Achisa (Hot) named after the group is the 1995 debut album produced by Sheldon Isaacs. Co Production Greg Hunter and Kris Weston. DOWNLOAD ALBUM

Lunga - leader of the band

Lungiswa Plaatjies appears on the song SAY NO TO GUNS and the associated video.

1995 Video with Achisa and Lungiswa

The second album by the Langa Boys Home crew was recorded in England and produced by Krishna Booker and Diana Purim of L.A. based Eyedentity. DOWNLOAD ALBUM
 

DOWNLOAD ALBUM In the early 90's Airto saw  an opportunity to return to his jazz roots and explore some free form playing ideas that had been kicking around for a while and called on old friends like Chick Corea, Mark Egan, Herbie Hancock and Stanley Clarke to come down to Santa Barbara and jam. Membership of some of the hottest jazz combinations of all time makes ringing up old friends a creative process in itself and Airto had little trouble persuading his friends Chick Corea, Mark Egan, Herbie Hancock and Stanley Clarke to come down to Santa Barbara and jam. Used to playing within closely defined parameters on other people's projects the musicians were delighted to find that Airto didn't have parts written for them. Musicians with outstanding pedigrees encouraged to play exactly the way they felt, sparring and playing off one another, experimenting with sound, yet retaining complete control over harmony and dynamics. The instinctive interplay between the musicians creates the deception that months of rehearsal went into creating this penthouse level of spontaneity. But the secret is simply years of playing together in lofts before any of them got famous.Killer Bees is the beautiful result of this gathering.
Most tracks are first or second takes with additional tracks overdubbed. Hiram Bullock's coruscating guitar work was added later in New York. Fourth World reeds and keyboards maestro Gary Meek came over to California to contribute some wonderful saxophone to the mix. The music on the record ranges from the soulful, uplifting 'Nevermind' and 'Communion' - tracks on which Herbie Hancock spirits achingly beautiful piano playing out of the ether - to tracks like 'Killer Bees' and 'Nasty Moves' which show that rock music doesn't have a monopoly over power and aggression. Chick Corea's masterful electric and acoustic keyboards playing and Stanley Clarke's upright bass playing, his first for many years, help make 'Killer Bees' a milestone in modern jazz and a must for fans of true free form composition.
Oh yes, the original tapes were turned down by the label who commissioned them. They 'weren't Brazilian enough.' But Airto and Flora's present record label boss, Robert Trunz, on hearing these masters of modern jazz playing exactly the way they felt, sparring and jesting musically with one another, experimenting with sound, yet retaining complete control over harmony and dynamics, dismissed the 'Brazilian' argument and took a world view and thought the world should be able to enjoy this classic album. Here's your chance.
Like a fusion of the best moments of Return to Forever, Weather Report and Miles Davis circa 'Bitches Brew', (ex-bands of collaborators here), 'Killer Bees' shows that jazz in the nineties can still delight, surprise and lead by example. 'Killer Bees' is a buzz.

AIRTO MOREIRA Drums/percussion/vocals
STANLEY CLARKE Acoustic bass/electric bass
CHICK COREA Acoustic piano/electronic keyboards
MARK EGAN Electric, fretless bass
HERBIE HANCOCK Acoustic piano/electronic keyboards
GARY MEEK Tenor/soprano saxophones
FLORA PURIM Vocals

Released 1998 Remix Project Produced by Tony Thorpe. New mixes from the original album Killer Bees by a selection of the finest contemporary remixers. Under the direction of Tony Thorpe this remix project has revisited the seminal album Killer Bees which Airto recorded in the early nineties with help from jazz icons Herbie Hancock, Hiram Bullock, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Flora Purim. Revenge Of The Killer Bees features remixes in an end of the millennium style by Ashley Beedle, Justice, Frederic Galliano, Amon Tobin, Endemic Void, Jimpster and Circadian Rhythms and Max Brennan. DOWNLOAD ALBUM

DOWNLOAD ALBUM   HOMELESS is co-produced and co-composed by Airto's daughter Diana and her husband Krishna Booker of Eyedentity. The album is influenced by a strong mutual desire by the artist and MELT 2000 to go beyond the boundaries of today's commercial music and to present generations of dedicated dance fans with a truly organic and tribal dance album drawing from centuries of global rhythms. HOMELESS is a message of peace and a call for a change at the same time. Airto, for the first time, strongly features the incredible vocal talent of his daughter Diana giving the album an edge previously unheard from the Master.  The choice of musical collaborators clearly marks probably the highest standard in today's percussive dance music. Changuito, Cuban master conga player and his "pupil" Giovanni Hidalgo from Puerto Rico are not new to the dedicated Airto fans and to find Master Capoeira teacher Amen on the same album shows the spirit of togetherness. Long time associate Jose Neto contributes his fine guitar playing to two tracks and Gary Brown puts bass where one wants it in the New Millennium. Enjoy and celebrate !
Robert Trunz

....are Airto Moreira, Flora Purim & Jose Neto

Recorded live 1993 in Johannesburg during the first Arts Alive Festival at the Market Theater indoor venue featuring Airto, Jose Neto, Gary Meek, Flora Purim and her daughter Diana. It was right at the beginning of the new democratic South Africa and people were hungry to see their idols. The organisers were not aware of Airto and Flora's popularity and "safely" sold almost twice as many tickets to fill the venue only when it came to open the doors security desperately tried to lock out people but got overrun very quickly and the audience filled every square inch of the theater even climbing up on the rafters. A magic night unfolded and some twenty years later those who came to the gig still talk about the gig with a couple of tears in their eyes. We posted a video of the second night when Fourth World played on the square - see more.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM Debut album for MELT 2000 recorded 1993 in London by Mark St. John featuring the original line up with Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Jose Neto and Gary Meek.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM Recorded live at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam on the 19 February 1995 and mixed in Santa Barbara. Featuring Airto Moreira Drums & percussion, Flora Purim Vocals, José Neto Guitar, Gary Brown Bass, Jovino Santos Keyboards & flute, Giovanni Hidalgo Congas & percussion, Diana P. Moreira Vocals & special sounds, Chil Factor Vocals & special sounds.

The last Fourth World album contains a touching tribute by Flora Purim to the late Ronnie Scotts, sax player, founder and owner of the famous Jazz Club in London . Every member of the last Fourth World group can stand on their own as well as being an integral part of the ensemble.  Long time contributor bass player, Gary Brown, the great arranger keyboardist from Brazil Luis Avellar, Widor Santiago one of the best Brazilian reed men, andspecial guest master Latin percussionist, Giovani Hidalgo all have a part to play. According to Airto & Flora this group of musicians together formed one of the best groups they had a chance to experience with in the 90's.

Featuring 10 new interpretations from some of the leading underground remixers/producers of the late 90;s. The Herbalisers with a head nodding remix of Last Journey pave the way for 4 Hero, IG Culture, London Electricity, Nation World Service, Tony Thorpe, Fila Brazilia and Argonaut to add their individual style which results in an eclectic mix of cutting edge sounds.

A compilation dedicated to Diana & Krishna Booker, daughter and son in law of flora Purim and Airto Moreiera. In our daily life we are often confronted with the term Generation Gap loosely used to describe differences between us parents and our kids. When I started working with Flora and Airto in 1993 they just introduced their daughter Diana and her now husband Krishna Booker. During the years of recording with the four of them the so called generation gap transpired often over trivial matters or when the wisdom of the parents or the common sense of the younger generation got completely ignored. However when in the studio everything was forgiven and forgotten and the creative juices would flow immediately amidst the speckle of colourful sparks and the fairies of musical creation would dance among them all filling every empty space with joy and laughter. The genespassed on by parents Flora and Airto are so evident in the beauty of their common creation. The openness of Fourth World (being Airto, Flora, and Jose Neto) to welcome a fresh breeze into their music has made it possible for us to compile this album using many oft he tracks composed by Diana & Krishna without even being aware of - just feeling the never aging youth in their common creation.

A deep thank you to the creative spirits to allow such an intimate relationship to be created for their fans to enjoy this organic compilation free of Generation Gap

for more info go here

DOWNLOAD ALBUM please check Flora Purim's page for background and more info.

Recorded live at the Natal Playhouse, Durban, in South Africa on September 29 and 30, 1993, Gathering Forces II is a powerful and fusion of jazz, rock, funk and Eastern influences. The twin driving forces at the centre of this unique recording are keyboard player and pianist Darius Brubeck and Deepak Ram, who has studied Indian flutes and tabla since he was a child, giving public performances as a teenager and developing an early interest in jazz and improvisation. Special guest artist on Gathering Forces II is Airto Moreira, percussionist extraordinaire and a member of Fourth World. Together, these artists have recorded an album of rare beauty and exotic originality. You can sense the excitement and appreciation of the audience as they listen to tracks such as 'Kitu', 'Friendship Raga & Boogie', 'Amaselesele Emvuleni' (frogs) and 'Gathering Forces'.
Personnel: Darius Brubeck Keyboards/piano, Deepak Ram Indian flutes/tabla, Chris Merz Saxophone/clarinet, Matthew Brubeck Cello, Mark Kilian Keyboards, Candace Whitehead Violin, Concord Nkabinde Bass guitar, Stacey van Schalkwyk Flute, Bhisham Bridglall Tabla , Airto Moreira Percussion

The late Chico Science is not the only hero of the Recife beach boys but more importantly it's him who is responsible for the interest in the sounds and rhythms of Pernambuco, a region so rich in music that all those no longer want to be stuck with Samba forever have travelled to the Northeast for new inspiration. Airto, who thankfully invited us 1997 to the recordings in Recife, once again shows with this new compilation his new direction. During a week in Recife Airto worked and recorded a number of traditional artists from the region including Maracatu Nação Erê, Mestre Salustiano, Tavares da Gaita, & Biu do Pifano or Banda de Pifanos de Caruaru. 

Mestre Salustiano with his extended family orchestra.

Airto and members of the youth band Maracatu Nação Erê.

Airto and Tavares de Gaita

Airto co-produced Byron Wallen's debut album Sound Advice

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Mongolian shaman, overtone or throat singer Boris Salchak recorded his amazing range of vocal and overtone singing in London with Swiss guitarist Christy Doran and special guest Airto Moreira.
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Creative production, inspiration and overdubs on some of the most rural and traditional music of Southern Africa including recordings of the San people (Bushmen).

September 1996 - Live video footage of an acoustic night at Bagley's with South Africa's percussion and marimba band Amampondo, Airto Moreira, Changuito, Brice Wassy and Mabi Thobejane, see footage on YouTube.

with Airto Moreira, Jose Neto, Byron Wallen, Andrew Missingham, Sipho Gumede, Pops Mohamed, Madala Kunene, Mabi Thobejane, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa, Fana Zulu, Shaluza Max and many others.
 

Brasilian Airto Moreira did pioneering work with a large group of local South African musicians in 1994. On this video clip Airto Moreira, Moses Molelekwa, Sipho Gumede , Jose Neto and Pops Mohamed are talking about about their feelings and experiences of the 1994 Outernational Meltdown Sessions in South Africa.

Find a detailed account on the 1994 Outernational recording sessins by clicking here.
 

Airto & Sangoma Esau Maluleke

Airto & Robert Trunz

Pops Mohamed Sipho Gumede & Amampondo with Airto at The Baxter in 1994, see YouTube footage.

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It all begun during the Outernational Meltdown gathering in Cape Town 1994, when Amampondo appeared for the first time with a large gathering of friends from overseas and their home country - a legendary concert with everybody on one big stage.  2 years later Amampondo recorded their first album for MELT 2000 at Brownhill Farm Studios in a highly conservative part of West Sussex, UK. The neighbors were constantly complaining about everything so we kept as quiet as one possible one can with a 10 members percussion group and stopped recording drums after 8 pm - all drum takes had to be done TOMORROW. Producer: Brice Wassy

Track Listing 

1. CUMBELELE (CHILDREN'S GAME)
Composed by Simpiwe Matole, with traditional lyrics sung by Lungiswa. Cumbelele is an African Xhosa game that is played by the children and the adults join in. this game has everyone joining in, including Jeff Gordon on alto saxophone, Jose Luis Quintana - 'Changuito' - on congas, Emanuel Sejourné on vibraphone, Brice Wassy playing piccolo marimba, drums & cowbell, Richard Ajileye's percussion and Airto Moreira's surdo.

2. TCHOKOLA
Brice Wassy's signature tune, given the Amampondo treatment with lyrics by Lulu 'Lungiswa' Plaatjies.

3. NOBABHEHA (DEFEAT)
Do not think only of yourselves because we are all defeated. That is the message of this song, written by Dizu Plaatjies and performed by the Amampondo Choir.

4. KUDU JUNCTION Kudu is a South African bock with large horns. There are numerous serious car accidents at Kudu Junction involving Kudus as they charge into the path of approaching car headlights. The horns that you hear are Kudu horns, played by Amampondo. The drums & keyboards are played by Brice Wassy.

5. SALAWENA (STAY IF YOU WANT TO)
Written and composed by Lungile Gadezweni, Dizu Plaatjies & Mantombi Matotiyana and featuring the Amampondo Choir, this song asks, 'If you stay here, what will you be doing? Stay if you want, but what are you going to do?'

6. DRUMS FOR TOMORROW
We couldn't play drums that night because it was getting late, so we thought of our neighbours and decided to leave the 'drums for tomorrow'! This composition by Mzwandile Qotoyi & Michael Nkululeko Ludonga features the massed marimbas of Amampondo with Emmanuel Sejourné on vibraphone, Papa Noel Ekwabi on bass and Changuito's timbales.

7. VUKANI NOBANILE (WAKE UP IF YOU ARE ASLEEP)
This is Mantombi Matotiyana's song.

8. INGXOXO
Ingxoxo means 'conversation' - it can be any conversation and this song by Mzwandile Qotoyi - featuring the trumpet of Byron Wallen, Christoph Stiefel playing Fender Rhodes piano, and Jeff Gordon on alto saxophone - has something to say.

9. GUMBOOT DANCE
Producer Brice Wassy joins Amampondo in the gumboot dance.

10. COLLECTIVE FOR 'CHANGUITO'
The ancestral drums of Michael Nkululeko Ludonga lead the djembes, with Richard Ajileye on congas and Jose Luis Quintana - 'Changuito', himself - on timbales in a song dedicated to the Cuban maestro.

11. MPONDOMSE
Composed by Mantombi Matotiyana and performed by her on the mouth bow.

12. TERE TERE
Composed and arranged by Dizu and featuring the Amampondo Choir with Mandisa Menisi, Mandla Lande and Michael Nkululeko Ludonga playing drums; Changuito playing timbales.

13. SKHAL'ABANTWANA (THE CHILDREN ARE CRYING)
A joint Amampondo production demonstrating just how the group get its reputation as the number one Marimba kings on the Cape.

Contains a number of tracks with Amampondo, this rare OUTERNATIONAL MELTDOWN Cardboard box comes with the complete set of 3 CD's. Also available on Vinyl.

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Launch Poster of the Outernational Meltdown concerts in London November 1995.

Misty salt sprayed Wild Coast in Pondoland (Transkei) in the Eastern Cape.

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The second gathering of THE OUTERNATIONAL MELTDOWN in 1995 we brought two of the most accomplished percussionists from Cuba to Johannnesburg. During the sessions, again at the Downtown Studios, many legendary South African artists like Zim Ngqwana, Sipho Gumede, Mabi Thobejane and Madala Kunene worked with the Cubans headed by Changuito. A collaboration that established a deep friendship and brotherhood between the South African and Cuban artists - well ahead of later political alliances ! We chose the name Fidel Pondo is in honor of Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela. On this CD members of Amampondo and their Cuban guests created the first ever South Africa-Cuban collaboration melting traditional Xhosa- with Cuban rhythms. Both founding members of Amampondo Dizu Plaatjies and Mzwandile Qotoyi are experts in traditional Xhosa- and African music . Changuito, the Cuban master congalero has a history with MELT and was first introduced to the label by Airto Moriera. Also on the album playing Bata Drums is Afrocuba's Mario Luis Pino aka Mayito, leader of the touring Latin-Jazz group .  Fidel Mpondo is in essence inspired by the historic land right battles of the people of South Africa's most beautiful coastal stretch we simply call the Pondoland or the Transkei. The album is dedicated to leaders of independence such as Fidel Castro & Nelson Mandela but even more fundamentally to the Clan Chiefs of the Pondoland who successfully resisted the British, the Boers and the apartheid regime in numerous uprisings and rebellions against overwhelming odds. The CD contains a series of great pictures of rural live in the Pondoland. Featuring on the album are: Dizu Plaatjies, Mzwandile Qotoyi, Madosini, Michael Ludonga, Changuito, Mangaliso Maxanjana, Mantombi Matotiyana, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Nomvuyo Ximbi, Sgulana Ximbi, Mamaxesibe Ximbi, Nomfundo, Robbie Geerken, Mayito, The Mpondo Choir of Langa, Shadrack Mzoxolo Plaatjies, Simpiwe Matole,.

Photos by Michael Thornton

Pondo warrior ceremony

during the 1995 OUTERNATIONAL MELTDOWN recordings at Downtown Studios in Johannesburg.

Stunning coastline threatend by a project of building aa motorway through the last bit of beautiful South African coast with an amazing bio diversity .

