Shangaan Afro Jazz - I had not thought of the concept until I found this 1974 album produced by the inimitable Cambridge Matiwane. Two excellent tracks of "Shangaan Afro Jazz" and a mixed bag of three songs in English. I do know Doug Schulkind of "Give theDrummer Some" fame at WFMU radio will want the rocking "Something in My Head" for his collection of songs of people singing of their own instabilities - its a great song, in the mould of Paul Ngozi and Zamrock, replete with fuzz guitar solos.
To the main course though - "Shingwanyana" and "Shando" are two excellent Afro-jazz tracks that sit comfortably on the same shelf somewhere between Batsumi and Malombo. Driving African percussion and bass joined by rock-influenced guitar and keyboards, with Malombo-esque flute work, and an OK but less accomplished saxophone.
Very little information about this band can be found. The only member of the band apparently still visible as a musician is drummer Johnny Motuba who has recorded plenty with Vusi Mahlasela. Vusi Mahlasela and Angelique Kidjo are touring Europe right now doing a show celebrating Miriam Makeba.From Cambridge Matiwane's liner notes:
"XOLISA - Here is a new dynamic group with a new unique indigenous African Jazz sound.
XOLISA (Peace Makers) hail from Pretoria and have become a household word on the whole reef. It is through this magnificant recording that the entire world is going to appreciate what brilliant and well treated African Jazz sound can do to one's soul.
It is by no mistake that they are acclaimed the best group since thee MALOMBOS.
The first track "Shingwinyana" (little boy) is a typlical example of a real African happening - it really turns you on.
Brothers! dig this cool peaceful sound."
If anyone has more information on Xoliso - please do let us know.
Mediafire link here
Rapidshare link here
is there any more similar music from south africa that you know of?
ReplyDeletedo you have this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SOUTH-AFRICA-FUNK-SOUL-QUESTION-MARKS-KIND-LISTEN-/251056220853?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item3a741deab5
Man, comments around here seem so entitled & rude. Not thanks for the music, but do you have more; do you have this?! No saying please involved, no real human name attached, nothing that would make anyone give a shit about helping you. No wonder you're being ignored. Anyway, thank you for this marvelous music. Long may you jive
ReplyDeleteAll comments are welcome on electric jive - though, we do enjoy more those that are positive and kind. Sometimes people make comments and put up links when they wish to promote records they are selling on e-bay
ReplyDeleteABSOLUTE DYNAMITE ! BLESS
ReplyDeleteXoliso is a band that was formed in the late '70 in Pretoria (Mamelodi to be specific),Previous name There -of being The incredilble Four.The band's focus was to promote and play- what was then known as Afro-rock , in line with groups such as Osibisa, Malombo,medu etc.
ReplyDeleteThe Band copmprised of the Following musicians:
Percy Monare (Mtjau): on Lead and Rythm guitar.
Bobby Nkambule(Hutchison): Ivories
ie Piano, organ and Harmonica
Bigboy Koloti (Skwilla): Flute and Saxophone
Libandla Boikanyo (Tjatja): Vocals and pecussions
Johny Motuba: Drums and Percussions.
All these musicians are still alive and kicking but aged in the township ( June 2014 )
Xoliso is a band that was formed in the late '70 in Pretoria (Mamelodi to be specific),Previous name There -of being The incredilble Four.The band's focus was to promote and play- what was then known as Afro-rock , in line with groups such as Osibisa, Malombo,medu etc.
ReplyDeleteThe Band copmprised of the Following musicians:
Percy Monare (Mtjau): on Lead and Rythm guitar.
Bobby Nkambule(Hutchison): Ivories
ie Piano, organ and Harmonica
Bigboy Koloti (Skwilla): Flute and Saxophone
Libandla Boikanyo (Tjatja): Vocals and pecussions
Johny Motuba: Drums and Percussions.
