In 1981, Unity, a new South African band, is making waves with their album Erube Jambo. Produced by the team of Van Blerk/Roos & Greg Cutler, it features succulent voices and melodies, psychedelic Moog, Hohner clavinet and Fender Rhodes, all surrounded by Afro-folky guitars.
Unity's journey began between 1972 and 1973 when Poy-Poy Makhubela appeared on four singles with The Young Movers, produced by David Thekwane. In 1975, Poy-Poy, as a lead guitarist, formed Unity with Jeff Radine (Fender Rhodes, Moog), George Legobye (bass), Edward Modiselle (percussion), and Robert Moema (drums). Most members came from The Sound Jaws, except Radine, who played with Rugare, Harari, Chicco, The Black Five, and Prince Nico. In 1978, after hearing Unity in a club, Mike Tswai joined as their manager. Poy-Poy's career has flourished, touring globally and collaborating with South African legends like Brenda Fassie, Don Laka, Blondie & Pappa, Dorothy Masuka, and Kwaito bands such as Alaska, Boom Shaka, and Trompies. Iinnovative spirit and enduring talent ahoy
Feedback:
Gilles Peterson played it twice on Worldwide Radio show (BBC UK)
Playlisted on FIP by Christian Charles (Radio France)
Chris Albertyn (Matsuli music/UK-SA)
Nice find and release Fred - congratulations ...a bit of Zamrock, cross Kabassa and even some hints of Pacific Express. I hope it sells well for you!
The Reflex (UK)
Superb!
Matt Temple (Matsuli Music/UK-SA)
It's a great album.
Simon Ndlovu (The best of South African jazz/South Africa)
Wow! This is good!!!
Ntokozo Kuzwayo (Abijah Record Bar/South Africa)
Dawn, you don't miss, killer after killer! Nice one
Temi Kogbe (Livingstone Studios/Nigeria)
Bravo, c'est ouf!
Matty S (Discotheque Tropicale/UK)
Fred this is a killer record! Amazing stuff my man.
I just grabbed a copy.
Dj Bob (Johannesburg/South Africa)
Loving this album. Great reissue. I sell them like hot cakes!
Joh Erba (Couleur 3 Radio/Montreux Jazz Festival/Switzerland)
This is a ball! I love it. Playlisted.
Tal Stef (Contretemps Festival/Strasbourg/Fr)
Un beau projet, il y a quelques petites pépites sur cet album..je kiffe bien Manana surtout. En tout cas bravo pour la réédition.
Lee Bright (Tangential Music/UK)
Smash it! This should sell very well, tougher than though, cream rises to the top. This is fire, peeps need to know!
Eddie Piller (Acid Jazz/UK)
Nice one Spider!
Backyard Balearic (Liverpool/Uk)
What an absolutely fantastic all round album. Every track is killer.
Been playing this so much.
Reissued by Voom Voom Records, Unity hail from South Africa and deliver essentially an Afro-Funk beats of an album...
Could be the reissue of the year for me so far.
Dom Servini (WahWah45s/Jazz Cafe/London)
Yes sir! Already played on my Jazz FM show!! :))) xxxx
Ezequiel (Soulfood Radio Show/Buenos Aires/Argentina)
Hey Fred!! Congratulations for this fabulous release!!
It's a beautiful record man!! So many good tunes and different rhythms.
My favorites at first listen are Manejere and Ghiyane, but the whole album is wonderful.
All the best.
Unity's journey began between 1972 and 1973 when Poy-Poy Makhubela appeared on four singles with The Young Movers, produced by David Thekwane. In 1975, Poy-Poy, as a lead guitarist, formed Unity with Jeff Radine (Fender Rhodes, Moog), George Legobye (bass), Edward Modiselle (percussion), and Robert Moema (drums). Most members came from The Sound Jaws, except Radine, who played with Rugare, Harari, Chicco, The Black Five, and Prince Nico. In 1978, after hearing Unity in a club, Mike Tswai joined as their manager. Poy-Poy's career has flourished, touring globally and collaborating with South African legends like Brenda Fassie, Don Laka, Blondie & Pappa, Dorothy Masuka, and Kwaito bands such as Alaska, Boom Shaka, and Trompies. Iinnovative spirit and enduring talent ahoy
Feedback:
Gilles Peterson played it twice on Worldwide Radio show (BBC UK)
Playlisted on FIP by Christian Charles (Radio France)
Chris Albertyn (Matsuli music/UK-SA)
Nice find and release Fred - congratulations ...a bit of Zamrock, cross Kabassa and even some hints of Pacific Express. I hope it sells well for you!
The Reflex (UK)
Superb!
Matt Temple (Matsuli Music/UK-SA)
It's a great album.
Simon Ndlovu (The best of South African jazz/South Africa)
Wow! This is good!!!
Ntokozo Kuzwayo (Abijah Record Bar/South Africa)
Dawn, you don't miss, killer after killer! Nice one
Temi Kogbe (Livingstone Studios/Nigeria)
Bravo, c'est ouf!
Matty S (Discotheque Tropicale/UK)
Fred this is a killer record! Amazing stuff my man.
I just grabbed a copy.
Dj Bob (Johannesburg/South Africa)
Loving this album. Great reissue. I sell them like hot cakes!
Joh Erba (Couleur 3 Radio/Montreux Jazz Festival/Switzerland)
This is a ball! I love it. Playlisted.
Tal Stef (Contretemps Festival/Strasbourg/Fr)
Un beau projet, il y a quelques petites pépites sur cet album..je kiffe bien Manana surtout. En tout cas bravo pour la réédition.
Lee Bright (Tangential Music/UK)
Smash it! This should sell very well, tougher than though, cream rises to the top. This is fire, peeps need to know!
Eddie Piller (Acid Jazz/UK)
Nice one Spider!
Backyard Balearic (Liverpool/Uk)
What an absolutely fantastic all round album. Every track is killer.
Been playing this so much.
Reissued by Voom Voom Records, Unity hail from South Africa and deliver essentially an Afro-Funk beats of an album...
Could be the reissue of the year for me so far.
Dom Servini (WahWah45s/Jazz Cafe/London)
Yes sir! Already played on my Jazz FM show!! :))) xxxx
Ezequiel (Soulfood Radio Show/Buenos Aires/Argentina)
Hey Fred!! Congratulations for this fabulous release!!
It's a beautiful record man!! So many good tunes and different rhythms.
My favorites at first listen are Manejere and Ghiyane, but the whole album is wonderful.
All the best.
released June 11, 2024