It all begun during the Outernational Meltdown gathering in Cape Town 1994, when Amampondo appeared for the first time with a large gathering of friends. It was a legendary concert with everybody on one big stage. From the very first moment I worked with Amampondo I was convinced that I finally found the foundation of a project that had been in my head since the early 70's. Much like members of Amampondo, I'm influenced by Miles Davis. So, when we had the opportunity at the end of this recording session to play live at Bagleys' in London, there was the second stage of my future plan taking place. It was a great occasion and the crowd was so young I almost felt antique! The youth of jungle and techno raved to the acoustic music of Amampondo with Mabi Thobejane, Brice Wassy, Changuito, Byron Wallen and master percussionist Airto Moreira. So, if you see Amampondo advertised on a poster in your neighbourhood, make sure you get a ticket before the event is sold out because Amampondo and friends means live music, means dancing!
Robert Trunz, March 1999

AFRICA 2000 & Amampondo

Guests: Brice Wassy, Airto Moreira, Jose Luis Quintana aka Changuito, Mabi Gabriel Thobejane Mantombe Matitiyana

The Pondos: Dizu Plaatjies, Simpiwe Matole, Michael Ludonga, Mzwandile Qotoyi, Mandla Lande, Zandisile Lei Mbizela aka Blackie, Xola Mlambo, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Nomfundo Mayekiso, Mandisa Menisi, Byron Wallen and the Risenga Makondo Band

AFRICA 2000 Bonus Features with:

Madala Kunene, Mabi Gabriel Thobejane, Airto Moreira, Changuito and Brice Wassy plus the Pondo backing vocalists listed above

Jose Luis Quintana aka CHANGUITO solo tracks

Location: Bagley’s/Canvas, King’s Cross, London  1991-2007
Like a legal rave, Bagley’s was a huge multi-room warehouse club that held some of London’s biggest Saturday night parties. House night Freedom ran at the club for years and Philip Sallon’s Mud Club also took place there, as well as the Pussy Posse Party, which included mud-wrestling. The club was renamed Canvas in 2003, when Billy Reilly took over the club, also opening the Key and the Cross next door, creating a golden triangle of clubbing in N1. Now the industrial area, which was once a high-density party hot spot, is the site of one of London's Biggest modern developments.

In 2005 the group celebrated its 25th Anniversary with the release of this DVD. For a quarter of a century Amampondo had toured the globe representing the heritage and culture of Southern Africa. Their numerous collaborations with all genres of music from Jazz to Trance got their music on many advertisements and films including MATRIX where they recorded with Ben Watkins of Juno Reactor and Mabi Thobejane. Amampondo is best experienced live and this is the first opportunity for the group’s many fans across the world and especially back home to enjoy their stunning performances which were recorded in Italy, UK, France and South Africa. The Sub Menu of the DVD includes a feature on the many other MELT artists in our catalogue. Guest appearances by:

Airto Moreira - drums and percussion,  Brice Wassy - Drums and percussion, Mabi Thobejane - Congas, African drums & percussion, Mangaliso Maxanjana - Concertina,Luyanda Nbete - Penny whistle, Duke Norman Penny whistle, Byron Wallen - trumpet and kudu horn, Changuito - timbale & congas

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This album from Amampondo is to celebrate their 20 years of music making. It looks forward with some exciting new tracks, whilst drawing from some of their great tunes from the past performed in new ways. Featuring guests from the amazingly talented musicians that live in the townships, often struggling to survive in a country that does not always appreciate its own talent, this is a showcase for the music of Cape Town. Through the 20 years Amampondo have had many struggles, fighting to perform their music and keep traditions alive, whilst being seen as a threat by the Apartheid regime who harassed them and tried to make their lives as difficult as possible. To survive for so long in the face of such pressure is quite an achievement, they deserve recognition for their part in keeping Xhosa culture alive and growing. Today the pressures are different and many members of the group are working with young people to teach them how to play traditional instruments. The future in South Africa still looks good!
This is an African album drawing influence from traditional Xhosa songs, music from the rest of Africa and the music of African descendants all over the world. It is an acoustic album with minimum electronics, but the sound is big, it's a celebration of life in the Rainbow Nation, feel free to dance!
Play it loud!
Chris Lewis - CO PRODUCER AND ENGINEERSimpiwe Matole - CO PRODUCER

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ELECTRIC PONDOLAND Release Year 2005

Amampondo always attracted the attention of sonic collaborators. From the booming trance remixes of the mid-nineties to the cyber producers of the new millennium. With the emphasis of rhythm on the 21st century dance floors, DJ's have been lining up to get a sample of the Mpondo power beats. With Electric Pondoland we introduce you toa few choice cuts from among the many creative artists and producers who have been inspired by Amampondo. Enjoy listening to how traditional African music can revive the digital and laptop revolution, always maintaining its inherent dignity.

1. HOHOHO (3:30)
Saafi Brothers and Amampondo feat. Mabi Thobejane, Michael Kohlbecker, Gabriel Le Mar, Dizu Plaatjies, Michel Ludonga, Mandla Lande & Simpiwe Matole
Recorded at Bowlcourt's Juno Reactor Studio in London during the Nottinghill Carnival of 1997. German Saafi Brothers are one of three groups to collaborate with Amampondo in 1997.
2. ABANTU ABADALA (5:38) remix by Chris Lewis and Nick Cohen in London UK. Chris was responsible for a many Amampondo recordings during the 90's. He has toured extensively with the group making sure the audience is served a proper front of the house mix putting across the raw and beautiful sounds of South Africa's master percussionists and marimba players.
3. UTHANDO LUPHELILE (6:29) by MADOSINI - Azanian Pulse Remix by Rudeboy Paul Taken from the album RUDEBOY  AZANIAN PULSE (CDRBP 001).
4. KING OF THE PONDOS (5:07) from FIDEL MPONDO with Madosini, Dizu Plaatjies and Mzwandile Qotoyi/  MOZAIK UK remix) Remix using samples from the album MADOSINI  POWER TO THE WOMEN (BWSA 108). Remixed by Juno Reactor collaborator Mike McGuire and Voodo People in London around the time when the collaboration between Juno and Amampondo was in its infancy.
5. LESLEY 4WAY (5:22)
Kris Weston, Simpiwe Matole - Marimba Solo, Dan Zamani - Marimba Treatments, this track originates from one of 3 different collaboration of AMAMPONDO with members of the Dance and Electronica elite. This time Simpiwe went into the studio with ex ORB member Kris Weston. Lesley 4Way gives a taste of what Kris was up to during the recording of the album which took place not long after he left ORB.
6. VUYANI (MAMA DANCE! REMIX)(4:14)
Amampondo and vocals by Dave Mxolise Mayakane
Remixed by Cape Town's most groovy and dance label  Mama Dance!
Special thanks and respect to Craig McGahey for his help and strong belief in local artists.
7. MANTOMBI MATOTIYANA Embo remix by Ragga and 2Les.
Composed by Mantombe Matotiyana, original recorded by Chris Lewis at Brownhill Farm Studios England
8. DJEMBE AMAM (4:06) Amampondo
Composed by D Plaatjies, S Matole, M Qotoyi, M Lande & N Ludonga,
9. INNER CITY (6:25) Lungiswa remix by THE GRID.  Lungiswa's Xhosa rendition of Marvin Gaye's song attracted UK outfit THE GRID who came up with this remix. In 2000 she released her first solo album with MELT produced by Tony Thorpe in London.
10. MAKHULU (GRANDMA) (5:54)
Dizu Plaatjies, Greg Hunter and Nandipha Nojilana
Recorded by Greg Hunterin Langa(Cape Town) in 1999 and effects added at Greg's studio in London.
The music was composed by Dizu, Greg and Nandipha. Greg's gift encountering traditional artists lead through a series of great ambient orientated albums of which Alien Soap Opera  Second Wave remains my all time favorite.
11. SALAWENA (5:54) Amampondo (Dub remix by Smith & Mighty in Bristol UK) Previously unpublished Dub version of the original Salawena remix first released on the album Music With No Name Vol.2
12. JOURNEY (8:48) Amampondo and Juno Reactor ( this track was never released by Juno Reactor) 
Ben Watkins, Taz Alexander, Nick Burton, Mabi Thobejane, Michael Ludonga,Dizu Plaatjies, Simpiwe Matole, Mandla Lande Composition by Ben Watkins, Nick Burton, Mabi Thobejane, Michael Ludonga,Dizu Platjies, Simpiwe Matole, Mandla Lande
13.  HULE LAM (4:01) Juno Reactor feat AmampondoBen Watkins,  Mabi Thobejane, Michael Ludonga, Simpiwe Matole, Mandla Lande.

THANKS to All the Amampondo (past, present and future) family for giving us great rhythms for three decades-   Respect !

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This CD of mostly unreleased raw sound recordings by Amampondo and their friends was compiled with the many friends of the group in mind who for over two decades haven’t missed an opportunity to see the group live. There is no better way to experience the energy and beauty of acoustic dance music then having such a large group of drummers, marimba players and singers being united on one stage giving themselves over to the forces and the spirit of collective music making. Economic & political changes make it increasingly more difficult ( and in some cases even impossible) to preserve that tradition of acoustic dance music and the touring of such a large groups without the support and sponsorship of theprivate industry and the Arts and Culture departments of our governments. We like to thank all the people and institutions who made it possible for this fantastic group to tour the world for the past 25 years and a special thank goes to Chris Lewis for mixing many of their live shows but at the same time keeping an eye on recording performances creating a library of precious raw and undiluted Amampondo sound files !

1. Woza – Amampondo4:39 Horns by Simpiwe Matole, Michael Ludonga, Mandla Lande & Leo Mbizela (Blackie) FROM THE ALBUM VUYANI (BWSA 21430)

2. Umtshingo Nentombi – Amampondo 3:57 Performed live in 1998 @ the Spoleto Roman Amphitheatre in Italy. Dizu Plaatjies. Simpiwe Matole, Mandla Lande, Michael Ludonga, Mzwandile Qotoyi, Brice Wassy (Cameroon), Leo Mbizela aka Blackie, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Nomfundo Mayekiso,  Mantombi Matotiyana, Suzan Hendricks. Recorded off the desk live onto 4 track NAGRA D, mixed by Chris Lewis. 

3. Song for Fela- Amampondo 6:59 Performed live in 1997 @ The Fin de Siecle Festival’s LU Concert Hall inNantes, France. Special guest Mabi Thobejane. Dizu Plaatjies. Simpiwe Matole, Mandla Lande. Michael Ludonga, Mzwandile Qotoyi, Leo Mbizela (Blackie) Lungiswa Plaatjies, Nomfundo Mayekiso,  Mantombi Matotiyana, Recorded by the Flying Dutchmen in their mobilestudio “The Van ” onto DA88’s. Mixed and mastered by Chris Lewis at Brownhill Studios and the Music With No Name Studio in Cullinan, South Africa.

4. Inkosi Yamampondo - DZM PROJECT DIZU PLAATJIES,MZWANDILE QOTOYI5:35 From the album Tribal Ethno Dance (BW 092) with additional production by Airto Moreira. DIZU PLAATJIES,MZWANDILE QOTOYI,MANGALISO MAXANJANA, Jose Luis Quintana aka Changuito and Mayito. The traditional Amampondo choir are:MANTOMBI MATOTIYANA,LUNGISWA PLAATJIES,MANGALISO MAXANJANA,SGULANA XIMBI,NOMVUYO XIMBI,MAMXESBIE XIMBI,MFUNEKO MAGADALA,NOMFUNDO MAYEKISO,NKULULEKO LUDONGA,MZWANDILE QOTOYI,DIZU PLAATJIES AND SIMPIWE MATOLE

5. Embo – Mantombi Matotiyani3:56 Recorded by Chris Lewis at Brownhill Farm Studios in England during the Launch tour of the album Drums For Tomorrow in 1997

6. Salawena (stay if you want to) - Amampondo 5:47 From the album Drums For Tomorrow (BWSA096)

7.  Itshintsh'Ikhona - AMAMPONDO 4:48 From the album Vuyani (BWSA2143)

8. Ama’Pancho – Amampondo and Changuito3:42Recorded during the 1995 recording session at Downtown Studios in Johannesburg, South Africa. Changuito, Simpiwe Matole, Michael Ludonga, Mandla Lande, Jessica Lauren, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Dizu Plaatjies

9. Giya Kasiamore- Amampondo7:51 From the album Free At Last – Outernational Meltdown (BW076) recorded at Milestones Studios in Cape Town 1994 Mixed by Airto Moreira and Robert Trunz Amampondo members Mzwandile Qotoyi, Mandla Lande Dizu Plaatjies, Simpiwe Matole,. Michael Ludonga, Leo Mbizela (Blackie) and project leader Airto Moreira on percussion.

10. Emva Ekhaya – Mantombi Matotiyani3:06 recorded by Chris Lewis at Brownhill Farm Studios in England during the Launch tour of the Amampondo album Drums For Tomorrow in 1997

11. Uhadi baobow– Dizu Plaatjies, Mzwandile Qotoyi and Richard Ajileye 4”53 Dizu and Mzwandile playing the traditional Uhadi from the Transkei and Richard the Brazilian Berimbao. Recorded outdoors at Brownhill Farm Studios England during the recording sessions of Drums For Tomorrow by Richard Edwards. The original tape disappeared for almost a decade and was rediscovered during the company’s move to South Africa.

12. Motokale – Madosini 2”43 Arranged by DIZU PLAATJIES-MZWANDILE QOTOYI From the recordings of the album Madosini – Power to the Women (BWSA108). Madosini was recorded at Milestones Studios in Cape Town by Murray Anderson. The Amampondo choir together with friends from Cuba, Changuito and Mayito were recorded @ Downtown Studios, Johannesburg in October 1995 by Chris Lewis.Mixed at Brownhill Farm Studios by Greg Hunter.

13. Mamaliye – Amampondo6”16 Performed live in 1997 @ The Fin de Siecle Festival’s LU Hall inNantes (see track 3 for more info)

 14. Eh Kemba Kalla Hoe, Kemba Kalla Hoa I Kalla Gne Mandoro, I Kalla Gne Fagnahi – PedXulu 5”43 Recorded live by Chris Lewis from the front of house mixing desk at the ARTS ALIVE Festival 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa at the Turbine Hall in Newtown. PedXulu core members are: Randimbarison Ricky – vocal and percussion (Madacaskar), Mabi Thobejane & Thabang Philip Tabane jnr. On Malombo- and African drums, congas and bongos. Simpiwe Matole on trumpet, keyboard and percussion, Mandla Lande on congas and metla percussion, Michael Nkululeko Ludonga on African drums and surdo, Dave Mxholise Mayakane on guitar and vocals and Sibusiso Bernard Mndaweni on bass. Featured guests are Vincent Mtetwa on keyboard, Byron Wallen (UK) on trumpet, Ivan Mazuze (Mozambique) and Duke Norman on sax and flute.

from the remix album MUSIC WITH NO NAME Vol. 1 released 1995 on CD and gate fold Vinyl

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When Juno Reactor were invited to tour the USA as support to Moby at the end of 1997, Ben Watkins decided to invite four members of the 'Pondos, plus Mabi Thobejane to accompany him. Over the course of seventeen dates in the 'States, the Juno/Pondo collision - er, collaboration - developed a new concept, integrating organic percussion sounds into Juno's distinctive sound.

This historic USA tour with Juno Reactor culminated in Cape Town early on New Year's Day with a headlining performance at the largest rave Africa has ever seen. In 1998 they played a live set in Glastonbury.

The 4 Rhythm Runners Mandla Lande, Michael Judonga, Mabi Gabriel Thobejane and Simpiwe Matole went on to tour with Juno Recator for over 10 years.
 

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An essential element of the San cultural identity is their medicine dance and music, in which they use rhythm to heal both the individual and the collective. The medicine men have a supernatural potency within them called n/um that enables them to cure sickness. To activate this substance they dance and sing, creating sounds and a tempo that heats the n/um, causing it to rise up to their heads and evoke trance. Tragically, after decades of systematic marginalisation and dislocation, the modern world threatens these ancient people, their culture as hunter-gatherers, and their strange and beautiful music. The San involved in both the original MELT 2000 recordings with Pops Mohamed presenting the Bushmen of the Kalahari, and the remix projects come from an area of Namibia called the Omaheke Region, bordering with Botswana. In May 2001 four San musician !Gubi Tietei, Anna,Kuela and Marcela (Noa -tribe) visited London to launch the SanScape International Remix Project.  (see below for further details on SANSCAPES 1 & 2)

In May 2001 four San musician !Gubi, Anna, Kuela and Marcela visited England to launch the SANSCAPES REMIX Project with intimate unplugged gigs at The October Gallery, workshops in schools across the City of London and to present the CD at a Club in EC2 in attendance of many of the producers who helped putting this project together under the wings of Phil Meadley.

FEEDBACK FROM THE SANSCAPES GIGS IN LONDON

I really can't explain to you the feelings I had watching the San people the other night. So many contrasting emotions. Sadness at seeing what our ways have helped to endanger, and at the same time feeling very proud to know people who are putting their hearts into redressing the balance. You helped bring something special into everyone's life, of both the Bushman people and us, their captivated listeners. Hearing the rhythm of true hearts beating is something that no being can resist for long. George Barker - Director of Flying Rhino Records

It was such a privilege and so fantastic to play with the Bushmen and Pops. I'm still flying off that! Youth (Killing Joke)

What a great night! Such a good vibe beaming out to cynical London. Well done indeed. Diarmid Harrison Murray (musician)

A quick note to say THANKS for Thursday night- I feel like I've been walking on Namibian air ever since. I just thought the vibe in the room was amazing and so funny to see all those hardened geezers sitting and clapping like meek little children ..... Alex James

The event was stunning. Thanks so much for giving us all the opportunity to experience such an exotic people on our doorstep. Katy O'Rorke

Just a quick note to congratulate you and thank you for a brilliant evening yesterday.Also, thanks for asking me to be involved in such a truly moving and worthwhile project - you have done a fantastic job for which you should be extremely proud. I was very pleased and flattered to be involved,and I'm sure it will do nothing but good - also it was an amazing experience to meet the Bushmen at the farm on Saturday , it was a real one off to meet the man whose song I had remixed and I'm glad he thought I had done it justice ! Bob Holroyd

Many many thanks indeed for a truly Wonder-Full evening last night! I feel honoured to have shared the Space, Time and Songs of the San people. Thank you for your energies to allow us all to gather together and share this experience. Many friends and I were enchanted by the Honesty of the San people, and their ancient Musical Magic has touched us very deeply. Thank you all. Darren E.S (DJ)

Just a note to say that we all really enjoyed last night. The atmosphere was great! I think it is great that Melt2000 decided to support the 'Bushmen' and raise awareness of their struggle. We will continue to keep you updated with our campaign. We have received over 80,000 signatures in opposition to evictions and torture of 'Bushman' in the Central Kalahari. We are hoping to receive 100,000 to hand in the Embassy this year. When we do this, we will obviously contact you all so we can make it a big occasion. Liberty Bollen (Survival International)

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Sanscapes - Visions of the Bushmen draws its inspiration from this ancient culture, bringing their creativity and musical imagination into the realm of contemporary western dance culture. Using the raw and undiluted recordings revealed on Bushmen of the Kalahari (BW2128), some of the worlds best and most diverse producers and remix artists have embraced the traditional sounds of the San, weaving them into a contemporary digital setting. Artists include Raj Gupta, Simon Emmerson (Afro Celts), Kirk Degiorgio, Smadj, Ekova, Soul Drummers, Gambit, Krishna/Rashid, Pete Lockett, Youth, and Bob Holroyd; all of whom have delved deep into one of the earthís oldest surviving cultures to produce some startling results. The result is a truly unique amalgamation of past, present and futuristic sounds that maintains strict respect for the culture being sampled.
This project aims to raise awareness and financial support for the San Bushmen of Southern Africa.

