The Movers Greatest Hits: Volume Six (1972)

 It has been a while since we posted anything from this stand-out seventies band. Electric Jive still has some way to go in documenting the prolific output of a band that started with soul, and changed with the times, chewing up and delivering distinctly South African takes on ska, pop, bump, disco and more during a hugely prolific decade.

Like Siemon's 2011 post of Volume 4 from the Movers, here, this and next week's post - perhaps another Movers rarity - are put together in more of a hurry than I would like, as I try and complete my "to-do" list ahead of some required travel.

If you have not worked it out yet, check out the search bar on the right hand side of this blog. If you type in "Movers" there you will get a listing (at the top of the page) of seven previous posts on this blog. Enjoy!

Download link here

The Movers - Black Reggae (1975)

We continue with some interesting finds sourced from rare 8-track tapes. See my earlier post on the Teenage Lovers here at EJ. Today we feature the cartridge that prompted my purchase of the 8-track equipment—Black Reggae by The Movers. Produced by David Thekwane and issued in 1975 on the City Special label, this is the only copy I have ever seen... so far no vinyl has appeared.

Bearing little resemblance to reggae, the album features, rather, two lengthy tracks in the bump jive form. The title track, Black Reggae, is a sunny extended interpretation of Sugar Sugar, the 1969 hit by The Archies. For the most part this instrumental really grooves... except when it occasionally returns to that original reference! Time Up is reminiscent of their classic tune Bump Jive which gave the genre its name and was also recorded the same year. Of course both Time Up and Bump Jive are indebted to Abdullah Ibrahim's iconic Mannenburg.

A discography of The Movers can be viewed at flatint and of course the group has been featured here at Electric Jive many times.

THE MOVERS
Black Reggae
City Special
YCY 1034 (CYL 1034)
1975

Doing it in Soweto (aka Township Grooving)

Following on from the brilliant end of year mixes I thought it might be a great way to start the year by reviving an old compilation I did at my old blog. "Township Grooving - South African Soul, Funk and Fusion from the '70s" crosses many paths already travelled here at Electricjive. Enjoy!

From the original notes:
For young South Africans in the early seventies, groovin’ to “soul” or jazz provided access to a “non-tribal” identity at a time when the South African government was seeking to appropriate tribal identity in the furtherance of its apartheid policies. By contrast older musical styles including sax-jive, mbaqanga, and mbube were perceived by many young urbanites to be tribalistic, rural, and un-sophisticated. This rejection of older forms was also a symptom of generational and cultural change. The move to the city from rural areas (a trend necessitated by successive South African governments’ attempts to transform the rural black peasantry into an urban proletariat with roots in “traditional homelands”) weakened traditional bonds and opened up new possibilities for the construction of cultural and political identities.

Aside from a number of experiments with older forms it would take until the eighties for the “pure” older styles to regain currency with urban groovers. In part, this re-evaluation was prompted by the projects of foreign enthusiasts - Malcolm McLaren, Manfred Mann, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, and Paul Simon all worked with indigenous mbaqanga sounds. It was also driven by the ongoing “Africanist” attempt to reclaim and revitalise African identity. Prominent proponents of Africanism included the ANC, exiled musicians, and various internal Black consciousness movements.

The 1970s music served here is drawn from a number of different scenes and places. On the rich and varied menu are afrorock from Jonas Gwangwa and Assegai, afrobeat from Hugh Masekela, jazz-dance from Letta Mbulu, 60s soul from the Flames, mbaqanga soul from the Soul Brothers, “cross-over” pop, soul and rock from The Beaters, The Movers, Mpharanyana, The Cannibals and Margaret Singana, jazz-fusion from Dick Khoza, soul fusion from Pacific Express, sax-groove from The Hockers, and a little more.

While 1970s South African soul borrowed heavily from the Motown and Stax blueprint, its indigenous re-interpretation and articulation can’t be missed. Moreover, each producer tended to have his own style, and include his own innovations. Many of the key producers from the South African “soul” scene are represented here: Hamilton Nzimande - credited by many to be the first producer to take South African “soul” seriously, Rashid Vally - producer of seminal seventies jazz sessions, David Thekwane – producer of big-sellers The Movers and West Nkosi who took over the production reigns of the Mavuthela stable from Rupert Bopape.

