DESCRIPTION:
The Mahotella Queens – Hilda Tloubatla, Mildred Mangxola and Nobesuthu Mbadu – belong to the legend of urban South-African music. In the early 60s, together with Mahlathini («The Lion of Soweto») and the musicians of the Makgona Tsothle Band, they invented the Mbaqanga, an explosive style blending traditional music forms (Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa, Shangaan etc) and Marabi (South-African jazz in Apartheid times) with American Rhythm’n’Blues, Soul and Gospel, then heard throughout the townships. The Queens were far more than just a female chorus: their velvety voices, their charisma and their sense of show and stage were an essential element in the band.

Indeed, behind this amazing vocal trio are inspired soloists, composers, lyricists and arrangers who have greatly contributed to the group’s rich recording work and concert tours. Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens sold millions of albums all over Southern Africa before the government of Pretoria broke up this impulse with a discrimination policy that doomed all forms of cultural activity.
The hassles and problems confronting all artists, along with marriages and pregnancies, made them take a break in the 70s, but they rejoined Mahlathini and the band in the early 80s. Since then, they have not stopped recording and touring all over the world. The end of apartheid has allowed a whole new generation to discover the glories of their musical heritage.

Since the death of Mahlathini and the main members of the Makgona Tsothle Band, the three queens have taken up the torch of the Mbaqanga. Their talent and vocal colour have been called upon by many artists, such as Paul Simon, Harry Belafonte, Ray Lema, Manu Dibango, Johnny Clegg and Baaba Maal. Boosted by all these experiences, they have enriched their musical range. These young, engaging, exceptional sexagenarians have gone through one of South Africa’s most sombre periods without anger or resentment, managing to retain the energy and humour of their twenties.
Their new CD after four years testifies to this vitality. Recorded in Johannesburg and in Angoulême —where they had a resounding success at the 30th edition of the festival “Musiques Métisses”— this jubilant opus displays their subtle vocal harmonies, their sensitivity and their jive.

The lyrics of their songs bear witness to the daily reality in the new South Africa: hopes of changes, liberty gained at great cost, yet also concern about the ravages of Aids and the increase in crime and violence. The Mahotella Queens denounce selfishness and assaults against women and children, yet they do so tactfully, with class and feeling. Women of the people, long oppressed, they never seek popularity or the easy way out.

In turn soloists and back up singers, either a cappella or accompanied by exceptional musicians (Malagasy accordionist Régis Gizavo, South-African guitarist Louis Mhlanga and the likes) they have come up with one of their best records to date. 14 songs —most of them new— including breathtaking versions of two of their greatest hits: “Kazet” and “Mbube”.

Let yourself be embarked on a journey to the rainbow nation — to dance and to dream!