Electric Jive Office Party Mix 2010

An upbeat mix of South African (from 1950s, 60s and 70s) mbaqanga, funk, ska and jazz in celebration of the annual ‘office party’ here in Durban. Slipped into this hour-long continuous assortment is a number of tracks from 78rpm records recently added to a small collection.

Mkhumbane in Durban (1956) by G.R. Naidoo

After a fine mbaqanga-esque introduction from 70s cult radio persona, ‘Wouter Marais’, we kick off with classic mbaqanga from Jospeh Makwela and his Comrades – same personnel as the legendary Makgona Tsohle band, plus West Nkosi on lead saxophone. Next up is a teaser from a second Izintombi Zomoya album we hope to share with you in the new year.

The mix changes gear into another sneak preview, this time Almon Memela’s simply sublime A.M. Stragglers. The album “Soul Bandit” was recorded in 1969. After Dick Khoza’s fantastic “African Jive” ("Chapita" on special offer at Matsuli) the dancefloor slants back towards mbaqanga, landing up with two recently found tracks on 78rpm from the Killingstone Stars. The Makhona Zonke band get us jiving before Kippie Moeketsi pops up, clarinet in hand.

On the home straight we embark upon a few 78rpm cultural warps, which if we must be honest, are quite easily accommodated in South African music (today is the national day of reconciliation) … Niek Potgieter and his konsertina doing an Elvis cover; Ted Heath and His Music versioning “Sarie Marais” into a rendition of “Tom Hark”, followed by Louis Armstrong’s joyful (instrumental) ‘Skokiaan’. The last track in this offering is the only one recorded after the 1970s, but serves as a great “book-end”.

Not too long ago I had the pleasure of experiencing Guy Buttery and Madala Kunene play an inspiring set – Durban is still blessed with some special people and musicians. “Sibanisizwe” comes off Guy’s recent album “Foxhill Lane” – it won the 2010 SAMA Award for best instrumental album. 

Guy Buttery's Album

Contact Guy here and he will post you one – you won’t be sorry.

Electricjive Durban Office Party 2010

1. Intro – from Wouter Marais’ Totally Ridiculous
2. Matamato Jive Matamato - JOSEPH MAKWELA & HIS COMRADES
3. Tlapa Le Wela Bodiben - JOSEPH MAKWELA & HIS COMRADES (1967)
4. Esandleni Sokhoho – IZINITOMBI ZOMOYA (1977)
5. Fully Licensed – A.M. STRAGGLERS
6. Blue Pumps – A.M. STRAGGLERS (1969)
7. Easy – ELITE SWINGSTERS (1968?)
8. African Jive (Moto) – DICK KHOZA (1976)
9. Respect is Important – REGGIE MSOMI (1976)
10. Sunlight Soap Ad – MVN STUDIOS
11. Evelyn – THE KILLINGSTONE STARS
12. Lalela Mntanami – THE KILLINGSTONE STARS
13. Phata Six – MAKHONE ZONKE BAND (1979)
14. Clarinet Kwela – KIPPIE MOEKETSI AND THE MARABI KINGS
15. Funky Mama – THE ELITE SWINGSTERS
16. Hart van Steen (Wooden Heart) – NIEK POTGIETER EN SY KONSERTINA
17. Tom Hark – TED HEATH AND HIS MUSIC
18. Skokiaan – LOUIS ARMSTRONG
19. My Boy Lollipop – ELITE SWINGSTERS
20. Suikerbossie – STAN MURRAY (1975)
21. Sibanisezwe – GUY BUTTERY (2010)

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