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Discover South African Neo-Swing

David Nolan | 04/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Along with Juluka and Hotline, the Africanist musical fusion of Mango Groove helped break down the apartheid barriers separating young South Africans from each other in the 1980's. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the influence of these bands was an element in undermining white popular support for the apartheid regime and paving the way for the transition to a non-racial democratic state. These musicans made young whites realize they could have a future in Africa without apartheid, indeed that they were Africans who shared a common culture with other South Africans.



When we heard Mango Groove play in Windhoek in 1993, they seemed to represent a vision of a modern democratic and prosperous future for Southern Africa. Band founder John Leyden admitted that was part of the point, saying in the early '90's, "The message is there, but it's incidental. We want to be a pop act, but there's more to it than that. We want to communicate what South Africa should look like. What South Africa could be like if we could surpass racial and ethnic boundaries. We want to create a universal South African sound. A sound for a unified South Africa." It was only logical that MG performed at Nelson Mandela's inauguration in 1994.



Formed in Johannesburg in 1984, Mango Groove's 11 person inter-racial line-up revived the big band sound of South Africa's marabi swing era. Think Manhattan Transfer backed by the Brian Setzer Orchestra. From that foundation, lead song-writer and bassist John Leyden included modern mbaqanga and reggae styles, as well as disco/techo variations that made MG competitive internationally as an instrumental dance band. Tenor sax man Sipho Bhengu arranged the hot horn section, showcasing trumpet solos by Banza Kgasoane that, in the words of another reviewer, truly are "blistering." But it is Mduduzi Magwaza on the kwela pennywhistle that gives the band its signature South African sound.



Most visibly, lead singer Claire Johnston provides the pop song talent and blond image that guaranteed the group's popularity. Like Johnny Clegg, Johnston immigrated to South Africa from England as a child, joining the band while she was a 17 year old student at the University of the Witwatersrand. She has nurtured a special relationship with Africa's musical culture, most recently in her solo album, Africa Blue. In recent years, Johnston and Leyden, who later married, have deepened their social commitment with human rights and conservation work.



For me, the definitive Mango Groove song is 1990's "Hometalk." Much like Gloria Estefan's "Mi Tierra" did for Cuba three years later, Clarie Johnston takes the listener through a tour of South Africa's musical traditions, from Zulu village sounds to township mbaqanga, united by the ever-present kwela-swing riffs. No Ellington or Goodman sideman ever swung harder than Magwaza does on "Pennywhistle" and "Marabi Party." In "Special Star," Magwaza and Johnston share the lead to conjure up a picture of nights in urban South Africa. "Lalissa" is a jazz tune in the vein of Hugh Masekela with a more rural feeling. "Dance Sum More" takes township `bubble-gum' style beyond its normal limitations. "Moments Away" and "Two Hearts" showcase Johnston's ability to deliver a ballad with soul. The MG cover of "Mbube" updates that old Zulu-folk-song-turned-international-standard, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." "Tom Hark" brings back the classic 1959 kwela song.



It appears that Mango Groove never got a U.S. distributor, which is our loss. They toured Europe and Asia, but I can find no mention that they ever set food in America. It's about time for someone to bring this music of the historic South African band to the attention of American audiences.

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A worthwhile pleasure -- get it

David Nolan | 05/04/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The album contains a comprehensive collection of Mango Groove's songs, offering a melodic and rythmic glimpse of the richness of South Africa's music heritage -- blending pop, dance, kwela, jazz and other genres of the country's rich music heritage. It is a celebration of the transition from old to new South Africa and an introduction for the uninitiated to great South African themes and rythms. Well-produced and presented by a talented team of multi-ethnic artists, Mango Groove's "best-of" album is a great buy."