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On the heels of 20th Anniversary of Nelson Mandela release from Robben Island prison (where he had been incarcerated 27 years before), this compilation celebrates the music of the townships, how 50’s jazz and jive music (the music of Mbaqangwa), a time when Miriam Makeba started to make her name, merged Western instrumentation with the traditional Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa and Shangaan melodies.

The music is the equivalent of 60s pop. It’s a time with the Mahotella Queens (represented here with the track ‘Zwe Kumusha’) were just starting out. They often teamed up with male vocalist “groaner” Simon Mahlathini (represented by ‘Umkhovi’ here) and it wasn’t long before other early stars emerged like Zed Nkabinde and other female vocals groups (some even using “Queens” as a moniker).

Most of this album is very rare having been released of 45s at the time but when apartheid was at its most prevalent. But the music is anything but oppressed. Currently favouring the instrumental ‘jazz’ tracks like ‘Emuva’ by African Swingsters and ‘Take Off’ by the Tempo All Stars but you can’t help but be amazed by the gravelled joy of the voice of Ubhekitshe Namajongosi, the fantastic Soweto ”ska’ of Reggie Msomi & His Hollywood Jazz Band’s ‘Soul Chakari’ and Sammy Boy’s ‘10 To 11’.

The album ends on another great track called ‘Happy Africa’ that’s full of jazz horn joy and whilst there are some tracks where you can hear the emergence Ladysmith Black Mambazo harmony sound, I like to think that compilation is the South African equivalent of ska in Jamaica’s history of reggae. Volumes 1 and 2 will go onto explore the next phase (the influence of soul, funk and R&B) that will come out in the Spring and Summer (just in time for World Cup 2010 fever; my contact’s tell me all will be well over there) so that’s definitely something to look forward to.

As ever with Strut, the compilers Duncan Brooker and Francis Gooding are experts and must have spend hours diggin’ in creates to bring us this CD. There’s an extensive booklet featuring detailed notes by Gooding alongside many previously unseen archive photos which is superb, but what you’ll really want to do is dance to these tracks that are intensely fun and upbeat.

Reviewed: Various Artists - Next Stop… Soweto (Strut) STRUT045CD Release date: 22nd February 2010
Tracklisting:
1. Melotone Sisters With Amaqqla Band - I Sivenoe (2:48)
2. The Mgababa Queens - Maphuti (2:44)
3. S. Piliso & His Super Severn - Kuya Hanjwa (2:34)
4. The Big Four - Wenzani Umoya (3:11)
5. Mahlathini & The Queens - Umkhovi (3:26)
6. Zed Nkabinde - Inkonjane Jive (2:25)
7. Intombi Zephepha - Ingoina Le Nayathi (2:35)
8. Tempo All Stars - Take Off (2:30)
9. Boy-nze Na Maqueens - I’smodeni (2:18)
10. Mahotella Queens - Zwe Kumusha (2:37)
11. African Swingsters - Emuva (2:33)
12. Ubhekitshe Namajongosi - Umaduna Omnyama (2:43)
13. Lucky Strike Sister - Mr. J.S. Mpanza (2:16)
14. Aba-Lilizeli - Sikhwele (2:55)
15. Reggie Msomi & HIs Hollywood Jazz Band - Soul Chakari (2:45)
16. Amaqawe Omculo - Jabulani Balaleli (Part 2) (2:44)
17. Piston Mahlathini & The Queens - Nomacala (2:45)
18. Sammy Boy - 10 To 11 (2:22)
19. Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje - Awofuni Ukulandela Na? (2:26)
20. Iza Wena - Happy Africa (2:40)

Links:
www.nextstopsoweto.com
www.strut-records.com
www.soundsoftheuniverse.com
11 Feb 2010 Nelson Mandela released from prison 20 years ago www.newsahead.com