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ReleaseProduct
Face To Face
Artist
Vusi Mahlasela, Norman Zulu and Jive Connection
Label
Strut
Catalogue Number
STRUT211D
Release Date
10 February 2023

Strut revives a lost recording from the archives in January with a 2002 collaboration between acclaimed South African folk singer Vusi Mahlasela, singer songwriter Norman Zulu and Swedish jazz / soul collective Jive Connection.

The links between South Africa and Sweden have long been strong with Sweden one of the most supportive European nations in the struggle against apartheid; the government helped to fund the ANC for decades and Mandela visited the country on one of his first European stops following his release from prison in 1990.

Sotho folk singer Vusi Mahlasela, dubbed “The Voice” Of South Africa, performed at Mandela’s inauguration in 1994 and has enjoyed his own long relationship with Sweden, regularly embarking on cultural exchanges and forging a strong bond with the Jive Connection band, featuring guitarist / bassist Stefan Bergman and Little Dragon drummer Erik Bodin within its line-up.

Although touring regularly, the collaboration has rarely been documented beyond a lone studio album in 1994. This “lost” recording, discovered in the archives of producer Torsten Larsson, also features songwriter / vocalist Norman Zulu and showcases their natural musical chemistry together. Vusi’s songs have traditionally addressed the struggle for freedom and the need for reconciliation and, here, his lyrics are as powerful as ever, ranging from parables (‘Prodigal Son’) to an unflinching lament on child abuse (‘Faceless People’). Jive Connection vary the soundtrack, bringing in hints of reggae, jazz and post-punk alongside traditional township arrangements.

Face To Face is mastered by The Carvery. Artwork features unseen photos from the album sessions along with full lyrics. Produced in association with Torsten Larsson.

Digital Tracklist

  1. 1 Prodigal Son 5:40 Buy

    Prodigal Son

  2. 2 Umzala 4:01 Buy

    Umzala

  3. 3 Faceless People 5:00 Buy

    Faceless People

  4. 4 In Komo 4:04 Buy

    In Komo

  5. 5 Face To Face 4:18 Buy

    Face To Face

  6. 6 Themba Lami 6:54 Buy

    Themba Lami

  7. 7 Intombi Ye Mbali 4:57 Buy

    Intombi Ye Mbali

  8. 8 Push 4:47 Buy

    Push

  9. 9 Abantu Abangana Buso 4:47 Buy

    Abantu Abangana Buso

  10. 10 Anastacia 5:28 Buy

    Anastacia

  11. 11 Thululalele 5:08 Buy

    Thululalele

  12. 12 Roots 3:33 Buy

    Roots

  13. 13 Still 3:40 Buy

    Still

  14. 14 Son of Prodigal Son 5:44 Buy

    Son of Prodigal Son

Track List: LP

A1 PRODIGAL SON 4.50
A2 UMZALA 4.01
A3 FACELESS PEOPLE 5.01
A4 INKOMO 4.27

B1 FACE TO FACE 4.18
B2 INTOMBI YE MBALI 7.05
B3 PUSH 4.45
B4 THULULALELE 5.00

Track List: CD

  1. PRODIGAL SON 4.30
  2. UMZALA 4.01
  3. FACELESS PEOPLE 5.01
  4. INKOMO 4.00
  5. FACE TO FACE 4.18
  6. THEMBA LAMI 5.15
  7. INTOMBI YE MBALI 4.54
  8. PUSH 4.45
  9. ABANTU ABANGANA BUSO 4.44
  10. ANASTACIA 5.42
  11. THULULALELE 5.19
  12. ROOTS 3.33
  13. STILL 3.41
  14. SON OF PRODIGAL SON 6.07
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