Usathane Usifikile!: EJ Durban Office Party 2016

“Oh believers gather around and start praying, for the devil has arrived!” Joseph Kumalo is not alone in blaming the devil for ‘changes’ he is not happy with. For Kumalo, South African cities in the early 1960s were dens of iniquity corrupting the traditions and values of rural folk. Drinking, smoking marijuana, gambling, fighting were the work of the devil.

We have all encountered a few “devils” of our own this year, and I thought it a good time to dig through my ‘new finds’ for a year-end Office Party shake-out. Welcome to a bumper edition of the Electric Jive 2016 Durban Office Party. Sadly, unexpected changes to my work-travel commitments prevent me from actually spinning these discs, as planned, at the Electric Jive Office Party at Khaya Records on Friday 9^th December. A party of one sort or another is still happening though. "Familiar Favourite" (Mxolisi Makubho) and Hotdog Fingarz of Fly Machine Sessions are keeping their part of the bargain and will be coming through from Johannesburg with some great tunes on vinyl. Make a note: Khaya Records, Durban – Friday evening 9^th December. I will leave a gift for the first thirty or so people who make it through the door. Thanks to Vusi of The Fly Machine Sessions for the graphic at the top of this post!

So, herewith two hours of what I would have played, if I could have. First up is a one-hour trip that sets off from the countryside with guitar and vocal commentary from the late 1950s, early 60s, building up via violin jive through Zulu blues, to early rock and roll. Victor Ndlazilwana (later of Jazz Ministers fame) is credited with writing and playing on “Please do it oh Baby”, a song that would not have been out of place on an Elvis album from that time.

The merriment builds, morphing from rock-influenced marabi jive through to big-band ska from the likes of Orlando Jazz Combo. Have a listen to Chris McGregor and the Blue Notes playing Dudu Pukwana’s “Ndiyeke Mra” and check out the strong ska influence! Likewise, Africa’s Hot Ten (including Kippie Moeketsi and other jazz luminaries) showcase the deep well of great talent and technical dedication from the time.

The mix changes direction, revisiting some great brass-driven marabi jive tracks from the likes of “The New Havana Orchestra, The Shakers, and the The Kwa Mashu Swingsters”. We warm down with the sweet vocals of the “Dark City Sisters” and end as we began, artists referencing “Inhliziyo Yam” (my disposition, or mood). Whereas Job Ndlangalala starts this set with a hauntingly beautiful  guitar track telling of the circumstances that were ‘killing’ his mood, The Shakers end-off with an upbeat simple finale.

So – if you feel the need to cleanse, purge, indulge, exorcise, dance, this mix can help. The 78rpm recordings are being shared as a single mix-tape. Sorry, no separated tracks on this one.

I wish all visitors to Electric Jive happy holidays, and a much, much better 2017!

