Township Music

Of all the anthologies of South African music to have been released in the UK in the last 20 years (and there have been many), this is probably the one with the broadest scope, both in terms of the time-span it covers, and the musical styles it encompasses. The title is an apt description, for this offers an historical journey from the earliest styles put on record, moving chronologically up to the 1980s, covering examples of different trends and styles as it goes.

It starts (out of chronology in recording terms, though not stylistically) with a marabi piano solo by Thomas Mabiletsa, recorded in 1944. Listening to this extraordinary piece of music took me back to the old Magpie series of piano blues that appeared in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, featuring obscure stylists from all over the deep south of the USA, whose rough and ready, but frequently highly skilled, music was recorded extensively in the pre-war years. This is of similar quality - a real treat. We move on with a couple of examples from the 1930s vocal groups (including Solomon Linda’s seminal “Mbube”), then there’s a gap in the 1940s, and we’re into the incredibly rich 1950s - jive, jazz and kwela, with famous names like the Manhattan Brothers, Dolly Rathebe, Dorothy Masuka, Miriam Makeba, Spokes Mashiyane and Kippie Moeketsi. This is all terrific stuff - a truly indigenous music being carved out of the encounter between jazz, contemporary pop music and older local styles. Special mention also for the Royal Players, a zulu string band, but every single track has been carefully selected.

As we go into the 1960s, the music continues to progress and to become more contemporary, but at the same time seems to draw more deeply on its roots. A good example is “Msenge” by the Four Yanks - the name implies outside influence, and indeed it’s very much there, but the overall feel is very rootsy, with rolling piano, percussive guitar and chanting refrain. More surprising is “Midnight Ska” by Reggie Msomi’s Hollywood Jazz Band - township jive goes Jamaica! Then we’re into electric guitar mbaqanga with the Mahotella Queens in their younger days, and the sax jive that was so popular at the end of the 1960s. There are four tracks from the 1970s, including early appearances by the Boyoyo Boys and the Soul Brothers, then it winds up in 1980 and 1981, with the first appearances of the soon-to-be ubiquitous synthesiser.

The historical intention is emphasised by extensive notes on every track - so much so, in fact, that the print needs to be almost unreadably small - with personnel information and original issue details. But if you’re not into history, you can just enjoy it as 28 tracks of outstanding music. Handsome presentation and a mid-range price-tag offer yet further incentives to investigate this very worthwhile package.

R.T.


Various Artists: The History of Township Music - Wrass 029 Of all the anthologies of South African music to have been released in the UK in the last 20 years (and there have been many), this is probably the one with the broadest scope, both in terms of the time-span it covers, and the musical styles it encompasses. The title is an apt description, for this offers an historical journey from the earliest styles put on record, moving chronologically up to the 1980s, covering examples of different trends and styles as it goes. It starts (out of chronology in recording terms, though not stylistically) with a marabi piano solo by Thomas Mabiletsa, recorded in 1944. Listening to this extraordinary piece of music took me back to the old Magpie series of piano blues that appeared in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, featuring obscure stylists from all over the deep south of the USA, whose rough and ready, but frequently highly skilled, music was recorded extensively in the pre-war years. This is of similar quality - a real treat. We move on with a couple of examples from the 1930s vocal groups (including Solomon Linda’s seminal “Mbube”), then there’s a gap in the 1940s, and we’re into the incredibly rich 1950s - jive, jazz and kwela, with famous names like the Manhattan Brothers, Dolly Rathebe, Dorothy Masuka, Miriam Makeba, Spokes Mashiyane and Kippie Moeketsi. This is all terrific stuff - a truly indigenous music being carved out of the encounter between jazz, contemporary pop music and older local styles. Special mention also for the Royal Players, a zulu string band, but every single track has been carefully selected. As we go into the 1960s, the music continues to progress and to become more contemporary, but at the same time seems to draw more deeply on its roots. A good example is “Msenge” by the Four Yanks - the name implies outside influence, and indeed it’s very much there, but the overall feel is very rootsy, with rolling piano, percussive guitar and chanting refrain. More surprising is “Midnight Ska” by Reggie Msomi’s Hollywood Jazz Band - township jive goes Jamaica! Then we’re into electric guitar mbaqanga with the Mahotella Queens in their younger days, and the sax jive that was so popular at the end of the 1960s. There are four tracks from the 1970s, including early appearances by the Boyoyo Boys and the Soul Brothers, then it winds up in 1980 and 1981, with the first appearances of the soon-to-be ubiquitous synthesiser. The historical intention is emphasised by extensive notes on every track - so much so, in fact, that the print needs to be almost unreadably small - with personnel information and original issue details. But if you’re not into history, you can just enjoy it as 28 tracks of outstanding music. Handsome presentation and a mid-range price-tag offer yet further incentives to investigate this very worthwhile package. R.T.

	Various Artists The History of Township Music Wrass 029


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