September 28, 2020

Track 1 - Abathandwa - Ehhe Moya Wami

The men, whose ages range from 18 to 25, started singing in 2009 in uMlazi, Durban, South Aftica while some were still in primary school. 
Their venture was a form of escapism from the poverty and hardship they experienced in the township.
At times when they felt down, they used their love of music to lift them up and it took what they believed was a calling from God to keep the faith when the going was tough, said group leader Percy Nyawo.


Nyawo said theirs is an amazing story - he talks of “magic”, because they can’t recall when the transition came from singing for fun to becoming a popular household name.
“To this day, we still can’t pinpoint what kept us pushing, even through the challenges. 
“I mean,... we had no plan or any income to support our homes, but something inspired us to keep pushing through the passion. 
“But that still doesn’t make sense to youngsters like us,” he said. 
Then the group approached gospel singer Sfiso Ncwane, who has since died, for mentorship under Ncwane Communications, which entailed them going to Cape Town.


The risk paid off for Abathandwa and they were able to release an album last year, which saw their popularity rise in the Durban market.
“The years of rehearsals with no clear breakthrough were a practice run for us. We were unknowingly gearing up for this time and phase of our careers. 
“Although it was hard, working towards something you don’t see, God’s plan was greater in our lives,” said Mfundo Mthethwa.
According to Nyawo, after the death of Ncwane, his wife Ayanda Ncwane took over the group and turned their dreams into reality. 
“That’s when our patience, prayers and persistence started to bear fruit. 
Lyrics & translation.
Ehhe moya wami - 
UMoya wam' uyavuma (My spirit admits)
Ehhe moya wam' (Yes! my Spirit)
Kuhle moya wam' (it is well with my soul)
UMoya wam' uyavuma (My spirit admits)
Ehhe moya wam' (Yes! my Spirit)
Ngez'ibona nami ngiyavuma (I saw it myself and even I admit)
Kuhle moya wam' (it is well with my soul)
Aw' Ehhe moya wami (Yes! my Spirit)
Ehhe moya wam' (Yes! my Spirit)
Kuhle moya wam' (it is well with my soul)
Response: Iyehe! Ngoba kuhle (Yes, for it is well)
Woza phezu' (Come on) x?
Kwavum' umoya (My soul accepts) x?

Track 2 - Amabutho - Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Joseph Shabalala formed Ladysmith Black Mambazo because of a series of dreams he had in 1964, in which he heard certain isicathamiya harmonies (isicathamiya being the traditional music of the Zulu people). Following their local success at wedding ceremonies and other gatherings, Shabalala entered them into isicathamiya competitions. The group was described as 'so good' that they were eventually forbidden to enter the competitions, but welcomed to entertain at them.[5] Although they had been recognised as an isicathamiya group in 1964, they had been singing together since the early 1950s. They released their first album, Amabutho, in 1973. The album, along with many other releases by the group, received gold disc certification.[6] Ladysmith Black Mambazo's collaboration with Paul Simon in 1986 paved the way for international releases.

Track 3 - Paul Simon - Graceland

Graceland is the seventh solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was produced by Simon, engineered by Roy Halee and released on August 25, 1986, by Warner Bros. Records.
In the early 1980s, Simon's relationship with his former musical partner Art Garfunkel had deteriorated, his marriage to actress Carrie Fisher had collapsed, and his previous record, Hearts and Bones (1983), had been a commercial failure. In 1984, after a period of depression, Simon became fascinated by a bootleg cassette of South African township music. He and Halee visited Johannesburg, where they spent two weeks recording with South African musicians.
Recorded in 1985 and 1986, Graceland features an eclectic mixture of genres, including pop, rock, a cappella, zydeco, isicathamiya, and mbaqanga. Simon wrote songs inspired by the recordings made in Johannesburg, collaborating with African and American artists. He received criticism for breaking the cultural boycott of South Africa because of its policy of apartheid. Following its completion, Simon toured alongside South African musicians, performing their music and songs from Graceland.
Graceland became Simon's most successful studio album and his highest-charting album in over a decade; it is estimated to have sold up to 16 million copies worldwide. It was lauded by critics, won the 1987 Grammy for Album of the Year, and is frequently cited as one of the best albums of all time. In 2006, it was added to the United States' National Recording Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important".[1]