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Universal Men

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1979 studio album by Juluka
Universal Men
Studio album by Juluka
Released1979
Length40:09
LabelCBS
ProducerHilton Rosenthal
Juluka chronology
Universal Men
(1979) 		African Litany
(1981)

Universal Men is the debut album from Juluka, a South African band led by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. It was first released in 1979 and has acquired the status of a classic album in the history of South African music.

The album explores the experiences of a Zulu migrant worker, caught between his traditional rural background and the city where he lives and works.

In addition to Clegg, Mchunu, and other regular Juluka band members, the album features studio musicians including Colin Pratley of the South African progressive rock band Freedom's Children and jazz artists Robbie Jansen, Mervyn Africa and Sipho Gumede of the South African band Spirits Rejoice.

Juluka's early albums did not receive much airplay from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) at the time because the racially mixed band and fusion of Western and African music were contrary to the country's apartheid policy at the time.

However the album's release coincided with the launch of Capital Radio 604, the station which broke the SABC's monopoly. Juluka's producer took it to the station, and "Africa" became the first local number one on the Capital Countdown.

Track listing

  1. "Sky People" – 5:08
  2. "Universal Men" – 4:46
  3. "Thula 'Mtanami" – 4:11
  4. "Deliwe" – 5:21
  5. "Unkosibomvu" – 5:05
  6. "Africa" – 3:37
  7. "Uthando Luphelile" – 5:02
  8. "Old Eyes" – 3:24
  9. "Inkunzi Ayihlabi Ngokumisa" – 2:58

Personnel

  • Mervyn Africa, keyboards & synthesizer
  • Johnny Clegg, lead & backing vocals, guitars, percussion & umhuphe mouth bow
  • Sipho Gumede, bass guitar
  • Robbie Jansen, flute & saxophone
  • Gilbert Mathews, drums
  • Sipho Mchunu, lead & backing vocals, guitars & concertina
  • Paul Petersen, electric guitars
  • Colin Pratley, african drums

Brass – Duke Makasi, George Tyefumani, Thabo Mashishi

Backing Vocals – Anneline Malebo, Bafazane Qoma, Samson Makhunga, Thoko Ndlozi, Umncengeni Ngubane, Umsuthu Nxele, Umvovo Shelembe, Vayisa Mahlaba

References

  1. Pithouse, Richard (25 October 2000). "A National Treasure Turns 21". Pithouse. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2007.
  2. ^ Suter, Billy (8 June 2010). "It's all go, go, go for the 'white Zulu'". Independent Newspapers.
  3. "Universal Soul" (PDF). Centre for Civil Society. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  4. "IOL.co.za". Sunday Independent. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  5. Liner notes from South African vinyl release, CBS – DNW 2429
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