feeling (Tabane)
11) Ke Kgale (live)

• African Music, PAM 04, GER

THUNDER BEFORE DAWN
THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BEAT OF SOWETO VOL. 2 (1987)
Various Artists / Malombo
• Virgin, 90866-1, USA
12) Motshile

RHYTHM OF RESISTANCE (1988)
Various Artists / Malombo
(This is the soundtrack recording from the 1979 film Beats of the Heart: Rhythm of Resistance by Jeremy Marre. The tracks appear to be from the film, Malombo recorded live in the studio.)
• Virgin, 7 90921-1, USA
3) Perefere
4) Phamba Madiba

MALOMBO (1988)
Philip Tabane and Malombo
Philip Tabane (guitar, vocals); Oupa Monareng (drums); Fish Phale (drums); Alpheus Koloti (flute); Amos Lebombo (bass) Thuli Tabane (vocals)
(In theory this album is a reissue of the 1984 Kaya LP, though two of the tracks have been exchanged for two from the Sangoma LP, thus making it a compilation.)
• Kijima, BIG 002, UK
• Kijima, CDBIG 002, UK (CD)
1) Motshile (Tabane)
2) Mashaba (Tabane)
3) Ke Gale (Tabane)
4) Ngwanya Oyalela (Tabane)
5) Hi Congo (Tabane)
6) Sangoma (Tabane)
7) Phampha Madiba (Tabane)
8) Thabang (Tabane)

• Kijima, BIG 002, UK

• Kijima, CDBIG 002, UK (CD)

UNH! (1989)
Philip Tabane and Malombo
Philip Tabane (guitar, flute, vocals); Oupa Mahape Monareng (Malombo drums); (Raymond Mphunye Motau (percussion); Melvin Gibbs bass); Morris Goldberg (alto sax); Steve Dyer (alto sax); Chris Batchelor (trumpet); Frank London (trumpet); Mike Carr (organ)
(Recorded in New York, 1987)
• Icon / Nonesuch, 79225, USA
• Icon / Nonesuch, 9 79225-2, USA (CD)
1) Mpedi (Tabane)
2) Sompiro (Tabane)
3) Unh! (Tabane)
4) Ihn Liziyo (Tabane)
5) Kgale (Tabane)
6) Lenyora (Tabane)
7) Dibenjo (Tabane)
8) Khutsana (Tabane)
9) Draakies (Tabane)
10) Modumokgole (Tabane)
11) Leftashe (Tabane)

SILENT BEAUTY (1989)
unattributed (Philip Tabane and Malombo)
Philip Nchipi Tabane (guitar, dipela, pennywhistle, mouth organ, Malombo drums, vocals); Oupa Mahape Monareng (Malombo drums, dipela, Jews harp, vocal); (Raymond Mphunye Motau (percussion, Jews harp, vocal)
(Recorded 1989, Hamburg, Germany.)
• Cross Culture, CC 89330, W. GER (CD)
1) Tlabalala (Home Brewed Beer) (Tabane)
2) Mgwedi (Moon) (Tabane)
3) Meropa (Drums) (Tabane)
4) Melodi (Sweetness) (Tabane)
5) Bokgarebe (Lady) (Tabane)
6) Amarotho (Bread) (Tabane)
7) Ditolontolo (Jews Harp) (Tabane)
8) Kgeswa (Orphan) (Tabane)
9) Tsaro (Activity) (Tabane)
10) Lalavuka (All NIght Long) (Tabane)
11) Mashakane (Shangaan People) (Tabane)

KE A BEREKA (1996)
Philip Tabane and Malombo
Philip Tabane (guitar, pennywhistle, vocals); Oupa Mahapi Monareng (Malombo drums, dipila); Raymond Mphunye Motau (percussion); Fana Zulu (bass); Themba Mkhize (keyboards); Khaya Mahlangu (flute, sax); Patricia Majalisa, Sister Phumi, Zandile Zungu (backing vocals)
• Kariba / Tusk, TUCD 44, RSA (CD)
1) Ke A Bereka (Tabane)
2) Bokgarebe (Tabane)
3) Dithaka (Tabane)
4) Lenyora (Tabane)
5) Kika (Tabane)
6) Thabang (Tabane)
7) Ba Nyaka Ke Wele (Tabane)
8) Dithabeng (Tabane)
9) Badimo (Tabane)

