Kwela Archive

The Kwela Project Archive began life in 2007, and comprises the following recordings:

33 rpm

Acta Ethnologica et Linguistica (AEL)

0120031 The Kachamba Brothers’ Band

Cicewa, Malawi 1972

Side 1

• Daniel J. Kachamba (Guitar, Vocal)
• Donald J. Kachamba (Flute, Vocal, One-string bass)
• Luka Khumuwa (Rattle, Vocal)
• Ronol Kaufa (One-string bass, Vocal)

1. Wodola Sofia (Sinjonjo)
2. Maliro aKachamba (Sinjonjo)
3. Amai musandilile (Twist)
4. Happy New Year Shake-shake (Shake-shake)
5. Mai ndilibe Twist (Twist)
6. Mai Lumba (Lumba)
7. Shaya izule (Double-step)
8. Dikile mbale wanga (Double-step)

Side 2

• Daniel J. Kachamba (Guitar, Vocal, Mouth-organ)
• Donald J. Kachamba (Flute, Vocal, One-string bass, Guitar)
• Gerhard Kubik (Rattle, Vocal)

1. Kuimba kuNamagunga (Sinjonjo)
2. High Sinjonjo (Sinjonjo)
3. Atsale Jive (Double-step)
4. I am a beggar man (Slow Shake-shake)
5. Panali abale athu (Lumba)
6. Sibana nsambi (Double-step)
7. Aloni Jive (Limbika)

Austro Mechana

0120240 Donald Kachamba’s Kwela Band 1978

• Donald J. Kachamba (Kwela-flutes, guitars, one-string box-bass, drum, rattle, banjo, mouth-organ)
• Gerhard Kubik (Clarinet, guitar, rattle)
• Moya Aliya (One-string box-bass, rattle, guitar)

All tunes by Donald Kachamba

Side 1

• Lusaka Song (Jive)
• Rock Phata No. 4 (Sinjonjo)
• Loneck Twist (Twist)
• Tawina Simanje (Simanje-manje)
• Kutsatatsata Simanje (Simanje-manje)
• Simanje-manje Moya (Simanje-manje)

Side 2

• Chilomoni Twist (Twist)
• Donadi Twist (Twist)
• Pepa m’bale (Simanje-manje)
• Emelesi Twist (Twist)
• Simanje-manje D (Simanje-manje)
• Chemwale bwerani tibvine (Sinjonjo)
• Chosa mvana (Lumba)

Decca

LK4292 Something New From Africa

Side 1

1. Something new from Africa (Mokonotela) (Solven Whistlers)
2. Kwela Joe (Rampura) (Specks Rampura)
3. Zulu boy kwela (Hill) (Toko Tomo and The Batchelors)
4. Lemmy’s Jump (Mabaso) (Jimmy Pratt with Lemmy Special)
5. Little Lemmy Kwela (Hill) (Little Lemmy and Big Joe)
6. Kwela blues (Mokonotela) (Solven Whistlers)

Side 2

1. Kwela No. 5 (Hill) (Little Lemmy and Big Joe)
2. Solo jump (Rampura) (Specks Rampura)
3. Rockin’ in rhythm (Ellington, Carney, Mills) (Jimmy Pratt with Lemmy Special and Miriam Makeba)
4. G-string kwela (Strike) (The Blackjack Hitters)
5. Back to the shelters (Nkosi) (Solven Whistlers)
6. Six down (Mabaso) (Alexandra Junior Bright Boys with Lemmy Special)

Gallotone

GALP1015 Something New in Africa

Side 1

1. Something New In Africa (T. Mokonta) (Solven Whistlers)
2. Lemmy Special Kwela (Lemmy Special) (Alexander Junior Bright Boys with Lemmy Special)
3. Kwela Bafana (A. Strike) (Basement Boys)
4. Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy (Stone, Stapp) (The Six Lads)
5. Golden City Kwela (T. Mokonta) (Solven Whistlers)
6. Pilani Kwela (D. Pilani) (Romantic Boys)
7. Hamba Kwela (T. Mokonta) (Solven Whistlers)

