Johnny Clegg & Juluka Collection

Johnny Clegg, Putumayo Presents (Series), Juluka

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 2, 1996)
• Original Release Date: July 2, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Putumayo World Music
• ASIN: B000003EJX
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,961 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #33 in	Music > Indie Music > World Music > Africa
  #39 in	Music > World Music > Africa > South Africa

Track Listings

1. Kwela Man

2. Africa

3. Akanaki Nokunaka

4. Deliwe

5. Jerusalema

6. Izinhlobo Nezinhlobo Zabantu

7. Work for All

8. Zingane Zami

9. Two Humans on the Run

10. Heart of the Dancer

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In 1979, in the dregs of South Africa's apartheid era, Johnny Clegg, an English-born white man, and a black musician named Sipho Mchunu had the foolhardy courage to cofound a band called Juluka. Despite their widespread popularity, this was a life-threatening proposition. Their very existence was a political statement aimed at the evil heart of the vile regime then in power. As the word spread, they became favorites with audiences in England and the U.S., spreading a musical gospel made of mbaqanga (township jive) and traditional Zulu styles mixed with Western rock. Their joyous, tightly harmonized tunes rocked while insightful lyrics pleaded eloquently for an end to racism. The 10 tracks on this compilation are culled from six albums, and it's easy to understand why their fame achieved international proportions. Clegg later formed another group called Savuka, but this was where his gentle, ultimately triumphant battle began. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling introduction to a truly great band., November 18, 1999

By	Rm Pithouse "Richard Pithouse" (Durban, KwaZulu-Natal South Africa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Johnny Clegg's work with Savuka is enormously popular outside of South Africa. However, with the exception of the superb Heat,Dust and Dreams album and the anthemic single Asimbonanga, Clegg's work with Savuka doesn't come close to his work with Sipho Mchunu in his original band - the mighty Juluka.

But be warned: Juluka have recently reformed and their two new albums - Ya Vuka Inkunzi/The Bull Has Risen (1997) and Crocodile Love (1999) are uninspired and dissapointing.

However Juluka's early work (late 70's to mid 80's) is devastatingly powerful and some of the best tracks from that period are captured on this magnificant album.

Informed critics rate Universal Men, African Litany, Work for All, Scatterlings of Africa and Ubuhle Bemvelo as Juluka's best albums and some of the most interesting songs from these albums are on this compilation.

In fact every song on this album is musically captivating. And the (at times Pablo Neruda inspired)lyrics are just as superb in the more gentle songs like the wonderful Deliwe as they are in the more militant tracks like the cult classic Work For All.

But it must be pointed out that this is not a 'greatest hits' album. On the contrary only one of the songs here (Africa) was a major hit. That doesn't mean this album is second rate though. This album has clearly been put together by someone who has a deep appreciation for the true soul of Juluka. If you're serious about this band you can't afford not to own this album. It's unquestionably the best Juluka compilation available. Thenga!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An African in Texas, February 1, 2000

By	Gavin Cairns (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

To all those out there, I grew up in South Africa in the troubled times and Johnny Clegg's music with Juluka was the epitome of African music. When you listened to Juluka they WERE the sound of Africa! We all admired the way he embraced the African culture and stuck by his convictions. This is a good album but not a great one, I feel, like others, that some of his best work is missing. Especially "Scatterlings" - a total masterpiece. A pity, but still great listening........

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compilation of Lesser Known Juluka, August 18, 2004

By	John Kleynhans (San Diego) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The release of Juluka's first album : "Universal Men" has to have been a defining moment in the history of world music, successfully blending white and black languages and music styles, whilst living in a system that struggled to keep the same cultures separated and alone.

By listening to this album alone, you won't get a balanced feel for the music of Juluka, however I don't believe this was intended to be a best of, but more like a compilation of lesser known tracks, including the beautiful "Deliwe" from period 79 to 84, songs that are not included in any other compilations.

A good companion for this album would be : " The Best of Juluka"
Even the two albums combined leave out a bunch of other excellent stuff like :- "Digging For Some Words" and "Kilamanjaro" and many others. The two albums together would just be an excellent introduction to Juluka, but...

I have to tell you, in case you've become hooked and frustrated at all the "out of stock" Juluka cd's, don't fret - with a little surfing, you will be happy to find ANY & EVERY Juluka, Savuka and Clegg CD there is, really easily and CHEAPLY from South Africa and also from other European countries, most notably France and Germany. Enjoy.