1.     The Play Singer: Hambabamfana. (Job Ndlangalala) Columbia YE208.

2.     The Play Singer: U Ngi Cebe E Poisen. (Job Ndlangalala) Columbia YE129.

3.     Joseph Khumalo: Usathani Sefikile. (Joseph Khumalo) Quality TJ.855.

4.     Nongomo Trio: Zulu Violin Special. (Nongomo Trio) Columbia YE.333.

5.     Gumede's Happy Violin: Thatha Jou (J. Gumede) Gallotone Jive GB.3212.

6.     Stanley Caluza: Sengimtholile. (Stanley Caluza) Columbia YE392.

7.     Daisy Newman: Abafana. (Daisy Newman) Winner OK.051.

8.     Cooper & The Black Be-Bop Sisters: Ebusuku Nemini (Theodora Ngcongo) Winner OK.114.

9.     Merebank Youngsters: Ngiyazisola (Merebank Youngsters) Columbia YE.85.

10.  The Bogard Brothers: Che Boogie Here. (L. Motau) His Master's Voice JP.750.

11.  Big Rock Chaka: Please Do It Oh Baby (Victor Ndlazilwana). Tropik DC.751.

12.  Almon's Jazz Kings: Uyidoda (Almon Memela) Gallo USA USA280.

13.  Orlando Jazz Combo: Imbasha (Percy Gumbi) Gallo USA USA304.

14.  Chris McGregor & His Blue Notes: Ndiyeke Mra (Dudu Phukwana) Winner OK.125.

15.  Africa's Hot Ten: Club 600 (E. Williams) Winner OK.001.

16.  Christopher and his Home Swingsters: T. Time Ska (Chris Songxaka) Gallo New Sound GB3581.

17.  Sofasonke Swingsters: Umlahla (Edmund Piliso) His Master's Voice JP.857.

18.  Cooper & The Black Be-Bop Sisters: Vat en Sit (Gloria Malete) Winner OK.114.

19.  Zee Zee Jazz Appointment: Jazz Palace (Rupert Bopape) His Master's Voice JP.741.

20.  The New Havana Orchestra: City Phata (Ngubane) Troubadour AFC.605.

21.  The Shakers: Shake Shake No. 1 (Busi) Troubadour AFC.643

22.  Kwa Mashu Swingsters: Siyanda (Roland Mqwebu) RCA.250.

23.  The City Dazzlers: Ngenye Mini (The City Dazzlers) HIT.120.

24.  The Dark City Sisters: Tap Tap Ntshebe (Zeph Nkabinde, Michael Xaba, Rupert Bopape, Elijah Nkwanyane) His Master's Voice JP.700.

25.  The Shakers: Intlyizo Yam.(Busi) Troubadour AFC.643.

The second one-hour set is drawn from 45rpm, most of which found their way to my drawers this year. Seventies South African soul, funk, pop, jazz and then some mbaqanga to round it all off.

1. The V.I.P.s:  Maxie's Mood. (M. Kubekha, I. Twala). Love Love LVB220.

2. The Anchors: Friends In Soul. (The Anchors). CYB69. (1969).

3. The Inn Lawes: Peter and Zacks Special (Peter Morake, Zacks Kgasapane) CBS AB 326.

4. S. Piliso & His Super Seven: Papa Was A Rolling Stone (Whitfield and Strong) FGB625 (1973).

5. Cool Cats: Wilderness (Gilbert Matthews, G. Sabela) Soweto SWB 4 (1973).

6.  The Special Sounds:  Mngani (Rupert Bopape and Shadrach Piliso) Soul Jazz Pop SOJ 2 (1974),

7. Cool Cats:  See You Later (P. Nkosi, B. Kgasoane) Soweto SWB 4 (1973).

8. The Black Pages: There Goes (N. Makua, E. Kheswa, G. Molefi). Soul Jazz Pop SOJ 140 (1977).

9. S. Piliso & His Super Seven: Umgababa (Edmund Piliso & Themba Dlamini) FGB625 (1973).

10. Bops and Son: Chicken Soul (D. Mchunu) MJW Records MJW.107 (1976).

11. Inthuthuko Brothers: Soweto Disco (S. Jibiliza)Black Cherry BCS110 1978.

12. Shumi: Gideon, Early & McKay (Holler/Arr: Masingi) BUA8803 (1974).

13. Jazz Disciples: Tete’s Jump (Tete Mbambisa) HMV JP887 (1967).

14. Rift Valley Brothers: Mutirima Waka (Lawrence Nduku) Mercury MER11.

15. Abafana Bentuthuko: Double Line (Hansford Mthembu) AB666.

16. John Mkhabela and the Fire Wizards: Umdidyelo (J Nhlapo) GGB456 (1971).

17. The Play Boys:  Cross Road (D. Mokoka - M. Maliehe) JP1338 (1973).

18. Izintombi Zomoya: Oseke Walla (Rupert Bopape and Irene Mawela) Motella MO 522 (1974).

19. Abafana Besi Manje Manje: Bathini Nzimande (Hamilton Nzimande) HVN NZ.68 (1974).

20. Johanes Lenkoe with the Suger Suger Boys: NU 3 (Johannes Lenkoe) Six Mabone SMB 728 (1975).

21. Makhona Zonke Band: Durban Road. (

22. The Creations:  Wild Man in the City (Manu Dibango) PD 1270 (1976).

Download links:

78rpm mix-tape 

45rpm mix-tape 

45rpm separated tracks 

The Grasshoppers - Roadbump (Skyline 1975)

Electricjive started out seven years ago and over this time it's become a key reference point for out of print South African music. Despite posting less frequently we hope to continue our tradition of sharing material integral to the musical tapestry of South Africa and beyond.