MUVHANGO (1998)
Philip Tabane and Malombo
• Gallo, TUCD 108, RSA (CD)
1) Muvhango (Twala)
2) Ngwana Wa Kgaetsedi (Tabane)
3) Katlogano (Tabane)
4) Hlakahlaka Nje (Tabane)
5) Vha-Vhenda (Tabane)
6) Ngwana Ya Lela (Tabane)
7) Bakubeletsi (Tabane)
8) Mirengo (Tabane)
9) Nkupi (Tabane)
10) The Conflict (Twala)

JAZZ SOUTH AFRICA Vol. 2 (2008)
Various Artists / Philip Tabane and Malombo
(Recorded at “Afrikanischer Sommer” festival, Hamburg, Germany, 1983 or 1984. Unreleased radio broadcast, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Germany)
Philip Tabane (guitar), Mahapi Oupa Monareng (Malombo drums), Rahoudi Fish Phale (percussion)
• UBU ROI (2008, DL)
5) Draakies
* sourced from Ubu Roi

SOUTH AFRICAN FUNK EXPERIENCE (2009)
Various Artists / Malombo
• Nascente, NSFUNK 005, UK
3) Sangoma

LIVE AT THE MARKET THEATRE - JOHANNESBURG (2010)
Philip Tabane and Malombo
• Gallo, CDGURB 149, RSA (CD)
• Gallo, GMDVD 087, RSA (DVD)
disc 1:
1) Man Phil
2) Mantloro
3) Lefatse
4) Ke a Bereka
5) Lefhu Le Bophelo
6) Tlabala
7) Modumo Kgole
8) Mpedi
disc 2:
9) Shadikana
10) Setlekele
11) Phampa Madiba
12) Mashaba
13) Kika
14) Sekati
15) Pele Pele
16) Draaikies

Julian Bahula, Malombo and Jabula — Discography

2011-11-02T16:42:00.000-07:00

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)

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.

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

RSAMIX #34 (2011)

2011-04-19T23:21:00.000-07:00

Since the beginning of this archiving project documenting South African music (and even before that) I have made mixes of various tracks. Usually these compilations are quite considered and take weeks to put together. An example is the first flatinternational double disc (Vol. 1 + 2) featured on Matsuli in December 2008. Often the tracks in the final mix come from a series of unrefined precursor discs that I generate on a frequent basis, usually recording anything that seems marginally interesting, or just grabs me in the mood. After digesting the raw tracks for a couple of weeks or even months some will stand out and go onto other mixes. Most however end up in a storage folder never to be heard of again.

What I thought I might do is post these actual raw mixes. There is no overall structure to the choices in the mix, usually one song leads to the next, and the disc is completed in a single evening. The selections are often quite uneven, some better than others, some just plain curious. The only edits I have made include cutting the lead-in, skipping or general errors. Background information about many of the artists included can be found at Electric Jive, Matsuli and flatinternational.

Today I will feature RSAMIX #34 made about two weeks ago. The dominant strain on this disc is soul but with frequent incursions into disco. Bra Sello plays two wonderful tracks on mouth organ and the Mpharanyana material is from one of his last albums before his death: Nka Nako Ho Motseba. You will also find some kwela, mqashiyo and even a bit of psych. Many of the dates are wild estimates. Enjoy!

RSAMIX #34 (2011)

01) The Movers — 100% (Part 1+2) (45 rpm promo, 1977)
02) Elite Swingsters with the Movers — Now or Never (Plum, 1985)
03) Bra Sello — First Stock (Up Up Up, 1971)
04) Bra Sello — Come Back (Up Up Up, 1971)
05) Zacharia Themba — Phinda (Quality, c1959)
06) Olive Masinga Nentombi Zendlela — Mfokamkhize (Stokvel, c1965)
07) Omega Ltd. — Tchaikovsky One (Rave, c1969)
08) The Savers — Check it Out (Ring, 1977)
09) The Savers — I need Your Love (Ring, 1977)
10) Masike "Funky" Mohapi — Yinto Yalonto (Raintree, 1982)
11) Masike "Funky" Mohapi — Love Song (Raintree, 1982)
12) Mpharanyana and the Cannibals — Nka Nako Ho Motseba (Soul Jazz Pop, 1977)
13) Mpharanyana and the Cannibals — Mmantwa (Soul Jazz Pop, 1977)
14) Mpharanyana and the Cannibals — Rosie (Soul Jazz Pop, 1977)
15) Mpharanyana and the Cannibals — Hlotse (Soul Jazz Pop, 1977)
16) Mpharanyana and the Cannibals — Khotso (Soul Jazz Pop, 1977)

