Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Busi Mhlongo Urban Zulu







Almost alone among contemporary South African musicians, her songs tell us of the struggle for existence, the destruction of traditional culture and the need to 're-invent' tradition in the context of the new situation. In "Urban Zulu", Busi has succeeded in melding traditional Zulu music into a new one that informs us both of its roots and of the concerns of contemporary South African women. Based on a traditional Zulu musical form, Maskando, "Urban Zulu" is revolutionary on two levels, firstly it's being sung by a woman and secondly, it extends the traditional into the contemporary without losing anything of its roots.
Fighting with cancer for a long time,now she is better again and is touring. I only can hope that she will produce a new album soon



Tracks:

01: Yehlisan'Umoya Ma-Afrika [Afrikan Nation, Calm] (Mhlongo/Ngcobo/Ngwazi)
02: Yapheli'Maliyami [My Money is Gone] Mhlongo/Ngcob/Ngwazi)
03: We Baba Omncane [If You Don't Obey Your Parents] (Mhlongo/Ngcobo/Ngwazi)
04: Ukuthula [Live in Peace] (Mhlonog/Ngcobo/Ngwazi)
05: Yise Wabant'A Bami [Father of My Children] (Mhlongo/Kanza)
06: Uganga Nge Ngane [You're playing around with this child] (Mhlonog/Ngcobo/Ngwazi)
07: Ngadlalwa Yindoda [He's toying with me] (Mhlongo/Ngcobo/Ngwazi)
08: Nguye Lo [He's the one] Mhlongo/Ngcobo/Ngwazi)
09: Zithin'Izizwe [What are people saying about us?] Mhlongo/Ngcobo/Ngwazi)
10: Awukho Umuzi Ongena Kukhuluma Kwawo [There are problems in every home] (Mhlongo/Ngcobo/Ngwazi/Edwards)
11: Oxamu [The Crocodile] (Traditional)

Musicians:

Acoustic Guitar - Mkhalelwa "Spector" Ngwazi
Bass/bass concepts - Themba "Ntshebe" Ngcobo
Acoustic 12-string Guitar - Umfazi Omnyama
Concertina - Mphendukelwa Mkhize
Drums & drum concepts - Brice Wassy
Keyboards & programming - Will mowat
Percussion - Sydney Thiam
Backing Vocals - Thobi Mghobozi, Phika Mnyandu, Jabulani Mthembu, Mzonjani Shezi, Mkhalelwa Ngwazi, Themba Ngcobo
Backing Vocals - Siphiwe Kumalso, Xolisa Gqoli, Swazi Dlamini, Celiwe Mhlongo, Linda Gcwensa, Siphiwe Khanyile (Track 10)
Electric Guitars - Jack Djeyim (Tracks 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Kora - Moussa Kanouté (Tracks 1, 2, 4)
Bongos - Mabi Thobejane (Track 4)
Marimba - Simpewe Motole (Tracks 1, 2, 7, 8, 9)
Voice - Mabi Thobejane (Track 1)
Bass - Hilaire Penda (Tracks 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Bass - Noel Ekwabi (Track 3)
Acoustic Guitars, lead & backing vocals - Lokua Kanza (Track 10)

link ; part 1 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PL06RYLI
part 2 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Y9TA97JS

1 comment:

Rouvanne said...

Urbanzulu is truely an amazing album - I have to agree! Especially when you consider that it was recorded some 12 years ago.

Having recently toured with Busi to the island of Mayotte, she performed only 2 tracks from her Freedom album which didnt have the same power and greatness as Urbanzulu - and I think that it is because she has missed the input of Themba Ngcobo and Mkhalelwa Ngwazi - who wrote most of the tracks on the album.

Busi is still not well - the cancer has done so much damage, both physically and mentally, that we should really take every oppurtunity to see her perform that we can!