Vusi Mahlasela - New Album ‘Umoya’ - Out Now
A spiritual dialogue on unity, from Africa and to the world
Legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter Vusi Mahlasela has released his first album since 2009, Umoya (Embracing The Human Spirit), issued through Gallo Music.
Recorded at Flame Studios and helmed by two time Grammy-nominated producer Joe Arthur, the 10-track album is the ideal companion soundtrack to South Africa’s Heritage Month. Addressing some crucial personal and social issues, the body of work cocoons deeply introspective and spiritual explorations within its rootsy soundbeds. A signature strum-driven iteration of African Jazz sees Mahlasela in poetic form, with the artist affectionately referred to as ‘The Voice’ acting as a conduit for both the essence of his musical artform and the continent at large. In partnership with the Vusi Mahlasela Music Foundation and Native Intelligence De Coloniality Project Centre, and with collaborators Habib Koite, Steve Dyer and Maduvha who features on the opening track, Mahlasela seeks to utilise this project to dismantle colonial frameworks by promoting indigenous knowledge and fostering dialogue.
The multi award-winning artist who has performed with the late Hugh Masekela and Mahotella Queens continues using his socially-inclined music to convey messages both timeless and borderless, crafting balms as much for individual souls as communities. “I know every sickness needs healing,” Mahlasela shares. “Everyone who cries needs comforting. Every troubled soul needs redemption, as captives need freedom. As every answer starts with a question, every problem needs a solution. Justice must be balanced on every scale - moral leadership, integrity, and fairness matter.” The instructive single “Africa The Sun Has Risen” embodies this ethos, imploring the continent’s inhabitants to equally embrace African-ness and Humankind-ness. Between its earthy strums, the empowering song aims to uplift African voices while actively promoting broader social cohesion - as does Umoya‘s closing track “Universal Prayer”.
In keeping with the album’s theme of bringing people together, Mahlasela will be taking this brand new music that incorporates in Swahili, English, Venda and Pedi to audiences across South Africa. Confirmed live performances will take place at World of Music, Arts & Dance (WOMAD) at the Market Theatre on October 1st, the Vusi Mahlasela Tribute Concert at Moretele Park on October 7th and the Tembisa Jazz Festival on October 28th.
As the release date of Umoya approaches, Vusi Mahlasela’s music promises to speak to generations old and new and instil a sense of pride around their nations, heritage and cumulative talents. “You who are chosen to deliver the healing message through music,” he advises. “Teach an understanding of the power of the soul, that aligns us to destiny and begin to heal collective illnesses and balance the harmony of new beginnings.”
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About Gallo Music
Gallo Record Company (GRC) is South Africa’s largest and oldest independent music label since its inception in 1926, and incorporates both Sheer Music and Bula Music into its stable. Gallo Record Company is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is owned by Arena Holdings Pty Ltd. The stable signs, promotes and assists artists to promote their music across Africa and internationally. Gallo boasts some of the biggest artists to have come out of the country including Lucky Dube, Dorothy Masuka, Mango Groove, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Stimela, and Bhekumuzi Luthuli – all of which have achieved multi-platinum sales status in South Africa and numerous awards. The vast catalogue offering also includes Gallo’s rich archives poised for digitization and new offerings in the modern music age.
Shebeen Queen - A Tribute to Township Music
Dedicated to Vusi’s Grandmother Ida: “She was and still is my greatest hero.”
Available on ATO Records
South Africa’s Vusi Mahlasela releases his jubilant new live album Shebeen Queen, a collection of 10 traditional folk songs from his home township of Mamelodi, today on ATO Records. Mahlasela, one of his country’s most revered singer-songwriters, named the record after his late grandmother Ida, who earned the nickname “Shebeen Queen” after her shebeen (speakeasy) became known for its festive impromptu musical gatherings. Mahlasela and his band shut down the street in front of Ida’s former shebeen to throw a neighborhood party and perform the songs that make up Shebeen Queen, which the New York Times has already called “pure upbeat three-chord euphoria; the rhythm guitars are having a party of their own.” Today, alongside the album’s release, Mahlasela also releases a short film that shows the concert as well as his personal memories and connections to the neighborhood.
MORE ON SHEBEEN QUEEN:
Shebeen Queen is a live album of traditional township songs from Vusi Mahlasela, the legendary activist and singer-songwriter known as “The Voice” in his native South Africa. The “shebeen queen” of the title is Mahlasela’s late grandmother Ida (whom he calls Magogo), who raised him in the township of Mamelodi (meaning “mother of melody”), where he still lives today. Following her husband’s murder in 1961, Ida opened a shebeen (speakeasy) and began selling homebrewed beer (umqombothi) to make her living. Her space became known for its lively musical gatherings at night, where the townspeople would use buckets, tins, and plastic drums as instruments, and Ingoma'buksu - music rooted in Mbube culture, meaning “Songs of the Night” - would be celebrated with everyone singing together in full voices. Ida became known as the “Shebeen Queen.” As a boy, Mahlasela saw a man playing a guitar at one of these gatherings and was inspired to build his first guitar from fishing line and a cooking oil can.
Shebeen Queen is a celebration of the vibrant musical culture of his hometown, first encountered at Ida’s shebeen. “Ida was a strong woman and was respected by all in our community,” he says. “In 1976, when I witnessed the Soweto Uprising, my political education began and I realized how important music was. I began writing songs of justice, of freedom, of revolution, of love, of peace and of life. For these songs, I was arrested and thrown into solitary confinement. Magogo was always there for me –she fought for me, protected me and stood up for what was right. She was and still is my greatest hero. I decided I wanted to record some of these great Township songs in an effort to preserve this important music, so critical to our community and to our history. I wanted to honour this music and my grandmother by recording a live show, right here in Mamelodi at Magogo’s house.”