For many the period documented here is best forgotten. Black music production houses were messing with Motown techniques whilst the soul of the nation was being plundered by successive National Party governments. It’s no wonder, perhaps, that some of the more dour political militants of the time had a problem with the soul scene.  

1.LM Radio excerpt
LM Radio was a non-stop music station, based in Lorenzo Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique, where the latest international and local hits could be heard. 
2. The Boy’s Doin’ It - Hugh Masekela (Masekela, Ekemode, Kwesi, Todd, Opoku, Gboyega, Warren) 
Original mover and shaker Hugh Masekela struts his stuff whilst backed by the funky Ghanaian outfit Hedzoleh Soundz. Taken from the Casablanca LP of the same name and dedicated to Fela Ransome-Kuti this track was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria in mid 1975.
3. Chapita – Dick Khoza (Khoza)
Acclaimed jazz drummer Dick Khoza was a regular and in-demand session-man at the many jazz venues in Johannesburg in the early seventies. These included the Pelican in Soweto where he played in the band the Jazz Revellers with bassist Sipho Gumede. The Pelican was a great musical laboratory in the 1970's. On any given night, legendary artists would pop in for a jam or perform as part of the Sunday night cabaret. Gumede was later to form the band Roots, then Spirits Rejoice with Bheki Mseleku, and in the early eighties the visionary band Sakhile. 
4. Switch #2 - Jonas Gwangwa and African Explosion (Gwangwa)
Jonas Gwangwa recorded his first LP in the USA on Ahmad Jamal’s label in 1969. A colleague of fellow musical exiles Caiphus Semenya, Hugh Masekela, Letta Mbulu, Dudu Pukwana, Abdullah Ibrahim and Johnny Dyani, Gwangwa later became the musical director of Amandla - the cultural ensemble of the African National Congress. 
5. Johannesburg Love Trip – Thembi (unknown)
Thembi had a top twenty hit in the Netherlands in 1977 with a pop version of Afrikaans folksong “Take Me Back to the Old Transvaal”. On the LP of the same name this Is a travelogue of the urban centres and languages of South Africa.  
6. Kinzambi – Assegai(Duhig)
Assegai was anchored by African musicians Louis Moholo, Mongezi Feza, Fred Coker and Dudu Pukwana. They were signed by British label Vertigo in the label's attempt to capitalize on the popularity of Afro-rock bands such as Osibisa. Taken from a re-issue LP Afro-Rock this track features members of the UK band Jade Warrior.  
7. For Your Precious Love – The Flames (Brooks and Butler)
This “Indian” soul group from Durban featured Blondie Chaplin and the Fataar Brothers. They released two classic albums in the '60's – 'Soulfire' and 'Burning Soul' - and then headed off to work with the Beach Boys. This song, a cover of the Impressions track from 1958, was a No. 1 hit on the Springbok Radio charts in October 1968 and spent 11 weeks in the Top Twenty. In the seventies a number of top US soul acts, including Curtis Mayfield, the O Jays, Joe Henderson, Tina Turner, Brook Benton and Percy Sledge all toured South Africa.
8. Harari - The Beaters (Mabuse, Khaoli, Ntuli)
The Beaters were formed by Selby Ntuli in the late 60s in Soweto and comprised Sipho Mabuse (drums), Alec Khaoli (bass), Monty Ndimande (guitar) and Ntuli (guitar). In March 1969 their first album Soul-A-Go-Go was released. A further two albums Bacon and Eggs (1970) and Mumsy Hips (1971) followed. In 1976 the band headed north for a three-week tour of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), which turned into a three-month success. As a result of this tour the band changed their name to Harari and recorded an album of the same name. This is the title track from that album. In 1978, Harari was invited to the USA by Hugh Masekela to perform with him. Unfortunately the bands leader Selby died and the tour didn’t take place. Harari did however support and back Percy Sledge, Timmy Thomas, Letta Mbulu, Brook Benton and Wilson Pickett on their South African tours. In 1979 they were the first black group to appear on South African television and the first black group to have their own show at the Colosseum in Johannesburg in 1980. In the same year the band was featured in a BBC TV documentary. The 1980 album Heatwave was released in the USA and in 1982 the Party 12” single entered the American Disco Hot 100. 
9. I Never Loved a Man - Margaret Singana (Russel)