Artists involved & Track Listing:

ANNA GOUTE - INTRO

RAJ GUPTA - HUNGRY MAN (AFTER DINNER MIX)

ANIMAL RADIO - KALAHARI WARRIORS (SQUIDDLY MIX)

MAHDI HADDAB - NXA

KRISHNA BOOKER/RASHID DUKE - QUANDODO REMIX

DUB TREES - KALAHARISURFERS (DUB DISCO MIX)

GAMBIT - TRIBAL CHESS

KIRK DEGIORGIO - CRY OF THE BUSHMEN

SMADJ - SWEET WILD REMIX

ABZOLUTE ZERO - ETHNIC MIX

SOUL DRUMMERS - CELEBRATION MIX

BOB HOLROYD - LOOKING BACK

ZENA EDWARDS - KHOISAN ULTRA AFRICAN

"In the late eighties I saw the slow death and vanishing of indigenous music on radio stations as South Africa was entering a new era which was dubbed the New South Africa, or better known as the Rainbow Nation. Everybody was looking forward to this new future with high hopes and dreams BUT, some of us forgot where we were coming from. In the beginning of the nineties I decided to help save traditional music from disappearing and started looking for music from the Kalahari to study, but couldn't find anything in record stores. I wasn't interested in reading the many books that were available because no matter how much I read these books it still wouldn't bring me any closer to this music and it's people. It was time to go to the Kalahari myself to see why this intrigued me so much. So together with MELT2000 we set off to the desert.

It became immediately apparent that these were among the most peaceful people in the world. Their music blew me away. The trance dance of the San people is something out of this world. The San people have been ripped off in many ways - their lands and rights taken away from them. But, the one thing no-one could, or can take away from them is their pride, their culture, their traditions and most of all...their music. This has been with them for over 45 thousand years and will be with them until this world comes to an end. The medicine dance will 'heal them into the future' as it has done in the past.

I firmly believe this music should be kept alive in all art forms, 'cos that's the only way we can educate the younger generation of tomorrow. To bring the culture to them in a way they can relate to and understand while at the same time providing access to the original music. I feel honoured to be performing this music with them- for being taught the way of the San, and I want to thank you, the listener from the bottom of my heart for helping us fight back. Your contribution will help protect this music from disappearing. What you have in your hand is musical history of the first mankind...The San. Enjoy and spread the word of music from 'Ancient Ambient Africa' (AAA).
Later !"

Pops Mohamed, Artist & Project leader of the "Bushmen of the Kalahari" recordings December 2000, Johannesberg, South Africa

Bring me water cos I am thirsty for some humanity

Come carry me the bushman story
Let me drink the khoisan mystery

the elixir of the ultra African
45,000 years of Homo sapien sapien
a bloodline millennia strong

whose ears are attuned to the desert silence
a silence where the four winds rest
imbued with the voices of the moon the sun and the stars

in the east echoes the cockerels crow over the Kalahari plains
summoning the San sun to rise and chase the stars into tomorrow
in the south the rain sorcerer strikes his mouth bow
and the polyphonic tones hypnotise the clouds to drop their precious liquid load

in the north the hunter waits with patience as wide as the lands vastness where the lions and the eland run - where the hunter gatherer has love affair with the veldkos
his presence melts with the long grass shrub and sand
glowing ashes thrown into the sky become the milky way and the
moon a hunters moon illuminate the eyes of a springbok

alert my ears with the ancients other worldliness of their clicking tongue the wind crackling and rustling the dry silver leaf on decrepit trees hot rock and sand grain rubbing sand these sounds pass between their lips

in the west dance silhouettes of small bodies housing large hearts
and the cosmic sense of oneness a cow yawns and a skinny dog barks and a fire flickers
a fire that induces the birth of stories about the Mantis the trickster and hero
chants and songs chants and songs, notes in a strange and peculiar combination escape their throats
a joyful noise to their creator that still remembered them
they dance, yodels and circle songs reach a fervent peak and the stars begin to fall
a jerk on the jugular string, the umbilical anchor to the universal mind
brings on trance
khoisan is led by the hand of the ancient to the realms of the forbears
become stars and sit to the left of Sirius,what ancient to future wonder is this ?

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TRACK LISTING OF THE THE SECOND REMIX ALBUM IN THE SANSCAPES SERIES

INTRODUCTION BY ANNA

ZET - MY BUSHMEN PEEPS (MAMA DANCE)

EBOMVU (GABI LE ROUX) KALAHARI MIX

CLAPS & BOW AT BROWNHILL FARMBY ANNA AND !GUBI

VOODOO JULIE - DAVE HARROW MIX

LEKKER LEKKER - BEN AMATO MIX

PURPLE -  U-EF MIX

HONEY SONG - JUNG COLLECTIVE MIX BY ALLAN GUBBY

LOOKING BACK !GUBI' - MARIO CEE/GREG HUNTER MIX

CROCODILE RIVER - KAMEL NITRATE MIX

KALAHARI SAN STORM SYSTEM 7 MIX

KABUYE (THE RETURN) - SILK T/BEN AMATO

MELT MIX - MANDRAGORA

MUHADI (INTERLUDE)

ACID ROCKERS MIX

AMBIENT MIX -BIOSPHERE

Photos by Lianne Cox and Special Thanks to Ananda

Lianne Cox's long journey with !Gubi - the powerful Lion Shaman.

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1. Welcome 2. Siyahamba 3. Tutu 4. Ba Naba Afrika 5. My Dali
6. Biko's Dream 7. Abongcono 8. Vuyiso 9. Capitalismo
10. Ba Naba Afrika (Return)

Andrew Missingham - Drums, production, Chris Bowden - Saxophone, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa - Piano, Mxolise 'Dave' Mayekana - Guitar, Shaluza Max- Vocals, Ike Leo - Bass, Mabi Thobejane - Percussion & Simpiwe Matole -Marimba

BARUNGWA with Shaluza Max Mntambo(vocals)

The South African release of BARUNGWA contains the following track listing with additional tracks:

1. Aboncono2. Capitalismo3. Vuyiso
4. Abangoma** (see remix by DJ Smash on Music With No Name Vol.1)  5. Tutu6. Ba Naba Afrika7. My Dali8. Biko's Dream9. Siyahamba10. Singalone11. Mawethu** 12. Ba Naba Afrika (Return)

Andrew Missingham - Drums, production

Chris Bowden - Saxophone, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa - Piano, Mxolise 'Dave' Mayekana - Guitar, Shaluza Max- Vocals, Mabi Thobejane - Percussion, Ike Leo - Bass, Simpiwe Matole - Marimba & Lungiswa Plaatjies - vocals

1995 video footage of the UK launch at the Limpopo Club, Africa Center in Covent Garden, London

Chris Bowden

Andrew Missingham

Barungwa in London

Andrew and Prince at Downtown Studios 1994

Andrew, Fana Zulu, Shaluza max and Moses Taiwa Molelekwa

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RELEASED IN 1997 URBANZULU IS THE ULTIMATE AND MOST SUCCESSFUL ALBUM FROM THE DIVA OF AFRO POP.

When we first started working on these awesome songs penned by Themba, Spectre and Busi, the style was recognizably traditional maskanda. Over the months of work, the maskanda in this album metamorphosed, deepened, widened and finally has come to represent the contemporary Zulu Nation's truest form of expression, with all the agony, the ecstacy, the pain and sorrow, the trials and ironies of life in the modern South Africa.
This is the first time maskanda has been expressed by a Zulu woman, and who better than Busi Mhlongo, one of the great voices of Africa. A truly astonishing performer on the stage and in the studio, her original creativity as expressed here represents a quantum leap in South Afrikan music. This is maskanda for the millennium. Listen and be humbled. (Will Mowat-Producer). Almost alone among contemporary South African musicians, her songs tell us of the struggle for existence, the destruction of traditional culture and the need to 're-invent' tradition in the context of the new situation. In URBANZULU, Busi has succeeded in melting traditional Zulu music into a new one that informs us both of its roots and of the concerns of contemporary South African women. Based on a traditional Zulu musical form Maskanda , "URBANZULU" is revolutionary on two levels. Firstly it's being sung by a woman and secondly, it extends the traditional into the contemporary without losing anything of its roots. If you want to hear the cutting edge of contemporary South African music then this a must buy album (William Bowles).

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Tracks from Busi Mhlongo's debut MELT album Urbanzulu remixed and produced in 1997 by some of the most exciting names in South African kwaito and electronica like Gabi LeRoux or The Kalahari Surfers. The remainig remixes cameof the late 90'sas well as one of London's top house DJ's.

Tracks 1 & 3 - Oxamu The ibomvu Dance Remix by Gabi LeRoux,
Tracks 2, 4 & 9 - Yehlisan'umoya ma-Afrika - Soul II Black Remixes,  Track 5 - Oxamu The London Mix Mario Cee, Track 6 - Yehlisan'umoya ma-Afrika - The Kalahari Surfers Rock Remix, Track 7 - Uganga Nge Ngane (Bonus Track)

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2007 - exactly one decade after the release of the album URBANZULU theMELT 2000 video archives revealed some amazingvideo and audiofootage of the late Busi Mhlongo's inaugural concert in Nantes (France) and her stunning performance at the Roskilde Festival (Denmark). The DVD and CD contain live songs from her original album URBANZULU performed only the way the award winning Diva of African Pop possibly can - rare footage of the explosive power of Busi at her peak.

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Recorded 1995 in Switzerland and South Africa, Between features collaborations with artists of the MELT label including Busi Mhlongo, Lungiswa, Pops Mohamed, Amampondo & Jessica Lauren. Four years after A Different Kind Of Blue (BW018), Max Lässer brought out his Between, full of surprises; - the result of both a new beginning and a breakthrough. With rhythmic eloquence, it documents the milestones of a musical- and above all a personal process of growth with power and verve. Between was originally planned as a solo project, but then Max got a shot of Afro-rhythm while recording on Robert Trunz's invitation in Johannesburg with local musicians from the MELT family. Max followed the album and its rhythm by touring Switzerland with such artists as Pops Mohamed, Busi Mhlongo, members of Amampondo including Lungwisa Plaatjies, Dizu Plaatjies, Mzwandile Qotoyi and Simpiwe Matole, all of whom appear on the album, Between, along with the likes of Jessica Lauren, Sipho Gumede and Mabi Thobejane.

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Indiza (Voyages) introduces not only the unique and new rhythms of drum master and producer Brice Wassy but also a collaboration with Oumu Sangare from Mali with whom Busi shared the stage many times during their extensive touring schedules in Europe..
Long time friend Mabi Thobejane and Cape producer Ben Amato pay their respect on a remix of Indiza on track 4. Khuzani the second of Wassy's productions features Cuban and Latin beats on track 5 and a Cuban style drum n bass remix by London underground producer Chris Mack. More in the current House music trend is Flipper Dalton's (UK) remix of Way of Baba from the ADIDAS ad tune We Baba Omncane. Yehlisanumoya ma Afrika (African Nation calm!) remix by Soul II Black was previously released on the URBANZULU REMIXES album rounds up a voyage that lasted 7 years in which period Busi rose to become the undoubted Musical Queen of South Africa.

1. Ntandane Y ibomvu - Gabi Le Roux Tribal Mix (6:19)
2. OxamuClub 3-30 Dub Mix (4:25)
3. Indiza - Voyages (4:22)
4. Indiza (Voyages) - Steam Dream Mix (4:51)
5. Khuzani (4:47) - Lyrics by Busi Mhlongo
6. Khuzani - Cuban Drum'n Bass Remix (4:54) remixed by Chris Mack (London, UK)
7. Way of Baba - Busi Mhlongo & Flipper Dalton, London (UK) (7:25)
8. Oxamu (The Crocodile) - Club 3-30 Tribal House Mix (7:52)
9. Yehlisanumoya maAfrika (African Nation calm!) (5:43)
10. Ntandane Y ibomvu - Gabi Le Roux House Mix (5:51)
11. Introduction Busi Mhlongo (0:05)
12. OxamuClub 3-30 Radio Edit (4:58)

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WE MISS YOU MUM BUSI

When we asked dance and electronica producers to pay tribute to the late Diva of South African Pop & Maskanda we didn't expect such excitement from not just the up & coming but also the cream of producers from South Africa and Europe. This is the first in a series of 3 CD's with remixes and new productions celebrating the life of Busi Mhlongo.

Tracks:  1 Webaba - Black Coffee & Culoe de Song  2 Uyeph'unembeza (Hip hop, dub mix by Monde Mkhizwana  3 Izizwe - Black Coffee  4 Baba We (Deep) Frederic Galliano 5 Crocodiles - Soothsayers (UK) 6 Father of my Children - Castro B 7 Hlisani Umova - DJ Zee   8 Webaba - Culoe de Song  9 Yintoni Na - Black Coffee    10 Lua Lua - DJ Qness (Zulu Warrior mix) 11 Sibuza Indlela - Rudeboy Paul 12 What is she saying to me? - Kalahari Surfers & Greg Hunter    

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1 Awukhu Muzi Dance mix   7:12 Blaq Soul  2 We Baba Omncane Rocco Underground mix   7:25 Rocco  3   Isono Sami nkOKhi remix7:48nkOKhi     (Original track from the album Between by Max Laesser on M.E.L.T. 2000)  4 We Baba OmncaneInfinite Boys Deeper mix  6:43   Infinite Boys5 Kae Kae  5:58   Dan Mampone and Mabi Thobejane  6 We Baba Omncane 7:22  Funk Daddy                 7 Critical Condition  7:59 Gabriel Le Mar  8 Goat Song Alpine mix7:50 Blaq Soul featuring Lungiswa Plaatjies and Busi Mhlongo9 Ubaba Wezingane  6:37   Sumthyn Black  10 We Baba Omncane6:52 Soul Junky re-mix 11 Hlisan’ umoya Musa mix   5:04   Top Shayela and Blueberry Jam

Poem by Blueberry Jam

“Lower your arms/guns and come come down, sons of Africa. In a river of blood, no cattle can drink. A person is a person through other people from our past and the old ways. I can see you hardening your heart like a stone. Do you not feel for the sons of Afrika fighting other people’s war ? Come down my people, cover each other with a blanket of love."

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For the last of 3 Cd's in the Remix Series,  AfrodesiaMP3 & Electric Melt joined forces to present some musical talent Africa possesses. Afro Melt Volumes combines the most prolific artist from the Melt catalogue with established and up and coming producers to breathe new life into classic material, remixing them into the various dance genres that are breaking the barriers in the world today.

Intro (32:03) Khuzani Mr. Funk Kade Sas'bona Remix (00:32) Yapheli’mali Yami Halo & Lars Behrenroth Remix (6:22) Ukuthula Mr. Funk Weh Bantu Bakithi Remix (7:59) Ukuthula Sculptured Mix (5:54) Zithin'isizwe Essential-i Afro Remix (6:14) Oxamu Zulu Mafia Remix (5:40) Ngadlalwa Yindoda Soldiers Of House AB Dub Mix (5:18) Oxamu Soul tonic Ancestral Soul Mix (7:12) Ngeku Wathola Mandlami Blaq Soul’s Ritual Mix (6.10) Yapheli’mali Yami Soldiers of House Dub (4:37) Bhoyi nkokhi's Kanun Remix (6:27) Bokwanyana Soul Junky Remix (5:56)  Outro (00.35)

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Gabriel Le Mar draws inspiration from many sources. But African funk and African musical traditions and culture influenced him in many ways. On JUMP CUTS Gabriel Le Mar cooperates again with singers and songwriters from South-Africa, after having worked in the past with the band Amampondo.
A true co-work from soul-dub-brother Gabriel Le Mar, fusing tech house and dub influences with the local style of south african music like Kwaito, Maskanda and "traditional Zulu music" into modern club sound. The queen of modern Zulu music, legendary Busi Mhlongo with her distinctive voice, is chanting on this album.

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"I’m African, I’m Blaq and everything I am is Blaq, even my music is a symbol, it’s deep and African” The 2010 debut album of this fine young and fast rising star producer and DJ of South African deep house features a number of remixes by Blaq Soul's heroine - the late Busi Mhlongo. Also featuring are Lungiswa, Sipho Gumede and Madala Kunene. 

A confident and eclectic record, produced by percussion legend Airto Moreira and informed by his folky spirituality, without succumbing to the rareified or pretentious.' Linton Chiswick, Time Out, 25.4.95
'This is way beyond the shaky promise of Byron's early singles and so it proves he's one to watch after all.' Martin Langley, Q.

'A superb and challenging listen from start to finish... Make no mistake:- Byron Wallen is a man of taste and his first foray proper has a great many flavours to savour.' Gary Mulholland, Echoes, 22.4.95

"The idea of the album is a journey through someone's life. It could be at any time. they could come from any culture," Byron Wallen explains the concept behind his debut for MELT. It's a madly eclectic recording, which veers from straight jazz, fusion and Latin to avant garde, hip hop and funk, all blended into a gleaming-but-edgy whole, and focussed by Byron's increasingly distinctive and primal blowing. Mystical voices flow into mist-shrouded skin-pattering, burnished horns scribbling around Afro-vocalising with Wallen also giving the nod to forerunners like Don Cherry and Lester Bowie.

Personnel: Byron Wallen Trumpet and Flugelhorn, Richard Ajileye Percussion, Gary Crosby Bass, José Neto Guitar, Marcina Arnold Vocals, Lemn Sissay 'Crazy Black' poetry, Airto Moreira production & inspiration, Orphy Robinson Vibes, Ed Jones Sax

1994 Byron Wallen participated in the OUTERNATIONAL MELTDOWN sessions in South Africa together with Airto Moreira, Jose Neto, Andrew Missingham, Sipho Gumede, Pops Mohamed, Madala Kunene, Mabi Thobejane, Fana Zulu, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa and many more - all to be enjoyed on this album. 

