Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
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Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens | |
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Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, 1988
Left to right: Hilda Tloubatla, Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde, Nobesuthu Mbadu, Mildred Mangxola |
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Background information | |
Origin | Johannesburg, South Africa |
Genre(s) | Mbaqanga, Mgqashiyo |
Years active | 1964–1971 1983–1999 |
Label(s) | Gallo Record Company (1964–1999) |
Former members | |
Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde Hilda Tloubatla Nobesuthu Mbadu Mildred Mangxola Ethel Mngomezulu Juliet Mazamisa Emily Zwane Caroline Kapentar Thandi Radebe Irene Mawela Thandi Nkosi Beatrice Ngcobo Nunu Maseko Francisca Mngomezulu Mary Rabotapi |
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (also known as Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo - Mahlathini and the Girls of Mgqashiyo) was a South African mbaqanga supergroup comprised of:
- The late Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde (1937 - 1999), a phenomenal singer in the basso-profundo 'groaning' style
- The mgqashiyo session group Mahotella Queens (1964 - present), known for their fast-paced dancing and multi-part harmonies - originally five members from 1964 - 1986, now a trio (1986 - present)
- The mbaqanga instrumental band Makgona Tsohle Band (1963 - 1999), led by the late Marks Mankwane and West Nkosi
In 1998, band member West Nkosi was killed in a road accident. Marks Mankwane died not long afterwards, followed by the death of Mahlathini in July 1999, thus ending the group's existence. Despite this, the Mahotella Queens recruited brand new (younger) musicians in a new group line-up and continue performing and recording to this day, having released successful albums such as Sebai Bai (2001), Bazobuya (2004), Reign & Shine (2005) and Siyadumisa (Songs of Praise) (2007).
Contents |
[edit] History
Mahlathini, the Queens and the Makgona Tsohle Band had become famous as individual artists, but had frequently recorded together since 1964. It was only in 1986, when the demand for South African music arose through Paul Simon's Graceland album, that Gallo Record Company (the three artists' label) paired them together permanently.
Mahlathini was known as the "Lion of Soweto" (his voice was a low, "gravel-like" groan) and was well known throughout South Africa and neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe and Botswana during his career. He began singing in the 1950s, often working in conjunction with top producer Rupert Bopape at EMI South Africa, and often performing with the girl group the Dark City Sisters. When Bopape moved to Gallo Record Company in 1964 to start up the new African subsidiary, Mavuthela Music, he brought Mahlathini with him. The bass vocalist's career then took off. He was backed by Bopape's newly-formed Makgona Tsohle Band (soon to become the hardest-working mbaqanga session team in the country, led by the country's electric guitar pioneer Marks Mankwane as well as saxophone star West Nkosi) and often recorded with Bopape's newly-formed (and highly-successful) Mahotella Queens.
Mahotella Queens was initially a group of five female vocalists established at the Mavuthela division in 1964 by Bopape, who introduced Hilda Tloubatla to sing the main lead vocals. The Queens began recording hit singles and albums with their backing, the Makgona Tsohle Band, and were often fronted by Mahlathini. In 1971, Mahlathini signed with rival company EMI, and the original Queens all ended up joining rival girl groups. Bopape formed a new Mahotella Queens line-up, who most notably recorded the 1977 album Izibani Zomgqashiyo with Robert "Mbazo" Mkhize (in the place of Mahlathini). In 1983, the original five Queens (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu, Mildred Mangxola, Juliet Mazamisa and Ethel Mngomezulu) reunited with Mahlathini and the Makgona Tsohle Band with the comeback release Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo (Heroes of Mgqashiyo Music). After one more hiatus, three of the Queens (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola) regrouped full-time in 1986.