Margaret Singana started performing with the Symbols in 1972 and had an early radio hit with Good Feelings. In 1973 she was cast as the lead singer in the musical Ipi Ntombi and became famous with white audiences for the song Mama Tembu’s Wedding. The production toured Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. However it was the song featured here that made her the first black artist to be feature on the Radio 5 hit parade. She suffered from bad health but made a comeback of sorts with the theme song from the series Shaka Zulu. Wheelchair bound and penniless Margaret died in 2000 after a long illness.
10. Ngasuka Ekhaya - Stephen Moleleki (Moleleki)
A Sotho language version of the George Benson track Broadway taken from a David Thekwane produced various artists LP Hlubane Special from 1980.  
11. Katlehong - Mpharanyana and the Cannibals (Radebe)
In 1975 the Cannibals, featuring young guitarist Ray Phiri, paired up with Jacob “Mpharanyana” Radebe who was considered by many to be the greatest male singer of the whole pre-disco soul era. They recorded together for four years producing a string of hits featuring Radebe’s impassioned vocals and monologues. 
12. How Long - The Movers (Chounyane)
The Movers were producer David Thekwane’s big success in the “soul” market. As with so many other bands playing within this genre they rarely addressed politics directly, but they rejected the ethnic associations used to divide people under apartheid and embraced the international sound purveyed by the likes of Wilson Pickett and Percy Sledge.
13. Get Funky(edit) - The Cannibals (Ndlovo, Phiri, Shongwe, Hlophe, Mtshali)
From 1979 and produced by Hamilton Nzimande this track in its full form at 15 minutes covers one side of the LP by the same name. The Cannibals recorded this soon after the death of star Mpharanyana and were later to evolve into the band Stimela. Ray Phiri gained fame (and in some circles notoriety) for working with Paul Simon on the Graceland LP and then having a song banned from airplay by the SABC. 
14. Brother - Pacific Express (Schilder)
Pacific Express originally formed in Cape Town in the late 60s. Following the arrival of pianist Chris Schilder in 1975 the band took on a jazzier sound and built a reputation that spanned the whole of the sub-continent. Members of the band included Basil “Mannenberg” Coetzee, Robbie Jansen, Jonathan Butler, Barney Rachabane, Chris Schilder and others. Chris Schilder had earlier played alongside the seminal Soweto jazz-funk outfit The Drive with Ronnie Madonsela, Bunny Luthuli, Tony Soali, Nelson Magwaza, Lucky Mbatha, Mavis Maseku and the Sithole Brothers Stanley, Danny & Henry. This is the lead track off their 1976 LP Black Fire.  
15. Take Me Home Taximan - Soul Brothers (Masondo)
This example of mbaqanga soul at its finest is taken from the Soul Brothers 3rd LP from 1977 “I Feel So Lonely Without You”. Previously known as the Groovy Boys and then the Young Brothers they were persuaded to change their name to the Soul Brothers by producer Hamilton Nzimande in 1974. Original members included Zenzele Mchunu, David Masondo, Tuza Mthethwa and Hammond B3 organist Moses Ngwenya. From the moment they recorded their first two singles in 1976 and with the solid backing of legendary producer Hamilton Nzimande behind them, the Soul Brothers were consistent hit makers. With over 30 albums to their credit, the Soul Brothers now operate recording studios, a record company and a publishing business. They stand as one of the great success stories of South African music having survived disco, bubblegum and now kwaito.
16. Fly Me Home (edit) - The Hockers (Thekwane)
Legenadary big five producer David Thekwane's own composition and played by Thomas Pale, Lulu Masilela, unknown studio musicians and himself on a jazz-influenced South African sax jive tune. On the original tow track LP from 1976 the groove just keeps going ala Fela Kuti for a full 12 minutes.
17. What's Wrong With Groovin' - Letta Mbulu (Masekela)
A big favourite with the jazz dance crowd in the UK, featured on compilations by Gilles Peterson and Comet and also reissued as a 7" on Jazzman Records this Masekela penned tune by recorded by Mbulu in the mid sixties.
18. Capital Radio opening
At the close of the decade in December 1979 independent radio station Capital 604 started broadcasting into South Africa from the nominally independent Transkei bantustan. For a time they were able to broadcast a lot of content avoided by the SABC including many of tracks featured here.

