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UP 2016-007LP
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The fourth issue in the Township Jive & Kwela Jazz series features 16 early vocal and jazzy tunes from the "Golden Age" of jive and kwela in South Africa. These pearls of musical genius were recorded in the glory years of jive and kwela, 1940 to 1965. On side A, it is not difficult to recognize the similarities to American popular music like R&B and small-combo close-harmony singing. In contrast, that typical South African swing, jive and incredibly smooth form of African jazz is on side B. The rarest and most treasured finds are collected here, some with the original spoken introductions, "sketches" as these were called and characteristic conversations between the musicians - often in a humoristic slang and always extremely funny. Originally released on fragile shellac discs only. Shellac is a very delicate material but the music survived thanks to the archives of ILAM (the International Library of African Music), in Grahamstown, South Africa. A truly great source of South African music is being preserved here for new generations, to inspire young and hopeful musicians and singers from all over the world. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl. Features: Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje, Maphela, Mississippi Brothers, Beauty Diloane, Susan Gabashane & Her Honeybees, Alabhama Kids, Black Duke, Peter Makana and Alfred Dlezi & Dlamini.
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UP 2014-006LP
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Soul Safari started as a blog to showcase the music of Africa with a strong emphasis on South Africa. Now in its sixth year, Soul Safari is proud to present the third volume of the compilation Township Jive & Kwela Jazz, a collection of rare gems originally released as shellac 78s in the period 1960-1965 in South Africa. On this third volume, the selection features the gorgeous close harmony vocal groups singing in the tradition of American R&B and doo-wop, but always with that typical South African swing and sung in the Zulu or Xhosa languages. DJ Eddy de Clercq, who initiated this compilation, also selected a few tunes that stand for the transition from early jive to mbaqanga, a most democratic vocal style characterized by the typical "groaning," a form of call-and-answer between the male leader (groaner) and female singers. Mbaqanga would follow up jive as the popular vocal music from 1965 onwards. Kwela jazz knew many variations in which the original instrument, the penny whistle was traded in for accordion, violin, even a melodica, an instrument that also became widely popular in Jamaica. Similarities with uptempo ska can be heard in tunes by Kid Ma Wrong Wrong and Bra Sello, featured on this compilation. Again, an exciting selection of rare recordings from the heyday of South African jive & kwela. True musical treasures from a long-gone past.
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UP 2013-005LP
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Soul Safari presents volume two of the Township Jive & Kwela Jazz compilation, featuring 18 rare gems from South Africa, recorded between 1930 and 1962. All titles on this compilation have been carefully handpicked from the ILAM Archives (the International Library of African Music), in Grahamstown, South Africa. The tracklisting represents a wide variety of styles from the golden era of jive & kwela, originally released on 78 shellac discs from small independent record companies. The compilation features rarities by the big names, obviously, but presents mostly obscure material from a long-lost past. Recorded from the original 78 rpms and professionally restored/mastered with artwork to match.
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