MF

World Record Store Day Givaway

2011-04-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Electricjive, flatinternational and Matsuli Music have joined forces for a Record Store Day giveaway.

So we don't have a retail store made from bricks and mortar. But that doesn't stop us from spreading our love of records. And better still no money changes hands. We simply give the records to you. We won't even ask you to pay the postage.

We get lots of pleasure out of sharing great music, honouring the musicians who make it, and we hope to turn on a whole new audience to fantastic out-of-print sounds that might otherwise become lost to global memory. We avoid sharing music that can still be legitimately purchased.

The offer comprises:
- two copies of the Dick Khoza Chapita reissue LP from Matsuli Music;
- four 5-packs of seventies mbaqanga/jive singles mostly on the King, Soweto and Groove labels; and
- four copies of the electric-jive assisted Mahotella Queens/Soul Brothers CD compilation on Nascente Records

So ten winners in total and all you need to do is to send an email to recordforthe AT gmail.com telling us why you visit our sites and what music you would like to see more of. We will select the winners at random and close the competition after 5 days or 50 entries.

For more info on World Record Store day visit here.

Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) — Discography

2011-04-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

The ARChive of Contemporary Music in conjunction with Columbia University has initiated a series of World Music Days starting today with its first: Muslim World Music Day. Since its inception, the collaborative endeavor has generated an extensive web-based database of over 4000 recordings from the greater Islamic world. I was approached by the project to compile a list of related material from South Africa in the flatinternational archive. Of course, this task will take many years and is ongoing. But for the time being, to coincide with the project's launch today, April 12th 2011, I have put together a visual discography of the early work of one of South Africa's finest jazz pianists, the iconic Abdullah Ibrahim (aka Dollar Brand).

Calling Ibrahim prolific is an understatement! He has recorded well over 70 individual albums over the last 55 years. For that reason I have chosen to focus this discography primarily on LPs from the first twenty or so years of his career. For those interested in the ultimate discography of Ibrahim's work, I would recommend Lars Rasmussen's book, Abdullah Ibrahim: A Discography, without which much of my own research would not have been possible.

The list below is by no means exhaustive. Many additional recordings from this period have subsequently been issued on CD. Moreover, the LPs represented here have each been issued and reissued in many different countries, often with alternative covers. In most cases I have attempted to show the first cover with its country of origin. In addition I have tried to include all pressings from Rashid Vally's The Sun (As Shams) label based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The date shown is the year in which the recording was made and any additional dates in parentheses (brackets) are issue dates for the vinyl. Ibrahim did record a few 78 rpm discs with other bands before 1960 and The Sun label issued various tracks as 7" 45 rpm singles. I have included some of these in the discography.

(Abdullah Ibrahim image sourced from Yvonne Huskisson's The Bantu Composers of Southern Africa, SABC, 1969.)

DISCOGRAPHY (1956 - 1980)

WILLIE MAX EN SY ORKES
Regtrek Kwela / Hot Toddy
1956
Parade, 78 rpm, RSA
HP 517

JAZZ EPISTLES
Jazz Epistle Verse 1
1960
Gallo, Continental, RSA
CONT 14
(thanks to Warren Siebrits)

DOLLAR BRAND TRIO
Dollar Brand Plays Sphere Jazz
1960 (1962)
Gallo, Continental, RSA
ZB 8047
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786141
(thanks to Olivier Ledure)

DOLLAR BRAND TRIO
Duke Ellington Presents The Dollar Brand Trio
1963
Reprise, USA
R 6111 / R9 6111

