The Rough Guide to Music of South Africa spotlights one of the richest of all global music cultures -- newcomers to the genre will find much to savor among these 16 tracks. Highlights include Lucky Dube's "House of Exile," Miriam Makeba's "Inkomo Zodwa," the African Jazz Pioneers' "Jive Township" and Ladysmith Black Mambazo's "Kangivumanga." ~ Raymond McKinney, All Music Guide
| MP3 VBR kbps | Incl.Front Cover | 85 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Nigizongena Kanjani - Izingqungqulu Zomhlaba
[02]. Nyamphemphe - Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens
[03]. Groovin' Jive No. 1 - Noise Khanyile & The Jo'burg City Stars
[04]. House Of Exile - Lucky Dube
[05]. Motherland - Yvonne Chaka Chaka
[06]. My Kind Of Jazz - Tebogo
[07]. Meva - Spokes Mashiyane
[08]. Jive Township - African Jazz Pioneers
[09]. Yaze Yangala - The Elite Swingsters
[10]. Celebration - Bheki Mseleku
[11]. Ungithatha Kanjani - West Nkosi
[12]. Udlame - Soul Brothers
[13]. Tsotsi - Boyoyo Boys
[14]. Inkomo Zodwa - Miriam Makeba & The Skylarks
[15]. Mbube - Solomon Linda's Original Evening Birds
[16]. Kangivumanga - Ladysmith Black Mambazo
HERE
[02].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (SECOND EDITION)
South Africa is one of the great powerhouses of African music with a recording industry that stretches back to the early 20 th century. From the lilting violins of the Soweto String Quartet to the African reggae of Lucky Dube, this all-new second edition of The Rough Guide To The Music of South Africa is a perfect introduction to the sounds of the rainbow nation. Artists include - Busi Mhlongo, Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens, Chicco, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Soweto String Quartet, Shiyani Ngcobo, Miriam Makeba & The Skylarks, Mtabhane Ndima, Soul Brothers, Lesego Rampolokeng & The Kalahari Surfers, Lucky Dube, Oom Hansie, Nothembi, Solomon Linda's Original Evening Birds, Big Voice Jack, Ladysmith Black Mambazo
| MP3 VBR kbps | Incl.Covers | 85 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. BUSI MHLONGO - Yehlisan'Umoya Ma-Afrika
[02]. MAHLATHINI & THE MAHOTELLA QUEENS - Umuntu Ngumuntu
[03]. CHICCO - Umagubane
[04]. YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA - UmQombothi
[05]. SOWETO STRING QUARTET - St Agnes And The Burning Train
[06]. SHIYANI NGCOBO - Yekanini
[07]. MIRIAM MAKEBA & THE SKYLARKS - Ndidliwe Zintaba
[08]. MTABHANE NDIMA - Thandabantu
[09]. SOUL BROTHERS - Mama Ka S'Bongile
[10]. LESEGO RAMPOLOKENG & THE KALAHARI SURFERS - Blue V's
[11]. LUCKY DUBE - Crying Games
[12]. OOM HANSIE - Waar's My Pyp?
