The Sound of Motella (1966)

Sometimes I wonder if I run against the grain of most record collectors in having a deep attraction for particularly damaged records. The album featured today is no exception. From an absent corner that must have provided sustenance for some small creature, to the beautiful water stain that runs across the back and visually approximates the north-western coastline of Africa—the cover by most accounts would be considered severely compromised... or as it would be listed on eBay... "G" for "Good"!

The condition of the vinyl, thankfully, is not as dire. Issued in 1966 on the Motella label, this compilation is the second long playing record published by Gallo's iconic Mavuthela stable following the debut: Meet the Mahotella Queens (LMO 101). The album brings together an eclectic range of early instrumental sax and harmonica jives, save for one track—Mayoyo—featuring female vocalists (perhaps Nick Lotay can help us out with identification). What more can be said about this iconic company that has not already been covered by Nick in his excellent posts here at Electric Jive and Matsuli. Do check these out!

As with most LPs from this period, the compilation features tracks previously issued on 78 rpm. While the track listing, oddly, does not reveal the artists' names, the images of the Motella labels on the front cover do; and so I have listed the details below:

01) Mario and his Khaila Alto — Jive March Time
02) Hlathi & Mahlathini — Khonza Egagasini (MO 43)
03) Marks Mankwane & His Alto Sax — Kap Kap Jive
04) Anania Wa Mfolo — Khula Anania (MO 63)
05) Jazz Manikiniki — Raai Raai (MO 55)
06) Jazz Manikiniki — Mayoyo (MO 75)
07) Jazz Manikiniki — Welcome 1966 (MO 74)
08) D. Makhekhe & His Sax — Qhude Manikiniki (MO 81)
09) D. Makhekhe & His Sax — Ginyitshe
10) Pyjama Party Band — Fukuzela
11) David Khanyile & His Alto Sax — Tha Tha U Thu Thuke
12) Jazz Manikiniki — Meropa Morago
13) Marks and His Alto Sax — Phalaborwa
14) Mario and his Khaila Alto — Jive Smodern Jive No.4

The Sound Of Motella (Town and Country)
Various Artists
1966
Motella, LMO 102

Phezulu Eqhudeni: Motella's finest (1975)

The international re-issue of this gem of an album by Earthworks in 1984 was an important first in a series of signals to the local industry that mbaqanga music may have a global future, despite its popular decline in South Africa. In 1986 Paul Simon’s Graceland and Harry Belafonte’s Paradise in Gazankulu drew heavily on South African artists, and further showcased mbaqanga music to the world.

West Nkosi saw the gap and cut a demo with Makhona Tsohle and the Mahotella Queens. The tape caught Gallo executive Geoff Paynter’s ears and he invited them to play at a function at which two French record executives were also present. One thing led to another, and the musicians embarked upon an international touring career, including playing at the Nelson Mandela Birthday Concert in Wembley Stadium in 1988, and then to a crowd of half a million in Central Park in New York in 1991. You can read the full story and more in Louise Meintjies’ wonderful book” “Sound of Africa! Making Music Zulu in a South African Studio”.

The Earthworks Cover

It is an interesting aside that Earthworks’ marketing people decided to use a different cover. Personally, I much prefer the original. The re-issue label provides what I understand to be an inaccurate translation of the words “Phezulu Eqhudeni”, claiming it to mean on top of a mountain with the name 'Eqhudeni'. The literal translation is: on top of  (better than) the rooster (that wakes you up).

EJ visitor Manzo Khulu sent us a mail on the translation issue:

"I picked up a point that I think I could perhaps also comment on. Indeed while ‘iqhude’ is Zulu for ‘rooster’, in this context the word refers to a hill/mountain whose structure is reminiscent of  the head of a rooster – hence named Eqhudeni. Some of the musicians may have originated from this general area, e.g. Abafana Baseqhudeni (Boys from Eqhudeni)." (Thanks Manzo).

This album presents a sublime compilation from the halcyon days of Motella’s finest.  I am confident you will enjoy it.

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