Hugh Masekela Township Grooves: A Celebration of South African Jazz
Hugh Masekela Township Grooves is a compilation album by Hugh Masekela, one of the most renowned and influential jazz musicians from South Africa. The album was released on May 16, 2020, to commemorate what would have been Masekela’s 81st birthday. It features 14 songs from various albums that Masekela recorded between 1965 and 1974, showcasing his distinctive style of blending American jazz with traditional South African folk music genres such as marabi, kwela, and mbaqanga. The album is a tribute to Masekela’s musical legacy and his contribution to the anti-apartheid movement through his songs that expressed the struggles and hopes of the oppressed South African people.
Who was Hugh Masekela?
Hugh Ramapolo Masekela was born on April 4, 1939, in Witbank (now Emalahleni), South Africa. He was inspired to play the trumpet after watching the film Young Man with a Horn (1950), which featured Kirk Douglas as a jazz musician. He received his first trumpet from Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, an anti-apartheid activist who supported his musical talent. He joined various bands in his youth, including the Jazz Epistles, which was the first Black band in South Africa to record an album in 1959.
Masekela left South Africa in 1960 after the Sharpeville massacre, which marked a turning point in the resistance against apartheid. He moved to the United States, where he studied at the Manhattan School of Music and became a successful jazz artist. He collaborated with famous musicians such as Harry Belafonte , Miriam Makeba (his former wife), Dizzy Gillespie , Miles Davis , Fela Kuti , Paul Simon , Stevie Wonder , and many others. He also composed and performed songs that protested against apartheid and celebrated African culture, such as “Soweto Blues”, “Bring Him Back Home”, “Stimela (The Coal Train)”, and “Grazing in the Grass”, which became a number-one hit in 1968.
Masekela returned to South Africa in.
Masekela returned to South Africa in 1990, after Nelson Mandela was released from prison and the ban on the African National Congress was lifted. He continued to perform and record music until his death on January 23, 2018, from prostate cancer. He was hailed as a national hero and a global icon of jazz and freedom. He received numerous awards and honors, including the Order of Ikhamanga from the South African government, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Music Expo, and an honorary doctorate from the University of York.
The origins and influences of township jazz
Township jazz is a term that refers to the various styles of jazz that emerged in the urban areas of South Africa, especially in the townships where Black people were forced to live under apartheid. Township jazz reflects the diversity and creativity of the South African people, as well as their resilience and resistance against oppression. It draws from various musical influences, such as American jazz, European classical music, and African traditional music.
Marabi
Marabi is one of the earliest forms of township jazz, which originated in the 1920s and 1930s in Johannesburg. It was played by pianists who improvised on simple melodies and chords, creating a lively and rhythmic sound that attracted listeners and dancers. Marabi was often performed in shebeens, illegal bars that served as social hubs for the Black community. Marabi also expressed the hardships and joys of life in the townships, as well as the aspirations for freedom and equality.
Kwela
Kwela is another form of township jazz, which emerged in the 1950s and 1960s. It was influenced by marabi, but also by American swing and bebop. Kwela featured the pennywhistle, a cheap and easy-to-play instrument that produced a cheerful and catchy sound. Kwela musicians often played on the streets, attracting crowds and tips. Kwela also became popular among White audiences, who enjoyed its upbeat and playful mood. Kwela songs often had humorous lyrics that commented on social issues or everyday situations.
Mbaqanga
Mbaqanga is a form of township jazz that developed in the 1960s and 1970s. It was influenced by kwela, but also by American soul and funk. Mbaqanga featured electric guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, saxophones, and trumpets, creating a powerful and groovy sound that appealed to young listeners. Mbaqanga also incorporated vocal harmonies and chants from Zulu and Xhosa music traditions. Mbaqanga songs often had political messages that challenged apartheid or celebrated African identity.
The songs and musicians of Township Grooves
Township Grooves is a compilation album that showcases some of the best songs and musicians that Hugh Masekela worked with during his career. The album covers a wide range of styles and genres, from marabi to mbaqanga, from jazz to funk, from folk to fusion. The album also features some of Masekela’s most famous and influential songs, as well as some lesser-known gems. Here is a brief overview of the songs and musicians on the album.
Grazing in the Grass
Grazing in the Grass is one of Masekela’s most popular and successful songs, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968. It is an instrumental song that features Masekela’s trumpet playing over a catchy and upbeat rhythm section. The song was composed by Philemon Hou, a South African saxophonist who played with Masekela in the band The Union of South Africa. The song was inspired by the sight of cows grazing in the grass near Masekela’s home in California. The song has been covered by many artists, such as The Friends of Distinction, Stevie Wonder, Chet Atkins, and Rick Braun.
Stimela (The Coal Train)
Stimela (The Coal Train) is one of Masekela’s most powerful and poignant songs, which he composed and recorded in 1974. It is a song that tells the story of the migrant workers who were forced to leave their homes and families to work in the coal mines of South Africa. The song describes the harsh conditions and exploitation that they faced, as well as their longing for freedom and justice. The song features Masekela’s trumpet playing over a slow and haunting rhythm section, as well as his spoken narration and vocal chants. The song has been performed by many artists, such as Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Soweto Gospel Choir, and Wynton Marsalis.
