MAHLATHINI & MAHOTELLA QUEENS – PARIS-SOWETO LP – Nr MINT 1988 WORLD MUSIC AFROBEAT

Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens
(Celluloid Records   1988  668291)

Die Cut Sleeve in Nr MINT condition
– still in original shrinkwrap – some wear on bottom right corner
Inner Sleeve has a small split in the bottom

Vinyl in Nr MINT condition
(there are some light surface marks visible on the vinyl when held up to the light but they don’t affect the sound quality)

Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (also known as Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo and Mahlathini and the Girls of Mgqashiyo) were a South African mbaqanga supergroup made up of the three musical acts linked together by talent scout and record producer Rupert Bopape at the Gallo Recording Company in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1964. The group composed of the following three distinct parts:

• The late Simon “Mahlathini” Nkabinde (1937–1999), a “powerful singer” in the basso-profundo “groaning” style.
• The girl group the Mahotella Queens (1964–present), the classic line up being the threesome, Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola. Still recording and performing internationally, the trio are noted for their distinct vocal harmony sound alternating between multi-part harmonies and unison vocals, guitar-led mbaqanga music, and fast stage dancing.
• The instrumental band, the Makgona Tsohle Band (1964–1999), that is noted for creating the mbaqanga music style, led by electric lead guitarist Marks Mankwaneand alto saxophonist West Nkosi.

Together they were an extremely productive commercial success and a major live attraction in and around South Africa 1964–72. The three parts of the group reformed in 1986–87; following the 70th-birthday tribute to Nelson Mandela at London’s Wembley Arena in 1988, the supergroup rose to international renown during the years 1987–97, going on to feature in many international festivals.

Paris – Soweto is a 1987 album by the South African mbaqanga group Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens. The album was recorded just after the group reunited in 1986, and was one of the first albums to be recorded specifically for the international audience. The album was recorded in Paris and released internationally on the Celluloidlabel, and under the group’s long-standing Gallo label in South Africa. The first single, “Kazet” (also known as “Gazette”) became one of the group’s signature tunes.

Paris – Soweto was made-up of re-recordings of Mahlathini & the Queens’ biggest hits of the 1960s and 1970s, with the exception of track 4 “Safa Indlala” (which was originally recorded in 1983 for Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo) and track 1 “Kazet” (which was a re-recording of a 1986 hit by fellow South African star Obed Ngobeni).

Track listing

1. “Kazet” (Comp.: Obed Ngobeni, West Nkosi)
2. “Awuthule Kancane” (Comp.: Nobesuthu Shawe)
3. “Thuntshwane Basadi” (Comp.: Marks Mankwane, Rupert Bopape)
4. “Safa Indlala” (Comp.: Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde)
5. “Re Ya Dumedisa” (Comp.: Marks Mankwane, Rupert Bopape)
6. “Ukhulum’ Izindaba” (with Amaswazi Emvelo) (Comp.: Bigboy Thusi)
7. “Melodi Ya Lla” (Comp.: Rupert Bopape, Shadrack Piliso)
8. “Stokvel Jive” (also spelled “Stokfel Jive”) (Comp.: West Nkosi)