[13]. NOTHEMBI - Akanamandl' Usathana
[14]. SOLOMON LINDA'S ORIGINAL EVENING BIRDS - Mbube
[15]. BIG VOICE JACK - Tsi Tsi No1
[16]. LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO - Wawukhona Yini E New York
HERE
[03].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF TANZANIA
On the East African coast, Tanzania has recently emerged from State control of its music to much greater independence. These days, instead of one mainstream -- muziki wa dansi -- there are three, including the Arabic-sounding taarab and the younger bongo flava that includes singers like Saida Karoli. On Rough Guide to the Music of Tanzania, Karoli performs in a spare, acoustic setting. The disc includes the R&B (with local influence) of Dataz and the hip-hop of X Plastaz. What sticks in the mind for than anything else, however, are the bands like Ottu Jazz Band or the late Ndala Kasheba, whose 12-string guitar powered his band on music influenced by Congolese soukous. The taarab really stands alone, a style utterly apart, and quite beautiful in its ornamentation. Compiler Werner Graebner has included a pair of more traditional tracks, one from the Master Musicians of Tanzania, founded by the late, great Hukwe Zawose. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide
| MP3 VBR kbps | Incl.Covers | 75 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Tambiko - Vijana Jazz Band
[02]. Dunia Dudumizi - X Plastaz
[03]. Omukaile Kilinjwi - Saida Karoli
[04]. Rehema - Mlimani Park Orchestra
[05]. SOWETO STRING QUARTET - St Agnes And The Burning Train
[06]. Lukunzi - The Master Musicians Of Tanzania
[07]. Msumeno - Mohammed Issa Matona
[08]. Nimlilie Nani? - Ndala Kasheba
[09]. Mume Wa Mtu - Dataz Listen Listen
[10]. Kibati - Nia Safi & Imani Ngoma Group
[11]. Piga Ua - Ottu Jazz Band
HERE
[04].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF MADAGASCAR
Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest island, has incredible ethnic diversity and rich history. The Rough Guide To The Music Of Madagascar features music across the broad Malagasy spectrum – from the island’s spicy dance music to the purest music from the highlands. Featuring the valiha (a tubular bamboo zither) and lokanga (three-stringed fiddle), among other instruments specific to the island, this album explores the diverse Malagasy culture that has been influenced by Arab, Persian, Chinese, Indian and European societies over the years
| MP3 VBR kbps | Incl.Covers | 95 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Tsy Zanaka Mpanarivo - Jaojoby
[02]. Kokafoka - Ny Antsaly
[03]. Era - Vakoko
[04]. Ka Mipoerapoera - Hazolahy
[05]. Ankitiny - Toto Mwandjani
[06]. Gasy Mahay Mihano - Monja
[07]. Aloka - Tarika
[08]. Tolombolagne - Vilon Androy
[09]. Tadidiko Ry Zalahy - Mahaleo
[10]. Zaza Somondrara - D'Gary
[11]. Andesy Moramora - Koezy
[12]. Mahafinaritra - Rajery
[13]. Mbola Tiako Anao - Teta
[14]. Taraka - Daniel Tombo
[15]. Solofaka - Ny Sakelidalana
[16]. Eka Lahy - Regis Gizavo
Part One
Part Two
[05].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF KENYA
The music of East Africa is far less familiar to most international aficionados those of Mali, Senegal, Congo or South Africa. But Kenya, in particular, offers a cornucopia of indelible grooves that demand to be heard and celebrated. Sultry yet sparkling Swahili rumba and local variations on the ubiquitous Congolese soukous trend (both descended from Cuban sources) exist side-by-side with crisp, throbbing Benga combos and graceful, earthy, Indian/Islamic-influenced Taarab orchestras. All make elegant, delicious listening but modern trends from the USA and elsewhere are also seeping in. Nyota Ndogo's sexy lead singer sounds like a saltier Sade on "Chereko" while Gidi Gidi Maji Maji's rap track "Ting Badi Malo" sounds like, well, hip-hop in another language. Pick hit: Suzzana Owiyo's "Kisumu" wherein dueling male and female lead singers and a sweet-sour chorus are underpinned by acoustic guitars and what sounds like Pygmy flutes, a Brazilian surdo drum and shrieking cuica. --Christina Roden
| MP3 VBR kbps | Incl.Front Cover | 80 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Nduraga Ngwetereire - Queen Jane
[02]. Ting' Badi Malo - Gidi Gidi Maji Maji
[03]. Chereko - Nyota Ndogo
[04]. Mama Sofi Pt.2 - Kakai Kilonzo
[05]. Muhogo - Miraj Juma
[06]. Kisumu 100 - Suzzana Owiyo
[07]. Hasidi Hana Sababu - Golden Sounds Band
[08]. Yamala (Responsibility) - Yunasi
[09]. Beatrice #4 - D.O. Misiani
[10]. Tweta - Zuhura Swaleh
[11]. Mama Sofia Pt.1 - Kakai Kilonzo
[12]. Obura Jabilo - Kenge Kenge Orutu Systems
HERE
[06].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO LUCKY DUBE