Languta
Languta is a song that Masekela composed and recorded in 1971. It is a song that showcases his fusion of jazz and African music, as well as his collaboration with other African musicians. The song features Masekela’s trumpet playing over a fast and funky rhythm section, as well as his vocal scatting and whistling. The song also features saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, guitarist Geraldo Pino, bassist Fela Kuti, drummer Tony Allen, and percussionist Remi Kabaka. The song was inspired by the languta dance, which was popular among the Zulu people in South Africa.
The Boy’s Doin’ It
The Boy’s Doin’ It is a song that Masekela composed and recorded in 1975. It is a song that reflects his experimentation with different musical genres and influences, such as funk, rock, reggae, and Afrobeat. The song features Masekela’s trumpet playing over a groovy and eclectic rhythm section, as well as his vocal singing and rapping. The song also features guitarist Ollie E. Brown, bassist Alphonso Johnson, drummer Ndugu Chancler, keyboardist Larry Willis, saxophonist Sonny Fortune, trombonist Wayne Henderson, and vocalist Letta Mbulu. The song was inspired by the slang phrase “the boy’s doin’ it”, which meant “the boy’s doing well”.
Other songs on the album
The album also includes other songs that demonstrate Masekela’s versatility and creativity as a musician and composer. Some of these songs are:
- “Mama” (1965), a marabi-inspired song that pays tribute to his mother.
- “Coincidence” (1966), a jazz-funk song that features saxophonist Wayne Shorter.
- “Mace and Grenades” (1969), a protest song that denounces the violence of apartheid.
- “Part of a Whole” (1970), a soulful ballad that features vocalist Letta Mbulu.
- “Minawa” (1972), a mbaqanga-inspired song that features guitarist Geraldo Pino.
The legacy and impact of Township Grooves
Township Grooves is a compilation album that celebrates the legacy and impact of Hugh Masekela and township jazz on South African culture and music. The album showcases the diversity and richness of Masekela’s musical repertoire, as well as his social and political activism. The album also introduces new generations of listeners to the history and significance of township jazz, as well as its influences and innovations. The album is a testament to Masekela’s vision and talent, as well as his love and respect for his homeland and people.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hugh Masekela Township Grooves
Here are some of the most common questions that people ask about the album and their answers.
Q: Where can I download Hugh Masekela Township Grooves zip file?
A: You can download Hugh Masekela Township Grooves zip file from various online platforms, such as iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube. However, you should always make sure that you are downloading from a legal and authorized source, and that you are paying a fair price for the music. You should also respect the rights and royalties of the artists and producers who created the music.
Q: What is the best song on Hugh Masekela Township Grooves?
A: This is a subjective question that depends on your personal taste and preference. However, some of the most popular and acclaimed songs on the album are Grazing in the Grass, Stimela (The Coal Train), Languta, and The Boy’s Doin’ It. You can listen to these songs and decide for yourself which one is your favorite.
Q: How many albums did Hugh Masekela release in his career?
A: Hugh Masekela released over 40 albums in his career, spanning from 1961 to 2016. Some of his most notable albums are The Americanization of Ooga Booga (1965), Home Is Where the Music Is (1972), Hope (1994), Jabulani (2012), and No Borders (2016). He also collaborated with other artists on several albums, such as The Union of South Africa (1971), Grrr (1976), Grazing in the Grass: The Best of Hugh Masekela (2001), and Playing @ Work (2013).
Q: What are some of the awards and honors that Hugh Masekela received in his life?
A: Hugh Masekela received many awards and honors in his life, both for his music and for his activism. Some of them are:
- The Order of Ikhamanga from the South African government in 2010, for his contribution to music and the struggle against apartheid.
- The Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Music Expo in 2011, for his outstanding career as a musician and humanitarian.
- An honorary doctorate from the University of York in 2014, for his exceptional achievements in music and social justice.
- The African Music Legend Award from the All Africa Music Awards in 2017, for his influence and inspiration on African music.
- A Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album in 2018, for his album No Borders.
Q: Who are some of the artists that were influenced by Hugh Masekela and township jazz?
A: Hugh Masekela and township jazz influenced many artists from different genres and backgrounds, both in South Africa and around the world. Some of them are:
- Vusi Mahlasela, a South African singer-songwriter who collaborated with Masekela on several occasions.
- Freshlyground, a South African Afro-fusion band that featured Masekela on their song “Father Please”.
- Black Coffee, a South African DJ and producer who sampled Masekela’s song “Stimela” on his track “We Dance Again”.
- Coldplay, a British rock band that performed with Masekela at the Global Citizen Festival in 2015.
- Beyoncé , an American singer and songwriter who paid tribute to Masekela at her performance at the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 in 2018.
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