Anna Nkosi and Friends - Varitone Jump
Cover
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LINER NOTES

 

Recorded in the Gallo Studios, Johannesburg
Engineer: ROBIN RITCHIE
Produced by RAY NKWE
Photography: ERIC MANI
Cover Design: Carol Knowles

Also available on Cassette: BC 108
& Cartridge: BE 108

(P) 1977 Gallo (Africa)
(P) 14-4-77


ADDITIONAL NOTES
The copy of this record includes a hand-written note from Susan (Magison) Goldenberg to Harry Belafonte. The note reads:

"Dear Mr. Belafonte,
I want to thank you for your dilligent fight against Apartheid. I was a member of an Umbaklanga [sic] [mbaganga] band in South Africa. Headed by Aaron Lerole + Anna Nkosi we have suffered, my brothers + sisters from this disgusting & immoral imposed government. I treasure these two records as they were given to me when I left South Africa, by my band. I know they would want you to have one. I have lost contact with my friends due to all the tumult going on there, I worry for their safety.
Nkosi Sikela iAfrika
Nkosi Sikela Mr. Belafonte
My fondest regards,
Susan (Magidson) Goldeberg
[address concealed]
Toronto M5N 2B3
[phone number concealed]"
 

ANNA NKOSI AND FRIENDS
VARITONE JUMP


recorded 1977c
issued 1977-03-28
JAS Pride
Gallo
made in South Africa
produced by Ray Nkwe
published by M.P.A.
BL 108
matrix ABC 7094
matrix ABC 7095
33 rpm
stereo
first issue
cover images by Eric Mani
cover design by Carol Knowles
cover printed by Interpak
source: Flatinternational Archive

TRACK LISTING

 

1.1Shoeshine Kid

(Ray Nkwe)

1.2It Couldn't Be So

(Anna Nkosi)

1.2Yintoni

(Anna Nkosi)

2.4Find Another Way

(Davidson, Khan)

2.5You Know What I Mean

(Davidson, Khan)

2.6Varitone Jump

(Ray Nkwe)

ARTISTS

 

ANNA NKOSI AND FRIENDS
ANNA NKOSI - vocals
AARON 'BIG VOICE JACK' LEROLE

NOTES

 

Another great album produced by Ray Nkwe on his JAS Pride label. Three tracks, Shoe Shine Kid, Varitone Jump (both composed by Nkwe) and Yintoni (by Anna Nkosi) are simply sublime. While the remaining songs, sadly, are somewhat pedestrian, the ten minute title track more than makes up for it!

I acquired this copy from a second hand record store in Brooklyn, NY. Curiously, the cover is signed by the artist and includes a hand-written note to singer and anti-apartheid activist, Harry Belafonte, from Susan (Magidson) Goldenberg.

From the cover inscription and note it appears that Anna Nkosi gave Susan Goldenberg two copies of this record before Goldenberg left South Africa for Canada. My speculation is that Goldenberg left SA for political reasons and sent one copy to Belafonte from Canada, perhaps in hopes that he would be able to help the group in some way. In the note Goldenberg mentions that the group was led by Aaron Lerole (of Black Mambazo fame) and Nkosi and that she also was a member of the group, though its not clear in what capacity Goldenberg performed.

It is likely that this record came from Harry Belafonte's personal collection. The record also includes an additional card with an image of a drawing by a Soviet artist with all proceeds going to support the work of the Soviet Jewry Committee at the Holy Blossom Temple.