DOLLAR BRAND TRIO
Anatomy of a South African Village
1965
Fontana, Netherlands
688 314 ZL / 888 314 ZY

DOLLAR BRAND
The Dream
1965
Freedom, UK
FLP 41046

DOLLAR BRAND
This is Dollar Brand
1965 (1973)
Black Lion, UK
2460 192

DOLLAR BRAND
Reflections
1965
Black Lion, Germany
BLP 60127
(thanks to Olivier Ledure)

GATO BARBIERI & DOLLAR BRAND
Confluence
1968
Freedom, Germany
162 303

DOLLAR BRAND & BEA BENJAMIN
Untitled Transcription Record
1969
SABC Transcription Record, RSA
LT 10 185 / LT 10 186

DOLLAR BRAND XAHURI
African Sketchbook
1969 (1973)
ENJA, Germany
2026

DOLLAR BRAND
African Piano
1969
Spectator, Denmark
SL 1005

DOLLAR BRAND
African Sun
1970
Spectator, Denmark
1025

DOLLAR BRAND + 2
Peace
1971
Soultown, RSA
KRS 110
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786137

DOLLAR BRAND + 3
Dollar Brand Trio with Kippie Moketsi
1971
Soultown, RSA
KRS 113
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786142

DOLLAR BRAND
Ancient Africa
1972
Japo, Germany
60005

DOLLAR BRAND, DON CHERRY, CARLOS WARD
The Third World — Underground
1972
Trio, Japan
PAP 9018

DOLLAR BRAND
Sangoma
1973
Sackville, Canada
3006

DOLLAR BRAND
African Portraits
1973
Sackville, Canada
3009

ABDULLAH IBRAHIM featuring BEA BENJAMIN
Boswil Concert 1973
1973 (1983)
Colomba, Switzerland
SAKB 473

DOLLAR BRAND ORCHESTRA
African Space Program
1973
Enja, Germany
2032

DOLLAR BRAND, JOHNNY DYANI
Good News From Africa
1973
Cameo, Switzerland
102

DOLLAR BRAND
Memories
1973 (1974)
Phillips, Japan
RJ 5124
(thanks to Olivier Ledure)

DOLLAR BRAND ABDULLAH IBRAHIM
Ode To Duke Ellington
1973
Phillips, Japan
RJ 5139

DOLLAR BRAND
African Breeze
1974
East Wind, Japan
EW 7002

DOLLAR BRAND
Underground in Africa
1974
Mandla, RSA
KRS 114
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786143

DOLLAR BRAND
Mannenberg – “Is Where It’s Happening”
1974
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786134

DOLLAR BRAND ABDULLAH IBRAHIM
African Herbs
1975
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786135

DOLLAR BRAND
Soweto Is Where It's At (Part 1 + 2)
1975
The Sun, 45 rpm, RSA
PD 1192

DOLLAR BRAND
Black Lightning
1975
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786138

ABDULLAH IBRAHIM (DOLLAR BRAND)
Bra Joe From Kilimanjaro
1975
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786145

DOLLAR BRAND
Blues For A Hip King
1975
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786136

ADOLF “DOLLAR BRAND”
The Art of Dollar Brand I
1976
SABC Transcription Record, RSA
LT 15 377 / LT 15 378
LT 15 498 / LT 15 499
(thanks to Olivier Ledure)

ADOLF “DOLLAR BRAND”
The Art of Dollar Brand II
1976
SABC Transcription Record, RSA
LT 15 379 / LT 15 380
LT 15 500 / LT 15 501
(thanks to Olivier Ledure)

DOLLAR BRAND
The Children of Africa
1976
Enja, Germany
2070

BEA BENJAMIN WITH DOLLAR BRAND
African Songbird
1976
The Sun, RSA
GL 1839

DOLLAR BRAND
Natural Rhythm
1977
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786139

BUDDY TATE & DOLLAR BRAND
Buddy Tate Meets Dollar Brand
1977
Chiaroscuro, USA
CR 165
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786140

ABDULLAH IBRAHIM DOLLAR BRAND
The Journey
1977 (1978)
Chiaroscuro, USA
CR 187
The Sun, RSA
SRK 786144

MAX ROACH, DOLLAR BRAND DUET
Streams of Consciousness
1977 (1978)
Baystate, Japan
RVJ 6016