Anyone who believes that Lucky Dube can't be the real reggae article simply because he doesn't hail from Jamaica is in for a rude awakening with this collection. Thanks to Bob Marley, roots reggae, long eclipsed by dancehall at home, remains very much alive and well in Africa, and Dube, a former mbaqanga singer, is definitely one of its leading exponents -- although his influence seems more the militancy of Peter Tosh than the outright and subversive melodicism of Marley. The politics are upfront and confrontational, which led to his music being banned in his native South Africa during the apartheid years, and even the arrangements -- lots of keyboards, female backing vocals, and impassioned singing -- are redolent of Tosh's solo work. It covers ten albums released between 1985-1999 and offers an excellent selection of material, with the early "Slave" a particular standout, as is "Crime and Corruption." He pulls no punches and never shies away from telling things exactly the way he sees them. Singing in English rather than a tribal language has helped his message reach many more people than it might have otherwise, and the big, anthemic choruses that have become a trademark of his work mean the songs stay in the brain. He's clever, a very conscious activist in the best reggae tradition, and someone worthy of stardom -- as well as this compilation, which does his career real justice. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide
| MP3 128 kbps | Incl.Front Cover | 65 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Reggae Man
[02]. Slave
[03]. Together As one
[04]. Truth In The World
[05]. Prisoner (live)
[06]. War And Crime
[07]. House Of Exile
[08]. Crazy World
[09]. It's Not Easy
[10]. Keep On Knocking
[11]. Victims
[12]. Feel Irie
[13]. We Love It
[14]. Crime And Corruption
[15]. The Way It Is
HERE
[07].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE SOUL BROTHERS
At last, listeners finally have a comprehensive compilation of South Africa's legendary Soul Brothers. The Soul Brothers were the first true pop stars of South African music, straight from the townships. With a sound that was equal parts jive, reggae, modern soul, B-3 groove, Nigerian funk, and Aboriginal folk music, the Soul Brothers created a hybrid form that became synonymous with the township sax jive that took the entire world by storm in the late '70s and early '80s, and became known as the "indestructible beat of Soweto." This comp collects many of the band's early singles from the early to mid-'70s, including "Malume," "Isiphiwo," "Mshoza," and "Uthando," and comes right through to the end of the '90s with "Ibahadi lami," "Aminkiniki," and "Intombi Yami." There are 20 tracks in all, and not a weak one in the bunch. The fascinating thing to note while listening to this set is that, as the band members became more knowledgeable about how the recording studio could work for them, they made it an organic part of their writing, playing, and recording process. The arrangements never became bogged down in studio trickery or slick, compressed production gimmicks. If anything, perhaps one of the reasons that the Soul Brothers often outsold every other form of music in South Africa was that their music, no matter how sophisticated and elaborate, remained extremely close to the pulse of township rhythms and folk melodies. This is a staggeringly fine slice of the Soul Brothers' history, which should compel listeners to seek out their full-length albums as well. What can be said? The folks at the Rough Guides have done it again. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
| MP3 VBR kbps | Incl. Covers | 95 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Malume
[02]. Ogandaganda
[03]. Indawo Yokulala
[04]. Mshoza
[05]. Mama Ka S'bongile
[06]. Isiphiwo
[07]. Akabongi
[08]. Uthando
[09]. Buya Mama Wami
[10]. Hluphekile
[11]. Heyi Wena
[12]. Isigebengu
[13]. Indaba
[14]. Ujaheni
[15]. Umshado
[16]. Idlozi
[17]. Amanikiniki
[18]. Ibhadi Lami
[19]. Isigilamkhuba
[20]. Intombi Yami
HERE
[08].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO FRANCO
They called him the "Sorcerer of the Guitar," and with his band, O.K. Jazz, he helped shaped not only the history of Congolese rumba, but also soukous. Franco was a giant, not just physically, but also in reputation, a guitar god every bit the equal of Hendrix or Clapton, but unknown in the West. This first U.S. compilation devoted to his work begins in the mid-1950s, when he was still a teenager, with "Merengue," and runs through 1987, and "Attention Na Sida," his final recording before dying of AIDS two years later. In between you get to understand his genius, not just as an instrumentalist, but also as a singer and writer, his band shading and filling out the music beautifully, while Franco himself produces flurries of notes and fluid runs that call to mind both Wes Montgomery and Ali Farka Toure. Compiled by biographer Graeme Ewens, these songs capture all the facets, from the brief catchy singles, the sizzling live magic, and the extended album tracks--and every one is vital. --Chris Nickson
| MP3 VBR kbps | Covers | 100 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Merengue
[02]. Motindo Na Yo Te
[03]. Aya La' Mode
[04]. Finga Mama Munu
[05]. Infidelite Mado
[06]. Likambo Ya Ngana
[07]. Ou Est Le Serieux?