All these musicians are still alive and kicking but aged in the township ( June 2014 )
Gee Mathopa was the Bass gitarist
ReplyDelete(omitted by m istake on previous comment)
Many thanks Anonymous for this very helpful update - the back cover lists the band members but does not say who is playing which instrument. The listing is written as follows: Abel Nkambule; Gilbert Mathopa; Abraham Boikanyo; Percy Monare; Johnny Motuba; Alpheus Kolodi. Which fits with your additional info. Wonderful to hear these guys are still alive and kicking!
ReplyDeleteListening to this shando track, makes it unbelievable that guys who could produce such a magnificent sound in the 70 (who are still alive) decided to let go. UNBELIVEABLE INDEED.
ReplyDeleteiT IS MY WISH TO KNOW HOW THE OTHER TRACKS SOUND.
Is there perhaps a way one could get this old Album?
Is there perhaps sommeone who can help to get a copy?
Please HELP!!!
Hi anonymous - I am not sure I understand your request. If you downloaded the folder from this page, all the tracks of this album are available to listen to.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI have a Xoliso LP, Atlantic records 1982, which was censored and tossed out by SABC...bought in a thrift store in Jhbg in 1994. Several tracks have been scratched out so are unplayable and the titles are also crossed out on the label. The censored songs are:
A1. Manano, A4. Shanu, B1. Lakoma.
Anyone know why these specific songs were banned from radio play? Titles? Lyric content?
JP
Thanks JP for your note - I was not aware of the recording you mention. The record-scratching thing was pretty wide-spread in the SABC .. from the few copies I have like that, I cannot work out the logic of why particular tracks were scratched.
DeleteMy son happened to have come across this website and alerted me that people are still talking about Us. Good thing indeed. My name is Libandla Tjatja Boikanyo. I was one of the group members (the one in the fore front with a mic in hand on the album).
ReplyDeleteIt was pure due to Aaprtheid that these songs were BANNED, reason was the Lyrics and the type of music we were playing.
The scout master then(Baba Matiwane) would make us play our songs the way he preffered due to fear that they wont be released and might put his studio in trouble. All songs played on this album were edited. Our aim was to play real indigenous African music, using western musical instruments (we were crazy about the music that was played by a certain Ganaian Band by the Name Osibisa)
I was trained by Julian Bahula who lives now in London to play african drums and congas, for this purpose
There were songs we were not allowed to record , eg we had a song by the title
' Have mercy Lord' which did not go well because of the title but we would sing it when performing and people would just go crazy.
we were all given a copy each then, but unfortunately none of us has a copy now.
All of the band members are still alive except for the Bass guitarist (Gee) Gilbert, may his soul rest in peace.
If by any chance there is someone who can organise a copy , that will be much apreciated.
God bless
Tjatja
Fantastic Tjatja! Thank you for taking the trouble to inform us further - this history is very important. If you e-mail me at recordforthe@gmail.com and give me a postal address .. I will gladly post you a copy of this album on CD.
DeleteExcellent Chris,
DeleteMy email adres: boil@kidd.co.za
residential adress: Section M 4295
Mamelodi west
Pretoria
I would go Crazy if i can a get a gopy (Even prepared to pay for one if need be) My children are dying to hear the music.
Is it perhaps necessary that i should use the email adress given?
God Bless!
Tjatja
Thanx for this
ReplyDeleteHi guys , I hope someone still sees these comments here .My name is Bontle , Im LB(Tjatja's ) daughter and its with great sadness that I inform you that LB passed away in September 2016.
ReplyDeleteI am still interested in getting a copy of his album if there is anyone who has a copy please get intouch with me on mamaona@icloud.com.
Thanks
Bontle
Hi everybody. I'm Ikanye, son of the late great Tjatja. My sister is right; it would be absolutely mind blowing to hear some of pop's old records.
ReplyDeleteIkanye Boikanyo
+27 76 061 9358
ikanye.boikanyo@gmail.com
Hi Ikanye - do speak to Bontle and ask her to forward to you the e-mail I sent on how to access this album here - the music is available for you to download via the mediafire link above. Best wishes.
ReplyDelete