And so back to 1975 and today's share which comes from a young group called the Grasshoppers playing organ-led soul grooves laced with guitar. It's difficult to tell what the commercial pressures behind the album were and how much artistic control the group had. They were lucky enough to get a record deal but I suspect the producer and record label were looking for a particular sound - in line with the soul and bump-jive sounds of 1975. But it's a slow burner so hoping you enjoy the journey.

The Grasshoppers - Roadbump (SK80151, Skyline 1975)
01. Roadbump
02. Vicks for Sale
03. You Again
04. Idelines Love
05. Philip on the Way
06. Sick Somebody
07. Send it Back
08. My Darling
09. Funny Game
10. Togetherness
11. I Am There
12. Home Again
13. Day Off
14. Siwelile

Philip "Skhiye" Ngubane (Lead Guitar), DeVilliers "Vics" Mkwayi (Bass), Rusters "Funny Funny" Mbata (Organ), Ndodeni "Mishak" Msimango (Drums), Thomas "Mishak" Msimango (drums)
Produced by Thomas Mdakane

Enjoy via Mediafire

Classic South African Jive from Nick Lotay

If you enjoyed “Mavuthela – The Sound of the Sixties” over at Matsuli, you’ll definitely love this second and equally special compilation: “Classic South African Jive” – thirty more songs from the golden age of mbaqanga, all originally released on 78 and 45 rpm records between 1964 and 1977. A respectable history of mbaqanga music can be revealed by this collection: the origins of early jive in the 1960s (“Isikebe Siwile”, “Rocsy Pie Conti”), the “toughening-up” and growing elasticity of the sound in the middle 1960s (“Duba Duba 900”, “Ngikhala Ngiya Baleka”, “Izihambi”), and the very zenith of mbaqanga in the 1970s (“Deda Endleleni”, “Izinto Zimanukwenza”, “Vuka Uzibuke”). There are many famous names adorning this compilation – among them Shadrack and Edmund ‘Ntemi’ Piliso, Elijah Nkwanyane, West Nkosi, Simon Nkabinde, the Mavuthela girl group team in all their pseudonymous guises, and of course the solid backing unit the Makhona Tsohle Band who are present on all recordings here with very few line-up changes, led by the fantastic two – Marks Mankwane on electric lead and Joseph Makwela on electric bass.

All of these songs were originally released on hard-to-find discs on Mavuthela’s “Motella”, “Gallo New Sound”, “C.T.C. Star Record”, “Smanje Manje” and “Gumba Gumba” labels and come from my modest assortment of vinyl. The big thank you must go to Siemon Allen, who contributed eight wonderful tracks to the first Mavuthela compilation and has shared many vinyl treats over the last few years with both Matsuli and ElectricJive. Siemon is responsible for fourteen of the thirty tunes here in this second instalment, and I’m sure that once you listen to this compilation you’ll be as grateful to him as I and many others have been!

Treat yourself to this second helping of delicious electric jive. Enjoy it as much or as often as you see fit!
Nick Lotay, May 2010


