Cover
LINER NOTESNot long ago — about two years — the country was swept by a craze for a fantastic new kind of jive. First presented and popularised by The Mahotella Queens, it shows no signs of decreasing — in fact it gets bigger and bigger with the release of each new "Queens" record. Demonstrating the dance all over the country, The Mahotella Queens (not to forget their "King", Mahlathini Nkabinde) have become the idols of the young "with it" crowd. Growing from original "Jive Motella" many other fads and variations have recently hit the scene — all of them introduced and demonstrated by The Queens and their King: Jive Mgqashiya (which is available on MO 33 and, incidentally, is named after the word meaning the Bantu traditional way of dancing), Jive Jibav (on MO 50) and most recently a wild, crazy jive called 'S' modern.' The charm, vivacity and ultra-modern, go-ahead spirit of these vital young artists fully deserves to have captivated the country. Ever since they started, back in Johannesburg in 1963, their fame has been growing by leaps and bounds. Today they have no equal in their field. But although they are the ones who glory in all the limelight, they owe on enormous debt to the "man behind the scenes". He is the "brain" who guided, formed and trained the group — Rupert "Bops" Bopape. ADDITIONAL NOTES By Nick Lotay* Vocalists: a fastly-rotating team of five female singers were taken from a pool of Mavuthela singers assigned to record under the Mahotella Queens name. These were - Hilda Tloubatla, Mildred Mangxola, Ethel and Francisca Mngomezulu, Nunu Maseko, Windy Sibeko, Juliet Mazamisa and Mary Rabotapi. All eight almost certainly appear on this album but it would be difficult to pinpoint exactly who. Instead, I have tried to identify any detectable 'soloists' or lead singers that appear on songs. A1 Kuqale Bani Original release: Motella MO 46 (1965) Original matrix: ABC 30306 Soloists: Simon Nkabinde, Windy Sibeko Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Lucky Monama Drums: Wilfred Mosebi A2 Dinaka Original release (estimated): late 1965 Soloists: Nunu Maseko Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Vivian Ngubane Drums: Wilfred Mosebi A3 Sonny Boy Original release: Motella MO 51 (1965) Original matrix: ABC 30318 Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Lucky Monama Drums: Wilfred Mosebi A4 We Boy Original release (estimated): late 1965, possibly at the same time as "Dinaka" Soloists: Hilda Tloubatla Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Vivian Ngubane Drums: Wilfred Mosebi A5 Hamba Mzala Original release (estimated): early 1965 Soloists: Simon Nkabinde, Windy Sibeko Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Lucky Monama Drums: Wilfred Mosebi A6 Izinyoni Original release (estimated): early 1965, perhaps a possible B-side to "Hamba Mzala" or recorded in the same/adjoining session Soloists: Simon Nkabinde Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Lucky Monama Drums: Wilfred Mosebi A7 Inxeba Lendoda Original release (estimated): early 1965 Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Lucky Monama Drums: Wilfred Mosebi B1 Elidlubedu Original release: Motella MO 84 (1965) Original matrix: ABC 30520 Soloists: Hilda Tloubatla Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Vivian Ngubane Drums: Wilfred Mosebi B2 Niyi Gcine Original release: Motella MO 71 (1965) Original matrix: ABC 30434 Soloists: Simon Nkabinde Bass: Joseph Makwela Guitar 1: Lucky Monama Guitar 2: Vivian Ngubane Drums: Wilfred Mosebi B3 Ikhula Original release: Motella MO 72 (1965) Original matrix: ABC 30436 Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Lucky Monama Drums: Wilfred Mosebi B4 Umoya Original release (estimated): early 1966 Soloists: Simon Nkabinde Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Vivian Ngubane Drums: Wilfred Mosebi B5 Amaqawe Original release (estimated): late 1965 Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Vivian Ngubane Drums: Wilfred Mosebi B6 Izulu Nge Lami Original release (estimated): early 1966, almost certainly a B-side to "Umoya" Soloists: Simon Nkabinde Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Vivian Ngubane Drums: Wilfred Mosebi B7 Ekuseni Original release (estimated): late 1965 Lead Guitar: Marks Mankwane Bass: Joseph Makwela Rhythm Guitar: Vivian Ngubane Drums: Wilfred Mosebi [*Special thanks to Nick Lotay for supplying these detailed additional notes!] |
MAHOTELLA QUEENS
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TRACK LISTING
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ARTISTS
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NOTESThanks to Nick Lotay for determining the Queens line-up on this record and his detailed notes on each track. For more information about the Mahotella Queens, Rupert Bopape, Motella Label and Mahlathini check out Nick Lotay's great research on Matsuli here. |
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