One of my resolutions for the new year is to post more traditional music. I am well aware that the distinction between modern and so-called 'traditional' music is at times not as clear as it may seem. A lot of modern music is at the very least inspired by themes, topic and tunes handed over from one generation to another, - or in other words by tradition.
So to start off the year I would like to share with you this cassette which I bought years and years ago in the early 1980s, - and long before these historic recordings made by Hugh Tracey between 1948 and 1963 were remastered and digitised. Although some, most, or possibly all (sorting this out is complicated by the fact that some of the titles have been changed - see my first attempt here*) of these recordings are probably available on cd, I still feel there is a case for posting this cassette. For I would like to put it to you that the sound of this cassette is in most cases better, or preferable if you like, to that of the cd's. Listen and compare...The production of this cassette betrayes the pure amateur love for the music by the people at Folktracks (who don't seem in any way related to Folkways), with pre-computer printing and tightly folded, but extensive sleeve notes. From the archives of the International Library of African Music (ILAM) they have compiled 20 songs featuring the mbira, or sanza, or likembe, or thumb piano. The artists in these recordings have been fully credited. And there are some legends among these. Like Zimbabwean mbira legend Simon Mashoko ("Saimoni Mashoko" in the notes - photo on left). For others these recordings are possibly the only ones that were ever made of them.
I particularly like the tracks by Ngaina Lolo (A2 - love the resonance), the one by Simon Sitale (A8 - the mbira like a blanket for cold ears), the storybook-like "Kemai" by Kayoka Ladislas & Beya Marcel (A10), the very Zimbabwean sounding track by Baranganani Mudzanani from South Africa (B3) and the soulful song for the chief by Chabarwa Musanda Mayo Sinyoro** (B4).
Folktracks AFR-45-802 (new link May 3, 2012)
* And please feel free to suggest additions.
** one person or two?
What a good New Years resolution!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to all those gems that must be lurking on your shelves! Sounds like we are going to have a good year for traditional African music! I just wrote something similar on my blog ;-) Especially looking forward to your good and insightful comments. Good luck with your new year and your new resolution!
Great tape, its nice to have alternative mixes of these tracks. Although a minor point, in your Credits, you might consider saying Zimbabwe or Southern Rhodesia instead of Rhodesia, or say Rhodesia instead of Zambia, since Zambia and Zimbabwe were merged in the Rhodesian Federation in 1963. Using the colonial name for one and the independent name for the other is a little confusing. As always, you unveil gems.
ReplyDeleteHugh Tracy's recordings are such a treat. Thanks so much for sharing this jewel.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: I really had not looked at this. I copied the countries from the notes, and only changed "Zaïre" into Congo.
ReplyDeleteYou missed one though: Tanzania was still "Tanganyika" at the time...
The recordings made by Hugh Tracy have always been full of love for the music he was helping to presere....Thanks for helping keep these precious ( and now largely long gone) traditional sounds alive.
ReplyDeleteI just started posting a series of 10 LPs edited by Hugh Tracey on my blog Anthems of Luobania and it turns out that volume 2 of that series most likely is the predecessor to this K7. However I must agree with yo Stefan that the sound from a K7 (cassette) often surpasses the quality of some CD's and sorry for swearing in the church, but sometimes better than the vinyl. Anyhow the blow link will take you to my post and the rest of the volumes will be there in the following week or so.
ReplyDeletehttp://bolingo69.blogspot.com/2011/01/hugh-tracey-musical-instruments-2-reeds.html
Hey, thanks for sharing this. A few of these are just about impossible to find. Since I think you're asking, Chabarwa Musanda Mayo Sinyoro is just one person. I don't know where the Mayo comes from for Folktracks since Tracey just lists him as Chabarwa Musanda Sinyoro. Also, Folktracks misspelled Simon Sitole as Simon Sitale. Thanks again, as always I appreciate all the background you give on these great selections
ReplyDeletewonderful blog
ReplyDeleteany chance of reposting this to mediafire? since megaupload is gone. esp since the hugh tracey vinyl rips at anthems are also dead links because of multi upload
great great music just download the waza horns!!!!
robert
@roberth: Thanks for pointing out the dead link. It has been replaced by a working one.
ReplyDeletewow that was quick thank you. i am a big hugh tracey fan.
ReplyDeletei remember finding his vinyl in the sf library and being in ecstasy. that was sometime in late 70's.
robert
Superb Stuff. Many thanks
ReplyDelete