Download: Mediafire

Sophie Thapedi and Lulama Legola (1975)

Here is a great soul jive LP I meant to post on EJ in 2011 but somehow it slipped through the digital cracks. Produced by David Thekwane, side A features songs by vocalist Sophie Thapedi while side B is all Lulama Legola. It is my best guess that the backing group here is none other than the prolific Movers. Most of the tracks are penned by Sankie Chounyane, the keyboardist for that group, and... to be sure, the 7" single of How Long is credited to Sophie Thapedi and the Movers. How Long is simply a classic! You can also hear Sophie Thapedi on a single with the Soul Throbs from Chris' Soul on Special Offer mix. More pics of the cover can be viewed at FlatInternational. Enjoy!

Sophie Thapedi & Lulama Legola
1975
Soul Soul
SSL 0107

DiscoSoulJive - Volume 1/2 (1974-1982)

Perhaps it is appropriate to follow Nick Lotay's post on Walter and the Beggers from last week with a compilation of South African disco-soul-jive material from the same period — the mid to late 1970s through the early 1980s. I have been putting together this compilation for the better part of the last year and had originally planned to post a shorter version as a 'reply' to Nick's comprehensive post Disco Soul here at Electric Jive in April.

At that time, my mix was not there yet and so I put the project on hold, adding to the folder when interesting tracks turned up (the process has been quite serendipitous). Given that the holiday season is looming again, I thought I would check that folder to see if there was enough good material for an end of year holiday mix... there was... and more!!! Let me just say, invest in some serious shoes before your listen to these two volumes!

Anyways... I have been so focussed on the material that I ran out of time to give it any context. So watch this space in the coming days and I will add some notes to the tracks below. In the meantime check out Nick's earlier post as well as Matt and Chris' previous offering in this territory: Saitana, Nzimande All Stars, Zone One, City Soul... and get your dancing shoes on!

DiscoSoulJive - Vol.1
flatinternational / Electric Jive

FXEJ 10

01) Saitana — The Disco — 1977
(Jas Pride 45rpm, PD 1380)
02) The Movers — Kansas City — 1979
(Atlantic City LP, BL 225)
03) Abafana Besporo — Baba Ka Sibongile — 1980
(Gold LP, GOLP 513)
04) The Champions — Mntakwethu — 1978
(Jet LP, JETLP 020)
05) Mavis Maseko and the Movers — Sure Thing — 1978
(RCA LP, RCL 1222)
06) Nzimande All Stars — Breadwinner — 1978
(Masterpiece LP, LMS 533)
07) Masike ‘Funky’ Mohapi — Love Song — 1982
(Raintree Records LP, RAH 3003)
08) (uncredited) — Come on Down — c1979
(Entertainment LP, EDLP 1015)
09) Amagugu — Giya Mfana — 1979
(Beat City LP, QBL 1002)
10) Bra Sello — Lulu Come Back — c1976
(Jet LP, JET 307)
11) The Soul Chiefs (?) — Ngeke Silibale — 1980
(Gold LP, GOLP 513)
12) The Entertainers — Mamazala — c1979
(Entertainment LP, EDLP 1007)
13) Care Free — We Are On Our Way — 1974
(Soweto LP, SWA 14005)
14) (uncredited) — Fekile Ntombi Yami — 1979
(Gold LP, GOLP 502)
15) Sakie Special Band — Wozo Sporo Jive — 1979
(WEA LP, 95 024)
16) The Special Sounds — Mngane — 1974
(Soul Jazz LP, LPBS 26)
17) Amagugu — Ngiyintandane— 1979
(Beat City LP, QBL 1002)

