Global A Go-Go presents:
Harmonizing Soweto
Choral singing has long been a major thing in South Africa.
For example, Solomon Linda’s “Mbube” (also known as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”) is an international standard that children around the globe learn in their first music classes. Urban vocal “hep harmony” groups like the female Skylarks (featuring Miriam Makeba) and the male Manhattan Brothers, and musical theater productions like King Kong and Wait A Minim! brought South African singing to the world in the mid-20th century. More recently, Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s a cappella style called isicathamiya became and remains popular all over the planet.
Kasi soul and Diepkloof United Voice (DUV) are South Africa’s latest contribution to choral singing. DUV is a nine-member vocal group from the Diepkloof neighborhood in Johannesburg’s Soweto suburb who rehearse in an abandoned elementary school classroom with broken windows. Their debut album, recorded in their rehearsal room and released on November 10, is one of the most exhilarating pieces of music I’ve heard all year.
The first hour of Global A Go-Go this week is focused on South African choral music. You’ll hear a set of historic recordings from the 1930s through the 80s, three selections from Diepkloof United Voice and examples of how vocal choirs are used in contemporary South African dance music.
In the second hour this week (Sunday November 19, 1:00-3:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards at wrir.org/listen, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at my podcast site): A previously unreleased recording of one of Mali’s greatest post-independence orchestras, Super Biton de Ségou, and new Afrobeat from Eparapo, Alpacas Collective, London Afrobeat Collective and The Blassics.
Podcast: radio4all.net/program/116845
All the podcasts: radio4all.net/series/Global%20A%20Go-Go
Show Archive
Play show / Add show to playlistPlaylist:
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Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, “Global a Go-Go”
from Global A Go-Go
BMG Rights Management (US) LLC - 2001
England UK
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Solomon Linda's Original Evening Birds, “Mbube”
from The Secret Museum of Mankind, Vol. 1: Ethnic Music Classics (1925 - 48)
Yazoo Records - 1995
South Africa, 1939
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Dark City Sisters, “Ngiboniseleni”
from Afro Jazz Series: Music & Rhythm of Africa (Remastered)
Harrison James Music - 2010
South Africa, 1959
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Martha Mdenge & Harmony Crotchets, “Tell Me How Long The Train's Been Gone”
from Tell Me How Long The Train's Been Gone - Single
Trutone
South Africa, 1950s
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo, “Nansi Imali”
from Phansi Emgodini
Gallo Record Company - 1981
South Africa
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Diepkloof United Voice, “Sipo”
from Hamonizing Soweto: Golden City Gospel & Kasi Soul From The New South Africa
Ostinato - 2023
South Africa
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Diepkloof United Voice, “Baninzi”
from Hamonizing Soweto: Golden City Gospel & Kasi Soul From The New South Africa
Ostinato - 2023
South Africa
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Diepkloof United Voice, “Who Knows”
from Hamonizing Soweto: Golden City Gospel & Kasi Soul From The New South Africa
Ostinato - 2023
South Africa
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The Angels, “Johnny Boy”
from Yebo! Rare Mzansi Party Beats From Apartheid's Dying Years
BBE - 2023
South Africa, 1985
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Tshetsha Boys, “Nwapfundla”
from Shangaan Electro: New Wave Dance Music From South Africa
Honest Jon's - 2010
South Africa
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Bembeya Jazz National, “N'Gamokorô”
from Authenticite 73: Parade Africaine
Syliphone - 1973
Guinée Conakry
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Eparapo, “From London to Lagos (feat. Dele Sosimi)”
from Take To the Streets
Wah Wah 45s - 2023
England UK-Nigeria
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London Afrobeat Collective, “Topesa Esengo Na Motema”
from Topesa Esengo Na Motema - Single
Canopy - 2023
England UK-Italy-France-RD Congo-Argentina-New Zealand
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Les Frères Smith, “Doucement”
from Mukambo Presents Global Afrobeat Movement Vol. 4
NYP - 2023
France, 2011
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Bill Lupoletti Global A Go-Go November 19th, 2023
Posted In: Music Shows