VA ~ The Kings And Queens of Township Jive: Modern Roots Of The Indestructible Beat of Soweto [Earthworks, 1990]

EWV 20

A1. Abafana Baseqhudeni – Mubi Umakhelwane 2:19
A2. Lulu Masilela – Six Mabone 2:27
A3. Mbazo – Okwami Okwezanola 2:43
A4. Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens – Bophumthwalo 2:46
A5. Thomas Phale – Platform 14 4:54
A6. Soul Brothers – Mantombazane 3:36
A7. Abafana Baseqhudeni – Sadlula Thina 2:39
A8. West Nkosi – Marabi Bell 800 2:28

B1. Thomas Phale – Dragon Special 5:03
B2. Mahotella Queens – Izingubo Ezimhlophe 2:55
B3. Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens – Jive Makgona 2:50
B4. Soul Brothers – Bayeza 3:20
B5. Mahotella Queens – Sindiza Emoyeni 2:31
B6. West Nkosi – Chillis 500 2:54
B7. Mahotella Queens – Vusumuzi 2:54



'Of the many compilations of township jive [or mbaqanga] recordings that hit the American and European marketplace in the late '80s following Paul Simon's blockbuster Graceland album, this is surely one of the best. Subtitled "Modern Roots of the Indestructible Beat of Soweto," it rides the coattails of that very successful album but also stands well on its own. The Kings and Queens of Township Jive prominently features two of South Africa's finest and most popular ensembles, the Soul Brothers and the Mahotella Queens [both with and without their male frontman, Mahlathini]. Several of the other featured artists are singers in the "groaning" style that Mahlathini popularized - Mbazo's 'Okwami Okwezandla' and Abafana Baseqhudeni's gorgeous 'Mubi Umakhelwane' both come clearly from that tradition, especially the latter, which features multiple voices in the basso profundo groaning range. There are also a couple of examples of instrumental "sax jive." This album is just about as good an introduction to South African pop music as you could hope for.' Rick Anderson

hopefully zulu jive needs no introduction but if you aint familiar with the life-affirming flavour that seems to effortlessly emanate from early mbaqanga jams, this is a fine place to start & one that seems to get relatively little acknowledgment on the greater interwebs. 320 rips later

Mahotella Queens ~ Marriage Is A Problem [Shanachie, 1991]

1. Selailai [Attractive Woman]
2. Mokoka [Stamina]
3. Ba Bakoto [The Right Ones]
4. Dikhomo [Cattle]
5. Leselesele [A Thief]
6. Jive Makhona [Makhona Dance]
7. Mantshi [A Lot Of]
8. Kgarebe Tsaga Mothusi [Mothusi's Daughter]
9. Thonthodi [A Litter]
10. Nyalo Ea Tshwenya [Marriage Is A Problem]

'Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens were formed in 1963 at Gallo Studios; Mahlathini was the King of the Groaners, the Queens studio singers at Gallo for many popular artists (leader of the Queens, Hilda Tloubatla, also recorded tracks for the S.A.B.C. (South African Broadcasting Corporation) in the 1950's. After just eight years together with the backing band, the one and only Makgona Tsohle Band, the group split and a group of four understudies starting recording with fellow group Abafana Baseqhudeni under the Mahotella name - they produced one album, "Izibani Zomgqashiyo" of 1977 but Mbaqanga fans refused to buy the product. The original Queens, Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Shawe, Mildred Mangxola, Joyce Makhanya, Paulina Zulu and Thoko Nontsontwa (only the first four are shown on the album cover) rejoined Mahlathini and this album was the result.

"Marriage Is A Problem", sung in Sotho rather than Zulu, is a marvellous piece of work, with such classic tunes included; "Kgarebe Tsaga Mothusi", later recorded as "Thuntswane Basadi", features Mahlathini doing what he does best - growling! - whilst the last track "Nyalo Ea Tshwenya" features the Queens performing alone. The lyrics say "Marriage is a big problem, we thought we couldn't return but we have... we are touring all over the place, promoting our music."

As a bonus, the track "Mantshi" is a non-vocal track by the Makgona Tsohle Band, with a wonderful accordian lead, with the late Marks Mankwane, Joseph Makwela and Vivien Ngubane providing excellent guitar rhythm. A great "jive-tastic" album featuring THE professionals in Mbaqanga music. '

'Tse Hlwahlwa Tsa" was a Sotho-language "Best of..." series that Gallo/Mavuthela put out in the early 1980s. Each of their mbaqanga/soul artists had one of their own "Tse Hlwahlwa Tsa" releases, but oddly enough, the Mahotella Queens had two of them. I guess this is where the confusion lies! The first album featured songs recorded between 1970 and 1980, and the second album featured songs recorded between 1967 and 1975. Here are further details about the 2nd album to clear up any confusion:

Release date: 10 October 1983
Label: Gumba Gumba BL 456

A1) Marena
A2) Ba Bakoto
A3) Dikhomo
A4) Jive Makhona
A5) Mantshi
A6) Mathatha Aka

B1) Selailai
B2) Thonthodi
B3) Nyalo Ea Tshwenya
B4) Kgarebe Tsa Ga Mothusi
B5) Mokoka
B6) Leselesele

The second album was later re-released in the USA in 1991 by Shanachie Records under the title "Marriage is a Problem" [the English translation of 'Nyalo Ea Tshwenya']. 'Nyalo Ea Tshwenya' was originally released in 1975 on 45 rpm. There was no album released in 1975 with the title 'Marriage is a Problem'." ~ Nick Lotay

granted, the cover looks like ass, but vintage queens are no joke. further