Back in the Garage

Whilst doing my usual trawl through the wonders of the web I stopped off at Other Music in New York and spotted this. Couldn't find anything about the label just a few bloggers that had already leaked it. Looks like a straight bootleg but interesting none the less.

This not an Afro Beat or Afro Rock compilation, the music on this record is strictly 60's garage! You probably always thought such countries, except South Africa, had nothing to contribute the 60's garage scene.....but seems our little world still has virgin places for the obscure garage 45s diggers before going to Mars!!! Here you have a surprising compilation of very, very rare tracks taken from 45s released in Congo, Angola, Mozambique and South Africa. Garage rock, garage surf, powerful 60's R&B... an amazing collection with groups such as H20 (Mozambique) who had even carton boxes among their instruments, a rare track by the A-Cads, the incredibly rare Kriptons from Angola, an Italian sung (!!!) great cover of the Prunes' "I had too much to dream" by Conjunto Oliveira Muge in Mozambique, the eerie French sung "Eh bien mon ami" by African Fiesta.

I'm not so sure about the rareness of some of these tracks (which I used for the African Rock and Roll 1&2 on African Serenades) but check it out.


Tracklist:
1 A-Cads - Down The Road
2 Dr. Nico - Save Me
3 Conjunto De Oliveira Muge - Sospesa Ad Un Filo
4 Gino Garrido - Baby I Love You
5 Impacto -Knock On Wood
6 Them - I Want To Be Rich Again
7 Os Kriptons - Billy Boom
8 Conjunto Night Stars - She Only Wants A Friend
9 Os Gambuzinos - Aida
10 Orchestre Veve - Venus
11 Os Rebeldes - Murder By Contract
12 John E. Sharp - Monkey Shine
13 African Fiesta - Eh Bien Mon Ami
14 Os Kriptons - Manga Madura
15 Invaders - No Money, No Honey
16 Os Rocks - Wish I May
17 Os Inflexos - Furtivo Olhar
18 Les Krakmen - Krakmen Twist
19 H2O - Riens Des Mots
20 Teta Lando - Muato Wa N'Ginjila
21 Os Gambuzinos – Kalumba (bonus track)
22 Os Inflexos - You're Much Too Proud (bonus track)
23 Os Rocks - I Put A Spell On You (bonus track)

African Serenades 01-11-50

The African Serenades were as series of compilations compiled by a number of African music fans including myself. At one stage I even had a website with all the artwork and download links to the full series. The web sheriff closed that down and the compilations took on a life of their own via CDr swops, soulseek and private sharing. They remain one of the most asked after reloads from visitors to matsuli. So I've reloaded three of my contributions, including the very first which I have retitled Lights Down Low. Volume 11 is a selection of South African jazz and 50 includes a lot of fuzzy guitar sounds. All the tracks are numbered and artwork is included. Enjoy!
VOLUME 1 :: LIGHTS DOWN LOW
VOLUME 11 :: SOWETO CALLING
VOLUME 50 :: AFROPSYCEDELICDAZE

MU-LA-TU !!

Back and live in London per the flyer above with the Heliocentrics to promote the new LP out soon via Strut. And for matsuli readers we have one exclusive track for you to download:
Mulatu Astatke & The Heliocentrics- "Masenqo" [download]
From: Inspiration Information (April 14th, Strut)

And a quick FYI...I've reloaded my Juju Dub and Afro Funk at Mash It Up 2007 Mix over at my podomatic page. Direct download LINK or visit the PAGE.

Immediate Dancing Pleasure

Wonderful Youtube of one of the early standard bearers of Congolese pop, the late great Joseph Kabasele Tshamala AKA Le Grand Kalle. Please enjoy this and the LP which Chris recovered from his recent trip to Kinshasa.


