Sangoma (Sibongile) Nene - Biko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSw6X50boDQ
First Jazz album by Sangoma Nene, a healer through song, a matriarch divinely ordained, a seasoned Sangoma practitioner, artist, and spiritual guide.
Remembering Zenzile Miriam Makeba
(4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008)
Listen on AMF: https://amf.didiermary.fr/?s=miriam+makeba
Abdullah Ibrahim – Jabula
https://amf.didiermary.fr/abdullah-ibrahim-jabula/
Jabula is a track by South African jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim (AKA Dollar Brand) who released in 2019 his first album in five years: The Balance. Entitled ‘The Balance’, this project featured his long-time septet Ekaya, a line-up that he’s been recording with since 1983. In this case, the album was recorded over the course […] …
Happy 90th birthday to the legendary Dr. Esther Mahlangu, known for her bold, large-scale contemporary paintings inspired by her Ndebele heritage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Mahlangu
DJ Call Me - Mama I’m Sorry (2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lth4jLOUf8
Lekompo is a mix between Bolo House (originating from Bolobedu In Limpopo) and Amapiano, a fast-paced, synth-led style of SouthAfrican AfroHouse.
Lekompo is the singular form of Makompo, which originally referred to people living in worker compounds, particularly in the farming belts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Montparnasse Musique – Panter
https://amf.didiermary.fr/montparnasse-musique-panter/
Montparnasse Musique is a balance of two distinct sensibilities: Algerian-French producer Nadjib Ben Bella’s passion for raw organic beats, and South African DJ Aero Manyelo’s love of DIY synthesis in the digital realm. It’s a bold blend of fresh and processed flavours; the acoustic grit of traditional Africa combined with the pulse [...]
Mahotella Queens’ Come back (Buya Buya)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/mahotella-queens-come-back-buya/
“Buya Buya: Come Back” is the first full album of exciting new Queens material in nearly 20 years and marks their long-awaited return to the world stage. This release also heralds a new chapter in the Mahotella story under the supervision of Hilda Tloubatla, who at the grand age of 83 is the group’s last […]
Mahotella Queens – Umculo Kawupheli
https://amf.didiermary.fr/mahotella-queens-umculo-kawupheli/
The classic Mahotella Queens hit song, “Umculo Kawupheli” (“The music never ends”), from 1973.
Original song with self-made video, featuring clips of the Queens back in the 1970s with their backing group the Makgona Tsohle Band.
From the golden age of South African township jive, the country’s premier mbaqanga girl group, the Mahotella Queens, and […]
Crow Black Sky – Stars of God
https://amf.didiermary.fr/crow-black-sky-stars-god/
Crow Black Sky is a cosmic black metal band from Cape Town, South Africa, with roots dating back to 2009. “Stars of God” is a track from their album “Pantheion” in 2010.
Tete Mbambisa – Tete’s Big Sound
https://amf.didiermary.fr/tete-mbambisa-big-sound/
An often ignored classic of South African jazz, “Tete’s Big Sound” by Tete Mbambisa was released in 1976.
The album Tete’s Big Sound emerged during a golden age for local South African jazz recordings in the 1970s. Issued by the independent As-Shams/The Sun label in 1976, it was the […]
Beast Feat. Sjava – Hello
https://amf.didiermary.fr/beast-sjava-hello/
“Hello”, the single by Beast in 2019 did well on many South African major radio stations. Shot on a basketball court, used as a metaphor, the general theme is about perseverance.
Ami Faku – Lala Ngoxolo Feat. Emtee
https://amf.didiermary.fr/ami-faku-lala-ngoxolo-emtee/
“Lala Ngoxolo” translates to “Rest in Peace” in the Xhosa language. A song by Ami Faku in 2021. A much-needed song for the difficult times we’re all living now… (in South Africa and the world). […]
Ciza - Isaka (6AM) Feat. Jazzworx and Thukuthela
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sel1mCYFJ8U
Lucky Dube – I’ve Got You Babe (live)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/lucky-dube-got-you-babe/
“I’ve Got You Babe” by Lucky Dube from his album “Slave” released in 1990.
The song takes a detour from his socially conscious music style to show off a more romantic side. He serenades his lover with sweet words of love and the happiness she’s brought into his life with lines such as […]
Sfarzo Rtee, Jazzworx and Thuthukhela - “Asiyeni” Feat. DBN Gogo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKHC9xYpTwA
Yvonne Chaka Chaka – Let Me Be Free
https://amf.didiermary.fr/yvonne-chaka-chaka-let-me-be-free/
Yvonne Chaka Chaka (Yvonne Machaka – 1965) is a South African singer from Soweto at the forefront of South African popular music since the ’80s, when “Bubblegum” music was all the rage.
Miriam Makeba said of her “She’s my baby!” and Hugh Masekela called Chaka Chaka “my mad niece”.
Spirit Of Malombo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/spirit-of-malombo/
Next Stop Soweto presents Spirit Of Malombo: Malombo, Jabula, Jazz Afrika 1966-1984
The influential and heavily political music of drummer Julian Bahula since the mid-’60s who appeared with the Malombo Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika bands.
Bahula’s first group was the Malombo Jazzmen, led by guitarist Philip Tabane with flautist Abbey Cindi. They broke the […]
From the vault: 2017
Drum majorettes of Cape Town – a photo essay
"Their primary school is located in one of the poorest areas of Cape Town, where gangs and drugs are everywhere. But the school’s drum majorettes’ team is thriving and winning."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/10/drum-majorettes-of-cape-town-a-photo-essay
Major League DJz - Come With Me Feat. Jorja Smith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmXcFKn_MF4
Dlala Thukzin, Simmy, Sino Msolo - Ekhaya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DEGvxaiev8
Chicco – I Need Some Money
https://amf.didiermary.fr/chicco-i-need-some-money/
Chicco‘s first hit “I Need Some Money” released in 1986.
The two young dancers (not the young kids) were dancing a new ‘ghetto’ style that later became the famous ‘Mapantsula’ style.
Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens – Kazet
https://amf.didiermary.fr/mahlathini-mahotella-queens-kazet/
Surnommé “Le Lion de Soweto” pour sa voix de “groaner“, Simon Nkabinde Mahlathini est une des figures mythiques du mbaqanga. Il s’est fait connaître internationalement dans les années 1980 au sein de la formation Mahlathini et Mahotella Queens.
The Mahotella Queens est un groupe féminin sud-africain. A l’origine, c’est un groupe d’enregistrement en studio mixte, [...]
Fruits and Veggies – A Clean Page
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fruits-veggies-clean-page/
Fruits and Veggies was a ska-punk band from Durban, led by Zinhle Purity Mkhize, quite powerful on the South African scene.
Bongeziwe Mabandla - hlala (Mpho.Wav Remix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4sn-w89yE0
Yugen Blakrok – Carbon Form
https://amf.didiermary.fr/yugen-blakrok-carbon-form/
Yugen Blakrok is a South African rapper. She appeared on the track “Opps” with Vince Staples from the Kendrick Lamar-produced soundtrack to the movie Black Panther in 2018.
"Five years after releasing Return of the Astro-Goth, Yugen Blakrok descends from the vast cosmos and delivers to the world an impressive lesson in style, […]"
