Busi Mhlongo May 2

 

 

GEELONG MUSIC GROUP May 2020 Busi Mhlongo (28 October 1947 -  15 June 2010)

Busi Mhlongo (born Victoria Busisiswe Mhlongo) grew up in Kwazulu-Natal. She started her musical career with a minor hit in 1963, covering Millie Small's "My Boy Lollipop". In 1966, Busi married South African pianist (jazz drummer?) Early Mabuza. For the next five years, the couple toured the Portugal, Mozambique and Angola, singing pop and homeland songs. While on the tour, Busi learnt that her husband had been murdered.   In 1972, she arrived in London, recording with fellow South African exiles, then went to the USA for treatment for breast cancer. Upon recovery, she worked in Canada for five years, then toured Zimbabwe, Zambia and Lesotho.   In the 1980s, Busi and her band, Twasa toured Holland and South Africa. She joined radical Gambia band Ifan Bondi and their appearance at Amsterdam's African Roots Festival led to an invitation to the prestigious African Music Festival in Delft in 1989.   In 1993, Dutch label Munich released Babhemu (Friends) (aka Barbentu) by Mhlongo and Twasa, which Stern's Music re-released internationally in 1995.   Mhlongo's second album, Urban Zulu (1998), topped Billboard's world music charts for two months in 1998; Urban Zulu Live followed in 1999.        VIDEO PLAYLIST   1.  Busi Mhlongo and Twasa (1993) "Tingi-Tingi" ("Cash dispenser") from Babhemu (Friends). Re-released internationally in 1995. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSECdtPk-Pk&list=RDrSECdtPk-Pk&start_radio=1&t=137   2.  Busi Mhlongo (1999) "Uganga" From Urban Zulu. (No video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORJZaiH-_r0   3.  Busi Mhlongo (1999) "Oxamu" from Urban Zulu. Live at the Market Theatre, Johannesburg. Solo, Initially acappella, then with back-ups and band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YSGEARUGUc   4.  Busi Mhlongo (1999) "Yehlisan'umoya ma-Afrika" Urban Zulu Live. Fin de Siecle Festival (Nantes, France, 1997) & Roskilde Festival (Denmark, 1999) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55d0vqKsePM   5.  Busi Mhlongo (1999) "We baba omnncane" (Urban Zulu Live) Fin de Siecle Festival (Nantes, France, 1997) and Roskilde Festival (Denmark, 1999) Footage cuts between the two concerts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvRRDTIp88c   6.  Busi Mhlongo (1999) "Zithin'izizwe" (Live at the Fin de Siecle Festival (Nantes, France, 1997) and Roskilde Festival (Denmark, 1999) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YziCUHWvGfc   7. Busi Mhlongo (2006) "Yaphel'lmali Yami" (Live at the Market Theatre) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiJMoA1qFgQ&list=RD9JNh3InrY4o&index=10   7. Busi Mhlongo (2018) "Khula tshitshi lami" Freedom No video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpAP7UOiqkM   8. Busi Mhlongo (2018) "Ebathenjini" (from Freedom) No video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T0yV1CRl-s   9. Busi Mhlongo (2009) "Amagugu" from Amakholwa. House of Memory. No video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg6bcs__Fvs

Urban Zulu drew on Maskandi music, which was traditionally played and sung by men. (See examples by Ihhashi Elimhlophe and Amaqhawe at the playlist end.)   Mhlongo's fourth album - Freedom (2003) (Sony Music, re-released [2005] by Universal.) This album's much 'smoother' sound continued in 2006 on Live at the Market Theatre (2006) with Jabu Khanyile        In 2006, Busi's cancer returned and after chemotherapy and a mastectomy, she resumed touring in 2007. The South African Broadcasting Corporation organised a benefit concert in October 2007 to raise funds for her hospital bills. Busi sat resplendent on a sofa on stage. Several acts from that concert are on YouTube.   Her last album, Amakholwa, was released in November 2009 by House of Memory. (I can't find it!)   Busi died on 15 June 2010, aged 62, from breast cancer. On 27 April 2011, President Jacob Zuma, conferred on her the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver posthumously for her outstanding contribution to South African music.   Busi's music continues to be popular after her death, as seen in the 'remixes' of some of her songs. E.g. ·      The Urban Zulu remixes (2000) Melt. ·      Indiza: voyages through new sounds (2002) Melt. MASKANDA MUSIC   Maskanda is a form of Zulu folk music that originated in Quazulu-Natal province of South Africa. It has been called the “Zulu Blues,” as singers often sing about real life experiences, daily joys and sorrows. Common Maskanda instruments include fingerpicking guitars, violins, concertinas, mouth organs, and jaw harps. Extended guitar introductions  a characteristic of maskanda music.   Some examples: ·       Ihhashi Elimhlophe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6k6T6Kn6pU&list=RDNcJPQFkFVYw&index=3 ·       Amaqhawe (band) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcJPQFkFVYw and ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgNC7-sGabI&list=RDNcJPQFkFVYw&index=2 Maskanda meets reggae - with a choir! Ends with an ad with choir!   YOUTUBE PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFtGOvtLNCKDdMFjPba2j-7Y43w5nAP4a   "Tingi-Tingi". Strong band background. Waltz time! "Uganga nge ngane". Cross-rhythms between solo, choir and instruments. "Oxamu". Solo (2 mts.), then singers (clicking), then band creates reggae rhythm. (Clicks! "Lacata") "Yehlisan'umoya ma-Afrika" High-pitched calling (2.42), fronting band, then sings melody. dancers in skins. Driving rhythm. Silly cutting between cameras. "We baba omnncane". (9.52!) 'Skat-sings' across an extended guitar figure that continues through the song. Call and response with backing singers. High-kick dancers! Marimbas towards (extended!) end. "Zithin' izizwe". Polyrhythms. (7.31) Much too long! "Yaphel'Imali Yami". Complex polyrhythms by her and choir, leading to call and response. "Khula tshitshi lami". Two choirs - male and female - separate and together. Overlong (5.53) "Ebathenjini". 2 prominent recurring guitar figures, joined by mixed choir. Clarinet solo! c.f. A.F.Toure improvising over recurring figures - makes knowing the words more important! "Amagugu". Sings recurring phrase over organ/choir.