Swivel hip special !
attentive listener | Joysey | 03/09/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love these types of comps. 7 inch obscurities covering a specific place and time, in this example, 60s-70s township South Africa. I would defy anyone to stay seated for longer than a track or 2, there is a joy to this music that is utterly infectious. I know Paul Simon's Graceland was inspired from these sounds, but that effort, while terrific, seems relatively sterile by comparison. This is the genuine article and it's quite simply, fantastic. 20 tracks, 53 minutes worth. Strut promises two more volumes slated for later in the year, sign me up now. A perfect primer for World Cup soccer action, let the games begin.
UPDATE: Next volume covering township soul-funk-psych circa 69-76 set to drop May, 10, 2010."
Best South African compiliation yet
Comment man | Omaha, Ne | 05/14/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Big claim, little reviewer! South African music is among the most infectious joyous in the world, and this is strictly Mbaquangwa, a music that thrived in the early eighties and is among the most marvelous in the world--a steady shuffle beat with great horns, accordian and singing. Gravelly voiced males and funky soul sisters--and wonderful guitar. The other reviewer is correct to compare this music to Graceland--but really Paul Simon only played mbaqangwa on one or two tracks on graceland. Most SA compiliations I have heard only have a couple of mbaquangwa songs, and understandly, included other SA sounds--not bad, but nowhere near as much fun as this CD.
I strongly urge you to at least download one track--seriously, any track, they are all great--from this CD and listen to it. IF you love it (and i Think you must) buy the whole CD, it is all as good as that random track you downloaded--and that will be the beginning of you odyssey into African music, one of the richest traditions in modern electrical music, and you will be forever grateful for that lousy 99 cents you spent on that single download
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