Funky Soul Volume 1 (1982)

South African recordings on the Atlantic label generally do not disappoint. This one is a mixture of slow ballads with some strong more funky uptempo numbers from the likes of Kabasa, Xoliso, Marimba and Lerato.

The Kabasa tracks (Searchin; Happy Together) have featured on Electric Jive before.

Get Yourself Together from Xoliso is off their self-titled debut album. See picture to the right. Francis Gooding also points out that Stompie Mavi (featured as solo artist here) was also a member of Era, whose Manyano album you can find here. Thanks Francis.

Amanzi by Lerato is a funky conscious commentary on the importance of water. In the Lerato album shared here earlier on Electric Jive Matt writes: "Lerato (Sesotho for love) was a short-lived trio comprising Steve Woycieh (drums and percussion), Wally Fry (lead vocals) and Vuli Yeni (bass, saxophone and vocals). It's probably best filed under South African "cross-over", next to Izimpande or even Juluka. But still worth a listen even if the rock drumming accentuates the 4/4 timing a little too strong and leaves little space for the rhythm to breathe."

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Xoliso: Shangaan Afro Jazz (1974)

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