The Best Of The SABC Years, by Irene Mawela

The Best Of The SABC Years

by Irene Mawela

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weonickskss fantastic music - a big fat grin appears on my face every time i listen
Favorite track: Pfunzo.

krissipo What a superb album, each song holds me in its arms and just makes me smile! Favorite track: Guvhukuvhu.

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★★★★☆ "22 wonderful sides recorded between 1982-88... a range of township styles from lilting jazz-jive to the fat pop beats of mbaqanga and bubblegum. This disc fills an important gap in the story of music's resilient role in township life under apartheid" - Nigel Williamson, Songlines Magazine
"A doyenne of South African pop" - Robert Christgau

• For the very first time on CD and digital
• 22 rare transcription recordings from the South African Broadcasting Corporation archives, 1982-1988
• Fully licensed from the SABC and remastered from surviving LPs in the SABC's Record Library in Johannesburg
• Worldwide airplay incl. USA, UK, Europe, South Africa and Australia
• Digital download comes with CD booklet PDF ... more

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Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Deluxe release with 2 x metallic gold & black marbled vinyl, enclosed in 350gsm full colour matte gatefold sleeve. Features extensive liner notes, rare photos and full personnel. Pressed with quality by the experts at Mobineko. One-time run of 200 copies only!

Includes unlimited streaming of The Best Of The SABC Years via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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edition of 200

£22 GBP or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Exclusive 2021 repress on 6-panel matt-laminated digipak. Includes all 22 tracks, extensive liner notes, full recording personnel and credits

Includes unlimited streaming of The Best Of The SABC Years via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 1 day

edition of 200 18 remaining

£9 GBP or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
The original 2018 CD issue in jewel case. Includes 8-page booklet with extensive liner notes, full recording personnel and credits

Includes unlimited streaming of The Best Of The SABC Years via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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edition of 200 4 remaining

£9 GBP or more

1.	Banda Six Group with Irene Mawela - Xikolo 03:29	info	buy track
2.	Guvhukuvhu 03:26	info	buy track
3.	Danny Boy 03:16	info	buy track
4.	Irene and The Sweet Melodians - Nditsheni Ndi Di Phine 03:34	info	buy track
5.	Banda Six Group with Irene Mawela - U Nga Rili Murhandziwa 03:26	info	buy track
6.	Pfunzo 03:50	info	buy track
7.	Fhumulani Ndi Ni Vhudze 03:33	info	buy track
8.	Vha Ri Tshivhelani 03:50	info	buy track
9.	Irene and The Sweet Melodians - Ariye Muraleni 02:24	info	buy track
10.	Athilaiwi 03:34	info	buy track
11.	Banda Six Group with Irene Mawela - Hi Mina Mali 03:16	info	buy track
12.	Ri A Humbela 03:16	info	buy track
13.	Ndo Vhuya Venda 03:26	info	buy track
14.	Banda Six Group with Irene Mawela - Vurhongo 03:21	info	buy track
15.	Tambani Ri Vhone 03:09	info	buy track
16.	Ri Mu Rabele 03:47	info	buy track
17.	Ndi Ni Tamela Mashudu 03:14	info	buy track
18.	Elelwa Musiki Wau 03:52	info	buy track
19.	Mutale 03:56	info	buy track
20.	Tshigombela 03:35	info	buy track
21.	Banda Six Group with Irene Mawela - Jika Va Jikile 03:34	info	buy track
22.	Matodzi 03:58	info	buy track

about

This special collection of recordings, curated from the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s Record Library, features material from an iconic vocalist that has only ever been heard over the airwaves. Between 1982 and 1988, Irene Mawela - a key contributor to the sound of such famous names as the Dark City Sisters, the Sweet Sixteens and the Mahotella Queens - made more than two dozen excellent vocal jive recordings for the SABC Transcription Service. Though broadcast regularly over the years on Phalaphala FM, no transcriptions were ever made commercially available. Now, Umsakazo Records and the SABC are proud to present 22 of Irene's best transcriptions, providing a rare insight into the SABC’s vast archive of recorded material... and a glimpse into a forgotten era of the illustrious career of one of South Africa’s greatest singers.

credits

released January 28, 2019

Compilation production/notes: Nick Lotay
Vinyl transfers and audio restoration: SABC Sound Restoration Unit
All songs composed by Irene Mawela (except tracks 16 and 18 - traditional/re-arranged by Irene Mawela)
All tracks and discographical information provided by the SABC Record Library
Originally recorded for and published by the SABC Transcription Service (see inner sleeve for full recording notes, personnel and further information)

In the absence of master tapes, all of the material featured here has been transferred from surviving 33rpm vinyl records. Although every effort has been made to both preserve the recorded music and eliminate surface noise, some minor distortion may remain.

Special thanks to the following individuals for their kind assistance with this project: Suveena Devkurran, Lucky Monama, Shalini Naidoo, Norton Ramavhoya and William Rapabi

An Umsakazo Production

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about

Umsakazo Records UK

Welcoming back the joyous sound of South Africa's townships. UK-based record label celebrating the heritage of vintage African jive through reissues, new beats and compilations of out-of-print music

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