Soweto Stompers

posted by June 15th, 2010

Watching the World Cup has given me the perfect excuse to share something I’ve been meaning to for a LONG time… Soweto Stompers. These are the feel good, upbeat, and very funky sounds of vintage South Africa that have been co-opted by the likes of Paul Simon, Vampire Weekend, and the somewhat lesser-known Lizzy Mercier Descloux. Whatever your opinion of those artists is (mine is positive on all counts), it’s hard to deny a smile while listening to these tunes, especially if you happen to also be watching a good soccer match with some friends and a cold brew. Most of these I’ve recorded from my poor neglected vinyl stash- digitizing just takes so damn long I hardly do it anymore- but there’s a couple here I’ve culled from other compilations. Stay tuned for a Part 2 that will bring you some more blatantly funk sounding cuts, and possibly even a part 3 to share some recent Kwaito joints that are working in the clubs right now. I also got inspired by a recent Strut compilation and busted out a couple simple remixes that I’ve included here, basically just beefing up the drums and adding a few synths for greater dancefloor usability. So if the official world cup anthems ain’t helping you feel the spirit, you know you can always count on MTR!

The Cockerel Boys : Njalo Ngolwesihlanu & Singo Ganda Ganda

Mahotella Queens : Asambe Mntakamama

Soul Brothers : Phuma Layikhaya

Soul Ryders : Dali Mayi Fo Hloza

The Mgababa Queens : Maphuti (Captain Planet Remix)

Intombi Zephepha : Ingoina Le Nayathi (Captain Planet Remix)

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 at 1:38 pm and is filed under mp3s . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

4 Comments

  • Yamin says:

    Great tunes!

    06.15.10 // 4:14 pm
  • TP says:

    Right on! I’m there. Perfect.

    06.16.10 // 2:33 pm
  • alex says:

    Lovin the remixes, went down a storm at a gig last night, thanks for the download!!

    PS Any more of those up your sleeve?

    07.04.10 // 1:32 pm
  • Alison Butters says:

    Hi Chuck,

    Do you know which record label owns the Intombi Zephepha track Ingoina Le Nyathi? Also, do you have any information on who the songwriter is?

    I work for a music clearance company and we are trying to track down the music rights owners.

    This is a long shot, but I thought there might be some information on the format you got the track from, be it CD or vinyl.

    Fingers crossed,

    Thanks,

    Alison

    10.06.10 // 11:17 am