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Byron in Zulu head attire during the 1994 recordings in Johannesburg.

Performing in the township of Gugulethu, Cape Town with Airto Moreira on drums.

Earth Roots, released in 1997, is a deep conversation with the heart of our heritage. It is the sound of a millennium where humanity will at last realise that we are all one people, united in diversity. Indigenous people of the world have always communicated with nature and have developed cultures that are rooted in the land. They carry our ancestral flame of wisdom, from which we have much to learn. However, as we blink, before our eyes human diversity is vanishing. Approximately two hundred thousand indigenous people were killed last year. There is a multiplicity of reasons, stemming from Governmental greed and the need to control. To this day it is hard for some to realise that not everyone's dream consists of material wealth and modern conveniences. Natural people are fighting for their lives; their identity and a future for their children. The industrial revolution produced the necessity to centralise labour and capital. As people moved into the cities, we lost our ties to the earth and our communities. This has produced a culture of spiritual impoverishment, technological destructiveness, and a world in which our children have gone from merely lacking knowledge to lacking belief in the future. We are constantly getting wake-up calls reminding us that, ultimately, humans are not the ones in charge. What technological solutions have we got to help us deal with the consequences of man-made radioactivity, oil spills and toxic waste, let alone the cries of the earth in the form of volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes? It is time for us to make our peace with Mother Earth and to learn to talk to her again.

Bass – Peter Martin , Guitar – Alan Weekes, Percussion – Richard Ajileye, Producer, Trumpet – Byron Wallen, Tabla, Shenai, Drums [Dholak], Drums [Nakari] – Arif Durvesh*

Byron featuring on Bambaraka, recorded in Morocco. 

Byron also features on Mabi Thobajne's debut album Madiba recorded in Johannesburg and Brownhill Farm Studios in West Sussex, England

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PROJECT PEDXULU LIVE SESSIONS SOUTH AFRICA (2002)

PedXulu is the United South African Tribal Gathering - united to showcase the country's most talented drummers and percussionists forming the rhythmic carpet for the many musical art forms ranging from the jive of Township Jazz to organic club rhythms and songs influenced by the many traditional and sacred tribal sounds of ancestral Africa.

PedXulu is a revolving and changing gathering headed by Pedi veteran master drummer Mabi ‘Gabriel’ Thobejane joined by his 23-year-old cousin Thabang Philip Tabane (Malombo), Bernard Sibusiso Mndaweni and members of the legendary percussion and marimba group Amampondo, Mandla Lande, Simpiwa Matole, Michael Ludonga, Duke Norman & Dave Mayakane. Guest performances by Olombelo Ricky (Madagascar), trumpet player Byron Wallen (U.K.) and Ivan Mazuze (Mozambique).

Byron with PedXulu at the 2002 Arts Alive Festival in Johannesburg

Byron at the Cape Town Jazz Festival 2007

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Track Listing (30 Second Samples click here)

1. VUGANI NOBA NILELECastro B & Mantombi Matotiyana
2. HAMBA NAYE -  Castro B & AMAMPONDO
3. FATHER OF MY CHILDREN Castro B & BUSI MHLONGO
4. BUNGA (Radio Edit) Castro B & MABI THOBEJANE
5. MOVE SALOP Castro B & DELLA TAMIN
6. MADELEZA - Castro B & Mangaliso Maxanjana
7. LETS TALK SHIYANI! Castro B & SHIYANI NGCOBO feat. MABI THOBEJANE
8. ULILELANI Castro B & AMAMPONDO feat. DAVE MAYEKANA & LUNGISWA
9. MANTOMBIS CALLLING Castro B & Mantombi Matotiyana
10. THIRSTY FOR HUMANITY Castro B & ZENA EDWARDS with THE BUSHMEN OF THE KALAHARI
11. MATHABO Castro B & THABANG LETSATSI
12. DONT BITE, CROCODILE Castro B & BUSI MHLONGO
13. SOLIDMA Castro B & MARITA MABOTO
14. SEKODIKO - Castro B & MABI THOBEJANE & Ntotone
15. INGOMA (CASTRO)  Castro B & VALENCIA KHESAA

Mabi Gabriel Thobejane & Castro B

Cover and album photos by Lianne Cox

Jose Luis Quintana Fuerte, more commonly known as Changuito (a name that comes from Chango, the thunder god of the Yoruban religion), has done more to influence the Latin percussion world and the role of the timbales and drum set in that world than nearly any other artist in the last century. His groundbreaking work with Cuban dance band Los Van Van defined an entire era of Cuban music. Changuito, being a talented instructor as well as performer, has also taught some of the next generation's finest percussionists, including conga master Giovanni Hidalgo. Changuito's debut solo record is, however, not what one might expect. The self-titled record, a collaboration with electronica trendsetter Tony Thorpe, is a mysterious, jungle-like sonic landscape that draws as much on Thorpe's "sounds from the beyond" as Changuito's ripping conga technique. Cuban music purists may be disappointed or irritated that Changuito's first shot at filling a whole disc with his brilliance is not a string of timbale solos and diesel-powered Latin jazz. However, Changuito's choice to experiment with urban and electronic sounds proves him to be a master musician, not a master technician. Every one of the ten tracks explores a different avenue, a new conversation between rhumbero and hip-hopper, between Changuito's Havana and Thorpe's London. Syncopation is not your regular Cuban maestro album as it was produced by electronica producer Tony Thorpe (Language Records) in the absence of the Maestro. The album blends his virtuoso percussive talents and Cuban grooves with dance floor beats and contemporary electronica. Tony Thorpe's production skills were added to the raw elements, creating a fusion of Latin rhythms with trip hop and drum 'n bass.

MELT 2000's first encounter with Changuito dates back to 1993 when he attended the recording session of Flora Purim's album Speed of Light at Real World Studio in Box (UK). Flora Purim was joined by some of the world's leading percussionists including her husband Airto Moreira and daughter Diana. The following pictures show some of the legends like Billy Cobham who attended that recording session.
 

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Robby Geerken, Flora Purim, Changuito and Giovanni Hidalgo

Participants pictured here included Freddie Santiago, Robert Trunz, Billy Cobham and Airto Moreira

Changuito

Giovanni Hidalgo and Changuito check YouTube footage

Changuito at Market Theatre Square in Johannesburg 1995. In an interview in Spanish following the events in Joburg,  Changuito talks about the unique collaboration with Amampondo.

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For the second gathering of THE OUTERNATIONAL MELTDOWN in 1995 we took two of the most accomplished percussionists from Cuba to Johannnesburg. During the sessions, again at the Downtown Studios, many legendary South African artists like Zim Ngqwana, Sipho Gumede, Mabi Thobejane and Madala Kunene worked with the Cubans headed by Changuito. A collaboration that established a deep friendship and brotherhood between the South African and Cuban artists - well ahead of later political alliances ! We chose the name Fidel Pondo is in honor of Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela. On this CD members of Amampondo and their Cuban guests created the first ever South Africa-Cuban collaboration melting traditional Xhosa- with Cuban rhythms.

AFRICA 2000 with Amampondo & Guests: Brice Wassy, Airto Moreira, Jose Luis Quintana aka Changuito, Mabi Gabriel Thobejane & Mantombe Matitiyana

The Pondos are: Dizu Plaatjies, Simpiwe Matole, Michael Ludonga, Mzwandile Qotoyi, Mandla Lande, Zandisile Mbizela aka Blackie, Xola Mlambo, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Nomfundo Mayekiso, Mandisa Menisi, Byron Wallen and the Risenga Makondo Band

AFRICA 2000 Bonus Features with:

Madala Kunene, Mabi Gabriel Thobejane, Airto Moreira, Changuito and Brice Wassy plus the Pondo backing vocalists listed above

Jose Luis Quintana aka CHANGUITO with 2 solo tracks

Changuito appears on two remix tracks on this release:

Neon Heights, Changuito & Amampondo    MO' PANCHO
Composers and Arrangers: Cal Gibson & Tom Bailey for Neon Heights (MCPS/RPS) and Dizu Plaatjies, Mzwandile Qotoyi, Mandla Lande, Michael Ludonga and Blackie Lex Mbizela and Jose Luis Quintana aka Changuito for Amampondo (MELT 2000 Publishing SA) from the track A Ma Pancho released on the Amampondo album "Raw & Undiluted" (MZA 014)

Volver + Fidel Mpondo                    MANDIPWOMAN     
original featuring Changuito, composed by Dizu Plaatjies & Mzwandile Qotoyi , original track released on the album Fidel Pondos (MZA016)

Offspring label Electric MELT released a number of experimental and electronic projects.

The debut album SEE stunned fans in the late 90's with not just the mix of world sounds with hip hop or drum'n'bass but also the amazing depth of the lyrics. We have chosen to publish some of the lyrics from the booklet - enjoy and reflect.

Produced by Krishna Booker, Co-Produced by Rashid Duke and Diana Purim, Programming & Instruments: Krishna and Rashid, Turntables: DJ Misfit , DJ Cassper Vocals: Diana Purim, Back-up Vocals: Trina Simmons, Rap Vocals: Krishna Booker, Fathomus Macabeas, DNA, Da Devious One, Freddie Doolittle, Sonja Marie Recorded and mixed at HomeStyle Studio, Hollywood, California, USA. Executive Producer: Molinari
 

DNA & Fathom

Krishna Booker, Diana Purim & Rashid Duke

Having grown up with two ears full of Bitches Brew, most of my Jazz heroes come from the Electric Miles Davis sessions of the late 60's and early 70's. Through Airto Moreira's work on Bitches Brew and her work with Chick Corea I discovered Flora Purim. Later in the 90's I had the privilege to record some amazing albums and collaborations with and by Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, their daughter Diana and son in law Krishna Booker for the B&W Music & later MELT2000 label. More on facebook on Airto Moreira, Flora Purim & Jose Neto - the MELT 2000 Years.

Robert Trunz

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Flora Purim is one of the most unique vocalists of the 70s and 80s. The musical role model of a generation of jazz singers became the heroine of the 90's Acid Jazz scene in London where she received a Straight No Chaser Award in 1993.  At the same time Flora and her husband Airto Moreira started work at Real World Studios on Speed Of Light. 

 Speed of Light is the most rhythmic and stunning album by the great Brazilian diva - produced by Airto Moreira and supported by their daughter Diana, Changuito, Billy Cobham, Givanni Hidalgo and Freddie Santiago it will remain a masterpiece and reference for generations to come.

Vinyl EP featuring 4 tracks from the album Speed Of Light

A1. Asas (Wings)

A2. Portal Da Cor

B1. Rhythm Runner

B2. Light As My Flo

Recording at Real World Studios with Diana, Flora & Freddy Santiago

Flora & Jose Neto performing with Fourth World.

Released 1995 as CD and Vinyl EP featuring remixes by A Guy Called Gerald & Attica Blues. DOWNLOAD HERE

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"I would like to call this record THE TWO OF US, because Bituca (Milton) has been and will always be a very big part of my life story. After going through literally hundreds of songs either written by him or sung by him, I selected the ones that made this album with the help of Luiz Avellar, arranger and keyboardist for this project.
The song NÓS DOIS, which means the two of us, was co-written by Milton and Luiz Avellar and has the only guest appearance made by George Duke on piano and synthesizer along with Luiz Avellar's original piano.
This CD has a steady team of musicians that helped me to create the colours and sounds for all the selected music. I must make clear that this is a true story, based on my own perception of the facts.
This record is not a tribute to Milton, but a declaration of unconditional love."
Flora Purim
 

I first met Milton Nascimento in 1964, when I went to the city of Belo Horizonte to participate in the inaugural show of their first local television station, TV Itacolomi.
My career was just beginning and I could not afford to take my own trio from Rio, so I decided to go one day earlier and look for the best musicians I could find locally. When I approached O Ponto Dos Musicos (the Musician's Station) at Avenida Affonso Pena, I looked around and tried to spot somebody that looked musical, since the place was really a bar/restaurant, where all kinds of artists would hang out.

Luck was on my side. The first person I talked to was Paulo Horta, a wonderful bass player, whose little brother Toninho was quickly becoming one of the most sought- after composer, guitar player and singer. Paulo Horta heard my story and immediately said "Don't worry, I've got what you need". In about ten minutes I was surrounded by ten or more of the top musicians in town, and among them was Milton Nascimento.
The television show went well, and I was going back to Rio very happy the next day. Right after the show, Milton, whom we affectionately call Bituca, approached me with a cassette and very shyly and humbly asked me If I could take a listen to one of his first compositions entitled "Barulho de trem ". And that was the beginning of a long lasting friendship.
In 1974, I was already in New York recording with jazz greats such as Chick Corea, Duke Pearson's big band and one of my best friends and mentor the composer and arranger Gil Evans, when I received an invitation to sing at the Montreux Jazz Festival. My producer at the time was Orrin Keepnews and I recalled asking him if I could invite somebody that I would love to interact with musically, to go to Montreux with us. Orrin made my dream come true, Milton became my guest at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1974. He brought keyboardist and arranger Wagner Tiso and the great drummer Robertinho Silva along with him.

When we started preparations for pre-production, such as coordinating flights, rehearsals and choosing the music, I received a phone call from saxophonist Wayne Shorter. The conversation went like this, "Hi Flora, I've just heard you were bringing Milton Nascimento to the US and I have a proposition for you. What if we could share the costs of his flight to US, so I can use him on my next record? My budget wouldn't allow me to do this on my own and I would really love to record some of his music".

I had discussed the matter with Orrin Keepnews, who really fought for me with the record company, arguing that it would cut at least in half the costs of transatlantic tickets and "voila", we won, Orrin won. From this little story, two classic albums were born. Wayne Shorter's Native Dancer and Flora Purim's 500 Miles High, live in Montreux.

Somebody else was born, my daughter with Airto Moreira, Diana, who had a song named after her on Wayne's Native Dancer.

Flora Purim

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"Johnny Fourie is one of the greatest guitar players of our epoque"
John Mc Laughlin
ONCE UPON A TIME -Recorded in 2003 as chronic emphysema took its toll on Johnny’s lungs and stamina, one detects an element of peace and dignified acceptance that this music may be a swansong of sorts. The pieces are bathed in a gorgeous dappled light. There is an ego-free, unhurried respect for the composition in each change and modulation. Some notes are attacked and others caressed over waves of rich, layered harmony, which often suggest or conjure up mirages of chords that seem audible, yet are not actually played. And always, there is the immaculate note selection breathing fresh vitality into the venerable tunes.

Absorb the mood of track 12, Love Letters. The genius of Johnny’s interpretation (inspired by Clause Ogerman) is in taking what might well be considered a sweet, possibly trite ballad by the master pianist/ vocalist Nat ‘King’ Cole, and producing a compelling, emotional tone poem. Yet nothing is lost of the Hayman- Young melody. Essence and embellishment are united.

Hearing Unforgettable (track 2) for the first time, one becomes acutely aware of the unhurried tempo and the apparent presence of vibraphone on the track. Like a vast, slow moving river, the melody reveals itself whilst crystal-pure solo passages sketch just how deep the river is - and how teeming with abundant life. There are no scales and no clichés on this record my friend.

Johnny Fourie - extracts from the CD booklet

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Track listing & performers

1. Kunene Jazz Drive Kekapa performed his own words in Owambo language. Recorded at Epupa for Doxa Productions for the film Ochre and Water. Used by permission.Greg played bass, berimbau, piano, percussion and distorting things. Warrick played tabla, turntable (chicken scratching), mbira, fuzz washboard, percussion and Murray’s old guitar. Harrys Sepedi Choir sang in at the end. 2. Gita Madala Kunene played acoustic guitar. Warrick Sony played tabla, bass, turntable, percussion, veena, 2008 mix. Greg Hunter played bass, drum kit, marimba, various percussion & original arrangement. Kris Weston played guitar and did some percussion.
Petrus Mbila played mbira and the Venda Sisters backing vocals. Tjikorna pipes recorded in Venda by Warrick for the film Two Rivers. Pygmy water music samples courtesy of Silent Music Records.  3. Wading Through The Sea  Greg did the programming, sample preparation, 2009 mix. Warrick played bass, drums, tabla, turntable (chicken scratch and Indian film Lp’s) and the 2008 arrangement and mix. Chris Engel played baritone sax. 4. Epupa Falls Warrick played bass, drum prog, tabla, turntable, dodgy trombone and 2008 mix. Greg played berimbau, processed a lot of viola and did the original arrangement 1999. Brendan played viola and did some processing. Unidentified Himba girl recorded at Epupa for Doxa Productions for the film Ochre and Water Used by permission. 5. What Is She Saying To Me Greg played bass berimbau, guitar, and did the string arrangement and original arrangement.Warrick played and programmed tabla, mridangam and did turntables did 2008 version. UCT String Quartet played the strings. Doug Armstrong helped arrange strings. Brendan Jury played additional viola and processed viola. Main vocal by Busi Mhlongo. Backing singers from the Amampondo group.  6. Dawn Greg did the arrangement and composition. Pondo Girls singing.  7. Garuda Express  Greg Hunter played guitar did this mix and arranged strings.Kris Weston played guitar.Warrick played tabla, mridangam, turntables. Brendan played viola.UCT String Quartet played the strings. Doug Armstrong helped arrange strings.Ibrahim Abubakar vocal.  8. Another Goat  Original mix and arrangement.  9. Lisa Upanishad  Brendan played viola and processing. Warrick played percussion, veena, turntable, dodgy trombone 2008 version. Greg played percussion, made loops, drones and did original arrangement.  Amampondo played the marimbas. 

