Ever the investigators, this is the first of a proposed three part series from Strut uncovering the underground music from 60′s and 70′s South Africa. A country who’s traditional music is renowned for its incredible harmonies, it will come as no surprise that there’s an element of these rural Zulu harmonies and vocal styles in this music, however it’s in the Mbaqanga style, which also merges western instrumentation and approaches. As a result there’s a loose stringy funk (particularly with the guitar sound) at play on the tunes on this 20 track compilation. It’s difficult to call it rare groove like many of Strut’s recent efforts, though admittedly most of the material here was originally released on 45 during the height of apartheid. The music has a certain jazzy jive feel and in it you can sense the undercurrents that would go on to explore soul and funk music, however the music here isn’t that adventurous yet. Of course given the political situation at the time pretty much all of these artists don’t have any kind of presence in the west, yet that doesn’t prevent this collection from brimming with life, the incredible harmonies and an old world jazzy energy.
Bob Baker Fish
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