The confluence of popular music and religion has been a fecund terrain around the world, but nowhere as danceable as in African music, and in South African gospel in particular (consider
Pure Gold, for example). This relatively obscure record from
Mahlathini reveals its holy intent on the cover, and the fervent singing on the vinyl is right in line. Recorded before his reunion with the original
Mahotella Queens for the massively popular
Thokozile and
Paris-Soweto albums, the dogma on this record is delivered over the characteristic thumping
mbaqanga produced by
West Nkosi. Produced in 1986 by Gallo Records, this 1988 pressing was released on Celluloid in the U$ to capitalize on the success of the Mahlathini/ Mahotella Queens records. Immune to the Christian messages because of my ignorance of the Zulu language, I am content to immerse myself in the upbeat music and the wonderful singing.
7 comments:
Many, but thank you, I really like this kind of music.
Successes.
Many thanks for posting this. I only know the Paris-Soweto album, so it's nice to hear something of Mahlathini's that's ;ess "Euro-friendly".
Thank you for sharing. Apurva from Pune, India.
The first reunion lp was recorded in '83 followed by another in '84, and tracks from these appeared on the first Indestructible Beat of Soweto compilation long before either of the two Euro-friendly lps mentioned in the post. So, this one indeed precedes any success or recognition he received from anyone outside South Africa in the late '80s.
Thanks for the comments and added detail. The ebbs and flows of M/MQ together and apart were pretty typical of bands everywhere, sometimes for art, sometimes for commerce.
Although there are one or two tracks that just sound 'gospel-y', most of this is (as you say) pretty pure mbaqanga style! Remarkable!
Thank you !
I have Ejerusalem Siyakhona safely stored in a basement in Pennsylvania. The problem is that I live in Madrid and I just didn't know how or when I was ever going to listen to this beautiful music again. I've just downloaded it now--I'm listening to it as I write. THANKS!--it is so good to hear this again!
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