Tracklisting:
Miango
Anita Belle
Coco Scho
Ba Ndumba Ya Leo
Buntsana
Geo Geolie
Mpuli Mua Moni
Safari Muzuri
Independance Economique
TRY

Lost and Found

Staying with the Zimbabwe theme I'm reloading the Flavian Nyathi LP one more time. Absolutely brilliant LP from a high point in Zimbabwean pop. Highly recommended and relatively unknown outside Zimbabwe. Last copy I saw passed hands at £125.

Here's my original write up:
"The first two Zimbabwean LPs I heard and subsequently taped from a friend (as you did back in those days of the C90) were Thomas Mapfumo's Gwindingwe Rine Shumba and Flavian Nyathi's Ropa Re Zimbabwe. Thomas Mapfumo you should know along with other Zimbabweans such as Oliver Mtukudzi. But how many of you have heard of Flavian Nyathi? No background information, just a classic LP full of revolutionary sentiment for better times. Have a listen and let me know if you agree on its status. P.S. If you look carefully you can see a Josh & Kathy's Soundland sticker, the Harare record bar frequented by many looking for exciting Zimbabwean pop."

Flavian Nyathi and the Blues Revolution - Ropa Re Zimbabwe (Gallo Records, Disc. KK 13, 1980)
Takawira
Mwana Takamushaya
Ve Soweto
Ndikakunga Maivangu
VaMugabe
Ropa ReZimbabwe
Pfumo Demo
Baba Namai
Vakasara
Hakuna Nyika Isna Rinda
SAMPLE

Shungu Hits reloaded!

"Heres another of my cassette rescues: a compilation issued in South Africa in the early eighties that I taped off a friend. It contains two of my favourite Zimbabwean tunes from that time, namely Ishe Ndivdze by New Storm as well as Devera Ngwena's theme tune."

TOP SHUNGU HITS (release details unknown)
Tracklisting:
01 Tsomba Ndimwava - Speed Limit
02 Mangwana Mangwana - Speed Limit
03 Hodi Hodi - Speed Limit
04 Kugare Tange Nhamo - Speed Limit
05 Limbikani - Sugar Lump
06 Chisikana Chezera Rangu - Sugar Lump
07 Mwana Wenyu - Devera Ngwena Jazz Band
08 Devera Ngwena - Devera Ngwena Jazz Band
09 Tashaya Zvokuita - Devera Ngwena Jazz Band
10 Kumadye Nyama - Devera Ngwena Jazz Band
11 Zarura Musio - New Storm
12 Ishe Ndivdze - New Storm

DOWNLOAD LINK

Photograph of Queens Hotel in Harare, legendary home of Zimbabwean music in the early 80s, taken by Tony H.

Super (OK) Jazz

Hopefully this is not going to be a completely obscure reference but the cover design of these two compilations of South African jazz reminds me of the budget compilations produced specifically for the OK Bazaars - a major retail chain in South Africa. The photo above shows the OK Bazaars building at 78 Eloff Street Johannesburg.

For reference I took the following short history from their website: "In 1927, Johannesburg's shopping hub consisted of four blocks along the west side of Eloff Street above Pritchard Street. So it was a risk of major proportions when two young upstarts, Michael Miller and Sam Cohen, opened a store a full block south of Pritchard Street, and on the wrong side of the road. They called it OK Bazaars. OK Bazaars was an instant success, and expanded rapidly throughout South Africa, becoming one of our most trusted and loved household names. In 1929 the business was listed as a public company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. And by 1967, the OK Bazaars had opened 100 stores."

Anyway I remember OK Bazaars as the place where my sisters used to buy their "Seven Singles" for 49 cents and their "Long Players" for R1.49. Amongst original artists OK Bazaars could be relied upon for cheaper cover versions of current hit parade songs and I particularly associate them with the Springbok Hit Parade series. For the full story on the Spingbok Hit Parade series check out this website. Note the text "Original Artists" on these covers. But enough of all that. These two compilations I am sharing today are an amazing snapshot of key jazz recordings from the seventies.