[edit] Selected Discography
Title | Label/catalogue | Release year |
The Best of Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (international) | Warner Jazz | 2007 |
Siyadumisa (Songs of Praise) | Bula Music/AS Entertainment (CDBULA 203) | 2007 |
The Best of Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (reissue) | Gallo Record Company (CDGSP 50) | 2007 |
Stoki Stoki (reissue) | Gallo Record Company (CDGMP 40539) | 2007 |
Paris-Soweto (reissue) | Gallo Record Company (CDGMP 40314) | 2007 |
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens: The Hits | Gallo Record Company (GMVCOM 1007) | 2006 |
Reign & Shine (international) | Wrasse Records/AS Entertainment (WRASS177) | 2006 |
Kazet | Marabi Productions/AS Entertainment | 2005 |
Reign & Shine | African Cream Music/AS Entertainment (ACM-CD 042) | 2005 |
Bazobuya | Gallo Record Company (GWVCD 53) | 2004 |
The Best Of: The Township Idols | Wrasse Records (WRASS098) | 2003 |
Sebai Bai | Harmonia Mundi/Label Bleu/Gallo (LBLC 2571) | 2001 |
Umuntu | Gallo Record Company (CDGMP 40788) | 1999 |
Stoki Stoki (international) | Shanachie Records | 1996 |
Stoki Stoki | Gallo Record Company (CDGMP 40539) | 1994 |
Women of the World | Gallo Record Company (CDGMP 40331) | 1993 |
Part II: King of the Groaners | Earthworks Music | 1993 |
The Lion Roars | Shanachie Records | 1993 |
Mbaqanga | Gallo Record Company (BL 742) | 1991 |
The Best of Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens | Gallo Record Company (CDHUL 40274) | 1991 |
Rhythm & Art (international) | Shanachie Records | 1990 |
Rhythm & Art | Gallo Record Company | 1989 |
Thokozile (international) | Earthworks Music | 1988 |
Melodi Yalla | Gallo-GRC (BL 617) | 1988 |
Paris - Soweto | Gallo Record Company (HUL 40314) | 1987 |
Menate Ea Lefatse | CCP Record Company | 1987 |
Part I: The Lion of Soweto | Earthworks Music | 1987 |
Thokozile (as Mahlathini and Mahotella 'A') | Gallo-GRC (BL 590) | 1986 |
Ejerusalema Siyakhona (as Mahlathini Namatshezulu) | Gallo Record Company | 1986 |
Utshwala Begazati (with Amaswazi Emvelo) | Gallo Record Company | 1985 |
Phezulu Eqhudeni (reissue) | Hannibal Music | 1984 |
Kotopo Vol 2 (as Makgona Tsohle Band) | Gallo Record Company (Spades BL 461) | 1984 |
Pheletsong Ya Lerato (as Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo) | Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba BL 457) | 1984 |
Uhambo Lwami | Gallo Record Company | 1983 |
Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo (as Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo and Makgona Tsohle Band) | Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba BL 448) | 1983 |
Mathaka Vol 1 (as Makgona Tsohle Band) | Gallo Record Company (Spades BL 441) | 1983 |
O Boshako | Teal Record Company | 1983 |
Hamba Minyaka | Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba BL 366) | 1982 |
Tsamaya Moratuoa | Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba BL 226) | 1980 |
Best of the Mahotella Queens | Gallo Record Company | 1978 |
Izibani Zomgqashiyo | Gallo Record Company | 1977 |
Umkhovu | EMI Record Company | 1975 |
Marriage is a Problem | Gallo Record Company | 1975 |
Phezulu Egqhudeni | Gallo Record Company | 1975 |
Umculo Kawupheli | Gallo Record Company | 1974 |
Umculo Kawupheli | Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba MGG 600/A) | 1974 |
Marks Umthakathi | Gallo Record Company (Motella BL 9) | 1972 |
Madulo | Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba MGG 538/B) | 1969 |
Mahlare | Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba MGG 538/A) | 1969 |
Sozabile No Mgonothi (as Soweto Stars) | Gallo Record Company | 1969 |
Elamanqamu (as Soweto Stars) | Gallo Record Company | 1969 |
Isigubu Sabalozi (Makhona Tsohle Band) | Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba LMGG 5) | 1969 |
Shaluza Ntombi (as Izingane Zo Mgqashiyo) | Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba MGG 541/B) | 1969 |
Lakhala Ijuba (as Izingane Zo Mgqashiyo) | Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba MGG 541/A) | 1969 |
Majuba (Makhona Tsohle Band) | Gallo Record Company | 1968 |
Mama Thula | Gallo Record Company | 1967 |
Amaqawe | Gallo Record Company | 1967 |
Jabulani Mabungu | Gallo Record Company (Motella MO 136/B) | 1967 |
Sithunyiwe Thokozile No. 3 (later Thokozile) | Gallo Record Company (Motella MO 136/A) | 1967 |
Let's Move with Makhona Tsohle Band | Gallo Record Company (Motella LMO 104) | 1967 |
Sikhulekile (Makhona Tsohle Band) | Gallo Record Company | 1966 |
Vula Bop's (Makhona Tsohle Band) | Gallo Record Company | 1966 |
Meet the Mahotella Queens | Gallo Record Company (Motella LMO 101) | 1966 |
Ashikinisi Jive Mgqashiyo | Gallo Record Company | 1965 |
Sithunyiwe (later Thokozile) | Gallo Record Company | 1964 |
Jive Mgqashiyo | Gallo Record Company (Motella MO 33/B) | 1964 |
Thoko | Gallo Record Company (Motella MO 33/A) | 1964 |
Orlando Train (Makhona Tsohle Band) | Gallo Record Company | 1964 |
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- AS Entertainment (Mahotella Queens management)
- Gallo Music South Africa (Mahotella Queens former record label)
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