Side 2

1. Joburg Kwela (A. J. B. Boys) (Alexander Junior Bright Boys with Lemmy Special)
2. Upstairs Jump (A. Strike) (Basement Boys)
3. Tennessee Kwela (Stewart, Pee Wee King) (The Six Lads)
4. Orlando Jump (S. Whistlers) (Solven Whistlers)
5. Timothy Baby (D. Pilani) (Romantic Boys)
6. Penny Whistler’s Kwela (S. Whistlers) (Solven Whistlers)
7. Ulova Kwela (T. Mokonta) (Solven Whistlers)

GALP1049 Spokes of Africa

Side 1

1. Mambo Spokes (S. Mashiyane)
2. City Hall Special (S. Mashiyane)
3. Thaba Bosiu (F. Pilane, S. Mashiyane)
4. Mosupa Tsela (S. Mashiyane)
5. Kwela Kong (Matshikiza)
6. Monate (S. Mashiyane)

Side 2

1. Manyatela (S. Mashiyane, L. Mabaso)
2. Banana Ba [sic] Rustenburg (S. Mashiyane)
3. Hae Phokeng (S. Mashiyane)
4. Little Kong Kwela (Mashikiza)
5. Vela Bahleke (S. Mashiyane)
6. Jika Dinto (S. Mashiyane)

GALP1246 Kwela with Lemmy (and other Penny Whistlers)

Side 1

1. See you later (Hill) (Little Lemmy Special and Big Joe)
2. Solven’s Hoch (Mokonta) (Solven Whistlers)
3. Solo Jump (Rampura) (Specks Rampura)
4. 4th Avenue (Mabaso) (Alexandra Junior Bright Boys with Lemmy “Special” Mabaso)
5. Dingo (Mabaso) (Lemmy Special with Alexandra Junior Bright Boys)
6. Skomba (Mabaso) (Lemmy Special with Alexandra Junior Bright Boys)

Side 2

1. Little Lemmy (Hill) (LIttle Lemmy Special and Big Joe)
2. Kwela Blues (Mokonta) (Solven Whistlers)
3. Kwela Joe (Rampura) (Specks Rampura)
4. Six Down (Mabaso) (Alexandra Junior Bright Boys with Lemmy “Special” Mabaso)
5. 47 Zone 4 (Mabaso) (Lemmy Special)
6. London Special (Mabaso) (Lemmy Special)

GL1578 Music Sounds of Africa (Compilation)

Side 1

1. Click Song (Manhattan Brothers M.P.A.) (Miriam Makeba)
2. Kwela Kong (Williams – Matshikiza) (Spokes)
3. Gum Boot Dances (trad. exempt) (African Mine Dances)
4. Guitars of Africa (trad. M.P.A.) (Xhosa Shiya)
5. Phata Phata (Ragovoy – Makeba M.P.A.) (Location Music)
6. Drums of Africa (trad. M.P.A.) (Enkoito Haya)
7. London Special (Mabaso M.P.A.) (Kwela Lemmy Special)

Side 2

1. Dingaka Lullaby (Egnos – Gray – Domingo M.P.A.) (Ken Gampu)
2. Vile Ngoana (trad. M.P.A.) (Location Music)
3. Kilimanjaro (Glazer – Davashe M.P.A.) (Miriam Makeba)
4. Musingasinga (trad. M.P.A.) (Xylophone Music)
5. Swing Down (Gift – Makapela M.P.A.) (King’s Messengers)
6. Kwela Blues (Mokonta M.P.A.) (Lemmy Special)
7. Umkhosi (A. Cindi M.P.A.) (Malombo Jazz)

Gallotone/New Sound

NSL1008 Lemmy Hit Parade No.1 (Lemmy Special)

Side 1

1. The Mad Kids (Mabasa)
2. Velani Bafana (Chaoke)
3. Jazz Kwela (Nkosi)
4. Fatamana (Chaoke)
5. Ao Shomtwana (Chaoke)
6. The Blues (Mabasa)

Side 2

1. Mabusee (Mabasa)
2. Zwakala (Chaoke)
3. Double Kwela (Mabasa)
4. Cha Cha (Chaoke)
5. Loafers Corner (Chaoke)
6. Tsamaea (Mabasa)