ARCHIE SHEPP, DOLLAR BRAND
Duet
1978
Denon, Japan
YX 7532

DOLLAR BRAND
Anthem for New Nations
1978
Denon, Japan
YX 7537 ND

ABDULLAH IBRAHIM DOLLAR BRAND
Autobiography
1978
Plainisphare, Switzerland
PL 1267 6/7

ABDULLAH IBRAHIM DOLLAR BRAND
Nisa
1978
African Violets, Switzerland
101

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Liberation
1978
SAFCO, USA
A 001

DOLLAR BRAND QUARTET
African Tears and Laughter
1979
Enja, Germany
3039

ABDULLAH IBRAHIM DOLLAR BRAND & JOHNNY DYANI
Echoes from Africa
1979
Enja, Germany
3047

DOLLAR BRAND (ABDULLAH IBRAHIM)
African Marketplace
1979 (1980)
Elektra, USA
6E 252

DOLLAR BRAND
Dollar Brand at Montreux
1980
Enja, Germany
3079

DISCOGRAPHY (1980 - present)
To follow in the near future!

Almon Memela — Discography

2011-03-30T23:44:00.000-07:00

Information on Memela, like his records, is hard to come by and much of what I have gleaned below has been sourced from various blogs, auctions and the research of Yvonne Huskisson.

Composer, guitarist and later producer for WEA Records in South Africa, Almon Sandisa Memela was born in Donnybrook, KwaZulu Natal in 1936. His first guitar was homemade, but his parents were not supportive of his musical endeavors and so he taught himself to play on borrowed instruments. After briefly working at the United Tobacco Company in Durban, Memela moved to Johannesburg in 1956 to work on the mines. While there he sought to take guitar lessons at the legendary Dorkay House in 1958. The three-storey education and performance centre was purchased by Union Artists (with proceeds from the 1954 farewell concert for anti-apartheid activist Father Trevor Huddleston) and became a fulcrum for artists to meet and share ideas. As it turned out, Memela, rather than becoming a student was asked to teach the guitar lessons!

Memela made his first recordings in 1959 and his early career included band work with the United Artists’ productions of King Kong, In Township Tonight and Mhobelo as well as background music for the Jamie Uys film Dingaka. His first recording as composer was the track Nozizwe with the Travelling Singers in 1960. In 1963 his work began shifting toward instrumentals exclusively—interestingly, the same year that he formed his group, Almon’s Jazz Eight.

The Jazz Eight recorded and performed throughout the 60s and 70s (listen to their HMV 78s in the Ballantine Archive) and the line-up included amongst others, future Drive members, Henry and Stanley Sithole (who joined the group around 1966) and Bunny Luthuli (in 1968). In 1969 the Sithole Brothers formed the Heshoo Beshoo Group before they and Luthuli established the Drive in 1971. In the mean time Memela and his group The A.M Stragglers recorded Soul Bandit (1969, Little Giant, G2).

Memela is remarkably versatile and his style shifts from soul jazz with the Stragglers to bump jive with Abafana Bamaswazi (on Highway Soul and the Swaziland Likwindla Festival, both 1977); from straight mbaqanga on some 45s to the rich afro funk textures featured on Funky Africa (1975, Atlantic, ATC 9583).

In the world of eBay, Funky Africa has been elevated to “holy grail” status making this rare album even harder to come by and excessively expensive. The album is tight and excellent but we might reserve the title of “holy grail” for Memela’s even rarer album Broken Shoes (1976, Highway Soul, HSL 2009)… or at least until we listen to it!

