The GQOM Trilogy
https://amf.didiermary.fr/gqom-trilogy/
Highlighting the continuing evolution of Durban’s globally influential GQOM sound, this special trilogy of releases showcases three separate artists from South Africa’s fertile musical landscape.
The set captures a fresh wave of gqom innovation from DJ Scriby // DJ MaRiiO // DJ Skothan. […]
Letta MBulu – What Is Wrong With Groovin’?
https://amf.didiermary.fr/letta-mbulu-what-wrong-groovin/
Letta MBulu’s “What Is Wrong With Groovin’?” is a single released in 1967 and written by Hugh Masekela.
Letta is a South African jazz singer who left the country in 1964 to escape apartheid, with her husband Caiphus Semenya.They left South Africa for Los Angeles and worked with many (Jazz) musicians & composers […]
Abdullah Ibrahim – Water From An Ancient Well
https://amf.didiermary.fr/abdullah-ibrahim-water-ancient-well/
“Water From An Ancient Well” features the pianist/composer with a very strong septet. Such superior musicians as tenor saxophonist Ricky Ford, altoist Carlos Ward, baritonist Charles Davis, and trombonist Dick Griffin are heard at their most creative and emotional on these eight Ibrahim originals. [...]
#80smusic #AbdullahIbrahim #Jazz #Madiba #Piano #SouthAfrica #AfroJazz
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Yinhle Lentombi
https://amf.didiermary.fr/ladysmith-black-mambazo-yinhle-lentombi/
Yinhle Lentombi translates to “This Lady Is Beautiful” and comes from their 6th studio album Shintsha Sithothobala which was released in 1975. […]
"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."
Via Mzilikazi wa Afrika
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini (piano), Mbuso Khoza (vocals) - You Make Me Happy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b6rS5qC5Ik
"Ladysmith Black Mambazo return with a powerful new single that blends their world-renowned harmonies with the soulful touch of Mbuso Khoza and the jazz spirit of Nduduzo Makhathini. A love song delivered in signature Mambazo style – uplifting, heartfelt, and timeless."
From upcoming album "One Voice One World."
Nduduzo Makhathini – Amathambo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/nduduzo-makhathini-amathambo-ikhambi/
South-African pianist & healer Nduduzo Makhathini will release his next albums on Blue Note Records.
Award-winning pianist, improvisor, healer and scholar from South Africa. A recipient of prestigious awards such as the Standard Bank Young Artist Award, multiple South African Music Award (SAMA) and AFRIMA among others that have made him an influential figure. [...]
Benjamin Jephta - Homecoming Revisited
Feat. Siya Makuzeni, Marcus Wyatt, Sisonke Xonti, Mthunzi Mvubu, Llewelyn George, Damian Kamineth
https://benjaminjephta.bandcamp.com/album/homecoming-revisited
More on AMF: https://amf.didiermary.fr/benjamin-jephta-quintet-homecoming/
Biko – Peter Gabriel, Manu Dibango & Playing For Change
https://amf.didiermary.fr/biko-peter-gabriel-playing-for-change/
Today in September 1977, South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko was murdered in police custody.
#RememberSteveBiko ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿
The Ploemies - Africa
Live (extract)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBxtVQ4THlg
Full version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qms6QNkMJgQ
A 4-piece band from Cape Town.
Zawadi Yamungu performing Ngimuhle live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6Q68lIF838
Official audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bBa6VTmNM4
Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz
https://amf.didiermary.fr/hugh-masekela-introducing-hedzoleh-soundz/
Leader Stanley Todd Kwesi assembled a monster ensemble of musicians from the Ghana Arts Council, intending to form a new Afro-Rock group, known as Hedzoleh Soundz, that would be more traditional & African in sound, and hopefully surpass Osibisa in popularity (alas it was not to be).
Hedzoleh Soundz were a band from […]
Brenda Fassie – Black President
https://amf.didiermary.fr/brenda-fassie-black-president/
Black President is a song by South African singer Brenda Fassie, the 6th track on her 6th eponym studio album in 1990. It was written by Sello “Chicco” Twala, Brenda Fassie, produced by Twala and released on February 8, 1990. The song was written about Nelson Mandela, who was arrested by the South African apartheid […]
The Boy’s Doin’ It (1975)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/boys-doin-it-1975-masekela-fela-kuti/
The Boy’s Doin’ It is the 17th studio album by South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, recorded in New York City and in Lagos, and released in June 1975.