London International

TW91408 Spokes Mashiyane (King Kwela)

Side 1

1. July Handicap (R. Msomi)
2. Kwela 3 (R. Msomi)
3. The Last Sixpence (R. Msomi)
4. Banjo Special (R. Msomi)
5. Thata Thata (H. Tau)
6. Durban Line (D. Petersen)

Side 2

1. Woza Woza (H. Tau)
2. Phesheya (H. Tau)
3. Bechaunaland (P. Mokonetela)
4. Basutoland (P. Mokonetela)
5. Spokes Twist (Moncho)
6. Shova Spokes (Moncho)

Renown

NLP 131 Pennywhistle Kwela

Side A

1. First Stop Dube (Abia Themba and Michael Sithole)
2. Mr. Balla’s Best (Abia Themba)
3. Sideways Jive (The Gumba Gumba Guys)
4. The New Look (Abia Themba and His Rhythm)
5. Two Steps Parys (Jacob Khotle)
6. Abantwana Ba Seven (David Thekwane)

Side B

1. Old Krok Special (Frans Mudau)
2. Blues Ngaphanzi (Jake Lerole and His Rhythm)
3. Lucky Number 7 (Albert Ralulimi and Son)
4. Radio Announcers Kwela (Frans Mudau)
5. Emalahleni (The Gumba Gumba Guys)
6. Fairlane 600 (Frans Mudau)

Oriole

MG10022 Penny Whistle Jive (The “Kwela”) 10″

Side 1

1. Jika Spokes (Mashiyane) (Spokes Mashiyane and Ben Nkosi)
2. The Boys of Jo’burg (Mashiyane) (Spokes Mashiyane and France Pilane
3. Cool Mood (Makana) (Peter Makana)
4. Sweet Baby (Makana) (Peter Makana and his Rhythm)

Side 2

1. Black¬ John (Makana) (Peter Makana)
2. Baboon Shepherd (Makana) (Black Duke and Peter Makana)
3. Nut Brown Girl (?) (Harry Makhaya and France Pilane)
4. Ben’s Special (Nkosi) (Mafuta Amahlope)

Rave

RMG1107 King Kwela (featuring Spokes Mashiyane Penny Whistle)

Side 1

1. Meva (Spokes Mashiyane)
2. Kwela Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
3. Ace Blues (Spokes Mashiyane)
4. Chobolo (Spokes Mashiyane)
5. Kwela Claude (Spokes Mashiyane)
6. Chicago Blues (Spokes Mashiyane)

Side 2

1. Dolos (Spokes Mashiyane)
2. Ndinovalo (Spokes Mashiyane)
3. Sheshisa (Spokes Mashiyane)
4. New Year Eve Blues (Spokes Mashiyane)
5. Jika Spokes (Spokes Mashiyane)
6. Sono Sam’ (Tr. Arr.: F. Pilane)

45 rpm

New Sound

GB2939 Spokes Mashiyane and his All Star Flutes
July Handicap (R. Msomi)
Kwela 3 (R. Msomi)

GB2975 The New Sounds of Spokes Mashiyane
Emakhaya (R. Msomi)
Shisa Phatha Phata (R. Msomi)

Gallotone/New Sound

XEP 7026 (EP)
Boymans – Jive 1. Lashona (Sibanda); 2. Mantshingilana (Nhlapo)
Lemmy Special – Jive 1. Bra Lemmy (Msomi); 2. Sutha Sutha (Mabaso)

XEP 7027 (EP)
Spokes Mashiyane & his Big Five – 1. Isi Shimiyane (Rametis); 2. Ngenaye (Songxaka)
Romantic Boys – 1. Jika Mthoria (Pilani); 2. Timitoy Baby (Pilani)

ESL 7121 Lemmy Special Hits
1. Sutha Sutha (L. Mabaso); 2. Bra Lemmy (R. Msomi)
1. Mohlakaso (M. Mabaso); 2. Casanova (M. Mabaso)
[note: different initial on label]