DISCOGRAPHY

AFRICAN BUBEZI & THE CANARIES

Uyephi Mtanam / Lecherry Uguluva

1962

Gallo, New Sound

GB 3354

ALMON’S JAZZ EIGHT

Don’t Shout / Go Back
HMV, 78 rpm
JP 978, OAS 2450/1
(from Ballantine Collection)

ALMON’S JAZZ EIGHT
Durban Train / Take It
HMV, 78 rpm
JP 981, OAS 2454/5
(from Ballantine Collection)

ALMON’S JAZZ EIGHT
Uthini Nzimande / Isicelo Sami
HMV, 78 rpm
JP 1001, OAS 2486/7
(from Ballantine Collection)

JUMPING BEANS
Return Journey / Wintertime
1968
HMV, 78 rpm
JP 1123

THE A.M. STRAGGLERS
Soul Bandit / Stragglers
1969
Little Giant, 45 rpm
L 1
(from shindiggit)

THE A.M. STRAGGLERS
Soul Bandit
1969
Little Giant, 33 rpm
G 2
(from Electric Jive)

ALMON’S JAZZ EIGHT & THE SWEETHEARTS
Lord Release Me / Darling I’ve Got You
1972
HMV, 45 rpm
JP 1309

ALMON MEMELA
Funky Africa
1975
WEA, Atlantic, 33 rpm
ATC 9583

ALMON MEMELA
Dlala Mgedleza / Guga Sthebe
1976
WEA, Sondela, 45 rpm
SLB 194

ALMON MEMELA
Broken Shoes
1976
WEA, Highway Soul, 33 rpm
HSL 2009

VARIOUS ARTISTS + ALMON’S JAZZ EIGHT
Highway Soul
1977
WEA, Highway Soul, 33 rpm
French pressing, S 95006

VARIOUS ARTISTS + ALMON’S JAZZ EIGHT
Swaziland Likwindla Festival
1977
WEA, Atlantic, 33 rpm
ATH 4011
(from Matsuli)

Banda Six — Discography

2011-03-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

Mofene David Sitoe the principal artist behind Banda Six, hails from Chibuto (near Maputo) in Mozambique and recorded his first transcription records for Radio Mozambique in 1964. In 1975 he found part-time work in South Africa at the Durban Deep Gold Mine in Roodepoort. Interestingly that same year Mozambique became independent from Portugal.

Being a foreigner in South Africa, it was not clear to Sitoe how he would be able to record his music until he met Jimmy Mahlangu in the early 1980s. Mahlangu introduced Sitoe to Lucky Monama, Gallo’s traditional music producer, who auditioned and subsequently recorded him for Mavuthela’s iconic Motella label. Monama, of course, of the famed Makhona Tsohle Band moved into production at Mavuthela after Rupert Bopape began to spread his responsibilities to a number of understudies in the early 1970s. (Read Nick Lotay’s excellent essay on the subject at Matsuli.) The Mavuthela sound with Monama’s hand is evident in the resultant record—an amazing merging of Shangaan vocal, sparkling guitar-work and the signature elastic mbaqanga bassline. Listen to tracks like Usiwana David and you can hear hints of that future Shangaan Electro sound.

Honest Jon’s fascinating compilation Shangaan Electro — New Wave Dance Music from South Africa has had remarkable worldwide exposure since its release last year. This blend of traditional Shangaan music with super fast electronic beats coupled with some insane dance moves makes for some great YouTube viewing.

Shangaan (or now more correctly Tsonga or Xitsonga) is spoken predominantly in the eastern side of South Africa’s most northern province—Limpopo—roughly around the Kruger National Park region; and in Southern and Central Mozambique especially around Maputo.

Neo-traditional Shangaan music, according to Rob Allingham, generally consists of a circular structure featuring call-and-response vocals (often a male lead with a female response chorus) together with a guitar and several percussive instruments. The guitar itself was brought to the region by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century and became popularly adopted by Zulu, Ndebele and Shangaan cultures.

The Shangaan Electro album also features this male call and female response chorus albeit in producer Richard “Nozinja” Mthetwa sampled form. With Mthetwa’s dance sound the guitar has given way to the marimba and synthesizer organ. Though the electric keyboard dance-beat is not new and the vocal structure is evident in earlier Shangaan groups including General MD Shirinda & the Gaza Sisters (featured on Paul Simon’s Graceland), Thomas Chauke & the Shinyori Sisters, Obed Ngobeni & the Kurhula Sisters, Makhubela & Nkhohlwani Girls to name a few. The female chorus and synthesizers are notably absent from the Banda Six album but his cyclical guitar work is complemented with a fast-paced rhythm section of congas and maracas.

Khomba Ka Mina a track from Banda Six’s third album Rosy Awulunganga was also featured on the second flatinternational compilation hosted by Matsuli in December 2008.

