the legendary Sth. African/Zulu singing group and musicians that gained most fame as the super group of
“Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens’ with Mahlathini..the “Lion of Soweto”, providing the incredible “groaning” lead vocals…
this is a “mbaganga’ sound..music of the people..and was considered life giving, the peoples”daily bread’ during the worst of the Apartheid era.
In one of the most ironic concerts I’ve ever seen,I saw Mahlathini and the Queens perform in a park in Las Vegas in the summer of 1990.
I think it was above 110 degrees..a free concert..and there were about 40 people there, and very little shade.
I was both stoked,embarassed at the low turnout, and pissed off that these insanely good musicians were playing their hearts out to a completely apathetic crowd in a really fierce environment.
What they were thinking,I don’t know,but it didn’t seem to cramp their style and joy of playing one bit.
I did tell Mahlithini
after the concert how truly thrilled I was to see them.. despite everything, it was really a transcendent musical experience.
Follow this thread and check them out..it’s an inspirational World of Music out there.