[08]. Tailleur
[09]. Kinshasa Mboka Ya Makambo
[10]. Mario
[11]. Chacun Pour Soi
[12]. Attention Na Sida
HERE
[09].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF MARRABENTA MOZAMBIQUE
To understand why heady East African sounds are invading British clubs, listen to The Rough Guide to Marrabenta Mozambique. Marrabenta--cousin to Latin America's salsa and Angola's merengue--derives from the Portuguese word meaning "to break" and it made the Portuguese colonialists in Mozambique so anxious that when revolution loomed they banned it. That gave it the impetus it needed to sweep the country when independence came and it's been Mozambique's predominant urban music ever since. This superb compilation demonstrates why, as Marrabenta's grand old men mingle with its newest young stars to create sounds which will make you want to leap out of your chair and dance. Marrabenta instruments are traditionally primitive--sometimes made from oil cans, wooden stakes and fishing lines--and even today the backing is basic but the excitement generated is intense. The instruments tend to create a sort of lattice-work, through which the voices intertwine and these voices are fascinatingly varied. As the liner notes indicate, the life of these groups is often precarious: the saxophonist on one outstanding track was murdered soon after making the recording. Eight of these tracks are previously unreleased, having been recorded specifically for this album. --Michael Church
| MP3 320 kbps | Covers | 175 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Maria Teresa - Dilon Djindji
[02]. Matilde - Orchestra Marrabenta Star De Mocambique feat. Guimaraes
[03]. Mahanhela - Mabulu
[04]. U yo mussiya kwini - Ghorwane
[05]. Othiawene - Eyuphuro
[06]. Anghena bava mula - Alberto Mula
[07]. Rosa - Francisco Mahecuane
[08]. Tchela Kuwomile - Mario Ntimane
[09]. Xigevengu - Wazimbo
[10]. Shywelele - Antonio Marcos
[11]. Sumbhulany - Arakas Band
[12]. Africa - Nene
[13]. Marrabenta - Gito Baloi
[14]. Elisa Gomara Saia - Orchestra Marrabenta Star De Mocambique feat. Mingas [15]. Hlamalane - Lisboa Matavel
Part One
Part Two
[10].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO CONGOLESE SOUKOUS
This CD offers great introduction to the Congo-based musical style known as soukus. It contains a wide mix of tunes that range from Kanda Bongo Man's three-minute "Sai" to Tabu Laey 'Rochereau''s sprawling 11-minute "Sarah." With comprehensive track information and artist bios, this album is as a good an introduction to the genre as one will find. ~ Curtis Zimmermann, All Music Guide
| MP3 192 kbps | Covers | 105 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Cooperation - Franco & Sam Mangwana
[02]. Amie Mamibo - Zaiko Langa Langa
[03]. Loi - Koffi Olomide
[04]. Sai - Kanda Bongo Man
[05]. Sarah - Tabu Ley 'Rochereau'
[06]. Marie Jose - Ry-Co Jazz
[07]. La Vie - Deyess Mukangi
[08]. Naji - Pepe Kalle & Rigo Star
[09]. Sanga Mbele Mbele - Thu Zahina
[10]. Overdose - Papa Wemba
[11]. M Cherie - Nouvelle Generation De La Republique Democratique
[12]. Bilanga - Yondo Sister Et Le Groupe Planete
Part One
Part Two
[11].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO SOUTH AFRICAN JAZZ
The rich traditions of African rhythms are echoed in all popular American music, and jazz is no exception. In turn, black South Africans became enamored with the familiar styles and structures of jazz as early as the 1920s. By the '50s, most towns had a few local bands, with Johannesburg boasting the sharpest innovators. The township bands played in a dynamic style that mingled elements of swing with marabi, the three-chord melodies by which African jazz was most popularly known. This excellent collection gives a good idea about the range and expertise of many of the players, from Sipho Mabuse's delicately beautiful sax playing on "Thaba Bosiu" to young Lemmy Special's virtuoso pennywhistle stylings on "See You Later." Although this broad 16-song offering covers the '50s through the '90s, it only includes one vocal performance -- Miriam Makeba & the Skylarks' swinging "Siyavuya" -- making for a lopsided although spectacular view of South African jazz. ~ Rosalind Cummings-Yeates, All Music Guide
