A Sound Travels set just perfect for our early summer sushine. And fianally a planned mix that dials into the day with a vibe perfect for a feel-good Sunday evening. Jive, or mbaqanga, is country music, South African to be precise. While sounding nothing like what we have here in the States, it is an inimitable sound from South Africa's streets and townships.
How it came to also be called Jive is one of mbaqanga's mysteries. What is far less mysterious is the feel-good sound that it carries on strong grooves delivered by powerful and at times, gospel-like harmonies. A great way to start your Sunday evening. And if you made it out to The Nomad on Sunday too, then you witnessed some more dancefloor devastation. Guest DJ Bumbac Joe from Venezuela killed it on some cuts that nobody recognized, but nevertheless got down to. And Avets and I brought the heat straight to the end. Fun times were had by all...
If you missed the set, here it is again in all its glory...
Sound Travels Sunday - South African Jive Mixtape
Tracklisting:
Phuzushukela "Intombi Ibhinca Isidwaba"
Melotone Sisters with Amaqola Band "I Sivenoe"
Chris McGregor "Andromeda"
Down Tones "Back Home Soul"
S. Pilso & His Super Seven "Kuya Hanjwa"
Lucky Strike Sisters "Mr J.S. Mpanza"
Tempo All Stars "Take Off"
Sammy Boy "10 to 11"
Miriam Makeba "Pata Pata (Album Version)"
Kataki "Hula Hoop Jive"
Malcolm McLaren "Jive My Baby"
Mahotella Queens "Asambeni Bafana"
J.J. Chauke "Madyisa Mbitsi"
Sipho “Hot Stix" Mabuse "Jive Soweto"
Mahlathini "Jive Makgona
Teaspoon "Oh Yeh Soweto"
Soul Brothers "Bayeza"
J. K. Mayengani And The Shingwedzi Sisters "Khubani"
The Anchors "Last Time"
African Swingsters "Emuva"
Phillip Malela And The Movers "Intandane"
Mahlathini "Wozani Mahipi"
Malcolm McLaren "Soweto"
N. D. Hotshots "U.S.A. Special"