The Shoe Laces - Isitha Somuntu (1981)

In this post we’ll be taking a look at some cool, chilled mbaqanga from the early 1980s. Today’s share is Isitha Somuntu by the shortlived group The Shoe Laces, produced by the legendary West Nkosi and released on the Black Hi-Lights label in 1981.

Think of the last great mbaqanga bands to come out of South Africa… Abafana Baseqhudeni, the Soul Brothers, and Amaswazi Emvelo. This record is very much in that vicinity – which doesn’t come as much of a revelation considering West Nkosi had a hand in some of Abafana’s early (mid-1970s) recordings, and was in fact the utter brains behind Amaswazi Emvelo itself.

The liner notes paint a very vivid picture of the formation of The Shoe Laces: "The Shoe Laces were born and grew up together in the small village in Natal called Sweet Waters. They all attended school together. At school there was one older boy by the name of Hlongwane, he was playing piano, he is the guy who brought these young boys together and formed a musical group out of them. He taught them how to sing, that was in 1961."

This is, however, mostly exaggerated! The Shoe Laces were yet another studio creation out of the deep pool of musicians at Mavuthela in 1979, at a time when mbaqanga music was in danger of ebbing away completely following events happening in the political (and musical) landscapes of South Africa.

The Shoe Laces were mostly comprised of Amaswazi Emvelo personnel and naturally share much a similar sound. In this, the Laces’ third album, the music is just as tasty as anything you’ve heard from Amaswazi. The cool guitar glides across a backdrop of florid organ, deep bass and soulful drums, all topped off with shimmering male vocals.

THE SHOE LACES:
Big Boy Thusi (vocals)
Elliot Mncube (vocals)
Joseph Thusi (lead guitar)
James Zondi (bass guitar)
Mandla Mtalana (organ)
Alpheus Harari Mnyandu (drums)

Enjoy!

ISITHA SOMUNTU (The Shoe Laces)
Black Hi-Lights BL 290
1981

1. UMENDO UNZIMA
2. ZANDILE
3. ISITHA SOMUNTU
4. UVUKA EKUSENI
5. IZOLO LOKU
6. UDAKWA NJALO
7. KUDALA SIHAMBA
8. KHULUMA NENTOMBI YAKHO
9. HLONIPHA ABAZALI
10. SIZA UBUYELE EKHAYA
11. AWUNAMAGAMA
12. DLOMO

RapidShare: here
MediaFire: here

Beer makes us randy – say Mahlatini and Amaswazi Emvelo (1985)

Amaswazi Emvelo were perhaps the last “greats” to come out of the famous Mavuthela mbaqanga stable. Led by Meshack Mkwananzi, this SiSwati vocal group features on all the great 80s international compilation albums – including on all three volumes of “The Indestructible Beat of Soweto”.

After their eigth album, Mahlatini Nkabinde approached Amaswazi in the mid 1980s and together they produced two highly successful collaborations. Today’s offering is from 1985.

Here at Electric Jive we are mindful not to share music that can still be legitimately purchased. In this case we are making a small exception with good reason. “Get these while you can.”

Before he “left” or “retired” as Gallo Music’s archivist, Rob Allingham did a great job in re-mastering and re-issuing a heap of important South African music on CD. In the case of Amaswazi Emvelo, Rob did the "right thing" in re-issuing ten Amaswazi Emvelo albums onto CD.

This is a heads up to those of you who love this music – you can still buy these albums from Kalahari at really low prices – ZAR 39.85 (less than $6 U.S.) – have a look here.

Amaswazi Emvelo & Mahlatini - Utshwala Begazati BL509

Recorded on 27th June 1985. Produced by West Nkosi. Engineered by David Segal.

1. Utshwala Begazati (This beer makes me randy)
2. Musani Ukungithunuka (Don’t remind me of sensitive matters)
3. Siwuhambile Umhlaba (We have been all over the place)
4. Nkosi Yami Ngihawukele (My Lord, forgive me)
5. Shwele Shwele (Greetings / Apologies – done respectfully with waving hands – see cover)
6. Zangiluma Izinja (The dogs bit him)
7. I’Ndaba Zomndeni (Family News)
8. Mus’Ukudlala Ngomsebenzi (Don’t Play with your job)

Rapidshare download here

Mediafire download here (apologies for the incorrect link - it is now fixed)

Thanks to Gugu Mtolo for assistance with the translations.

As an added "SPRING" bonus – herewith a mix of eight songs from Amaswazi Emvelo seven singles, some of which will not be found on the Gallo re-issues.

1. Thul'Ulalele (Keep quiet and listen) XED4058 B (1980)
2. Thoko Udlalelani Ngo Jabu (Thoko why are you playing with Jabu?) XED 4090 (1982)
3. Kwa Mntanami Waya Waya (Our children are scattered) XED 4087 (1982)
4. Yebo Dlozi Yami (Yes to my traditions) XED 4058 B (1980)
5. Mkhuzeni (Stop him doing something wrong) (XED 4087 (1982)
6. Nantsi Lentombi (There's the girl) 4079 B (1982)
7. Sewuyahamba Uyangishiya (You are going and leaving me behind) XED 4079 A (1982)
8. Ukulunga Kwami (A good host) XED 4090 (1982)

Electric Jive Bonus Amaswazi Emvelo Mix
RapidShare Download Link here
Media Fire Download link here