Afro-Synth: Stimela

Showing posts with label Stimela. Show all posts

STIMELA - Siyaya (1991)

Gallo, HUL40238

Producers: Dave Segal & Stimela

Engineer: Dave Segal

Recorded at: Bop & Downtown

Stimela's 1991 album Siyaya (we are moving) came at the end of a golden run of iconic albums, starting in 1984 with Fire, Passion and Ecstasy and until 1989's Trouble in the Land of Plenty. Frontman and founder Ray Phiri was in 1990 invited to feature on Paul Simon's Rhythm of the Saints album, the long-awaited follow-up to Graceland. Phiri reportedly left the group around this time to concentrate on his solo career, in 1990 signing to French label Barclay, but after his 1992 solo album People Don't Talk, So Let's Talk things never quite panned out as hoped. Stimela continued with Nana 'Coyote' Motijoane, who had been hired to share vocal duties with Phiri a few years earlier. One of the country's most distinctive and powerful vocalists, Coyote had long proved an able substitute, and the stream train marched on. The core line-up remains intact on this album, with Isaac Mtshali (drums), Lloyd Lelosa (keys), Thapelo Khomo (keys), Ntokozo Zungu (guitar) and Charles Ndlovu (organ) with Sandile Ngema replacing Jabu Sibumbe on bass. Also featuring a young Ringo Madlingozi.

Though not featuring on every track Phiri was still closely involved in Siyaya as a co-producer, and provides guitar and vocals on two of the eight tracks, 'Rhythms of Oneness' and 'The Guys Are Doin' It' (a nod to Hugh Masekela's 1975 hit). Though arguably considered to not fall within the band most revered albums, it still contains some of their greatest hits, 'African Changes', 'Go On (Living Your Life)', 'A Song Tells a Story' and 'Siyaya Phambili' (we are moving forwards), a song that answered many of the band's skeptics and also captured the sprit of political change at the time. Three songs of the best known tracks from this album were included in Stimela's 1992 UK release, Kululani.

Stimela continued to release albums, including Don't Ask Why (1994), Out of the Ashes (1996) and more recently Turn On The Sun (2011) but struggled to maintain the same relevance or success as during their prime in the second half of the 1980s

VA - Give Praise Where Praise is Deserved (1985)

Plum, Teal, KVL5013

Producer: Sipho Gumede & Ray Phiri (exec: Charmaine Modjadji)

Engineer: Richard Mitchell

Recorded at: RPM Studios

The mid-1980s represents the apex of state-sponsored repression in South Africa and a turning point in musicians' role in the struggle for democracy. International pressure on the nationalist regime was mounting too, particularly Archbishop Desmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. Two of South Africa's most gifted musicians, Ray Phiri (Stimela, The Cannibals, Kumasi, Paul Simon's Graceland) and Sipho Gumede (Sakhile, The Boogie Man, Jika) gathered other top South African artists, including Lionel Peterson, Mara Louw, Lloyd Lelosa (Stimela), Nana 'Coyote' Motijoane and Katie Pennington to record this album in recognition of Tutu’s achievements and to raise funds for the African Bursary Fund.

The project was helmed by Charmaine Modjadji, a former Soweto beauty queen who spent much of apartheid exiled in the US before returning to South Africa to emerge as a prominent businesswomen and restaurateur. According to her liner notes, "This album is to raise funds for the African Bursary Fund so a smooching kiss to Richard Mitchell for his engineering, Sipho Gumede, Ray Phiri, Charlie Ndlovu and Lloyd Lelosa without whose musical genii this album would not have been possible. May God bless you in you music careers. I love you all. Thanks to all those lovely people who will feel good about this project. The ever living spirit is never without resources."

STIMELA - Trouble in the Land of Plenty (1989)

Gallo GRC, HUL40190
Producers: Ray Phiri & Dave Segal
Engineers: Dave Segal & Dave Subkleve

Perhaps the greatest South African band of all time, Stimela reached their peak in the late 1980s with albums like Trouble, which contains hits like 'Can't spend your life just taking', 'I Long to Return' and the title track. "It is Stimela in full swing, like a hungry cheetah that has taken a well-calculated final decision to attack its prey without mercy" (Mojapelo, 2008:139).

COYOTE - Who Is The Lord Of The House (1987)

Gallo, BL606
Producers: Ray Chikapa Phiri, Lloyd Lelosa and Thapelo Khomo
Engineer: Dave Segal
Recorded at: RPM Studios

Tsietsi Daniel Nana Motijoane was born in Lesotho in 1955 and grew up in Sharpeville. He cut his teeth with soul acts the Black Five and Uhuru (later Sankomota) and had huge hits in the mid-80s with Ozila's 'Lifesaver (I'm Suffering)' and 'Take Your Love And Keep It', a timeless duet with Steve Kekana. Nicknamed 'The Wild Dog', he went on to join the mighty Stimela (three members of which produced this album), where his powerful vocals proved the perfect foil to Ray Phiri's.

Coyote's solo albums include Don't You Wanna Know Me, Vuka Zenzele (1989), Majaja (2003) and Mo Fe (2007). He passed away in June 2010, aged 55.

