Cover
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JAMES STUART
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TRACK LISTING
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ARTISTS
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NOTESJames Stuart, a British-born language specialist, recorded at least 24 tracks for Zonophone starting in 1927. All were issued in 1928 and then a further set was recorded and issued in 1930. These were primarily 'eulogies' and versions of Aesop's Fables in Zulu. The 'eulogies' are actually izibongo or praise songs dedicated to leaders like Shaka and Dingaan. The izibongo tradition continues today in South Africa. As far as I can tell, the tracks featured here are not izibongo but the cyclical / repetitive structure of the songs reminds me of tracks by The Zulu Minstrel, c1933. Simon Sibiya also recorded for Zonophone at least 18 tracks in 1929. As with Stuart the tracts feature a similar structure, though in his examples Sibiya includes the ukubonga or praise interjection so familiar in many maskanda songs. I am assuming both Sibiya and Stuart were recorded in London. Check out John H. Cowley's excellent text, uBungca, which was invaluable in dating these records. Check out the post Maskanda Roots (1927 - 1964) at Electric Jive for more information. |
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