BUSI MHLONGO
This is the the first in a series of short videos documenting the period from when Madala Kunene first introduced Busi Mhlongo to the (then) UK label M.E.L.T. 2000.
Highlight of volume 1 is Mam Busi's first solo appearance in the UK at the African Centre in Convent Garden, London. Paul Bradshaw of Straight No Chaser says in his obituary: "I first met Busi through Robert Trunz's Melt collaborations. He sought out Busi and was the driving force behind her classic Urban Zulu release. Robert loved her vocals. Busi was a primal force with a voice to match. She was a strong woman with a powerful presence that had an immediate impact on all those around her. Onstage she was nothing short of dazzling. She always looked amazing and I don't think I'll ever forget her performance at the Africa Centre in 1995 "
Busi and her producer WIll Mowatt were busy recording Urbanzulu in Durban and London and for a bit of calm and fresh country air they came down to Brownhill Farm Studios to do the final mixes. Amampondo with Mabi Thobejane were touring in Europe and stayed over at Brownhill before doing more gigs in England and in Nantes (France) where over 380 artists and craftsmen from South Africa presented every aspect of the country's art and culture across the French town on the Atlantic Ocean. It was in Nantes where Busi for the first time presented the songs from the Urbanzulu album weeks before its official release. for the French launch gig Busi borrowed members of Phuzekhemisi\s band - a true male maskanda troup superbly conducted by the new Queen of maskanda Man Busi ! the footage on this clip is from both the Nantes and Mega Music, Joburg launch gig -Yapeli Yami was edited by Lianne Cox and most of the camera work by Dick Jewell except the amateur footage taken by Mabi Thobejane.
Busi's rendition of Zithin'Izwizwe during the launch concert in Nantes (France) and Mega Music in Newtown. For the launch in South Africa all composers of the Urbanzulu tracks were sharing the stage - BUSI MHLONGO on vocals, THEMBA NGCOBO on bass & and on guitar SPECTOR MKHALELWA NGWAZI. For the Mega Music gig we thankfully acknowledge the participation of the great maskanda guitarist UMFAZ-OMNYAMA. check his solo performance on http://www.mefeedia.com/watch/30937625
In part 4 we present a music video cut to the track Uganga Nge Ngane and a live rendition of Oxamu from the Roskiled festival in Denmark.