This four-track album serves up Coyote's special brand of Mzansi soul, with traditional Sotho and uplifting gospel touches. 'Malifatjana' is the most upbeat, driven by slick synths, horns and call-and-response vocals.

STIMELA - Shadows, Fear and Pain (1985)

Gallo, HUC 40089
Producers: Ray Phiri & David Segal
Engineer: David Segal
Recorded at: Ovation (mixed at RPM)

The magic of Stimela is hard to define - a fusion of local, jazz and funk influences, they managed to craft a modern South African sound that continues to influence SA musicians, yet one that was completely removed from the catchy, "disposable" exuberance of bubblegum. Never in a rush, yet always with a sense of purpose and direction - like the steam train after which they took their name.

This was their third album, featuring the "People's Band" five key members: Jabu Sibumbe (bass), Isaac Mtshali (drums), Charlie Ndlovu (synths), Lloyd Lelosa (keyboards) and Ray Phiri (vocals and guitar). It followed their debut Fire, Passion and Ecstasy and Look, Listen and Decide. Later albums include Khululani, Siyaya, Don't Ask Why, The Unfinished Story, and their recent comeback album, the Sama-winning A Lifetime, featuring a revamped lineup.

'Come to Me (Zwakala)' and 'Highland Drifter' remain firm favourites today. The latter was first written and recorded by Stimela's predecessors, The Cannibals, and was inspired by Ray's childhood memories. "In 1956 the residents of the Crocodile Valley Citrus Estate fled into the mountains fearing for their lives during the women 'dompas' resistance... It was against this background that young Ray felt like a 'highland drifter...mountains are my home." (Mojapelo 2008:137). Check out this live performance of the song from a few years back, featuring the recently departed Nana "Coyote" Motijoane on backing vocals ...

Though not so well-remembered today, the other three songs on this album - the title track, 'Love Will Find a Way' and 'Follow Your Heart (Sea of Love)' - also capture this iconic Mzansi band at their very best.

TEASPOON - New Horizons (1988)

Gallo GRC, HUL40162
Producer: Ray Phiri
Engineers: Dave Segal & Sam Wingate
Recorded at: Audio Lab, JHB

Saxman Teaspon Ndelu takes the lead on this six-track album of classy pop with a jazzy twist. Titles include 'Bossanova Funkcation', 'Rumble Starter', 'Hard Times' and 'Waya waya all the way down'. Here was another project backed by the mighty Stimela, featuring the likes of Jabu Sibumbe (bass), Isaac Mtshali (drums), Lloyd Lelosa, Thapelo Khomo (piano), Charlie Ndlovu (organ), Ntokozo Zungu (guitars), as well as ex-Hotline axeman Alistair Coakley, with arrangements by Victor Ntoni and overseen by Ray "Chikapa" Phiri, who penned these liner notes in his own inimitable style:

"The main tea in the spoon project is all about yesterday, today and tomorrow. Personally I knew Teaspoon way back 1967 when tea drinking was an art, the brew has mellowed in that I find myself lost for words. Talking about enjoying something so sweet and hot is not an easy subject . . ."

Dedicated to "the Greats who carried the torch - Bra Zakes, Kiepie, Spokes, Henry, Barney, Carly, Nelson, Ceryl, Victor, Ndlazulwanle, Sheptone and Ray Nkwe, and all the others ho came and left before our time... We will keep the home fire burning. This one is for you ... Let's have a musical conversation."

KUMASI - I Know You Feel It (1983)

Kongas/Media Sounds/Wea, KSC1001

Six-track album of sophisticated Afro-funk. Kumasi was led by one Paul Ndlovu later of Stimela side-project Street Kids. Kumasi are the missing link between the Cannibals and Stimela. Although no names are provided anywhere on the album, few others possessed what the members of Stimela were capable of.

Way ahead of its time, this is an Afrosynth classic. Every track is a winner - from the deep funk of 'I Know You Feel It', 'Dali Wam' (My Darling) and 'She's a Queen' and the Fela-fuelled 'Anomakoliwa' to the chilled out 'Dreamin' and 'What's on Your Mind'.

Internationally, put it right up there with the likes of Cymande and Mandrill.

ZASHA - Hayi Ngodlame (1989)

Teal Trutone, SUF2
Producer: Thapelo Khomo
Engineer: Ian Osrin

Funky, sophisticated Afro-pop where real musicians trump programmed beats. Fronted by singer Steven Mthimkulu and guitarist Skipper Shabalala, who recently made a comeback as a solo act. Produced by Thapelo Khomo, who also worked with acts like Kamazu, Pappa, Jabu Khanyile (Bayete) and more recently Simphiwe Dana. Dedicated to "our late brother 'Boxie' Lekalakala, who passed away in 1987". Hair by Superkurl, 68 Simmonds St, Joburg!

In a nod to their infuences, the title track features Coyote (v) and Jabu Sibumbe (bass) from Stimela, and Jimmy Mngwandi from Image. "Every brother is our brother, every sister is our sister". Highlights on this 6-track album include 'Stop That Game' and 'A Letter To My Family'. Other Zasha albums include Love Target (1986), I'll Be There For You (1991), Stop That Game (1992) and Save The World (1994).