Super Jazz Volume One (TJL 13006)
1. Gugulethu - Winston Mankunku Ngozi
2. Peace Train - Mike Makhalemele
3. Quaphela - Allen Kwela
4. Diagonal Street Blues - The Soul of the City
5. Love is the Power - Margaret Singana
SAMPLE


Super Jazz Volume Two (TJL 13007)
1. Alex Express - Winston Mankunku Ngozi
2. Snowfall - Mike Makhalemele
3. Black Beauty - Allen Kwela
4. Hustle Bump! - The Soul of the City
5. Rivers of Babylon - Jeanette Tsagane
SAMPLE

Sleeve design on both records is by "Space and Design". The compilations were marketed by Satbel Record Company and made available on 8 track Cartridge and Cassette. Makes me think they were put out in the late seventies. Anyway enjoy them whilst they are available for sampling.

One More Time

Far and away the most requested of all the compilations I've let loose is the African Serenades series, co-ordinated by myself and Grumpy. In the spirit of the ZImbabwe focus here is volume 37 which takes the best tunes from the four Harare Hits volumes I've just posted. Once upon a time I had a website that had all the African Serenades artwork and tracklistings but alas it has gone. So please if you have any requests for specific volumes on the African Serenades series please let me know. MORE SOUTH AFRICAN JAZZ THIS WEEKEND!

African Serenades 37: Zimbabwe Special
1. Oliver Mtukudzi - Africa (Africa, 1980)
2. Devera Ngwena - Zhimozhi (Hits of Zimbabwe, 1980)
3. Job Mashanda and the Muddy Face - Zuva Rakabuda (Zuva Rakabuda, 1981)
4. Oliver Mtukudzi - Reurura (Shanje, 1981)
5. Zexie Manatsa and the Green Arrows - Tambayi Makachenjera
(Chivariadze, 1981)
6. Lovemore Majaivana and Jobs Combination - Okwabanye (Isitmela, 1981)
7. Africa Melody - Africa Yakanaka (Africa Yakanaka, 1982)
8. Oliver Mtukudzi - Yeukai (Maungira, 1982)
9. Pied Pipers - Amayo (Independence Special, 1983)
10. Jobs Combination - Imali (Maungira Zimbabwe, 1985)
11. Kassongo Band - Panyadzonya (Maungira Zimbabwe, 1985)
12. Fallen Heroes - Uthando Lwemali (Maungira Zimbabwe, 1985)
13. Jobs Combination - Usathane Simehlule (Isimanga Sendoda Emnyama, 1986)
14. Robson Banda and the New Black Eagles - Maria (Soweto, 1986)
15. Jairos Jiri Band - Mai Murambatsvina (J.J.B. Style, 1986)
16. Oliver Mtukudzi - Jeri (Gona, 1986)
17. Ilanga - Somandhla (Visions Foretold, 1987)

LISTEN

Harare Hits reloaded

Many of you may have missed these compilations when I posted them for the first. So with all the recent fuss about Zimbabwe I thought it would be a good time to share these sounds you again. They were compiled by Matsuli reader and an old friend who spent time teaching in Zimbabwe in the early part of the 80s.

"These compilations are drawn from original Zimbabwean vinyl recordings collected in Zimbabwe during the period 1980 to 1987. I have sought to avoid songs available via international reissues and compilations. There are gaps in the chronology – they are just great songs from my collection." - Muvimi

Harare Hit Parade 1: 1980-81
01. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits- Africa
02. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Cheka Hukama
03. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Madzongo Nyedze
04. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Seiko
05. Elijah Madzikatire and Ocean City Band – Very Sorry
06. Elijah Madzikatire and Ocean City Band – Gukura Hundi
07. Devera Ngwena Jazz Band – Zhimozhzhi
08. Devera Ngwena Jazz Band – Barba Mwana Wakanaka
09. Devera Ngwena Jazz Band – Ruva Remoyo Wangu
10. Job Mashanda and the Muddy face – Zuva Rakabuda
11. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Shanje
12. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Reura
13. Zexie Manatsa and the Green Arrows – Chivaraidze
14. Zexie Manatsa and the Green Arrows – Tambayi Makachenjera
LISTEN


