South Africa music reviews

Bouncy South African pennywhistle, or kwela, music from the leader of the Solven Whistlers, and during the 1950s a frequent collaborator with Miriam Makeba and the Skylarks. Mashiyane pretty much made the pennywhistle a popular sound, and few people could match him for the expressiveness he brought to such a seemingly limited instrument. For an all-instrumental album highlighting a fairly oddball sound, this disc is far more captivating than one might imagine. Recommended!

May just be the most fun you can have without leaving the house! Infectious, happy music that will put you in a great mood. Short, upbeat African Jive songs featuring the sweet harmonies of the Mahotella Queens, and the rough and tender lead vocals of Mahlithinni.You'll be singing along without even knowing the words.

If you have a chance to see them live, do it!

Mother Africa does it again. I have been a fan for years but just heard this CD. This is one of her best and it is not just because most of the music is in English. Makeba showcases both her upbeat booty joy dance side and her gentle militant side. This is a must buy!

This brilliant album by one of South Africa's top bands of the 70s and 80s is one huge listening feast. It opens with the hit title track, which is a celebration of this style of music that is also called township pop and is built on pulsating rhythms with exuberant vocals in Zulu. The magic lies in the vocals, with Mahlatini (the Lion of Soweto) roaring in his gravely voice against the uplifting voices of the queens. Jive Motella is another of my favourites with its lilting beat. I also love Josefa, Noluthando and the ode to the township of KwaMakhutha. But all the tracks have something to offer. Together with Thokozile, this is the best album by Mahlatini and the Queens, one that ought to appeal beyond the boundaries of the World Music category. Simon Mahlatini passed away some years ago but his music lives on and this album, the aforementioned Thokozile and the Best Of collection are the places to start investigating these talents that shone so brightly beneath the southern cross.

This is good stuff for fans of S/A music.

Solomon Linda & His Original Evening Birds' recording of "Mbube" (aka Wimoweh) is well known to S/A music fans and is on numerous compilations, but along with this we get to hear our heroes on some other songs. These guys were really talented.

There are some other mbube groups featured in unreleased recordings and well as ultra-rare recordings from SABC radio. Some of these tunes feature minor instrumentation via piano or banjo, but these are as much fun as the acapella songs.

All of the songs are in Zulu, but you get an idea of what's going on as the titles of the songs are translated on the liner notes.

As a bonus, we have the VERY FIRST radio recording of Ladysmith Black Mambazo (1967)-the group that made this style internationally known. Thier sounds has remained consistant through the years.

If you like S/A music, you'll love this. Get it.

This is a great recording. Featuring the original stars of "Isicathamiya" and "Mbube" type singing like Solomon Linda and the Evening Birds, the Crocodiles and of course, the current Isicathamiya legends Ladysmith Black Mambazo with their first ever radio transcription, from 1967. This album is a great, brilliant and factual insight into South African music, with the original so-called 'Wimoweh', "Mbube". The latter sounded very original and yes, more rhythmic than the American versions. The inlay and booklet features information on the songs and artists, with a great picture of Ladysmith in 1968 and Solomon Linda's Evening Birds, in 1941. If you want to listen to the music that made Ladysmith and other stars famous for what they do today, buy this album. A definate 5 stars.

This CD is a guide to South African music. It's reveal the roots of famous musicians like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba and others. The tracks vary from clasical chorals (listen to Mbube) to some African country music with nice instrumental parties. The only disadvantage is the recording quality of some tracks transferred from old LPs. Nothing to do - it's history!

If you're only familiar with Miriam Makeba's folk-era recordings ("The Click Song," etc.) then take the time to check out this amazing set of her earliest work from the mid-1950s, with the Skylarks vocal ensemble. This is South African "jive" music, a mix of ska-like African rhythms and American jazz and swing melodies - some of the most cheery and infectious music you'll ever hear! This is the first disc of a 2-volume collection... BMG also put out an 18-track single CD best-of that has a lot of the same great material. Either way you find this music, it'll knock your socks off!

If you're only familiar with Miriam Makeba's folk-era recordings ("The Click Song," etc.) then take the time to check out this amazing set of her earliest work from the mid-1950s, with the Skylarks vocal ensemble. This is South African "jive" music, a mix of ska-like African rhythms and American jazz and swing melodies - some of the most irresistibly cheery music you'll ever hear! This is the second disc of a 2-volume collection... BMG also put out an 18-track single CD best-of that has a lot of the same great material. Either way you find this music, it'll knock your socks off!

This album is like nothing else. The rhythms and the heavy persussion are clearly african in origin, but the harmonies often have gospel overtones reminescent of north american deep south church music with a hint of bubble gum. The cuts duma duma, momma I'm sorry, and they all want me down are awesome. This album topped the charts in south africa for several months and the artist sold more recordings than any other artist in the southern hemisphere over the last 5 years.

I have listened to this CD and I tell you , it�s really awesome.
Though is not in english but is got that rythm that will make you to fall into a deep peaceful sleep. I recommend it. Check out the songs like Nkosi sikelela and Hosana. It�s really an african treasure! Up the Africans!!

this is excellent stuff.by the end of the song your feet are tapping to the rhythm.a must for all afro-jazz lovers.