Warrick Sony

Greg Hunter

Brendan Jury

Recording at Shifty in Cape Town with Warrick Sony, Greg Hunter and Brendan Jury

Greg Hunter

Bafana

Frank Lesiba
 

Gontse

Ragga

Angela Paz Alhucema & Bafana

Della Tamin

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PRODUCER: Tony Thorpe (Language)

Extract from SA Rock Digest Top 30 Albums(Year 2000)

Lungiswa "Lulu" Plaajties had more than served her apprenticeship in the Amampondo musical family/collective, and it was time for her to record her own album. MELT 2000 boss Robert Trunz made it happen and the result is our strongest contender for SA/World album of the year. 'Lungiswa' merges African rhythms and languages, acoustic and indigenous instruments, Motown and Maskanda, and her gorgeous voice in an album that is a sheer delight. From the opening lullaby version of our anthem and her spoken self-introduction right through to her impassioned version of Marvin Gaye's 'Inner City Blues', 'Lungiswa' is this year's 'Urbanzulu'.

 Lulu Lungiswa Plaatjies is the first ever South African artist to attract the attention of a master like Tony Thorpe, Language label owner and producer. Correspondingly, her new album 'Ekhaya' reflects her outstanding vocal talents perfectly. Combining her powerful native singing voice with the contemporary urban sounds that are Tony Thorpe's trademark, her album includes an original and wonderful rework of the South African National Anthem, and a version of Marvin Gaye's 'Inner City Blues' sung in her Xhosa tongue. Backed by the dramatic and sensitive percussive support of Amampondo, Lungiswa has created a timeless album with popular appeal.

Featured artists on Ekhaya: Bass – Nik Cohen, Congas – Mabi Thobejane, Djembe, Vocals – Amampondo , Drums – Andy Gungadeen, Kudu Horns – Michael Ludonga, Mzwandile Qotoyi, Simpiwe Matole, Xola Mlambo, Keyboards – Nick Coler, Simon Wallace, Simon Davies, Marimba – Mandla Lande, Percussion – James Mac,  Percussion [Tablas] – Naushad Sheikh, Saxophone – Tony Kof, Trombone – Trevor Edwards, Trumpet – Kevin Day

Picture above: Simpiwe Matole, Dizu Plaatjies, Mzwandile Qotoyi and Lungiswa 1996

Lungiswa on tour with Amampondo

 Lungiswa composed and sings the song Bokwanyana (Goat) together with Busi Mhlongo  on the Remix CD "AFRO MELT VOLUMES - BUSI MHLONGO"  (MZA053)

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Lungiswa in Switzerland recording with Max Laesser and Madala Kunene.

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"It's a gem...in turn relaxed, loping and out-there wiggy, full of lovely textures from a range of instrumental collaborators (guitars, flutes, brass, keyboards, dobro, bass etc - but always held in tasteful check) and co-vocalists including Busi Mhlongo...glorious music which is simultaneously familiar and refreshing."
Folk Roots Magazin

From South Africa to Brixton to the Bronx, Mabi Thobejane is an artist who has traveled the world in search of musical and spiritual freedom. His debut album recorded 1995 at Downtown Studios, entitled Madiba, is the culmination of a twenty-year struggle for self-expression. It is intensely personal but an ultimately positive album that proves Mabi to be one of South Africa's most brilliant and exhilarating percussionists. Madiba (Father of the Nation) is an affectionate name for Nelson Mandela, who has been a major inspiration for Mabi as an embodiment of the fighting spirit.

1. THABO feat. Robert Doc Mthalane, Byron Walllen, Busi Mhlongo

2. SIDUDLA feat. Sammy Madi, Sipho Mabuza, Philani Ngidi, Madala Kunene Busi Mhlongo and Mpumi Mabuza (Mhlongo)

3. SEGWAGWA feat Robert Doc Mthalane & Dizu Plaatjies

4. THABO TANDO NICO feat Robert Doc Mthalane & Byron Wallen

5. DOM PASS feat Sammy Madi, Philani Ngidi, Gary Budd, Sipho Mabuza, Jessica Lauren, Madala Kunene, Zim Ngqwana, Busi Mhlongo & Mpumi Mabuza (Mhlongo)

6. SHAPEDI feat Byron Wallen, Nkululeko Ludonga, Dizu Plaatjies, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Nomfundo Mayekiso, Robbie Geerken and Mayito

7. ECONOMY feat Sammy Madi, Ike Leo,, Madala Kunene, Max Laesser, Jessica Lauren, Changuito,, Lungiswa Plaatjies Nomfundo Mayekiso

8. MOTHER feat Robert Doc Mthalane, Philani Ngidi, Busi Mhlongo & Mpumi Mabuza (Mhlongo)

9. MADIBA (NELSON MANDELA) (PART 1) feat Changuito, Byron Wallen, Jessica Lauren, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Mzawandile Qotoyi, Dizu Plaatjies & Mayito

10. GAE-WAY HOME Mayito, Tony Remy, Madala Kunene, , Ben Watkins, Otto the Barbarian & Busi Mhlongo

11. MADIBA (NELSON MANDELA) (PART2) feat Madala Kunene, Jessica Lauren, Airto Moreira, Byron Wallen, Mayito and Busi Mhlongo

12. WORKSHOP feat Byron Wallen, Jessica Lauren, Vusi Khumalo, Madala Kunene, Tony Remy, Robert Trunz, Mzwandile Qotoyi, Dizu Plaaatjies, Simpiwe Matole,, Nkululekho Ludonga, Philani Ngidi, Fana Zulu, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Prince Lengosa and Zim Ngqwana

Available from our Online Store
 

During the 1995 recordings of Mabi Thobejane's debut album MADIBA he met the man behind Juno Reactor, Ben Watkins. Fascinated by this amamzing master drummer Ben asked Mabi to put down a Conga track which formed the basis of a long collaboration, the release of the epic trance track CONGA FURY which found its way onto the album BIBLE OF DREAM , Hollywood film MORTAL KOMBAT (Annihilation), MATRIX and ANIMATRIX Short film "THE FINAL FLIGHT OF THE OSIRIS".

Released in October 2000, Shango carries the painted face of Mabi Thobejane and features a number of artists from South Africa who appeared on MELT 2000 at the time of release. These are Deepak Ram, Mabi Thobejane, Dizu Plaatjies,Mandla Lande, Michael Ludonga, Simpiwe Matole, the late Busi Mhlongo and Tuvan overtone singer Boris Salchack,

The Juno Reactor percussion team Mandla Lande, Michael Ludonga and Simpiwe Matole on tour in Russia.

Juno's first and second DVD feature Mabi Thobejane and his Amampondo colleagues from Cape Town.

Second Juno Reactor DVD AUDIO VISUAL EXPERIENCE

The Original SAKHILE band which reformed in 2004 for a few gigis months before Sipho Gumede sadly passed away.

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featuring Mabi Thobejane on drums

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The 1994 and 1996 Sipho Gumede recordings Down Freedom Avenue and Ubuntu feature Mabi Thobejane on drums.

Producer and musician Ben Amato gathered two generations of Malombo drummers in Cape Town to record an album with music far removed from their usual style. The drummers are no less than the co founder of the original Malombo - Mabi Thobejane and his nephew Thabang Philip Tabane - the son of founder Philip Tabane. Most of the album was recorded and mixed in my house and it was a great privilege to see Uncle Mabi teaching Thabang some of the old songs from the Northern territories of South Africa with Ben Amato mixing it all his own unique style. Thanks is given to the members of Amampondo and especially Buddy Wells for his great sax playing. 

Black Coffee contributed a mix to the album called Basubeletsu and remixed another track from this album for his own release under the name of Yena Chililo on his debut album Black Coffee.
The album features:
Mabi Thobejane - drums, mbira and vocals
Thabang Tabane - djembe, drums, thai marimba and vocals
Ben Amato - Producer
Sessions by:
Zimbini Msesane - female vocals on eOffisini & Malume
Dave Mayekana - guitar
Simpiwe Matole - percussion
Peter Ndlala - bass
Vola Mambo - percussion
Michael Ludongo - African drums
Mandla Lande - djembe
Buddy Wells - sax
Ben Amato - guitar , flute and programming
Vincent Mtetwa - keyboards

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Robert 'Doc' Mthalane may not be a household name, but the South African master guitarist spent much of the 1990's both playing and writing songs for the acclaimed Zulu singer Busi Mhlongo and her group Twasa. Sadly Doc fell victim to tuberculosis and died prematurely in 1998, but not before leaving us with one last exquisite album of uplifting and heart-rending beauty. The album was recorded at Brownhill Farm Studios (UK) with Mabii Thobejane, Madala Kunene & producer Brice Wassy. From the languid opening chords of Eva, the slowly surging crescendos of Masihlanganemi to the rousing rhythmic call to action of Mamambo, this is one of those rare albums that can enrich your life and soothe your soul. (Dave Stelfox)

Dubbed the Jimi Hendrix of South Africa, Doc shone as a brilliant composer and player for many years before his untimely demise. This album, recorded 1997 alongside Busi Mhlongo, Brice Wassy, Mabi Thobehane and Madala Kunene, is simply a beautiful epitaph to the great man full of the subtlest rhythms and melodies crafted with considerable knowledge and skill. Additional overdubs in Durban and at Brownhill Farm in West Susssex (UK), mixing and mastering of this album was done over a period of 4 years and captured some rare moments of fine music making.
The last track RESPECT, by Busi Mhlongo, is a dedication, a moving tribute and a thank-you to a great South African guitar player, composer and writer. Respect and thanks for the privilege of being chosen to record your last album !
Robert Trunz

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It is a multi genre album strongly focusing on words of love, wisdom, spiritual healing and unity by Dan Mampone and Mabi Thobejane from Garankuwa, Pretoria.

The beat goes as far as African Traditional to House including Reggae, Gospel and Kwaito with hits like Mmabanyana and My Destiny just to name two. The majority of songs on Melodi are in Tswana and Pedi. The album comprises 10 original songs and two remixes one by   African Diva Busi Mhlongo and Brendan Graham/ Rolf Lovland.   

1.  KE GO RATA BOBE (4:50)  

2. RELAX BABA (3:20)  

3. KAE KAE (5:55) revisited Busi Mhlongo track  

4. RE A GO BOKA (4.40) Traditional Hymn  

5. MMABANYANA PT.1 (3:20)  

6. RAGGA DA (4:30)  

7. BODIBENG (3:35)  

8. AYELELE (4:05)  

9. MY DESTINY(5:24)  

10. A RE YENG (5:55)  

11. YOU RAISE ME UP (4:15)  

12. MMABANYANA PT.2 (3:50)  

see Mabi in action with Madala Kunene's band featuring members of Kwani Experience and Bernard Sibusiso Mndaweni. On this DVD also find Mabi backing maskandi band of the late UMSHIKA SHIKA QABE's only video release.

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Mabi plays congas and African drums on FREEDOM COUNTDOWN, an album with headliners Madala Kunene, Barney Bophela & Mandla Masuku - produced by Sipho Gumede.  The album was recorded in 1994 during the time Mabi Thobejane was living in Durban and working with Sipho Gumede. This album contains the epic original of Madala Kunene's UBOMBO.  The track was later remixed by Smith & Mighty and hit the clubs from London to Johannesburg.
 

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Mabi worked with Airto Moreira on additional rhythmic foundations of a number of traditional tracks released by Dizu Plaatjies & Mzwandile Qotoyi, Ngqoko Cultural Club (Ladyfrere Xhosa Singers), Sangoma Suzan Hendricks & The Bushmen of The Kalahari.

Mabi contributed his legendary playing ontracks with Madala Kunene and collective tracks with Airto Moreira and Sipho Gumede.

1995 saw the formation of Barungwa - the Original Anglo-African Acid Jazz Messengers

featuring on the album are Dave Mayakana - Guitar, Chris Bowden - Sax, Shaluza Max - Vocals, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa - Piano, Keys & Andrew Missingham - Drums.  Mabi Thobejane appears as a guest.

Having heard some of Castro B’'s productions, Radio DJ Pat Cash made him aware of the rich MELT 2000 catalogue.
We handed over some tracks and parts for remixing and were surprised to get a couple of great remixes back within a week . Castro’'s then moved to our Farm Studio and started working with Africa'’s hottest veteran drummer and percussionist Mabi Thobejane. Please check track 4 BUNGA (RADIO EDIT) & track 14 SEKODIKO with Mabi.
 

You can find some of Mabi Thobejane's contributions on these 4 Volumes of MUSIC WITH NO NAME Remixes released by MELT between 1995 and 2005. Among other featuring producers are: Henrik Schwarz, Smith & Mighty, Red Snapper, Teba Schumba, DJ Smash, Allan Gubby, Endemic Void, Mooncakes, Attica Blues, Ashley Beedle, Gavin Hardkiss, Moody Boyz, Roni Size, Ultrarine, Kris Weston, G,Ultramarine, Greg Hunter, Bandulu, Jon Kennedy, Gus Gus, Soothsayers, Bandulu, Spiritual South, Gum Drop and more........
 

1997 The Meeting of three great percussionist/drummers from three countries. All working on the debut album of one of Madagascar's best known artists - Olombelo Ricky.  Produced by Brazilian's finest Airto Moreira and contributing to the album is South African veteran Malombo drummer Mabi Gabriel Thobjane.
 

After Mabi left Dr Malombo Philip Thabane he worked with bands like Sakhile and traveled in Europe. During a stay in Germany he recorded an album with local musicians whose names are impossible to read from the worn out stereo open reel tape that Mabi brought along one day. We would love to hear from his fans in Germany who contributed to these recordings - please refer to our contact page.

List of Songs:

1. BATSUMI LE DI PIRI 2. BA DI PAP 3. EURO STADIUM 4. LE BELLO BOJELLO 5. DUCK WALK 6. VIA BOTSWANA 7. BACK SLAM 8. DEAR ELIZABETH 9. MARABI MABI

Download or Stream the album by clicking here

At the age of eight, in the year 1959, Madala Kunene and some members of his extended family were trucked away by the Apartheid government to go live in the then relatively new township of KwaMashu in Durban.
“People can’t imagine what it’s like when you see bulldozers demolish your home in the middle of the night,” recalls Kunene. “The worst thing was that when they moved us, they came at night and packed my family into the back of a truck and then went to another area to pick up another family there and so on. So you were not just separated from your home, you were stripped of your friends
and neighbors in the process. It was a very calculated act.” Kunene adds. As African people, the way we know and understand our past is very influenced by music,” Kunene says. “So if I can add one layer of context that can help in understanding this period in our history, then that is great.”
The album “1959” was co-produced and engineered by Marius Botha and Neil Snyman. It started out as a simple acoustic guitar and voice project but as soon as Madala’s many friends learned that he was busy recording in his own backyard things took on a life of their own. An outpouring of love for Bafo followed with everyone wanting to bring his or her love for Bafo to this project. Madala gratefully acknowledges the many appearances of friends a.o. Lu Dlamini, Bra Hugh Masekela, Sthembiso Hlela, Max Lässer, Vishen Kemraj, Sazi Dlamini, Steve Newman, Guy Buttery, Bernard Mndaweni, Paki
Peloeole, Eric Duma, Sihlanga Zulu, Mdu Magawaza, Njeza Dlamini, Zamo Mbutho, Sipho Nxumalo & Smanga Ngubane.

LIMITED SERIESOnly 500 CDs are manufactured as a limited edition packed in a cardboard outer Digi Pack with an 8 page full description booklet inserted.

Produced by Sipho Gumede in late 1993, this album was the first production for M.E.L.T. 2000 to come out of the folk or jive roots of the Zulu capital of Durban. For Madala Kunene this album became his springboard into the club scene with a remix of Ubombo by Bristol based production team Smith & Mighty released in 1995 on the epic album Music With No Name Vol. 1. All 3 artists on this album contributed each three songs.

Mandla Masuku has built his popularity in South Africa through his distinctive township Jive and brought him a wide audience aside from his collaborations with many other musicians, he is a strong front man in his own right.
Barney Bophela crosses both traditional and African Pop. on this compilation you can hear Sipho Gumede's influence with Barney playing into his own kind of American Influenced Jazz Fusion that retains a South African flavor.

Durban in the year of 1995
Those who read or watched the news in 1995 will have noticed the ongoing violent clashes between the then still-fighting factions in the Zululand.  The sounds of gunfire throughout the night left one with no choice but to barricade oneself and wait for morning, when it was time to count the bodies. Those patient people who have gone through decades of apartheid and brutality have come through at the end under a president who knew more about repression than most, but is still smiling, still loving and forgiving.
There is talent everywhere and Madala Kunene is one of the people who dedicates his life to peace and to help making a difference. It was during the daytime hours in 1995 when I recorded this album live on the riverbank and at the bottom of his garden using a stereo Sony DAT recorder and a Soundfield microphone - everything battery-driven because of a lack of electricity in places like the farm in KwaZulu hinterland. Dick Jewell was kind enough to film the unique encounters of Madala with percussionist Mabi Thobejane or Busi Mhlongo rehearsing in their hotel room in Johannesburg. 

Robert Trunz

KON'KO MAN - STRONG MAN !

Shortly after working with Madala and Airto Moreira during the 1994 Outernational Meltdown recordings, Pops Mohamed called me early 1995 to say that the Shades choir from London was touring South Africa and that he wanted them to record some songs with Bafo Madala. A few weeks later the multi track analog tapes arrived in the UK during a recording session with Airto Moreira and Flora Purim who were so touched by the music that they asked to take the material to Santa Barbara for further production and overdubs. The track Konko Man (or Strong Man) has traveled the world andhelped establishing a global fan base for this gentle Zulu man from Durban, South Africa. The Oscar nominated and locally produced film YESTERDAY for which Madala composed the music, has cemented his reputation and his views expressed in his songs attract a lot of young South Africans in search of traditional values.

Abangoma, Sani Bonani and Igwababa feature the amazing vocals of Busi Mhlongo from the times when Madala first introduced Busi to the label owner Robert Trunz during the recording sessions in Johannesburg in 1995.

Live at the Bassline - Johannesburg

The initial unplugged recordings in Durban were followed by an unique gathering of friends in Joburg with an evening of live performances with Madala Kunene, Della Tamin, Umshika Shika, L.A.P. Greg Georgiades, Ashish Joshi & Bernard Mndaweni.

Around 2003 Madala Kunene, the veteran self-styled King of Zulu Guitar remarked in an interview that he was thinking of working as a full time Sangoma because music was no longer a viable profession for providing for his family.