Banda Six has put out at least six albums, mostly on Gallo’s Motella and Spades labels.

DISCOGRAPHY

Mbilwini Yamina

produced by Lucky Monama

1982

Motella

BL 343

Nenge Wamina

produced by Lucky Monama

1983

Motella

BL 381

Rosy Awulunganga

produced by Lucky Monama

1984

Spades

BL 467

Pfukani Rixile

produced by Lucky Monama

1986

Motella

BL 551

E Muito Mtriste

produced by Lucky Monama

1987

Gallo

BL 574

Loko Wo Teka Hi Madala

2008

Gallo

CDGMP 40456

The Movers - Discography

2011-01-23T18:32:00.000-08:00

The liner notes of their Dutch single She Loves You maintains that the The Movers were formed in June of 1969 by keyboardist Sankie Chounyane and producer David Thekwane. Though Rob Allingham points out that they were discovered and first recorded by producer Hamilton Nzimande. Furthermore the liner notes of their second LP, Greatest Hits Volume 2 actually state that Kenneth Siphayi formed the group in Alexandra. Siphayi's image is featured predominantly on the back cover of their third LP Greatest Hits Volume 3.

According to Max Mojapelo, the original group included Sankie Chounyane, Oupa Hlongwane, Norman Hlongwane and Sam Thabo, though the lineup would shift throughout the seventies. Others that performed with the group at various times included Lulu Masilela, Lucky Mbatha, Blondie Makhene, Philip Malela, Jabu Khanyile, Vusi Shange, Rammy McKenzie, Jabu Sibumbe, Lloyd Lelosa, Archie Mohlala, Peter Moteolhe, Thomas Phale, David Thekwane, Dakkie Tau, Robert Mbele, Maxwell Kubheka and Peter Morake.

Below I have complied a provisional discography for The Movers LPs, with EPs and 45s to follow in the near future. The earliest single in the flatinternational archive, Danny's Corner (City Special, CYB 67) dates from 1969 and is also featured on what appears to be an early compilation LP, titled just The Movers. This album was issued on Teal's budget series "Music for Leisure" in 1970. Most of The Movers early albums were pressed on Teal's City Special label and then roughly around 1976 they shifted to Teal's RCA labels.

Thanks to Electric Jive and Matsuli in helping build this discography!

DISCOGRAPHY

Greatest Hits

1970

City Special

CYL 1003

Greatest Hits Volume 2

1970

City Special

CYL 1004
(from Electric Jive)

Greatest Hits Volume 3

1970

City Special

CYL 1006

The Movers

1970

City Special Music For Leisure

NCYN 1000

Greatest Hits Volume 6

1971

City Special

CYL 1011

Sleep Out Baby

1972

City Special

CYL 1013

Greatest Hits Volume 10

City Special

CYL 1020

Special Hits

1974

City Special

CYL 1026

Repeat After Me

1974

City Special

CYL 1029

1976

Generation (US)

GEN 3007

Bump Jive

1975

City Special

CYL 1030

1976

Generation (US)

GEN 3006

Bump Jive No. 6
1975
City Special
CYL 1031
(from Electric Jive)

Black Reggae

1975

City Special

CYL 1034

Bump Jive No.9

City Special

CYL 1035
(from Matsuli)

Jacaranda Phata Phata

1975

City Special

CYL 1037

Soweto Inn

1976

RCA International

RCL 1213

Do It Right

1977

RCA International

RCL 1215

Disco Sound

with Soul Proof and The Drive

1977

RCA International

RCL 1218?