Harare Hit Parade 2: 1981-84
01. Lovemore Majaivana and Jobs Combination – Okwabanye
02. Lovemore Majaivana and Jobs Combination – Isitmela
03. Lovemore Majaivana and Jobs Combination – Amanda
04. Africa Melody – Africa Yakanaka
05. Africa Melody – Emma Rega Kuchema
06. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Kumhunga
07. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Tinomuchema
08. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Yeukai
09. Marxist Brothers – Mwana We Dangwe
10. Safirio Madzikatire and Sea Cottage Sisters – Katarina
11. Zexie Manatsa and the Green Arrows – Tiyi Hobvu
12. Pied Pipers – Amayo
13. Patrick Mkwamba and the Four Brothers – Vakakunda Zviedzo
14. Patrick Mkwamba and the Four Brothers – Wapenga Nayo Bonus
15. Sungura Boys - Mandi
LISTEN


Harare Hit Parade 3: 1985-86
01. Jobs Combination – Imali
02. Jobs Combination – Mary
03. Jobs Combination – Ekhaya
04. Jobs Combination – Isimanga Sendoda
05. Jobs Combination – Usathane Simehlule
06. Fallen Heroes – Uthando Lwemali
07. Robson Banda and the New Black Eagles – Huya Tshande
08. Kassongo Band – Panyadzonya
09. Marxist Brothers – Sekuyo Ndipeiwo Zano
10. Marxist Brothers – Mari
11. Marxist Brothers – Kunjere Kunjere
12. Oliver Mtukudzi a and the Black Spirits – Chenjera
13. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Mhaka
14. Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits – Munamato Yedu
LISTEN


Harare Hit Parade 4: 1985-1987
01. Robson Banda and the New Black Eagles - Maria
02. Robson Banda and the New Black Eagles -Emmah
03. Jairos Jiri Band - Chando Chinouraya
04. Jairos Jiri Band - Mai Murambatsvina
05. Jairos Jiri Band - Ndezvedu
06. Jairos Jiri Band - Sarah
07. Jairos Jiri Band - Zvemumba Medu
08. Oliver Mtukudzi - Gona
09. Oliver Mtukudzi - Jeri
10. Ilanga - Somandhla
LISTEN



Enjoy!

Pambere?

Its almost 20 years since I last visited Zimbabwe but my partner in musical pursuits and Matsuli regular Chris was in Harare last week with news of music, (lack of) water and resilience midst a crumbling and skewed economy.

"The talk is that not much seems to have been publicly offered to show the impact of the ‘inclusive’ government of three weeks’ standing ... a deputy minister designate languishes in jail on treason charges ... Tsvangirai scuttles off to Botswana after his head-on with a USAID freight truck that killed his wife ... people I spoke to said they could not get their hopes up yet as these had been dashed so many times before – they needed more evidence of a new trajectory ... donors are beginning to talk ‘recovery’ – Ambassadors are returning and bowing before Mugabe to have their countries accredited once more .. huge amounts of money are being poured in, but in parallel to Government systems – which creates its own inefficiencies and potential ‘holes’ ... Unicef has agreed to pick up the bill for 20 000 health workers – at an average rate of $100 U.S. per month ... and it seems the same is going to happen for teachers ... hospitals are all but shut down, and the private ones are short on some key supplies – if you are a worker or unemployed in Zim, you basically do not have access to health care...the ‘dollarisation’ of the zim finances is a big step – rands and dollars are legal currency, but this to is having quite an inflationary effect in the short term as people try and profit by rounding up prices – so, things are expensive relative to South Africa ... overall it will balance out, and will have a very big effect in generating confidence and activity in the private sector.