For some reason, local traditional healers were very soon up in arms. Even some of Madala's friends felt he'd gone too far. When I learned about the seriousness of the situation, I packed my DAT machine,  microphones and picked up Mabi Thobejane along the way with some of his drums and headed for Durban. Once there, we initiated a series of unplugged Uxolo (peace) recordings. Music in effect became a medium for conflict resolution.

It soon became obvious that the Durbanites needed to come to Johannesburg to play for their fans and artist friends which included young musicians from groups like L.A.P. and Kwani Experience along with a new young generation of supporters who never had the chance to see Madala playing live. However, before this could evolve further, Madala and Bernard Mndaweni had been invited to perform at a small festival at Fort West in the Pretoria area. This was at the behest of oud player and guitarist Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades. The festival also happened to be the first time that the older musicians had shared the stage with accompaniment from the recently formed L.A.P. (an organic offshoot of Kwani Experience).

Thus when Madala and Bernard's unplugged album Uxolo was finally released and launched in June 2005 with live gigs at the Bassline it had ceased to be purely a Madala Kunene event, simply because all his musician friends wanted to join him on stage for a memorable night in Newtown.

Madala first met Max at Downtown Studio in Johannesburg in 1995 during the second Outernational Meltdown gatherings organized by MELT 2000 founder Robert Trunz. Great creative empathy and feeling was shared between exceptional artists for this project. Max has successfully worked before with South African artists who have added special flavours and extra dimensions to his already distinctive work. With Madala, however, what started off as "a real jam" started "becoming a new thing". They even recorded their first takes, giving the sound a crisp freshness and playful sophistication. The result - In Max Lässer's words "Unique music happened".
Madala echoes this, "We sat together the whole night. I just took the guitar and played and everybody sang along, I was not expecting that this music would be released on CD. We were just playing together. We finished the session, and since that day we have been great friends. I liked his heart - he is a fine man."
All of the songs on the album were written by both Max and Madala, words written by Madala Kunene. After their initial sessions in South Africa, Max Lässer had the creative freedom to arrange and produce the work himself and he invited Madala to Switzerland to continue adding more arrangements. They added extra keyboards and a brass section to the recordings, overdubbed 'Impukane' with bass and drums, and wrote two new songs 'Gongo' and 'Cow Song'. Lulu Plaatjies of Amampondo contributed her haunting vocals and the American lap-steel guitarist, David Lindley added his part to 'Impukane'.
Max Lässer says that meeting Madala Kunene was like finding a brother from another culture and part of the world, "He really opened my heart to African music and to a different view of playing music than I was used to. He really made me play some of my best yet." Robert Trunz has described the collaboration as an "epiphany" a "profound connection" between Europe and Africa. It was such an uplifting experience that these two talented artists decided to take their unique collaborative sound on tour in Switzerland. Lungiswa Plaatjies joined them - stunning the crowd with her beautiful rendition of 'Kumnandi'. It was an unforgettable musical experience and a resounding success. Both guitarists are unique, both have their own style and yet when playing together the result is something else, as Max says, something "primordial and confrontational."

Robert 'Doc' Mthalane may not be a household name, but the South African master guitarist spent much of the 1990's both playing and writing songs for the acclaimed Zulu singer Busi Mhlongo and her group Twasa. Sadly Doc fell victim to tuberculosis and died prematurely in 1998, but not before leaving us with one last exquisite album of uplifting and heart-rending beauty. The album was recorded at Brownhill Farm Studios (UK) with Mabii Thobejane, Madala Kunene & producer Brice Wassy. From the languid opening chords of Eva, the slowly surging crescendos of Masihlanganemi to the rousing rhythmic call to action of Mamambo, this is one of those rare albums that can enrich your life and soothe your soul. (Dave Stelfox)

Dubbed the Jimi Hendrix of South Africa, Doc shone as a brilliant composer and player for many years before his untimely demise. This album, recorded 1997 alongside Busi Mhlongo, Brice Wassy, Mabi Thobehane and Madala Kunene, is simply a beautiful epitaph to the great man full of the subtlest rhythms and melodies crafted with considerable knowledge and skill. Additional overdubs in Durban and at Brownhill Farm in West Susssex (UK), mixing and mastering of this album was done over a period of 4 years and captured some rare moments of fine music making.
The last track RESPECT, by Busi Mhlongo, is a dedication, a moving tribute and a thank-you to a great South African guitar player, composer and writer. Respect and thanks for the privilege of being chosen to record your last album !
Robert Trunz

First Double 1 & 2 is a special collaboration with 3 of the top Zulu string players being Madala Kunene, the late Baba Mokoena on electric guitar and Bernad Sibusiso Mndaweni on electric bass and special guest Mabi Thobejane. The album , released in 2002, was nominated for the 2003 SAMA awards

Baba Mokoena Seakoeng was one of the finest mbaqanga guitar-players and a well known collaborator with Madala Kunene.
Simon Baba Mokoena was born at Umkumbane in Durban in the late '40. He started making music at the age of 12 and Baba's first gig was with a group called Mhlathi and His Comets. After two years Baba left the group and went to Johannesburg to play mbaqanga, because he had always wanted to play African music. He played for a group called Izintombi Zamangwane. This was followed by guitar work on Gibson Kente's musicals Sikhalo and How Long.

Baba joined Winston "Mankunku" Ngozi and Khaya Mahlangu at the Pelican which gave him a chance to explore different kinds of music  mbaqanga, jazz and rhythm and blues. 
Mbongeni Ngema was impressed and asked Baba to join the band for his musical Township Fever, which opened at Johannesburg's Market Theatre in 1991. The show went on to tour America, opening in New York. After the Township Fever tour, Baba worked with Letta Mbuli and Caiphus Semenya in shows around South Africa. Baba returned to Mbongeni Ngema's company, touring Europe with Sarafina, Magic at 4am and Mama. Baba met and recorded with Airto Moreira and Jose Neto. In 1999, Baba teamed up with Madala Kunene to prepare the recording of a collaborative album for Melt.
Baba was a very sought-after session musician and his guitar-playing earned him a lot praise from all age groups.

Uxolo = Peace
Whilst many South African live music venues closed in the early years of the new 21st century digitally produced dance music and DJ's replaced performing musicians. The few remaining gigs paid badly and many of our finet artists went hungry and there were bad feelings and arguments among even the best of friends in Zululand.  When in 2004 I heard of the trouble brewing I picked up Mabi Thobejane from Pretoria and equipped with a portable DAT recorder & a couple of microphones we headed for KZN to seek peace between the bickering factions by using music as a medium for negotiation. The album Uxolo is the result of this mission with mostly unplugged stereo recordings.

Special guest: Umshika Shika Qabe (guitar)

In 2004 Jean Bourdin (director of the Alliance Francaise in Pretoria) told me of his plans for a small, intimate festival sponsored by the Alliance and the IFAS (Institut Français d'Afrique du Sud). I immediately asked him if I could make some additional program suggestions and expressed my wish to record and film the event.

Jean's musical program found form in the 2004 Fort West Village Heritage & Cultural Festival which was built around four musicians born or raised in Tshwane (Pretoria). These are Ernest Mothle, Carlo Mombelli and the two artists to whom this DVD is dedicated, Greg Hadjiyorki Georgiades and the only non Pretoria basedMadala Kunene. And yet despite their common roots, the diversity of their musical influences and inspirations is awesome. The MELT team gathered with cameras and stacks of recording gear, some of which was flown in from London with Chris Lewis - a man whose expertise with acoustic music I certainly did not wanted to miss.

Another journey and a new era of collaborations had begun.

Watch this DVD

Robert Trunz 

Madamax Bafo is the second collaboration album between these two brilliant guitarists featuring Christoph Stiefel, Walter Keiser, Lungiswa Plaatjies & new on electric bass Bernard Sibusiso Mndaweni.

After decades of friendship and informal "jamming" together at clubs and festivals, Madala Kunene and Syd Kitchen; two of South Africa's most enduring musical sons; have joined forces in the creation of BAFO BAFO.

This exciting, cross-cultural collaboration between two highly individual guitar stylists creates a musical landscape that is magical and absolutely unique. Indeed; BAFO BAFO deliver a musical tapestry that is at once a living embodiment of the magical "new" South Africa. Their ability to naturally fuse cultural elements from the diversity abundant in multiethnic South Africa sets in motion an ethos that is being echoed across Africa; the collective thought that NOW is the time for Africa, if she works together. BAFO BAFO is therefore a musical manifestation of the ethos behind the drive for Africa's renaissance. The collaboration is a creation of its time.

The musical magic of BAFO BAFO results from the synthesis of both musicians' diverse contributions. Syd Kitchen's eclectic use of musical elements that traverse everything from Celtic, Afrikaans, jazz, Cajun, Eastern and African influences is balanced and complimented by Madala Kunene's uncanny ability to develop a Maskanda groove that burrows itself into your consciousness. Kitchen plays nylon and steel string acoustic guitars, recorders, hosepipe flute, percussion and sings. Kunene plays steel string acoustic guitars, mouth bow and sings. All the music is organically co-written and sung in Zulu, English and Fanigalo (urban slang).

At a time in Africa's history when serious moves are afoot (such as the NEPAD initiative and the formation of the African Union) to liberate the continent from the shackles of a past tainted with Colonial oppression and economic marginalization, the ancestors give us BAFO BAFO and their magical 100% halaal, Afro-Saxon sonic parables of possibility. One of their songs says "manje isikhathi sesifikile" (."now is the time, and it is here"). It is BAFO BAFO's time. It is Africa's time.

South African label SHEER released this excellent selection of the best songs of Madala compiled form the MELT 2000 catalog. Some copies are still available from this website.
 

DURBAN POISON - AT LAST ! Two of South African’s legends got together in 2018 to record their first collaborative album at Robert Trunz's home studio. Madala Kunene needs little introduction. The bandleader has collaborated with many local and international artists such as Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira, Swiss guitarist Max Laesser, the late Durban born Syd Kitchen, UK remix and dance act Smith & Mighthy and SA’s house music icon Black Motion.

Themba Mokoena – electric guitarist was recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. For decades Themba is known as backing artists having worked with SA ‘s greats such as Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Mpharanyana, Simphiwe Dana, Gibson Kente and others. He also mentored Ray Phiri and Jimmy Dludlu.

Gigs - both artists constantly work with different groups or as solo performers in Madala’s case so their schedules will permit a few concerts throughout 2019 – more info can be gathered on https://www.madalakunene.com/

The album features 7 tracks with overdubs by Matthias Abaecherli on upright bass, Mabi Gabriel Thobejane on persussion, Paki Peloeole Kgosietsile on drums and percussion, Ali Faque on vocals, Lerato Lichaba on electric guitar. Producer and engineering by Matthias Abaecherli. Released on all digital platforms by Africori under Madala's label MADALALINE MUSIC.

Madosini on he title track Uthando Luphelile

"My son ! Love has disappeared nowadays since money became the living thing. Modernism has taken us by surprise. Go anywhere in the world and you will find that people are hopeless, there is no self-reliance. People would just go past you without even saying hello. What is life then ? There is total destruction of mother nature through the lack of communication, in short no love."

The Rough Guide to World Music said in 1999:

"After making a few great but obscure recordings in the mid 1970's Madosini disappeared into the Transkei only to be rediscovered by Robert Trunz of M.E.L.T. 2000 who proceeded to showcase her artistry with sympathetic and imaginative production techniques, a leap of musical (and financial) faith that could only have occurred with a non-South African record label. The result is a wonderful exposition of tradition enhanced by technology."

Madosini was actually rediscovered by Dizu Plaatjies and Mzwandile Qotoyi (founding members of AMAMPONDO) who after contacting Robert Trunz in the UK took her to Milestone recording studios in Cape Town. A great variety of Madosini's songs were recorded without further overdubs. When the M.E.L.T. team arrived in Joburg in 1995 for the second Outernational Meltdown gathering with Cuban conga master Changuito, bata player Mayito and student Robbie Geerken they met up with Dizu, Mzwandile and the Amampondo choir from the township of Langa to complete three exiting days of overdubs and traditional songs. Some of the traditional Xhosa songs werelater released under the title Fidel Pondo with a reference to the amazing contributions of the two Cuban masters Changuito and Mayito.

ORIGINAL SLIP CARDBOARD CD PACKAGING 1996
 

Dizu and Mzwandile with their Langa choir & MADOSINI performing traditional Xhosa songs and rhythms melted with Cuban rhythms by legendary congalero Changuitorecorded during the second 1995 OUTERNATIONAL MELTDOWN SESSIONS.
 

DOWNLOAD ALBUM

AUTHENTIC AFRICA SERIES presents Volume 1 featuring a.o. Madosini, Mantombi Matotiyani, Bushmen of the Kalahari, Amamdpondo and the Ngqoko Cultural Club.
 

Containg remixes by Monde Mkhizwana of artists like Madosini, Busi Mhlongo, Madala Kunene etc.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM

Cândido Salomão Zango, aka “Matchume,” has dedicated himself to Mozambican traditional music and dance since the age of six and began to study music and to handcraft his own instruments such as timbila, mbira, xitende an djembe drums.

Over a period of fifteen years young Matchume toured the world as a performing musician and composer of traditional, experimental and fusion music. His debut album is a reflection on how to integrate Matchume's funky style melting it with what traditional music he was thought. 8 tracks were recorded with musicians from mainly Mozambique such as Chitende, Tinoca Zimba, Djibra Mussa, Max Kapacete Kanynda, Alex Gulele and Jorge Cesar. The track Fela Matchume is a result of an international collaboration with FOREST JAM and was recorded at Matchume's studio in Maputo featuring Nicky Shange, Cyril Michel, Julian Dillier, Lerato Lichaba,Carlo Menet, Matthias Abaecherli & Gontse Makhene. Download or stream Wata M’Cande by clicking on these links iTunes Deezer Spotify

"Through the invitation of Robert Trunz to join a session in Johannesburg, I became friends with some very talented musicians with whom I spent 3 weeks of working and recording.The voices of Busi Mhlongo and Lungiswa Plaatjies opened new jorizons to me and they ended up writing lyrics to my music. This wonderful experience made me forget my initial plans and i din't want to hide it from my listeners" - Max Laesser

Between features South African artists Busi Mhlongo, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Pops Mohamed,Mabi Gabriel Thobejane, Marilyn Mokwe, Phumzil Mtuli, Beanlah Hashe, Nomfundo Mayekiso, Michael Ludonga and Amampondo singers. other artist on the album are walter Keiser, Jessica Lauren, Philippe Kueng, Emmanuel Sejourne, Steve Arguelles, Heiri Kaenzig, Stuart Hall, Daniel Almada, Reto von Salis, Christoph Stiefel, Philippe GeissIke Leo, Corin Curchellas, Hank Shizzoe and the leader Max Laesser.  Between came out in 1997 an it is full of surprises; the result of both a new beginning and a breakthrough. With rhythmic eloquence, it documents the milestones of a musical- and above all a personal process of growth with power and verve. The first fruit of this development is his collaboration with a group of female singers and musicians from South Africa. Over a decade and four albums with his Ark project, Max Laesser developed a uniquely luscious sound. Now, with Little Ark, Laesser stripped down his sound to affect the listener in a more direct, primordial way. "I used to place the music in the foreground, so I could hide behind it," Laesser confesses. "That concept no longer works."
Liberated from the constraints placed upon him by an outworn concept, an untrammeled joy in playing breaks through. "I have tried to grasp the essence of immediate experience," says Max. So the numbers recorded with the band are now played together with the live solos. "We decided to keep all the mistakes. Of course there was great temptation to play around with the individual numbers, but then much of the intensity of the recordings would have been lost." The key to the album is the title song, 'Between'. It links the harmonious melodies of earlier days with Laesser's newly discovered spontaneity. "Bhoyi" is intense, its tension draw from the opposition between a typical, lyrical Lässer arrangement and Busi Mhlongo's singing and earthy mbira textures.'Kumnand'i is an enchanting song that acquires its peculiar resonance from the clear voice of South African singer, Lungiswa Plaatjies, and the penetrating sound of the choir. Home is a piece created at the end of 1995 in South Africa, bin which a kora, played by Pops Mohamed, can be heard for the first time in Max's music: "The idea came to me in a few seconds; it is a very simple melody that gave me the feeling of being back where I really feel at home."
Although 'Between' is an album that heralds the beginning of a new musical development, Laesser never loses his orientation: "I feel quite clearly that I am in the middle of this process. I've abandoned a structure that gave me a strong sense of security for many years. I must admit the new territory that I've entered makes me apprehensive, but optimism has definitely been the dominant note in my experience during the recording, especially in South Africa."
Max Laesser has not broken completely with his past, but has remained true to his greatest strength: his music evokes an atmosphere that never leaves one unmoved.
for more info visit: http://maxlaesser.com/

Rehearsing in Switzerland for their tour of BETWEEN with Buehne Huber (Patent Ochsner) and Busi Mhlongo having fun.

