Two Birds: Vusi Mahlasela and Louis Mhlanga

Louis Mhlanga and Vusi Mahlasela

To wrap up this mini series of African music I share a sweet slice of South African musical cake, Vusi Mahlasela and Louis Mhlanga Live at the Bassline.

Vusi Mahlasela is one of South Africa’s most revered guitarists and singers. His playing is light and melodic; his voice soars. Louis Mhlanga, another prominent guitarist came to South Africa from Zimbabwe. Self taught on the guitar he has played with the royals of Southern African music including Mariam Makeba, Oliver Mtukudzi and Hugh Masakela.

Growing up he admired the traditionally derived pop music of local luminaries such as Thomas Mapfumo. His first recording was not recognized for a whole decade until BMG released it in South Africa in the early ’90s. However, his 2001 international debut, Shamwari, established him as a rare guitarist able to span African traditional pop and jazz.

In April 2000, Louis produced Mahlasela's 4th album and featured on it. Before that, in 1999, a live duo recording with Mahlasela resulted in the album Vusi and Louis Live at the Bassline. He was involved with Thandi Klaassen's album Two of a kind, a project initiated by Dutch singer Stef Bos. Bos featured Louis on the album De Onderstroom, for which he co-wrote the music of the title song. Louis is on the another album called Place of Hope, which is collaborations with George Duke, James Ingram, Al Jarreau, Diane Reeves, among others. Louis is also on Fire in the Engine Room by Andy Narell, and following their South African tour, they released the album Live in S.A.

Louis has recorded some work under his own name — his solo album Mukai and Music Ye Africa with Jethro Shsha, both at Shed Studios in Harare. In 2001, he put together a new group, The Louis Mhlanga Band, featuring musicians with a strong jazz influence. They were invited by SAFM (one of South Africa's national radio stations) to perform at the Grahamstown Standard Bank National Arts Festival. Subsequently the group released the album Shamwari, Louis's debut release on the Sheer Sound label.

He has produced albums by Thomas Mapfumo, Nigerian King Sunny Adé, South African musician Vusi Mahalasela, and many other artists. A former director of musical theatre, Mhlanga also ran Zimbabwe's Ethnomusicology Trust, where he was in charge of developing national teaching programmes for traditional and contemporary Zimbabwean music. He also spent a year in the Netherlands. As the musician-in-residence at the Royal Dutch Conservatory of Music, Mhlanga taught African guitar courses and eventually recorded several albums with bassist Eric Van Der Westen, one of which also included Malian guitarist and singer Habib Koité. (Wikipedia)

This recording is an all acoustic set of brilliant guitar picking, fine singing and lots of positive lyrics and vibes recorded upon their return to South Africa after a European tour. Both men share singing duties and their guitar work intertwines together with amazing fluidity and expression.

Another exemplary album from that veritable musical cornucopia South Africa. Thank you to a dear friend, Phillip for introducing it to me.

            Track Listing:

            01 Ubuhle Bomhlaba

02 Two Birds

03 Silang Mabele

04 Zvinoshamisa

05 When You Come Back

06 Fountain

07 Basimanyana

08 Tontobane

09 Mai Rugare

10 Untitled 12

11 Chibona

12 Red Song

13 Woza

Listen here.

South African Urban jazz: Vusi Mahlasela and the Proud People's Band

If you are ever transiting through Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport the Washerman’s Dog recommends keeping enough time up your sleeve for a leisurely browse through the music store. You’ll find music of every sort from every region and country in Africa and of course the South African section is fully stocked with a thousand treasures. Tonight’s post shines the light on one of that country’s most loved contemporary singers: Vusi Mahlasela.

Vusi Mahlasela was born with a voice as sweet as any, and in the words of Nadine Gordimer, “sings as a bird does: in total response to being alive.”

He was born in a township near Pretoria and raised by his grandmother in the same township, Mamelodi, where he still lives. As a boy he listened to his grandmother sing traditional ‘night songs’ (ingomabusuku) and constructed his first guitar from oil cans and fishing lines. In high school he got his first lessons on a real instrument and was soon playing covers in small venues around Pretoria. Growing disenchanted with singing the songs of others, Vusi, took a turn at writing his own and soon found himself capturing the times and captivating audiences with tunes about politics, injustice, unity and forgiveness.

The late 80’s were tumultuous times in South Africa. Apartheid was beginning to show its cracks. Vusi and other members of the artists’ collective, Ancestors of Africa, were singled out for special ‘attention’ and frequently harassed by the police and other apartheid authorities. Still Vusi kept refining his art, playing at bigger more prominent venues. In 1990 he got his break by playing in Europe and his first album When You Come Back went on to become a beloved classic in South Africa. In 1994 he sang at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as President and in the intervening years has go on to win a swag of awards both at home and internationally.

Vusi’s music has been called everything from modern folk to township jazz. He sings in English and several South African languages including his native, Sotho. He’s an accomplished acoustic guitarist but surrounds himself with outstanding electric musicians and supporting vocalists. A Jungle of Questions from 2002 is a delicious slice of urban jazz. The songs are uplifting (Mother Agriqua), swinging (Tswang, Tswang, Tswang) and beautiful (How Can It Be?). The playing, by the Proud People’s Band, especially lead guitarist Paul Majoro and horn player Moses Mafiri, is masterful throughout. Mahlasela’s singing, as expected, is heavenly.

Track Listing

1. Di-ana

2. Tswang, Tswang, Tswang

3. Sabela

4. Mamelodi

5. Gumba, Gumba

6. Vulani Amasango

7. Mantintane

8. People’s Doctor

9. Mother Agriqua

10. Tompane

11. Mma Modiane

12. Makhosi

13. Kolozwana

14. Lomhlaba

15. How Can It Be?

16. Meeting of the Waters?

Listen here.