DiscoSoulJive Vol.2
flatinternational / Electric Jive

FXEJ 11

01) Una Valli with Dan Hill — Really Gonna Shake — 1964
(CBS LP, ALD 6721)
02) The Planets — Hippy Way — 1974
(Soul Jazz LP, LPBS 26)
03) The Champions — Auloboli — 1978
(Jet LP, JETLP 020)
04) Walter Dhlamini — Lonely City — c1979
(Entertainment LP, EDLP 1007)
05) Sakie Special Band — Bashimane — 1979
(WEA LP, 95 024)
06) Soul Sisters — Khoma Switya (Hold it Tight) — c1976
(Jet 45 rpm, JET 355)
07) Abafana Bamswazi with Amagugu — Back To Spade — 1975
(Atlantic LP, HSL 2003)
08) Midnight Stars — Popy’s Disco — 1978
(RCA LP, PL 40686)
09) (uncredited) — Mathuba Difala — c1979
(Entertainment LP, EDLP 1015)
10) (uncredited) — Who Do You Love — c1979
(Entertainment LP, EDLP 1015)
11) Care Free — Big Finger — 1974
(Soweto LP, SWA 14005)
12) Dudu and the Big Time Boys — Mother, Dear Mother — c1976
(Jet 45 rpm, JET 362)
13) (uncredited) — Musukuya Nenkulumo — 1979
(Gold LP, GOLP 502)
14) Amagugu — Bheka Mina — 1979
(Beat City LP, QBL 1002)
15) New Born — Bayangizonda — 1978
(RCA LP, RCL 1222)
16) The Entertainers — Mama Ka Sibongile — c1979
(Entertainment LP, EDLP 1007)
17) Sons of Thunder — Uzozizwela — c1979
(Entertainment LP, EDLP 1007)
18) Amagugu — Hluphele — 1979
(Beat City LP, QBL 1002)
19) The Movers — 100% — c1978
(RCA promo 45 rpm)
20) Nzimande All Stars — Asihambe Sithandwa No.1+2 — 1977
(Soul Train 45 rpm, TR 25)
21) Mavis Maseko — Ngonile Mama — 1978
(RCA LP, RCL 1222)

DiscoSoulJive (1974-1982)

flatinternational / Electric Jive

Volume 1 (FXEJ 10)

Volume 2 (FXEJ 11)

Bumping, Moving and Grooving into Zone One

This one goes out to all you lovers of the jazz fusion and bump sounds of the Movers, the Drive and the Mover's organist Sankie Chounyane. I've posted previously on theses groups at matsuli as well as here at electricjive. Siemon has a detailed discography of the Movers at flatinternational and I've detailed the Drive discography in an earlier post here at electricjive.

Various Artists - Zone One (1976, SoulSoul, SSL123)
1. Zone One - The Movers
2. Don't Touch - The Movers
3. Zone No 6 (Part 1) - The Drive
4. My Dreams (Part 1) - The Drive
5. Jacaranda No 15 (Part 1) - Sankie and the New Time Boys
6. N-U-10 - The Movers
7. Traffic Ticket - The Movers
8. Help Me - The Movers
9. Zone No 6 (Part 2) - The Drive
10. My Dreams (Part 2) - The Drive
11. Jacaranda No 15 (Part 2) - Sankie and the New Time Boys
12. Spy - The Movers

ENJOY!
MF / RS

Nzimande All Stars - Breadwinner Part 2 (1980)

Seriously grooving studio sounds from the Nzimande All Stars (sometimes backing band for Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje), named after uber-producer Hamilton Nzimande.

Nzimande started his musical journey in an early mbaqanga group The Big Four whose single Woza Friday was a big enough hit in South Africa during the sixties to see release "overseas" (listen at Matsuli). Nzimande was instrumental in recording and developing the early careers and musical styles of key seventies artists The Soul Brothers and The Movers. Check this earlier post for details of his relationship with Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje.


A partial discography of the studio group includes Nomali (1974), Sporo (1978) that contained the track Breadwinner, Side by Side (1980) and today's Breadwinner Pt 2. Any further details on the Nomali LP fully welcomed at the electricjive HQ.

So get ready to groove! In 2010 the Nzimanade All Stars also caught the attention of tropical dancefloor specialists Sofrito who released an edit of Sporo Disco.


NZIMANDE ALL STARS - BREADWINNER PT 2
Links: MF

Seventies Singles Selection – Office Party Pt 2

A fair bit to get your feet moving in this selection from seven singles found during this year. Also a few tracks delving into the more traditional realms of solo accordion and voice (Dlamini), Shangaan (Banda Six; Matengu Sisters) and Tsonga (Star Flying Gazankulu) vocal, through to some swinging bigger band numbers by curiosities such as the “Zomba Jazz Band”, and “Elias Banda with Jazz Afrique 73”.

Inbetween some kicking mbaqanga and accordion jive you will bump into Sankie Chounyane and his JoBurg Music Men, along with some irresistible bump-soul from Bucks and the Mighty Thorns. We close the set with a 1977 rendition by The Movers of “Morena Boloka” – a massively risky subversive intervention by David Thekwane and the band at the time. While it could be classified as an hymn, the tune was known as the national anthem in waiting. And so it has become, with Morena Boloko comprising the Sotho part of South Africa’s post-liberation national anthem.

