Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
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Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (also known as Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo - Mahlathini and the Girls of Mgqashiyo) was a South African mbaqanga supergroup comprised of:
- The late Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde (1937 - 1999), a phenomenal singer in the basso-profundo 'groaning' style
- The mqashiyo session group Mahotella Queens (1964 - present), known for their fast-paced dancing and multi-part harmonies - originally ten members from 1964 - 1983, now a trio (1983 - present)
- The mbaqanga instrumental band Makgona Tsohle Band (1963 - 1999), led by the late Marks Mankwane and West Nkosi
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[edit] History
Because of the group's original supergroup status, each of the artists in the group had become famous as individual artists, though had recorded together on and off since 1964. It was only in 1986, when the demand for South African music arose through Paul Simon's Graceland album, that Gallo Record Company (the artists' label) paired them together.
Mahlathini was known as the "Lion of Soweto" (his voice was a low, "gravel-like" groan) and had gained popularity throughout South Africa and neighboring countries (such as Zimbabwe and Botswana) since 1964, when he was brought to Gallo by talent scout Rupert Bopape. He began recording with various session musicians such as Dark City Sisters, Mahotella Queens and Izintombi Zomgqashiyo, and primarily recorded with the Makgona Tsohle Band.
Mahotella Queens was, originally, a group of ten female singers (five of which carried the main harmonies) established in 1964 by Bopape, who introduced Hilda Tloubatla to sing the main lead vocals. They began recording by themselves, occasionally adding guest artists such as Mahlathini, or Robert Mkhize. In 1971, Mahlathini signed with rival company EMI, and the Queens split. Gallo brought together female group Mthunzini Girls and Dima Sisters to form a new Mahotella Queens "understudy" group, who recorded the 1977 album Izibani Zomgqashiyo with Robert Mkhize (in the place of Mahlathini, who refused to return to Gallo). In 1983, three original members (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola) replaced the five "understudies" of the 1970s to record once more with Mahlathini.
[edit] Discography
| Reign & Shine (International) | Wrasse Records | 2006 |
| Kazet | Marabi Productions | 2005 |
| Reign & Shine | African Cream Music | 2005 |
| Bazobuya | Gallo Record Company | 2004 |
| The Best Of: The Township Idols | Wrasse Records | 2003 |
| Sebai-Bai | Harmonia-Mundi/Label Bleu | 2001 |
| Umuntu | Gallo Record Company | 1999 |
| Stoki Stoki (Reissue) | Shanachie Records | 1996 |
| Stoki Stoki (30th anniversary album) | Gallo Record Company | 1994 |
| The Best of Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens | Gallo Record Company | 1993 |
| Women of the World | Gallo Record Company | 1993 |
| King of the Groaners: Part II | Earthworks Music | 1993 |
| The Lion Roars (as Mahlathini nezintombi zomgqashiyo) | Shanachie Records | 1993 |
| Mbaqanga | Gallo Record Company | 1991 |
| Rhythm & Art (International) | Shanachie Records | 1990 |
| Rhythm & Art | Gallo Record Company | 1990 |
| Paris-Soweto | Gallo Record Company, Celluloid/Melodie Productions | 1988 |
| Thokozile (International) | Earthworks Music | 1988 |
| Melodi Yalla | Gallo Record Company | 1988 |
| The Lion of Soweto: Part I | Earthworks Music | 1987 |
| Thokozile (as Mahlathini with the Mahotella 'A') | Gallo Record Company | 1986 |
| Phezulu Eqhudeni (Reissue) | Hannibal Music | 1984 |
| Uhambho Lwami | Gallo Record Company | 1984 |
| Vol 2 – Kotopo (as Makgona Tsohle Band) | Gallo Record Company | 1984 |
| Vol 1 – Mathaka (as Makgona Tsohle Band) | Gallo Record Company | 1983 |
| Isomiso (as Mahlathini nezintombi zomgqashiyo) | Gallo Record Company | 1983 |
| Ejerusalem Siyakhona (as Namatshezulu Mahlathini) | Gallo Record Company | 1983 |
| Izintombi Zomgqashiyo (as Mahotella Queens with the Makgona Tsohle Band) | Gallo Record Company | 1981 |
| Tsamaya Moratuoa | Gallo Record Company | 1980 |
| Thokozile (as Mahotella Queens featuring Mahlathini) | Gallo Record Company | 1980 |
| Menate ea Lefatse | Racey Music, CCP Records | 1979 |
| Best of Mahotella Queens | Gumba Gumba, Gallo Record Company | 1978 |
| Izibani Zomgqashiyo | Gallo Record Company | 1976 |
| Phezulu Eqhudeni | Gallo Record Company | 1975 |
| Umkhovu | EMI Record Company | 1975 |
| Marriage is a Problem (as Mahotella Queens, but featuring Mahlathini) | Gumba Gumba, Gallo Record Company | 1975 |
| Umculo Kawupheli | Gumba Gumba, Gallo Record Company | 1975 |
| Sithunyiwe (later recorded as Thokozile) | Gallo Record Company | 1975 |
| Sozabile No Mgonothi (as Soweto Stars) | Motella, Gallo Record Company | 1969 |
| Elamanqamu (as Soweto Stars) | Motella, Gallo Record Company | 1969 |
| Shaluza Ntombi (as Izingane Zo Mgqashiyo) | Gumba Gumba, Gallo Record Company | 1969 |
| Lakhala Ijuba (as Izingane Zo Mgqashiyo) | Gumba Gumba, Gallo Record Company | 1969 |
| Majuba (as Makhona Zonke Band) | Gumba Gumba, Gallo Record Company | 1968 |
| Mama Thula | Motella, Gallo Record Company | 1967 |
| Amaqawe | Motella, Gallo Record Company | 1967 |
| Let's Move with Makhona Zonke Band (changed name to Makgona Tsohle Band in 1983) | Motella, Gallo Record Company | 1967 |
| Sikhulekile (as Mahotella Queens, featuring Mahlathini) | Gallo Record Company | 1966 |
| Ashikinisi Jive Mqashiyo (as Mahlathini nezintombi zomgqashiyo) | Gallo Record Company | 1965 |
| Sithunyiwe (as Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens) | Gallo Record Company | 1964 |
| Meet the Mahotella Queens (as Mahotella Queens, but featuring Mahlathini) | Gallo Record Company | 1964 |
| Thoko Ujola Nobani | Gallo Record Company | 1964 |
| Orlando Train | Gallo Record Company | 1964 |