| MP3 VBR kbps | Incl.Front Cover | 95 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Nonto Sangoma - African Jazz Pioneers
[02]. Thaba Bosiu - Sipho Mabuse
[03]. African Marketplace - Abdullah Ibrahim
[04]. Tunji's Song - Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath
[05]. Cabbage And Roti - Deepak Ram
[06]. Mabarane - Sheer All Stars
[07]. Marabi Kwela - Thelani AJB
[08]. Siyavuya - Miriam Makeba/The Skylarks
[09]. Twelve Times Twelve - Jazz In Africa AKA Jazz Epistles
[10]. See You Later - Lemmy Special Listen
[11]. Genes And Spirits - Moses Taiwa Molelekwa
[12]. Election Day Serenade - Pops Mohamed
[13]. Closer To The Source - Bheki Mseleku
[14]. UDF - Chris McGregor/The South African Exiles
[15]. Wait Awhile - Winston's Jive Mix-Up
[16]. You Think You Know Me - Ziim Ngqawana
HERE
[12].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF KENYA & TANZANIA
A strong sampling of the popular and traditional music of these East African coastal neighbors, this covers most of the waterfront, although at least three omissions are worth noting -- the great Hukwe Zawose from Tanzania, probably the country's greatest living traditional musician, singer Remmy Ongala, and Kenya's Ayub Ogada, who's gone on to become quite a name on the European world music circuit. Get past that, however, and there's plenty to go at. The Victoria Kings provide some driving benga music, perfectly typical of Kenya's most popular sound, while Simba Wanyika offers his personal take on the Swahili rumba he played for more than two decades. Singer Samba Mapangala has the title cut to his 1996 album Vunja Mifupa, with some fabulous guitar work and horns behind Kenya's greatest modern voice. From their own country, Mlimani Park Orchestra offer a quintessential Tanzanian dance music experience, with three guitars, horns, and some exquisite vocal harmonies propelling traditional melodies for an irresistible fusion. There's a strong Swahili culture (Taarab) across the countries, and stretching into Zanzibar, and this compilation does achieve balance by having that represented from the Culture Music Club (who do actually hail from Zanzibar) and Mombasa's Zein Musical Party. So while it may not be the all-inclusive album to do full justice to the region, it remains an excellent introduction, which was always the aim. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide
| MP3 VBR kbps | Incl.Front Cover | 85 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Mwongele - Simba Wanyika
[02]. V.B. Pod Wamol - Victoria Kings
[03]. Junja Mifupa - Samba Mapangala
[04]. Piny Ose Mer - D.O. Misiani & Shirati Jazz
[05]. Esiesi Siolle - Abana Ba Nasery
[06]. Likuta Bibi - Henry Makobi
[07]. Jacob Omolo - Ogwang Lelo Okoth With Paddy J. Onono
[08]. Tanzania Yetu - Master Musicians Of Tanzania
[09]. Wagogo Initaition Dance - 'Moheme' Dance Tanzania
[10]. Edita - Milimani Park Orchestra
[11]. Usia Kwa Watoto - Juwata Jazz Band
[12]. Mtindo Wa Mombasa - Zein Musical Party
[13]. Sibadili - Culture Musical Club
Download HERE
[13].THE ROUGH GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF ZIMBABWE
This CD has the same high quality found in almost all of the Rough Guides. It's a nice mix of songs, including the inevitable selections from the great artists Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi. There are no clunkers here and I am giving it four stars simply to differentiate it from African-music Rough Guides that give me more pleasure (e.g., the Congolese Soukous). Nevertheless, this is definitely worth picking up, if only to have the wonderful 13-minute Tornados vs. Dynamos by the Real Sounds, which narrates a local football match. The sense of humor blended with excellent musicianship makes this cut a real joy.
| MP3 VBR kbps | Incl. Front Cover | 90 MB |
TRACK LISTINGS
[01]. Buka Tiende - Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited
[02]. Pombi - Bhundu Boys
[03]. Vimbayl - The Four Brothers
[04]. Chigamba - Stella Rambisai Chiweshe
[05]. Dal Ndiine Mukoma - OlverMtukudzi & The Black Spirits
[06]. Kana Vatsvene Vopinda - Machanic Manyeruke & The Puritans
[07]. Ingoma Yakwethu - Black Umfolosi
[08]. Punza - Biggie Tembo
[09]. Taireva - The Mbira Masters Of Zimbabwe
[10]. Tornados vs. Dynamos - The Real Sounds
HERE
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