So many incredible musicians on one album, dedicated to Fela Kuti and the women of the world: Okyerema Asante, Orlando Julius, the rhythm brothers Stanley & Frankie Todd, [...]
#FelaKuti #HughMasekela #Jazz #OrlandoJulius #SouthAfrica #AfroJazz
Thelonious Monk met Dollar Brand
https://amf.didiermary.fr/thelonious-monk-met-dollar-brand/
When Thelonious Monk first met Dollar Brand… By 1964, Dollar Brand (later Abdullah Ibrahim) had already made 3 LP’s as a bandleader. He was living in Switzerland and had just gotten a boost from Duke Ellington.
[Thelonious Monk and his wife, Nellie] were at Kongresshaus in Zurich where Monk gave another successful concert. After […]
#60smusic #AbdullahIbrahim #Apartheid #Jazz #SouthAfrica #TheloniousMonk
Hugh Masekela & The Union of South Africa
https://amf.didiermary.fr/hugh-masekela-union-south-africa/
Jonas Gwangwa (1937 – 2021) was a genius trombone player from Soweto, South Africa. That’s him in the middle between 2 other South African geniuses, the late Hugh Masekela on the left, and Caiphus Semenya (born 1939), on the right, for their band Union of South Africa.
The album, released in May 1971, is […]
Hugh Masekela – Don’t Go Lose It Baby
https://amf.didiermary.fr/hugh-masekela-dont-go-lose-it-baby-hot-african-mix-1984/
The original version of “Don’t Go Lose It Baby”, here in a remixed version, comes from Masekela’s Techno-Bush album in 1984.
Hugh Masekala and the Medu Art Ensemble offer via their album Techno-Bush an Afro-futurist vision of South Africa. Protesting through sound and dance, after returning [...]
#80smusic #FullAlbum #Mbaqanga #Remixed #SouthAfrica #Electro
dumama + kechou – for madala
https://amf.didiermary.fr/dumama-kechou-for-madala/
Nomadic Future Folk Music, by dumama + kechou. The song “for madala” features Nobuhle Ashanti and Odwa Bongo, from the album “buffering juju”.
“This film is about a woman who is leaving prison. She walks down an endless road; there is no end in sight. This long walk is a lament, which speaks to our […]
A quick selection of Brenda Fassie songs.
https://amf.didiermary.fr/brenda-fassie-songs/
In 1983, Brenda Fassie formed “Brenda and the Big Dudes” (with Blondie and Pappa Makhene), and that same year she had a breakthrough hit with “Weekend Special,” singing in the disco-flavored “bubblegum” [...]
#80smusic #90smusic #Disco #Documentary #Kwaito #LiveMusic #SouthAfrica #OldAfricanMusic
Sons Of Kemet – Play Mass
https://amf.didiermary.fr/sons-of-kemet-play-mass/
Two music videos for award-winning UK Jazz band Sons of Kemet from their 2015 album “Lest We Forget What We Came Here To Do”.
Enjoy!
Sons Of Kemet are born of many vital elements – including a name that nods to ancient Egyptian culture, and a line-up that comprises some of the most progressive 21st-century […]
Wrapped In Rhythm, Vol. II - Tutu Puoane & Metropole Orkest (teaser)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUN_jT407GI
Based on poems by Lebo Mashile from "In a Ribbon of Rhythm."
PS: see comment to this post for links to these albums on Bandcamp.
iPhupho L’ka Biko – Azania EP
https://amf.didiermary.fr/iphupho-lka-biko-azania-ep/
iPhupho L’ka Biko describe themselves as “children of Biko” and their music as Afrikanist Experimental Jazz. Azania is their first EP.
In the bustling city of Johannesburg, black classical music comes alive through the sounds of the powerful experimental jazz group, iPhupho L’ka Biko. Emerging from the influential student movements of 2015-2016, this group has […]
Mystery of the lost Mandela song
https://amf.didiermary.fr/mystery-lost-mandela-song/
Shortly after Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in February 1990, a South African equivalent of "We Are the World" was recorded to celebrate Madiba’s freedom. But the song and the video sank without a trace. Here, for the first time, the video maker tells the secret history of "The People Want Mandela" and how it […]
Thukuthela, JAZZWRLD, GL_Ceejay - iNgoma Yomthandazo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUXSoX34Wcg