If you have not already indulged - part one can be found here.

In wishing you a liberating 2012, I share a poem written by Durban-based Mphutlane Wa Bofelo.

HEMPZA MAWAWA VIBES
---------------------------------
It is not the count of nodding heads
That should count to you
It is not the snapping of fingers
That your camera should snap
It is not the swinging hips
That should make you happy
It is the number of strangers
Ending up as friends on the dance-floor
It is forlorn faces that your beat lit-up
It is the eternal photographs
That you insert in people’s lives
It is hearts that reconcile
On account of your music
It is the number of couples
Renewing marital vows
In the name of your verses
It is ever-lasting memories
Of people who declared
Their love on the dance-floor
It is the number of couples
That return to the dance-floor
It is not how many
Dollars there are in your Rand
Or how lavish a house
You can afford to build
With the sales of copies
But how many houses
Has your poetry turned
Into loving homes
How many children
Has your music
Transformed into human beings…….
(c)MPHUTLANE WA BOFELO

TRACKLIST:

1.       Hamba Uzobuya::  Philemon Zulu (Zulu)       More Music Hits MMh2574

2.       Sentebale::  Boy Mokaeane – 1974 (Mokaeane)        Marabi Jive JM5067
3.       Ukuhlupheka:: Sannah Mnguni Nesimanjemanje (Sannah Mnguni) CBS AB284
4.       Mopotong:: Amazulu Amnyama - 1976 (S. Jibiliza) Smanje Smanje SJM186
5.       Keneng Omputsa:: Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje - 1980          (H. Nzimande)   HVN NZ397
6.       Mkudu Special Part 1:: Zomba Jazz Band – 1983 (J. Mashanyela/ L. Letosa/ J. Sibumbe / I. Mtshali / R. Phiri) soul.soul AB401
7.       Mkudu Special Part  2:: Zomba Jazz Band – 1983 (J. Mashanyela/ L. Letosa/ J. Sibumbe / I. Mtshali / R. Phiri) soul.soul AB401
8.       Rhodesian Bump No1:: Bucks and the Mighty Thorns – 1975  (Richard Buck Radebe) Bump7303
9.       If You're Ready No 2:: Bucks and the Mighty Thorns – 1975  (Richard Buck Radebe) Bump7303
10.   Joburg Music Men Part 1:: Sankie Chounyane and His Men – (Sankie Chounyane) 1977 A1Disco Records ANB404
11.   Joburg Music Men Part 2:: Sankie Chounyane and His Men – (Sankie Chounyane) 1977 A1Disco Records ANB404
12.   Sangoma Jive:: Amazulu Amnyama – 1976 (S. Jibiliza) smanje Smanje SJM186
13.   Vhohwala Khuni:: Rainbow Fairies and Jive Boys – 1977 (Khuni)        MaBob City MMB108
14.   Sandanezwe:: Mabuya Queens – 1975 (Maria Masina) Themba TBB437         
15.   Uyo Gcinaphi:: Mahotella Queens – 1972 (R. Bopape & M. Mankwane) Gumba Gumba MGG586
16.   Central Special:: Amakwaitos  (S. Tyalentyale) Ntu NTB709
17.   Sankatana:: Amazulu Queens – 1977 (C. Mhlongo) OW2004
18.   Gijimani:: Intombi Zephepha with Senzeni Bafana – 1971 (P. Zulu) SKB399
19.   Salani Yagiyani::  Matengu Sisters – 1978 (Leah Baloyi) WEA (TPM1081) ROOTS (ROS 400)
20.   Woyala Madelena:: Banda Six – 1981 (David Sitoe) Motella MO730
21.   Machembera:: Elias Banda with Jazz Afrique 73 – 1973 (Banda) Motella  MO.505      
22.   Weekend Special No 2:: Elias Banda with Jazz Afrique 73 – 1973 (Banda)  Motella  MO.505
23.   Ndiya Hamba:: Dlamini – 1972 (Dlamini) Star Black SKB453
24.   Elizana:: Star Flying Gazankulu – 1979 (F. Mkhonto) HB642
25.   Morena Boloka:: The Movers -1977 (Trad) RCB170

Office Party Part Two: MIXED

Mediafire

Office Party Part Two: SEPARATE TRACKS

Mediafire 

Rapidshare here (coming)

The Movers - Greatest Hits Vol. 4 (1971)

This post comes to you on the fly from OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg and because of that it will have to be short! But then again what more could be said about the funky soul sounds of The Movers who have been featured on Electric Jive at least five times in the last year. Today we focus on their fourth album Greatest Hits Volume 4 issued in 1971 on Teal's City Special label. View their other albums on Electric Jive including Greatest Hits Vol.2 (1970),  Repeat After Me (1974), Bump Jive (1975), Bump Jive 6 (1975) and on the compilation Tower Special (1975). 