Tracklist
1 ISIKEBE SIWILE – ALEXANDER ALL BAND (1964)*
2 UMKHOVU – ALEXANDER ALL BAND (1964)*
3 ROCSY PIE CONTI – BOB-CATS (1964)
4 BACKYARD 21 – BOB-CATS (1964)
5 BALA THOKO – MARULA BOOM STARS (1964)
6 WATHELA, WAYEKA – MARULA BOOM STARS (1964)
7 EFLETHINI – L.V. SISTERS (1964)*
8 ISALUKWAZI – L.V. SISTERS (1964)*
9 GUN 077 – ANANIA WA MOFOLO (1964)
10 JIVE SOPHIA – ANANIA WA MOFOLO (1964)
11 DUBA DUBA 900 – WEST NKOSI & HIS ALTO SAX (1966)
12 JIVE MTSHIKISA 500 – WEST NKOSI & HIS ALTO SAX (1966)
13 NTOMBI ZODWA – MTHUNZINI GIRLS (1967)
14 NGIKHALA NGIYA BALEKA – MTHUNZINI GIRLS (1967)
15 VALA IZWE – BIG VOICE JACK (1967)*
16 BAILE BATHO – BIG VOICE JACK (1967)*
17 IZIHAMBI – IZINTOMBI ZOMGQASHIYO (1968)*
18 USIKHESHE KHESHE – IZINTOMBI ZOMGQASHIYO (1968)*
19 BASIBON’ IZITHUTHA – MAHLATHINI AND IZINTOMBI ZOMGQASHIYO (1969)*
20 ABANGANI BAMI – MAHLATHINI AND IZINTOMBI ZOMGQASHIYO (1969)*
21 NAMHLA KUNGAMI – MAHLATHINI AND IZINTOMBI ZOMGQASHIYO (1970)
22 OKWAMADODA KUYA BHIKWA – MAHLATHINI AND IZINTOMBI ZOMGQASHIYO (1970)
23 DEDA ENDLELENI – MAHOTELLA QUEENS (1972)
24 IGUGU LEZWE – MAHOTELLA QUEENS (1972)
25 ITHENDELE ELIHLE – EMILY ZWANE & THE SWEET SOUNDS (1974)*
26 IZINTO ZIMANUKWENZEKA – EMILY ZWANE & THE SWEET SOUNDS (1974)*
27 UMNTANAM’ ULAHLEKILE – MAHOTELLA QUEENS (1975)*
28 IZINYEMBEZI ZESULIWE – MAHOTELLA QUEENS (1975)*
29 VUKA UZIBUKE – MAHOTELLA QUEENS (1977)
30 YADILIKA INTABA – MAHOTELLA QUEENS (1977)
*courtesy of Siemon Allen at flatinternational

African Spaces

For many the seminal Afro-Jazz fusion group formed in the musical laboratory that was the Pelican Nightclub in Orlando, Soweto. Criticised at times for being too intellectual this band was the genesis of Sakhile, Stimela and the individual careers of Bheki Mseleku, Mervyn Afrika and others. A re-issue was planned by David Mark's 3rdEar label just before the passing of Sipho Gumede but current discussions apparently revolve around remixing the original LP and excluding certain tracks. ElectricJive brings you the original LP and a bonus 45. Enjoy whilst it is still out of print.

Spirits Rejoice - African Spaces (ATH4010, 1977)

1. Joy

2. Standing Here Alone

3. Savage Dance and African Spaces

4. Mulberry Funk

5. Minute Song

6. Sugar Pie

7. Makes Me Wonder Why

8. Electric Chicken

Bonus tracks (from 7"):

I'm So Strong Now (What Does It Matter)

Shine On

UPDATED LINK (05/15)

When 9 was 6...lest we forget

Another of those rarely seen LPS hiding in the ElectricJive vaults. Includes some key players who created the iconic Mannenberg composition, namely Monty Webber on drums and Basil Coetzee on sax. Enjoy

Remember District Six - A Musical Concept by Sammy Hartman, Lionel Beukes and Monty Webber assisted by Basil (Mannenberg) Coetzee, Errol Dyers and Monwabisi (CBS, ASF 1889, 1976)
1. District Six
2. Love Song
3. Ostracism
4. Simplicity
5. Strange People
6. Happy All The Time

Produced by Monty Weber
Recorded at UCA Studios, Cape Town
Marketed and Distributed by Gramaphone Record Company Pty Ltd
LINK

AHOY! Dread Warriors Ah Come

This post is dedicated to the Matsuli blog and is a response to a number of posts illuminating the Afro-punk sounds of the late seventies and early eighties in Johannesburg. Well this one today comes from the same family tree and includes the Khoza brothers, previously with Ivan Kadey's seminal afro-punk outfit, National Wake. Also on this LP is Risenga Makondo who played for long period in Amampondo. The Dread Warriors recorded the first reggae LP in South Africa and this is it.

Dread Warriors (Gallo BL455, 1983)
1. Dread Warriors
2. Shigangu
3. Sangoma
4. See Them Ah Com
5. Harvest Time
6. Tshindi
7. Dread on a Mountain Top
8. Reggae Music
Produced by Charlie Rakawema, Recorded at RPM Studios, Cover design by EMS
Compoed by BP Khoza, Dennis Hlangwane, Dumi Hlangwane except Reggae Music (Steve Kekana) and Shigangu (Malopoets)
LINK