"There is a big push from government to start collecting revenues and taxes again, and they are hitting the soft targets – which in turn threatens to squeeze these small guys out of business ... the friend I was talking to said his coffee shop business now faced rates in U.S. dollars or rands that were about ten times higher than they had previously been paying – and they did not receive any services – they did not have water at the business for more than three days – have not had it at their house for five years – the road outside their business is literally more potholes than road – and there is no waste removal – he has to pay the municipal workers ZAR 100 upfront to come and take his restaurant waste away.

"So – all in all an amazing illustration of a collapsed and melted economy in which people still smile and are friendly and make you feel human and welcome. There is an alternative barter trade and strong sense of community created from being in the same boat ... there is still some hope, but also a lot of worry that the MDC entry into the inclusive government will result in ZANU making space at the trough and MDC becoming not much different."

Chris mentioned that ZMC and Gramma are still in operation with a number of existing and forthcoming CD reissues of old material in the forthcoming years. Vinyl was a little more elusive.

Honest Jon keeps shaking the tree

The World Is Shaking:: Cubanismo From The Congo, 1954-55
Tracks: Boniface Koufoundila - Bino Boton, Bosele / Laurent Lomande - Maboka Marie / A.H. Depala - Matete Paris / A.H. Depala - Akei Cimetierre / Andre Denis - Cherie N’aluli Yo / Vincent Kuli - Yaka Ko tala / Jene Mpia - Klim / Boniface Koufoundila - Ntango N’Abali/ Robert Yuakarie - Musinichkie / Albert Bongu - Koseke Moniga Te/ Rene Mbu - Boma Limbala / A.H. Depala - C. C. T. Ebongisi Mokiri/ Fabien Libasi - Bengela Ngai Bosele / Laurent Lomande - Elisa /A.H. Depala - Moni, Moni Non Dey / Norbert Yakari - Kioo Cha Nyumba / J.P. Ndagu - Mokolo Bafuti Sanza / Boniface Koufoundila - Tokowela Angelique / L. Lomande - Embonga /Jene Mpia - Tika Koseka / A.H. Depala - Yoka Ngal


Marvellous Boy:: Calypso From West Africa
Tracks: Famous Scrubbs - Poor Freetown Boy / Bobby Benson And His Combo - Taxi Driver (I Don't Care) / Chris Ajilo And His Cubanos - Ariwo / Roy Chicago - Olubunmi / Mayor's Dance Band - Bere Bote/ Steven Amechi And His Empire Rhythm Skies - Nylon Dress /Ebenezer Calender And His Maringer Band - Fire Fire Fire /Famous Scrubbbs - Scrubbs Na Marvellous Boy / Godwin Omabuwa And His Sound Makers - Dick Tiger's Victory / Rolling Stone And His Traditional Aces - Igha Suo Gamwen / E.T. Mensah And His Tempos Band - The Tree And The Monkey / Bobby Benson And His Jam Session Orchestra - Calypso Minor One /Ebenezer Calender And His Maringer Band - Cost Of Living Nar Freetown / Ebenezer Calender And His Maringer Band - Me Nar Poor Old Man Nor Do Me So / Bobby Benson And His Combo - Gentleman Bobby / Victor Olaiya - Yabomisa Sawale / The Rhythm Aces - Mami / Ebenezer Calender And His Maringer Band - Arria Baby


Hypnotic Brass Ensemble:: Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Tracks: Alyo / Gibbous / War / Ballicki Bone / Flipside / Marcus Garvey /Jupiter / Party Started / Rabbit Hop / Sankofa / Hypnotic / Satin Sheets / Rabbit Hop (Version)

These forthcoming releases from the Honest Jons label look very tasty indeed. You can get a sneak preview of the tracks by going here:
HONEST JONS FORTHCOMING
(And in case you're wondering - no I do not get promotional discs from the label!)