Hope you enjoy!

The Movers
Greatest Hits Volume 4
1971
City Special
CYL 1007







01) Alex Soul Hit
02) Last Word
03) Watch Out (with Diana Mbatha)
04) Hard Day's Work
05) Crying All Night (with Diana Mbatha)
06) Plea to my Heart (with Blondie Makhene)
07) Crying Guitar No.2
08) Soul Party (with Blondie Makhene)
09) It's a Pity
10) Sleep Out
11) Swazi Pineapples
12) Swazi Tribal Soul

The Movers play Mannenberg

There's an ownership dispute at the heart of South African jazz composition and anthem Mannenberg. Those disputing Abdullah Ibrahim's authorship point to it being a slowed down version of a Zacks Nkosi tune Jackpot. For this reason Lulu Masilela approached the Movers to record the song and have it credited to Nkosi. Producer David Thekwane refused to let Lulu and the Movers credit Nkosi but they did have the pleasure of seeing their version outsell Ibrahim's.

Listen to Jacks Nkosi's Jackpot

Watch and listen to Abdullah Ibrahim's version

The Movers - Repeat After Me (GEN-3007, 1974; also City Special CYL1029)
1. Mannenberg
2. Change My Love
3. Repeat After Me
Produced by David Thekwane.
Movers: Sam Thabo (drums), Archie Mohkaka (drums), Sankie Chounyane (piano, organ), Oupa Hlongwane (lead guitar), Norman Hlongwane (bass guitar), Peter Moteolhe (bass guitar), Lulu Masilela (alto sax), Thomas Phale (alto sax), David Thekwane (alto sax), Dakkie Tau (lead guitar), Robert Mbele (tenor sax)

MF / RS

Township Super Soul - Bump Jive Number Six

More great news: ElectricJive has convinced Francis Gooding - professional archivist, vinyl collector and  co-compiler and researcher of Strut's fantastic 2010 "Next Stop Soweto" series - to join our blog team. Welcome Fin!

Today's post picks up on a golden thread running through ElectricJive. Herewith the Movers’ ‘Bump Jive Number Six’ album with the title track in all of its 12:48 minutes glory. We previously shared the shortened 45rpm version, with its special MC call-outs in introducing the band, on the Jo’Burg Love Trip mix.

Swirling groovy keyboard riffs and runs from Sankie Jacob Chounyane define this infectious sound – supported by two lead guitars and a rock-solid rhythm section. It would be fair to call them South Africa’s answer to Jimmy Smith and Booker T Jones rolled into one. But these are not just imitations, there is still very much that is African and original in this music.

In terms of date of publication, this album immediately follows Bump Jive (CYL 1030) that flatint shared on this blog in January. A Movers discography can be found here at flatint

1. Bump Jive No.6 (12:48)
2. Crying Child (5:15)
3. Big Time (6:50)

Produced by David Thekwane
CYL1031 City Special (1975)

There are two bonus 45rpm downloads for Movers fans:

CYB115 (1971)
1. Hey Jude
2. Let Her Go

RCB174 (1977)
1. Mama Liza
2. She Loves You

Enjoy

Bump Jive No.6
Rapidshare here
Mediafire here
 
Bonus 45rpm 1971
Rapidshare here
Mediafire here
 
Bonus 45rpm 1977
Rapidshare here
Mediafire here

Keep on Moving

A very special treat today of what was know as Soweto Soul, inspired by the likes of Brooker T & the MGs, Richard Groove Holmes and Jimmy Smith amongst others. In a career that lasted over ten years the Movers were incredible prolific and managed to straddle this early Soweto Soul genre, to bump jive, jazz and then disco. Their take on Abdullah Ibrahim's Mannenberg is an interesting excursion which we will share with you shortly.