MADAMAX is a superb collaboration between veteran artists -  Madala Kunene and Swiss guitar supremo Max Lässer. The 1995 collaboration with South African guitarist Madala Kunene and Lungiswa received a lot of rave comments from the press and was compared by many journalists with Ali Faka Toure's work with Ry Cooder. Madala says: "I first met Max at a studio in Johannesburg in 1995, because of a session that Robert Trunz had organised at at the Downtown Studios in Johannesburg."     Great creative empathy and feeling was shared between exceptional artists for this project. During his stay in Joburg Max had successfully recorded with other South African artists who have added special flavours and extra dimensions to his already distinctive work. With Madala, however, what started off as "a real jam" started "becoming a new thing". They even recorded their first takes, giving the sound a crisp freshness and playful sophistication. The result ? In Max Lässer's words "Unique music happened".
Madala echoes this, "We sat together the whole night. I just took the guitar and played and everybody sang along." It was not yet obvious something big was going to come of it, "I was not expecting that this music would be released on CD. We were just playing together. We finished the session, and since that day we have been great friends, as if we'd known each other 20 years. I liked his heart - he was a fine man."
All of the songs on the album were written by both Max and Madala, the words written by Madala Kunene. After their initial sessions in South Africa, Max Lässer had the creative freedom to arrange and produce the work himself and invited Madala to Switzerland to continue adding more arrangements. They added extra keyboards and a brass section to the recordings, overdubbed 'Impukane' with bass and drums, and wrote two new songs 'Gongo' and 'Cow Song'. Lungiswa Lulu Plaatjies of Amampondo contributed her haunting vocals and the American lap-steel guitarist David Lindley added his part to 'Impukane'.
Max on meeting Madala Kunene: " It was like finding a brother from another culture and part of the world. He really opened my heart to African music and to a different view of playing music than I was used to. He really made me play some of my best yet." Robert Trunz has described the collaboration as an "epiphany" a "profound connection" between Europe and Africa. It was such an uplifting experience that these two talented artists decided to take their unique collaborative sound on tour in Switzerland. Lungiswa Plaatjies joined them- stunning the crowd with her beautiful rendition of 'Kumnandi'.

for more info visit: http://maxlaesser.com/

Max Laesser, Madala Kunene, Walter Keiser, Bernard Sibusiso Mndaweni, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Christoph Stiefel and a guest appearance by Simpiwe Matole. Madamax BAFO was released in South Africa in 2006, ten years after the original Madamax release which was recorded at Downtown Studios in Johannesburg. Madamax BAFO was recorded and mixed by Rolf Stauffacher & Max Lasser at Starboat Studio in Baden (Switzerland) except for track 10 recorded on Minidisk in Kommetjie, Cape Town.

for more info visit: http://maxlaesser.com/

1. Unogwaja
2. Yelele
3.. Amasi
4. Namhla Kungawe
5. First Jam
6. Bafo
7. Merisha
8. Siyakhala
9. Emagcekeni
10. Kommetjie
11.  Ucilo
12. Ulimmat
13. Ubongo
14. Uthando
15. Unogwaja (Later)

Walter Keiser, Madala Kunene, Bernard Sibusiso Mndaweni, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Christoph Stiefel and Max Laesser,

Bernard Sibusiso Mndaweni

Walter Keiser (TV screen) and Madala in the background

Lungiswa Plaatjies

Madala Kunene

Max Laesser

Christoph Stiefel

Original cover of Fining One's Self - the debut album of the young genius Moses Taiwa Molelekwa.

Released in 1994, "Finding One's Self" garnered much praise from all quarters. Moses won the SAMA Best Jazz award in 1995 aged 24. Accolades for this first, yet surprisingly mature collection: " Molelekwa is widely hailed as the inheritor of Abdullah Ibrahim's mantle, a creator of hymn-like harmonies rolling under jubilantly jazzy melody lines, propelled by the leaping vitality of South Africa township music" John Fordhaham, The Guardian.

Moses with Hugh Masekela on tour.

1994 - the same year as Taiwa's debut album was released the already busy artist attended a few studio sessions at Downtown in Joburg and Milestone Studios in Cape Town. Here the OUTERNATIONAL MELTDOWN posse from South Africa, the UK, Madagascar and Brazil had gathered for two weeks of recordings and live concerts. Together with Airto Moreira, Fana Zulu, Byron Wallen, Shaluza Max Mntambo, Sipho Gumede, Jose Neto and Mfa Kera they put down 4 songs to be found on the Outernational Meltdown series of releases.

Bo Molelekwa - after hearing of the birth of his son Zoe, Moses sat down at the piano in the empty Milestone Studio to play his WELCOME for the first born. Back in the control room I saw him sitting down In the corner of my eyes and quickly hit the recording button of my stereo DAT machine which was permanently hooked up to the desk.  The live version, Taiwa performed two nights later at the Baxter Theater in Cape Town.

Dance to Africa (extract from a rare later performance "Best of South Africa's Live Jazz" Moses Taiwa Molelekwa Live in Moretela Park)

Hungry on Arrival

Nobohle - live at The Baxter Theater 1994 and also the Downtown Studio Making Of... Part 1 and Part 2

BARUNGWA

Andrew Missinham - drums   Moses Taiwa Molelekwa - piano
Shaluza Max - vocal   Dave Mayekana - guitar & vocals
Ike Leo - Bass      Chris Bowden - sax, flute

Founded in 1995 after the first Outernational Meltdown '94 gathering of local and international musicians @ Downtown Studios in Joburg. Barungwa became the first Anglo/South African Acid Jazz group and toured both SA and Europe ( but mainly the vibrant Acid jazz scene in the UK).

FIRST VINYL RELEASE 20 YEARS AFTER THE INITIAL CD LAUNCH NOW AVAILABLE FROM MATSULI MUSIC

Genre-busting South African jazz and kwaito meets Cuba (Chucho Valdez), Brazil (Flora Purim), Cameroon (Brice Wassy) and Bristol (drum ‘n’ bass). First time on vinyl (gatefold  double 180g) with new liner notes, unseen photographs and an exclusive track. Available exclusively from MATSULI MUSIC

Stream tracks from Amazon, iTunes or Spotify

CD TRACK LISTING

1. Tsala with Faith Kekana, John Hassan, Frances Reardon, Geoff Gasgoyne and Andrew Missingham.

2. Spirits of Tembisa with John Hassan, & Andrew Missingham

3. Down Rockey Street with Fana Zulu, Vusi Khumalo, Jose Miguel Melendez, Khaya Mahlangu, Lawrence Matshiza, Denis Rollins and Rowland Sutherland

4. Itumeleng with Bassie Mahlasela, Frances Reardon, Geoff Gasgoyne

5. Sogra with Flora Purim, Fana Zulu, Vusi Khumalo, Jose Miguel Mendez, Khaya Mahlangu & Lawrence Matshiza

6. Genes & Spirits with Jantshi Mayo, Kwazi Shange & Tlale Makhene.

7. Kwaze Kwangcono with Marc Anthoni, Lungiswa Plaatjies, Faith Kekana, Julie, Kwazi Shange, Jantshi Mayo, John Hassan & Lawrence Matshiza

8. Rapela with Brice Wassy & Hilaire Penda

9. Dance to Africa with Brice Wassy, Byron Wallen, Jose Neto, Zim Ngqawana, Airto Moreira, Valerie Naranjo

10. Ntatemoholo with Chucho Valdes and Taiwa

Recorded at Rhino Studios, Downtown Studios, The Garden in London, Real World in Bath, Brownhill farm Studios in West Sussex and Livingstone Studios London

Engineerd by Richard Edwards, Richard Mitchell, Jasper, Pete Hoffmann, Mark Braithwaite, Russell Kearney, Chris Lewis and Peter Thwaites (Dance to Africa)

Quotes from Ian Nicolson: " His second allbum for the "no boundaries" M.E.L.T. 2000 label is a delightful dip into a barrel filled with seductive influences. Moses has layered Cuba (with celebrated Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes as mentor), Brazil (Flora Plurim's unmistakeable vocalisations), the Cameroon (funked up by Brice Wassy's infectious time-keeping), and even Bristol (just a lickle drum'n'bass from somewhere...) over his own instinctive township feels. The resultant blends are so cheering I think Taiwa's left hand could probably heal the sick - or at least make them feel a sight more chirpy. Heartily recommended."

Johannesburg Mail & Guardian January 1997
Gwen Ansell

A child plays in the dusty streets of Tembisa township on Johannesburg's East Rand. It is 1978. From one doorway floats the scratchy sound of a Charlie Parker album. From another, an equally scratchy recording by alto saxophonist Kippie Moeketsi. And down the street, live, on a bare piece of open ground, the complex, multilayered polyrhythmic drumming of a troupe of traditional Pedi musicians...

It's from these three roots that Moses Taiwa Molelekwa's unique jazz piano has grown.

South Africa is one of the few countries outside the USA where jazz has been a genuinely popular music, and not the preserve of an elite. In the townships, American jazz was (and is) purchased at great expense; heard avidly; the solos dissected with skill. But there's also a unique South African jazz heritage, blending folk styles, modern instrumentation and big-band swing. In the marabi music of the 1940s and 1950s, three chords and a two or four-bar sequence carried a hypnotic, constantly changing melodic ribbon. The music grew, enfolding and adapting influences from bebop, free jazz and rock, and - in a society of enforced migrancy between city and countryside - constantly receiving fresh transfusions from a score of distinctive folk traditions. And it was dangerous music: challenging the cultural categories and divisions of apartheid and the rules which tried to legislate settled black citizens out of existence. It has its heroes (like the legendary Moeketsi), its exiles (Masekela, Makeba, Dollar Brand, Dudu Pukwana, Chris McGregor and more) and its own canon of standards -including many defiantly joyful titles which threw apartheid's laws back in its own face.

That musical heritage can be heard in Molelekwa's complex, percussive left hand, (Ntate Mohalo) in fractured, staccato phrasing (Down Rockey Street) and in the close-to-marabi structure of Itumeleng. It's also there in the stark lyricism of Sogra/Mmatswale, with its folk-like simplicity of melodic line. South Africa sings in Molelekwa's almost choral approach to instrumental arrangements, and in his densely-textured use of percussion.

But there's more to South Africa than rhythms and harmonies, and more to this album than South Africa. The intensely spiritual quality of black community life (botho/ubuntu - respect for the humanity of others) is sewn with unbreakable thread to its music. Apartheid's project of de-humanisation created spiritual tragedy and crisis in the townships. And Molelekwa, growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, was also marked by that crisis. He told a film-maker: "There was so much pressure, everyone had to find a way to let it out. The pressure drove my best friend into crime; I'm lucky, I can deal with it through my music." Those emotions, too, are here: the warmth of friendship, the joy of celebration and the regret for what has been lost.

The 1 990s are a time of movement and hope for South African jazz. There's a rediscovery of musics which were pushed underground or into exile, like the free jazzing of Brotherhood of Breath. And there's a new process of musical bridge-building to the sounds 9f the rest of Africa, to Asia and Latin America and to the clubs of Europe and America. That process resonateson this album in the collaborations with Chucho Valdez, (Ntate Moholo) and singer Flora Purim (Sogra/Mmatswale). It dances through the ragga flavours and programmed drums of Spirits of Tembisa.

What makes this work unique - and much more than the sum of its influences - is Molelekwa's own voice as a musician, his vision and his technique. Equally fresh are the approaches of his South African collaborators, in the main young players from his own generation. This album pays its respects to South Africa's jazz past - but it has its feet on the road to the future.

Mural at the entrance to Moses township Tembisa in honor of his SAMA award winning albums. Thanks Colin !

Darkness Pass - Solo Piano

A double CD of the secret Solo Piano works titled DARKNESS PASS, recorded 1996 in Johannesburg by the late genius Moses Taiwa Molelekwa has been released on April 17th 2004 to coincide with his birthday.

NOTES BY ROBERT TRUNZ
Back in 1994 during the Outernational Meltdown recordings, in the early hours of the morningMoses and I were the only ones left in Downtown Studios in Joburg. Moses settled down at one of the pianos whilst I found a comfortable spot on the floor next to the piano. It was there that I first heard him playing solo piano.
Moses took me on a journey that lasted almost 3 hours, a journey that expanded my horizon and revealed a depth of Moses that few people have ever had the privilege to encounter. It is the soundscapes this young artist drew every time he sat in front of a piano or keyboard that fascinated me from the onset when I first heard him play live in 1993 at The Market Theater in Johannesburg.
That night @ Downtown Studios Taiwa played non stop until the sun came up and it was then that I knew that we had to record a solo album. Believe me it took some convincing as Moses himself was not into the idea initially as he just formed a band with superb young talents.  In 1996 I finally persuaded him to secretly go into a locked upSABC Studios to produce a solo project on the grand piano recorded by Peter Thwaites.
That was the first step but he was still reluctant to release it until the end of the year 2000 when he finally changed his mind after having worked with British pianist Joanna McGregor on a duo project in the UK and South Africa. I finally convinced Moses to tour this solo album, to go out and share with the world his remarkable gift but his tragic death in February 2001 put en end to all our plans.
Moses Taiwa Molelekwa had the ability to paint the most beautiful or deeply disturbing world with the piano, so deep and full of expression reflecting his character, his depth and his roots that were firmly planted in African soil. He was a true African piano player and to me will remain my all time favorite. Although the tour never happened Moses began to reveal a glimpse of his immense depth and love of the acoustic piano through his work with Joanna MacGregor. However, nothing will ever come near to what I experienced that night in Down Town Studios in 1994. For that I am eternally grateful, and thank Mosi for an experience that I will never forget, a gift that will remain with me enriching my entire life.
Having informed his father Jerry 'Monk' Molelekwa of his decision to release the solo recordings Moses picked up the master tapes in London to compile the CD. Unfortunately these tapes got lost after his death but fate wanted it that unknown to us, Richard Edwards (engineer on Genes and Spirits) had made safety copies of the masters which were kept in a corner of our safe. These copies were presented to Taiwa's father and mentor Jerry Monk' Molelekwa on his visit to England in June 2001 to select the tracks and compile this album together with Chris Lewis who did a fine mastering job. Thanks to Peter Thwaites for the recordings and thanks god for having had the privilege to work with such a gentle genius!
A final offering to the world from a man whose genes and spirits will live on forever. RIP
Robert Trunz

Flyer for their UK Duo Tour sponsored by the British Council.

Joanna MacGregor's liner notes for the Solo Piano recordinig DARKNESS PASS.

The 1997 series of rehearsals and gigs in Nantes was released in 2004 as a video documentary filmed by Dick Jewell and edited by Lianne Cox. The DVD is sub titled "La Dance Africaine du Jazz Piano" featuring Moses Taiwa Molelekwa, Kaya Mahlangu, Fana Zulu and Sello Montwedi.

Gwen Ansell dubbed this live performance as one of his best. Recorded and filmed during the Fin de Siecle Festival in Nantes France in 1997 this DVD contains not just Taiwa's concert performance but also some striking extracts from the afternoon rehearsals.

Sub Menu’s of the DVD include: The Making of track Nobohle, the Music Video "Hungry on Arrival" filmed during the 1994 Outernational Meltdown recordings with Airto Moreira, Jose Neto, Fana Zulu, Byron Wallen, Shaluza Max and Moses co-producer Andrew Missingham.
Music videos of Darkness Pass, Spirits of Tembisa and Hungry on Arrival by award winning video director Lianne Cox, rare amateur footage of studio recordings, interviews with Monk Molelekwa (father of the late Taiwa) Pops Mohamed, Nicholas Swabile Hauser and MELT 2000 founder Robert Trunz plus a biography and pictures of the artist.

1997's gathering of some 380 artists from South Africa on the shores of the Atlantic in the west of France must be earmarked as the most impressive show of our country's culture beyond our borders. The idea of the Festival du Fin de Siecle was to invite to Nantes all kinds of cultural representatives from three of the world's great cities, in order to illustrate the creativity of each of these places at the dawn of the third millennium. The festival began in October 1997, with a celebration of Johannesburg, representing Africa, continent of roots.Beautiful costumes and great visual performances made the festival a unique event.
Several of the musicians like the late Moses Taiwa Molelekwa, Busi Mhlongo, Madala Kunene, Pops Mohamed and Amampondo that were invited to perform at Nantes were associated with MELT. The Melt crew recorded and filmed all the shows for future release starting the series with this unique recording of the late Moses Taiwa Molelekwa.
Moses Molelekwa arrived fresh from the studio in Johannesburg where he put the finishing touches on his then eagerly anticipated CD Genes and Spirits. Moses played in different formations: with Zolani Mkiva, with Sibongile Khumalo both in Paris and Nantes and with his band at La Tour a Plomb. Moses was accompanied by Khaya Mahlangu on sax and flute, Sello Montwedi on drums and Fana Zulu on bass.
Track Listing
1. BIKOS DREAM  11M 20S
2. MATSWALE 9M 58S
3. MOUNTAIN SHADE  13M 7S
4. DANCE TO AFRICA  6M 45S
5. NTATE MOHOLO  12M 58S
6. SPIRITS OF THEMBISA  8M

A moving document of Molelekwa's artistic progress, Wa Mpona includes two live tracks recorded in 1994 at a rare session at Cape Town's Baxter Theatre , where he worked with international musicians for the first time. His genius as a jazz improviser shines through the album's closing track, a live version of "Ntate Moholo", of Genes and Spirits fame, performed at the Cape Town North Sea jazz festival with his youthful band, including Moses Khumalo.
The title track of the new album, "Wa Mpona", has been described as the granddaddy of progressive kwaito. Produced during the recording of his seminal second album, Genes and Spirits, this entirely new composition was considered too advanced and too remote from mainstream jazz tastes to be included on that album. It features the additional rarety of Molelekwa on lead vocal, backed by Lungiswa Plaatjies. Several of the other compositions on Wa Mpona will be familiar to those who know Genes and Spirits and the other album released during Molelekwa's lifetime, Finding One Self. But, with one exception, they appear in startlingly new guises. The cool keyboard and programmed drumming of "Spirits of Tembisa" surfaces, transformed, in two remixes, one a tasteful arrangement with additional saxophone parts by Buddy Wells and his combo, Tribe. The latino rhythms of "Ntate Mohole" are amplified by the addition of congas and timbales to the piano support of Chucho Valdez. "Sing Along", previously released only on the limited South African edition of Barungwa's album, The Messenger, will be fresh to all but a tiny band of Molelekwa aficionados. A galaxy of local jazz stars feed their talents into these works, including Jimmy Dludlu, Vusi Khumalo, Fana Zulu, McCoy Mrubatha and Sipho Gumede.
The fact that Molelekwa's voice and fingers have been stilled forever gives special poignancy to these performances. The quality of the musicial inspiration, and the sense of so much promise waiting to be tapped, underline how much has been lost to South African music. Lyrical and powerfully energetic by turns, they are both distinctively South African and part of larger world idiom. Perhaps more than any other South African musician of the modern period, Molelekwa looked back into the country's past while pointing to its future.

LIVE ALBUM POSTER1999

Piano & keyboards: Moses Taiwa Molelekwa - Drums: Sello Montwedi - Bass: Joss Dhlathu - Percussion: Tlale Makhene - Keyboards: Robert Manaso - Sax: Moses Khumalo

Thanks to Martin Horne for conserving this concert - Respect!

