Johnny Clegg & Juluka - Ubuhle Bemvelo (1981)

This, Juluka's third recording, is a collection of original Zulu songs. For fans of Juluka's Zulu songs, this is a real treat. For those who dislike songs not sung in English and merely tolerated the Zulu songs on other Juluka or Savuka recordings, your money is best spent elsewhere. This record scores high over much of the group's other work due to a near absence of keyboard sounds -- and when keyboards are present, they are reduced to a single voice line. In addition to great guitar work, this recording features the addition of two new full-time members: Gary VanZyl on bass and Zola Mtiya on drums. The opening track, "Umfazi Omdala," appeared later that year (this time in English) as "Umbaqanga Music" on their big hit album, Scatterlings. The music is decidedly more stripped-down and more vocal-oriented than other recordings by the group, but the energy of Ubuhle Bemvelo is as strong as any other Juluka release. Standout tracks include "Bazothini" and the chanting, droning "Sonqoba." You do not need to understand the Zulu language to feel the rage in the penultimate track, "Soweto." The album closer is probably their earliest hit, "Woza Friday." This is a remarkable album for having, intentionally or not, avoided many of the stylistic excesses of the '80s, making this a more timeless record than most of their other recorded work.~Ubuhle Bemvelo Review by Mark Allender