About last June, The Soul Group now know as "The Movers" was formed in Alexandra by Kenneth Siphayi (know to this friends as Kenny). This is how it happened - a youngester called Oupa Hlongwane and his brother Norman (both guitarists) approached Kenny. They got together with drummer, Sam Thabo, and Kenny's friend Sankie Chonuyane the organist ... and now we have the successful sound of "The Movers". Shortly after launching of the spaceship "Apollo 11" the group recorded the hit single "Apollo 14", and so great became the demand for their records that top hits were collected into a great LP - "Movers Greatest Hits". Since then there has been a clamour for more "Movers" - and now - "Movers Greatest Hits Volume 2".- from the original liner notes.

The Movers - Greatest Hits Vol 2 (CYL 1004, 1970)
1. Back From the Moon
2. Love Me Not
3. The Best of Away
4. Toasted Chops
5. Mountain Breeze
6. Slow Down
7. Soul Crazy
8. Norman's Road
9. Lets Have It
10. Move for More
11. Crying Guitar
12. Beat Corner
MF / RS

Tower Special

Herewith a great compilation LP of singles produced by David Thekwane. The stand out track is Bump Jive No 6, where a slow build up introduces all members of the legendary group The Movers. Otherwise more bump, soul and groove from the mid seventies.

The Tower is in question is the Hillbrow Tower, which at 260m it is the tallest structure on the African Continent. Work began on the tower in June 1968 and was completed in April 1971. It was closed in 1981 for "security" reasons but before that it was one of the biggest tourist attractions in Johannesburg with six public floors at the top housing a revolving restaurant (Heinrich's) and another non-rotating restaurant simply known as the Grill Room. As with many other public attractions during the height of apartheid entry was restricted to those classified as white.


Tower Special - Various Artists (Love Love, LVL2002, 1975)
1. Tower Special Part 1 - The Big Brothers
2. Tower Special Part 2 - The Big Brothers
3. Dimakatso - The Black Five
4. Lady Soul Part 1 - The Big Brothers
5. Lady Soul Part 2 - The Big Brothers
6. Baby Its Late - The Soul Throbs
7. Bump Jive No 6 Part 1 - The Movers
8. Bump Jive No 6 Part 2 - The Movers
9. Change My Love Part 1 - The Movers
10. Change My Love Part 2 - The Movers
11. Believe I Love You - The Soul Throbs
12. Dekeledi - The Black Five
Produced by David Thekwane


RS
MF

Joburg Love Trip Mix

Joburg Love Trip :: An Exclusive ElectricJive Mix
01 Bump Jive No 6 - Pts 1 & 2 - The Movers
02 The Webb - Makhona Zonke Band
03 Musikana - Harari
04 Somewhere There - Makhona Zonke Band
05 Johannesburg Love Trip - Thembi
06 Spinning Wheel with Lucky Mbatha vocals - The Drive
07 Sugar Pie - Spirits Rejoice
08 Loving Style - Mavis Maseko and the Movers
09 Lets Live Together - Mpharanyana
10 Joy - Spirits Rejoice
11 Please Tell Me Why - The Movers
12 Darling Darling - The Savers
13 Mary - Soul Brothers
14 Gimme Your Love - Margaret Singana
This one is specially dedicated to Duncan Brooker, Quinton Scott and Francis Gooding at Strut Records as a thank you for the brilliant Next Stop Soweto compilation series. Its about time!
RS/MF

Laduma!

World Cup fever strikes! And to start the celebrations a nod to the fantastic Next Stop Soweto compilations from Strut we thought we'd repost a matsuli compilation (thanks Matt)subtitled South African Soul, Funk and Fusion from the Seventies. Watch Out!

LM Radio excerpt
The Boy’s Doin’ It - Hugh Masekela
Chapita – Dick Khoza
Switch #2 - Jonas Gwangwa and African Explosion
Johannesburg Love Trip – Thembi
Kinzambi – Assegai
For Your Precious Love – The Flames
Harari - The Beaters
I Never Loved a Man - Margaret Singana
Ngasuka Ekhaya - Stephen Moleleki
Katlehong - Mpharanyana and the Cannibals
How Long - The Movers
Get Funky(edit) - The Cannibals
Brother - Pacific Express
Take Me Home Taximan - Soul Brothers

The original track notes are here:
RS LINK
MF LINK