NOBOHLE (2:18)

DOWN ROCKEY STREET (8:53)

GENES AND SPIRITS (9:36)

NEW YEAR - NEW MAN (7:12)

EH EH AH (6:32)

BO MOLELEKKWA (5:55)

KIPPIE'S SAMBA (4:00)

SPIRITS OF TEMBISA (4:17)

NEW OFFERINGS (7:11)

DJAMBO DJAMBO (5:32)

ITUMELENG (6:23)

MEDLEY / MALAIKA and YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE (9:01)

THE LAST CONCERT recorded 2 days prior to Moses tragic death on the 11th of February 2001 with Moses Taiwa Molelekwa, Moses Khumalo, Joss Jaws Dhlathu, Tlale Makhene & Robert Manasoe.

1. Rapela   2. Nobhle   3. Down Rockey Street4. New Year-New Man   5. Eh Eh Ah    6. Bo Molelekwa7. New Samba

RELEASED 1996 DOWNLOAD ALBUM
 

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Ricky is the most gifted and popular singer in his native Madagascar where he is known as 'Olombelo Ricky' ('Ricky, the human being'). The local press has reported him as the phenomenon of 'Rickymania'. Ricky is an expert in traditional Malagasy music, but mainly works with an electric band made up of some of thebest musicians on the island, playing a mixture of vako-drazana folk and jazz they call vakojazzana. In 1995, Ricky met the Swiss band Patent Ochsner and their manager Christian Siegenthaler who gave Ricky the opportunity to record an album. The six Malagasy musicians flew to Switzerland, where they recorded sixty minutes of music. When Robert Trunz heard the tape, he noted the similarity of some of the sounds to Brazilian music and asked Airto Moreira to join Ricky. Ricky came to Brownhill Farm Studios during the summer of 1997 and worked on the tapes of his debut album with Airto Moreira. Together they completely re-build the tracks with contributions by Suzan Hendricks, Mabi Thobejane and Diana Moreira who were also staying at Brownhill. 

PedXulu is the United South African Tribal Gathering - united to showcase the country's most talented drummers and percussionists forming the rhythmic carpet for the many musical art forms ranging from the jive of Township Jazz to organic club rhythms and songs influenced by the many traditional and sacred tribal sounds of ancestral Africa.

PedXulu is a revolving and changing gathering headed by Pedi veteran master drummer Mabi ‘Gabriel’ Thobejane joined by his 23-year-old cousin Thabang Philip Tabane (Malombo), Bernard Sibusiso Mndaweni and members of the legendary percussion and marimba group Amampondo, Mandla Lande, Simpiwa Matole, Michael Ludonga, Duke Norman & Dave Mayakane. Guest performances by Olombelo Ricky (Madagascar), trumpet player Byron Wallen (U.K.) and Ivan Mazuze (Mozambique).

FOREST JAM is an educational non profit organization and its members are mainly young music students,music teachers, veteran master musicians, music business experts and administrators from Southern Africa and Switzerland. The brainchild of Robert Trunz, FOREST JAM’s educational drive includes music forms with the emphasis on traditional African music and teaches awareness of the musical heritage of countries in Southern Africa. The original FOREST JAM Club was founded and is registered in Switzerland and has since organised two major educational events in Switzerland (2014) with Ricky's participation. Forest Jam had further gatherings in Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa in 2015 and 2016.

OLOMBELO RICKY joined the Swiss event as a teacher and mentor together with Madala Kunene, Richard Edwards, Frank Magongwa, Bafana Nhlapo, Michiel Westerhuiz and Rolf Schimmermann.

After a 3 months observation period and stay in Madagascar with Olombelo Ricky at the end of 2014, the decision was taken to hold a FOREST LAM gathering in 2015. Initiator Robert Trunz and co-director Matthias Abaecherli returned to Madagascar in March 2015 for a 6 weeks gathering with local and international students led by professionals.

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This album is a compilation of the now deleted recordings first released in 1995 under the heading of Outernational Meltdown South Africa with 3 titles then called "Free At Last" "Healers Brew" and "Jazzin' Universally". There is a rare cardboard 3 CD pack which can be found in collectors circles. This compilationalbum contains a couple of Q videos which can be viewed on your PC or Mac.
The energy of these recordings lies in the spirit of exchange; an exchange of rhythms and colours between musicians who came together to break the isolation that had too long been forced upon a people - the year is 1994 and it was time for the musicians of South Africa to join with the rest of the world.
The game plan was vague but under the loose direction of two South African musicians, bassist Sipho (pronounced 'Seepo') Gumede, Pops Mohamed and Brazilian master percussionist, Airto Moreira. The two weeks of recording in Cape Town and Jo'burg were fired by the winds of spontaneity. Kicking off the set, 'Hungry On Arrival' is exactly as the title suggests. Airto and São Paulo born guitarist, José Neto, along with two North Londoners, trumpeter Byron Wallen and drummer Andrew Missingham, had flown into Jo'burg, dumped their bags at the hotel and headed for the Downtown studio. It took no more than bass-man Fana Zulu to drop a funky 5/4 B-line for the rest of the posse to jump right on it. Listen to percussive touches of pianist Moses Molelekwa, the momentum whipped up by Airto, the sweeping muted horn of Byron, the sensual but ecstatic guitar of Neto and the feverish vocals of Shaluza Max. I think Miles Davis might have ventured a smile at this cut. If music is the healing force of the universe, then in South Africa it has a special role. This is a nation where a spiritual undercurrent underpins everything, where tribal traditions are tuned to the past present and future through the spirits of the ancestors - the Amadlozi. Coming from the spiritual tradition in Brazil, where his father was a healer, Airto Moreira was naturally keen to make contact on a musical level with this tradition in South Africa. Appropriately, a day of special recordings had been arranged through Pops Mohamed. There was to be a session with a group of sangomas: traditional healers, the direct line to the spirit world and the ancestors of the sky people. Once in the recording booth, they switched their street clothes for traditional dress. Their presence was magnified as they revealed themselves in plumed head dresses and toting fly whisks with short spears. They were adorned with complex, patterned beads and protective amulets. They gathered in a circle beneath the microphone. As they knelt on the floor, khambas (traditional beer pots) before them, Susan launched into a spoken but charged invocation that was to stir the spirit world, praise the god of the sky, Nkulunkulu, and bless the season in progress. Incense was burned as the hair whisk flashed through the air. The drums were like rolling thunder. The local musicians had piled into the studio and like me were checking the goings on beyond the glass. They were clearly unused to such happenings in the recording studio. Under the guidance of Pops the next song was soon underway and Airto, who had slipped quietly into the recording booth, joined them. There was a serious intensity in the air, everyone felt it, especially Airto, who was playing one of the drums. It wasn't until much later that we discovered that the percussionist had directly encountered a spirit from the other side. Playing a central role was the late Sipho Gumede, whose band, Sakhile, was a crucial creative force during the seventies. Here we find him united with
both older musicians like Cape Town pianist Tete Mbambisa and brilliant new talents of the early nineties like the late Moses Molelekwa - savour his solo tribute to his piano-playing grandfather, Bo Molelekwa. The freestyle spirit is maintained but strong distinctive melodies reign. Along with Airto Moreira, José Neto, Byron Wallen and Andrew Missingham there's Valerie Naranjo - a brilliant vibes, marimba, conga player of native American origin - this outernational crew add a distinctive edge. From saxophonist/flautist Zim Nggwana's homage to the hostel dwellers and migrant workers to Sipho's deceptive compositions, which seem to owe a debt to Dave Gruisin and the GRP sound, to the lilting melody lines of Moses uplifting re-interpretation of 'Nobohle', there is always the joyous element of surprise. Listen to Amampondo - majestic marimbas and ancestral drums - reachin' for new spiritual heights; or the sensuous but gravel tones of the old man, Madala Kunene; or the sweet vocal exchange between Max and singer/guitarist Mxolise 'Dave' Mayekane. It was a joy to watch the Durban girls trio, Lindiwe Ngwane, Tsidi Manye & Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, along with fellow vocalist Henry 'Faca' Kulu rehearse acapella style in the kitchen and then hook it up in the studio with the powerful congas and Malombo drums of 'Mabi' Thobejane.

Paul Bradshaw, Straight No Chaser

OUTERNATIONAL MELTDOWN 1994 INITIATORS POPS MOHAMED, ROBERT TRUNZ & SIPHO GUMEDE

THE COMPLETE STORY OF THE 1994 OUTERNATIONAL MELTDOWN SERIES OF THE FIRST MAJOR INTERNATIONAL ARTIST COLLABORATIONS CELEBRATING THE NEW DEMOCRATIC SOUTH AFRICA. WRITTEN BY PAUL BRADSHAW, PHOTOS BY PETE WILLIAM AND GRAPHIC LAYOUT BY SWIFTY & FRED.

LONDON CD - LAUNCH POSTER

VERY RARE !  OUTER CARDBOARD BOX CONTAINING ALL 3 ORIGINAL CDS:  FREE AT LAST, HEALERS BREW & JAZZIN' UNIVERSALLY

1. HUNGRY ON ARRIVAL by Fana Zulu, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa, Jose Neto, Andrew Missingham, Airto Moreira, Byron Wallen and Shaluza Max Mntambo.

2. GIYA KASAMORE by Amampondo with Airto Moreira.

3.SANBONANI by Madala Kunene with Mabi Thobejane, Airto Moreira, Lindiwe Ngwanw, Tside Manye & Nonhlanhla Ngcobo.

4. BONGANI'S THEME by Bongani Ngcobo, Bra Paul Ngcobo, Pops Mohamed, Airto Moreira and Byron Wallen.

5. NINGAKHALI (DON'T CRY) by Dave Mxolise Mayekana with Byron Wallen, Sipho Gumede, Andrew Missingham & Amampondo.

6. MAMAYE by Sipho Gumede with Lindiew Ngwane, Tsidi Manye, Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, Shaluza Max Mntambo, Mabi Thobejane, Andrew Missingham & Airto Moreira.

7. THE LONG WALK TO FREEDOM by Sipho Gumede with Mfa Kera, Baba Mokoena, Jose Neto, Byron Wallen, Airto Moreira, Mabi Thobejane, Shaluza Max Mntambo, Faca Khulu, Lindiew Ngwane, Tsidi Manye and Nonhlanhla Ngcobo.

recorded and mixed at Downtown Studios in Johannesburg, Milestone Studios in Cape Town & Sound Design Studios in Santa Barbara (USA).
Engineerd by Peter Thwaites, Murray Anderson, Geoff Gillette, Mark Casselman & Dom Carmardella

Artwork by SWIFTY and FRED at Swifty Typografix

Producers: Sipho Gumede, Pops Mohamed, Byron Wallen, Andrew Missingham, Jose Neto and Airto Moreira

Executive Producer: Robert Trunz

1. BLESSING CEREMONY by Suzan Hendricks with Jessie Jane Pooe, Isau Maluleke, Mantombi Nxuseka, Abel Maluleke, Airto Moreira & Robert Trunz.

2. MARIMBA SONG by Amampondo* and Airto Moreira.

3 MAMGOBOZI - by Madala Kunene with Mabi Thobejane, Airto Moreira, Lindiwe Ngwanw, Tside Manye & Nonhlanhla Ngcobo.

4. HEALERS BREW by Pops Mohamed, Andrew Missingham and Suzan Hendricks with Byron Wallen, Jose Neto, Ike Leo, Airto Moreira, Jessie Jane Pooe, Isau Maluleke, Mantombi Nxuseka & Abel Maluleke.

5. AMEN by Intethelelo Yabazalwane Choir

6. BAZOPHUMULA ABANGKWELE by Intethelelo Yabazalwane Choir

7. MANGIBE NAWE BABA By Bra Paul Ngcobo

8. DJEMBE AMAM by Amampondo*

9. SIYA DENGELELA KGONYAMA by Suzan Hendricks with Jessie Jane Pooe, Isau Maluleke, Mantombi Nxuseka & Abel Maluleke.

10. TOGETHERNESS by Amampondo with Airto Moreira, Byron Wallen, Jose Neto, Pops Mohamed, Dave Mxolise Mayekana, Shaluza Max Mntambo.

*Amampondo are: Simpiwe Matole, Dizu Plaatjies, Mzandile Qotoyi, Mandal Lande, Nkulu Ludonga.

Recorded and mixed at Downtown Studios in Johannesburg, Milestone Studios in Cape Town & Sound Design Studios in Santa Barbara (USA).
Engineerd by Peter Thwaites, Murray Anderson, Geoff Gillette, Mark Casselman & Dom Carmardella.

Artwork by SWIFTY and FRED at Swifty Typografix

Producers: Sipho Gumede, Pops Mohamed, Byron Wallen, Andrew Missingham, Jose Neto and Airto Moreira

Executive Producer: Robert Trunz

1. AMAGODUKA (MIGRANT WORKERS) by Zim Ngqawana & Shaluza Max Mntambo with Airto Moreira, Valerie Naranjo, Johnny Chonco, Barry Olsen, Byron Wallen, Mgxabhiso Kubheka, Fana Zulu & Moses Taiwa Moelekwa.

2. PHAMBILI by Sipho Gumede with Faca Khulu, Shaluza Max Mntambo, Leonard Rachabane, Mandla Masuku, Sthembiso Ntuli, Byron Wallen, Baba Mokoena, Jose Neto, Lindiwe Ngwane, Tsidi Manye, Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, Mabi Thobejane, Sibongiseni Shange.

3. HUG COURTNEY PINE by Dave Mxolise Mayekana, & Tete Mbambisa with Sipho Gumede, Babes Ndamase, Byron Wallen, Shaluza Max Mntambo, Dizu Plaatjies & Mzwandile Qotoyi.

4. BO MOLELEKWA by Moses Taiwa Molelekwa

5. DANCE TO AFRICA by Moses Taiwa Molelekwa with Fana Zulu, Andrew Missingham, Jose Neto, Byron Wallen, Valerie Naranjo & Shaluz Max Mntambo.

6. NIKIWA by Sipho Gumede with Faca Khulu, Shaluza Max Mntambo, Leonard Rachabane, Mandla Masuku, Sthembiso Ntuli, Byron Wallen, Baba Mokoena, Jose Neto, Lindiwe Ngwane, Tsidi Manye, Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, Mabi Thobejane, Sibongiseni Shange.

7. NOBOHLE Moses Taiwa Molelekwa with Fana Zulu, Mfa Kera, Andrew Missingham, Jose Neto, Byron Wallen, Airto Moreira, Valerie Naranjo & Shaluza Max Mntambo.

Recorded and mixed at Downtown Studios in Johannesburg, Milestone Studios in Cape Town & Sound Design Studios in Santa Barbara (USA).
Engineerd by Peter Thwaites, Murray Anderson, Geoff Gillette, Mark Casselman & Dom Carmardella

Artwork by SWIFTY and FRED at Swifty Typografix

Producers: Sipho Gumede, Pops Mohamed, Byron Wallen, Andrew Missingham, Jose Neto and Airto MoreiraExecutive Producer: Robert Trunz

Original 3 LPs Vinyl LPs release from 1996
 

From the HEALERS BREW sessions with Airto Moreira, Isau Malulke and Mantombi Nxuseka at Downtown Studios in Johannesburg.
 

WE MUST MIX was the slogan of the final 1994 OUTERNATIONAL MELTDOWNlive concert at THE BAXTER THEATER in Cape Town.

Jose Neto, Baba Mokoena, Andrew Missingham and Sipho Gumdede at a Club in Gugulethu, Cape Town.

Lindiwe Ngwane, Tsidi Manye, Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, Faca Khulu performing MAMAYE from the album FREE AT LAST

Shaluza Max Mnthambo, Airto Moreira and Dizu Plaatjies performing at The Baxter Theater in Cape Town.

Jose Neto

Byron Wallen in traditional outfit - no wonder everybody addressed him in Zulu !

Mzwandile Qotoyi & Dizu Plaatjies at Milestones Studio in Cape Town

Robert Trunz and Airto Moreira.

Foreground: Robert Trunz, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa and Norma Fletcher.

In 2014 Rolf joined the founder members of FOREST JAM rehearsing, teaching and recording with participants of the unique event in the mountain forest of Melchtal in Central Switzerland.

 THABANG TABANE & MABI THOBEJANE - TM AFRICA (MZA011)

Producer and musician Ben Amato gathered two generations of Malombo drummers in Cape Town to record an album with music far removed from their usual style. The drummers are no less than the co founder of the original Malombo - Mabi Thobejane and his nephew Thabang Philip Tabane - the son of founder Philip Tabane. Most of the album was recorded and mixed in my house and it was a great privilege to see Uncle Mabi teaching Thabang some of the old songs from the Northern territories of South Africa with Ben Amato mixing it all his own unique style. Thanks is given to the members of Amampondo and especially Buddy Wells for his great sax playing.
The album features:
Mabi Thobejane - drums, mbira and vocals
Thabang Tabane - djembe, drums, thai marimba and vocals
Ben Amato - Producer
Sessions by:
Zimbini Msesane - female vocals on eOffisini & Malume
Dave Mayekana - guitar
Simpiwe Matole - percussion
Peter Ndlala - bass
Vola Mambo - percussion
Michael Ludongo - African drums
Mandla Lande - djembe
Buddy Wells - sax
Ben Amato - guitar , flute and programming
Vincent Mtetwa - keyboards

Black Coffee contributed a mix to the album called Basubeletsu and remixed another Chililo from this album for his own release under the name of Yena Chililo on his debut album Black Coffee.

Known around the world for his work on Paul Simon's seminal Graceland album, drummer and composer Vusi Khumalo is one of South Africa's most accomplished musicians. Vusi's 1997 debut album "Follow Your Dream" is all about hope. "This music represents a lifetime commitment to the creativity we strive for... So many things just fell into place in putting this album together, as if by divine intervention. How can I not believe in dreams? " Vusi invited a host of the finest musicians to perform on this album featuringa.o. Shaluza Max, Themba Mkhize, Byron Wallen, Mark Anthoni, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa, Fana Zulu, Kaya Mahlangu, James McMillan, Lawrence Matshiza and members of the Cuban band Irakere.

 Recorded December 1996 at Real World Studios in Box (UK)

Basilio and Jose Miguel were members of Cuban band IRAKERE and visited the studio with Chucho Valdes who recorded with Moses Taiwa Molelekwa in another section of Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios.

Dave Bitelli & Byron Wallen

Jose Miguel Melendez Alarcon

Khaya Mahlangu

Elizabeth Troy, Shaluza Max and Mark Anthoni

Moses Taiwa Molelekwa and Khaya Mahlangu

Shaluza Max