Urbanzulu [Import]

Busi Mhlongo, Busi Mhlongo & Twasa | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 10, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI
• ASIN: B00005NGSC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,083 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Yehlisan'umoya Ma-Afrika (Afrikan Nation, Calm!)

2. Yapheli'mali Yami (My Money Is Gone)

3. We Baba Omncane (If You Don't Obey Your Parents)

4. Ukuthula (Live in Peace)

5. Yise Wabant'a Bami (Father of My Children)

6. Uganga Nge Ngane (You're Playing Around With This Child)

7. Ngadlawa Yindoda (He's Toying With Me)

8. Nguye Lo (He's the One)

9. Zithin'izizwe (What Are People Saying About Us?)

10. Awukho Umuzi Ongena Kukhuluma Kwawo (There Are Problems in Every Home)

11. Oxamu (The Crocodile)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY IT NOW..!, June 25, 2000

By 

Andi Thomas "Andi" (CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Urbanzulu (Audio CD)

A cracking rhythm section provides a hypnotic backdrop to Busi Mhlongo's incredible voice. She sings with a powerful style of the stuff that matter in this life. I can recommend her other work, but this is the best and most accessible I've come across. If you like solidly sung african music, you will love this.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern Zulu Music, May 3, 2005

By 

Robert Carlberg (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Urbanzulu (Audio CD)

The basis of Mhlongo's music is mbaqanga, or maskanda, two closely related styles of guitar-based South African music with vocal chorus. There are many popular artists of this style; it was featured prominently in the acclaimed "Indestructible Beat of Soweto" samplers and on Paul Simon's 1986 "Graceland."

Busi, however, "kicks it up a notch" by the addition of some edgy percussion, deep-rumble basslines and of course her high-energy vocal delivery. The music is still recognizably South African, with complex rhythms and sophisticated melody lines (unlike the 4/4 chromaticism of almost all hip-hop), but it definitely has that "urban" feel.

Afropop is a worldwide phenomenon precisely because artists like Mhlongo are able to adapt it to include the most up-to-date elements from around the globe. The richness and depth of her music is nothing short of amazing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superlative, November 9, 2004

By 

Stan Hellmann (Portland OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Urbanzulu (Audio CD)

As a long-time fan of African music, particularly southern African, I must rate this as possibly the best album to come out of South Africa in years.
Not a weak track to be heard, and the last two tracks just take it over the top.
Powerful, tight, and far more authentic than most of the insipid "indigenous" music coming out of South Africa at present. Her voice is fantastic.
If you like African or World music consider this a must have.