Amabungu

Mavis Maseko and The Movers

RCA

RCL 1223

(from Matsuli)

Ekhayeni

RCA

RCL 1224

Sexy

1977

Coast Disco

CDL 100

Kansas City
1979
Atlantic City
BL 225
(from Matsuli)

Space

1981

Atlantic City

ML 4503

Changes

1991

The Movers - Best of the Best - Vol.1

2005

Gallo

CDGSP 54

The Movers - Best of the Best - Vol.2

2005

Gallo

CDGSP 55

FLAT Recordings (1993-1995)

2011-01-06T20:47:00.000-08:00

2 CD boxset

published by FLAT INTERNATIONAL, 1999

The FLAT Gallery, housed in an apartment on Mansfield Road (now Steve Biko Road) in Durban, South Africa was founded in October of 1993 by the apartment occupants: Ledelle Moe, Niel Jonker, Thomas Barry and Siemon Allen. Born out of a growing dissatisfaction with the limitations of the existing art scene in Durban and the need to take a more proactive approach in creating exhibition opportunities, the FLAT became a site for exhibitions, performances, multi-media events as well as a place for a broad range of creative exchanges. Running parallel to the political developments in South Africa that led to the historical elections of April 1994, the FLAT Gallery boasted 32 exhibitions/events over a period of 16 months, bringing a vital alternative voice to the cultural climate of Durban. Young artists, students, recent graduates, as well as established artists and those working outside of institutions were all given the opportunity to participate and all came to explore their work in ways that might not otherwise have been possible in the limited or more restricted conditions that existed in the region’s few established venues.

The FLAT’s mission to promote a vibrant interaction amoungst creative individuals began as a project to mount exhibitions without censure and to maintain a free space without the traditional selection system. This policy of unrestricted content and open format, however, also fostered a climate for experimentation and so an environment was created that proved to be fertile with potential for collaboration and interaction. It was a phenomenon that appeared and then evolved out of the creative needs of the artists who founded the project and those who later participated. The FLAT became a site for a kind of creative activity that had been unknown or at least unexplored in Durban at that time.

In addition to being a place for highly experimental programmes, the FLAT was an alternative space that operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Though the ‘lounge’ served as the main gallery, the apartment occupants often gave up their living spaces for special events. The exhibition space doubled as a studio-work site. Openings often led to conversations between artists and viewers that extended well into the night. Without set hours of operation, the FLAT was an informal art space where spontaneity ruled and the lines between the artists’ ‘lives’ and the project’s ‘programmes’ were blurred. What occurred at the FLAT was a breaking down of barriers between art and life - between artists and viewers. In stretching the definition of what exhibition or performance could be, the artists involved with the FLAT gallery discovered that observation and participation could become synonymous.

From the mundane to the profound, many of the interactions at the FLAT Gallery were recorded onto cassette tapes. These documents were subsequently used to produce additional audio experiments and formed the basis for a number of audio installations and performances at the FLAT and beyond. Within the 16 month period, over 40 casettes were produced.

These two compact disks document in part some of the audio experiments, performances and artworks that took place at the gallery. Please note that the equipment and techniques used at the FLAT were exceptionally low-fi, hence the 'quality' of the recording.

The double CD boxset was issued in 1999 at the same time as the publication of the book: The FLAT Gallery (1993 - 1995), a comprehensive 320 page history of the gallery. PDF copies of the book can be viewed here. MP3's from the CD can be downloaded here.

Welcome

2010-12-30T20:22:00.000-08:00

The flatint blog is an informal sister project of the flatinternational South African Audio Archive. Both sites are non-profit projects developed to explore aspects of South African audio history. This blog will feature various highlights from the larger flatinternational archive as well as other audio related projects.

The flatinternational website is dedicated to establishing a visual archive of rare and sometimes unusual South African audio documents. The aim of the project is to provide a searchable database as a resource for those researching South African audio history. The database is by no means exhaustive—these are still early days. But data will accumulate in time and hopefully the archive will provide researchers with valuable information currently unavailable on the web, such as discographies of many lesser known South African artists, labels, and companies.

Over the last few years a number of great websites dedicated to South African music have emerged including Matsuli, Electric Jive, Soul Safari, 3rd Ear Music, music.org.za, SA Rock Encyclopedia, SAMAP and ILAM, amongst others. It is hoped that flatinternational’s South African Audio Archive might operate as a respectful complement to those valuable research resources.

Given the nature of an archiving project, much of the material on this site has been sampled from many sources. While the intention of this website is purely non-commercial and for research purposes exclusively, it is understood that—in spite of this sampling being done in a nonprofit-making, sincere and information-sharing spirit—some may object to particular materials being included in this forum.

Please feel free to contact us if you feel that images or content have been incorrectly included in this site.

Welcome and enjoy!