His Master’s Voice

7EG 8369 (EP) Kwela from South Africa
1. Buya E Goalini (Out of Jail) (R. Bopape, Zacks Nkosi) (Alexandra Shamber Boys); 2. Quintet Special (trad.) (Benoni Flute Quintet)
1. My Sister (T. Ramokgopa) (Shamber Girls acc. The Alexandra Shamber Boys); 2. E Twatwa (P. Ndlazilwana) (Benoni Flute Quintet)

Colombia

DB4109 Elias and his Zig-Zag Jive Flutes
Tom Hark (R. Bopape) (Elias and his Zig-Zag Jive Flutes)
Ry-Ry (E. Lerole) (Elias and his Zig-Zag Jive Flutes)

DB4135 Black Mambazo
Matshutshu (trad.)
Fuzzy Night (Sammuel Dhladhla)

DB4716 Elias and his Zig-Zag Jive Flutes
Vuka’ Magcwabeni (Back from the Dead) (R. Bopape)
Zeph Boogie (Z. Ngabinde)

SEYJ105 Pennywhistle Kwela (EP)
1. Fosmaan (Lex Hendricks) (Little Kid Lex); 2. Ry-Ry (E. Lerole) (Elias and his Zig Zag Flutes)
1. Tom Hark (R. Bopape) (Elias and his Zig Zag Flutes); 2. Sanny Boy Special (E. Mtsima) (Benoni Flute Quintet)

ESRF1633 La Kwela (Duo Ouro Negro)
1. La Kwela (Raul Aires Peres Cruz – H. Ithier); 2. La Kwela de l’Angola (Raul Aires Peres Cruz – H. Ithier)
1. Heno Vakwe (Emilio Vitoria Pereira – Raul Aires Peres Cruz); 2. N’Doa (Raul Aires Peres Cruz)

Decca

F11330
King Kong (Matshikiza, Williams, Trewhela) (Nathan Mdledle and “King Kong” Company)
Crazy Kid (Trad. arr. Matshikiza) (Lemmy “Special” Mabaso and “King Kong” Company)

Dot

15778 Spokes Mashiyane
French Fried (S. Mashiyane)
Jika (S. Mashiyane)

Bertelsmann Shallplattenring

36698 So tanzt man in Africa (Original Kwela-Musik)
1. Laughing Kwela (Lerole) (Jake Lerole and his Rhythm); 2. Zoo Lake JIve (Mashiyane) (Casbah Penny Whistle Gang with Jerry Mavuso)
1. Flute D.O.C.C. (Mashiyane) (Casbah Penny Whistle Gang with Jerry Mavuso); 2. Umpinda (Mashiyane) (Spikes Mashiyane And His Rhythm)
[Spikes! Seite 1 is B and Seite 2 is A!]

Philips

598PSE Dansez la Kwela
1. Voetsek Kwela; 2. Bloody Full Kwela (Frans Mudau) (Frans Mudau et son orchestre)
1. Moody River Kwela (Abia Themba) (Abia Themba et son orchestre); 2. Nkuku Kwela (Abia Themba) (Abia themba et Michael Sithole)

Hansa

SIR4044 The Piranhas Play Kwela
Tom Hark (Bopaepe/Good)
Getting Beaten Up (Helmer); Boyfriend (Grover)

Rave

REP7 Kwela Spokes!
1. Love Me Baby (S. Mashiyane); 2. Cookie’s Kwela (H. Makhaya)
1. Stooge Blues (H. Makhaya); 2. Zoo Lake Kwela (Spokes Mashiyane) 

REP27 Kwela Spokes Vol. 2
1. Kwela Cactus (Reemus); 2. Ace Blues (Reemus)
1. Jumping Bean (S. Mashiyane); 2. Pretoria Rocket (arr. S. Mashiyane)

Verve

10142 Jake Lerole and his Rhythm
Lion Killer (Lerole)
Kwela Jake (Lerole)

78 rpm

Oriole

CB1445 ‘Kwela’ Penny Whistle Jive
Baboon Shepherd (P. Makana) (Black Duke and Peter Makana)
Black John (P. Makana) (Peter Makana)