Simon “Mahlathini” Nkabinde, known as the “Lion Of Soweto”, was not allowed to leave South Africa until the mid-1980s, when he was invited to perform at a pioneering festival of music in Angouleme, France, along with the three Mahotella Queens, the musical engine the Makgone Tsohle Band, and producer and saxophonist West Nkosi.
The band whipped up a storm at the festival with their foot-stomping mbaqanga, or Township Jive, music from Soweto. At the same time, a compilation of 1960s and 1970s mbaqanga produced by Trevor Herman for the Earthworks label, The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto, which featured these fine musicians was released to international acclaim. They also recorded the album Paris-Soweto while they were in France.
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