Stimela
Stimela | |
|---|---|
| Origin | South Africa |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Labels | |
| Members | Jabu S'bumbe Joy White Thapelo Khomo Ntokozo Zungu Sam Ndlovu Bafana Khuzwayo Charles "Dibabas" Ndlovu Sizwe Mashinini |
| Past members | Ray Phiri Nana Coyote Isaac "Mnca" Mtshali Thabo Lloyd Lelosa Bafana Khuzwayo |
Stimela, is a South African band which emerged as an afrofusion ensemble in the 1980s under the leadership of guitarist Ray Phiri best known for his collaboration on Paul Simon's Graceland and The Rhythm of the Saints, albums.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Early years[edit]
Stimela originated from a soul band called The Cannibals. Established by Phiri in the 1970s, the band attained a series of successful singles in South Africa. In the early 1980s, Phiri and former members of The Cannibals came together to form Stimela (meaning "steam train"). Ray Phiri assumed leadership of the band,as a guitarist, handling songwriting and frequently taking on lead vocals. Joy White was the band's initial vocalist.[8][7]
Subsequently, the band underwent expansion with the addition of new members Charlie "Sam" Ndlovu, Nana Coyote, Thapelo Kgomo, Jacob "Mparanyana" Radebe and Ntokozo Zungu.[citation needed]
The band's name transitioned to Stimela following a transformative event in Mozambique, where they found themselves stranded in Maputo for three months. Forced to sell all their possessions to afford a train journey back home, this experience became pivotal as it inspired the band's new name, Stimela.[citation needed]
Career[edit]
The band achieved platinum status with albums like Fire, Passion and Ecstasy, Listen, Look and Decide and the controversial People Don't Talk, So Let's Talk.[9][10]
Apartheid state-controlled songs ban[edit]
Stimela's song, "Whispers in the Deep," lyrics' prompted, "speak your mind, don’t be afraid" faced broadcast restrictions by the former South African Broadcasting Corporation as Stimela's music occasionally confronted the boundaries of what could be openly expressed during apartheid.[8]
Artistry[edit]
Afrofusion constituted the core sound of Stimela. Stimela combined jazz and R&B with traditional South African rhythmic styles such as mbaqanga.[7][8]
Band members[edit]
- Ray Phiri (1947–2017) - lead guitar, lead vocals
- Sam Ndlovu - Vocals
- Isaac "Mnca" Mtshali (1955–2019) - drummer
- Nana Coyote (1955–2010) - lead vocals
- Thapelo Khomo - Keyboards/Piano/Synthesizers
- Ntokozo Zungu - lead guitar
- Bafana Khuzwayo (1978-2017) - organ
- Lloyd Lelosa (1955-2021) - Keyboards/Piano
- Jabu Sibumbe - Bass
- Sandile Ngema - Bass
- Charles "Dibabas" Ndlovu (***-2009) - Organ
- Sizwe Mashinini - Keyboards
Discography[edit]
- 1982: Mama Wami
- 1982: The Cannibals
- 1983: I Hate Telling A Lie /I Love You
- 1984: Fire, Passion and Ecstasy
- 1985: Shadows, Fear and Pain
- 1986: Look, Listen and Decide
- 1986: Rewind (EP)
- 1987: The Unfinished Story
- 1988: Live!
- 1989: Trouble In The Land of Plenty
- 1990: The 2nd Half
- 1991: Siyaya
- 1992: Khululani
- 1993: Are You Ready (Live Album)
- 1994: Don't Ask Why
- 1995: Are You Ready (Live)
- 1996: Out of the Ashes
- 2000: Steam Tracks (Best of)
- 2001: Live At The Market Theatre - 1st Half (Stimela 1988 Live Re-Release )
- 2002: The 2nd Half (Re-release)
- 2010: A Lifetime...
- 2011: Turn on the Sun [citation needed]
- 2018: Catch The Train
External links[edit]
- Ray Phiri & Stimela: performing Highland Drifter live in concert - (Zuluboys, 2010)
References[edit]
- ^ "South African Musician Phiri Dies at 70". Voice of America (VOA). Associated Press. 15 July 2017. Archived from the original on 16 July 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "South African jazz legend Ray Phiri dies at 70". Vanguard. 12 July 2017. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Tsioulcas, Anastasia (12 July 2017). "'Graceland' Guitarist And Arranger Ray Phiri Dies, Age 70". National Public Radio (NPR). Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ South Africa, Brand (12 July 2017). "Remembering Ray Phiri, South African musician 1947 – 2017". Brand South Africa. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ^ Pace. Hortors Publishing. 1989.
- ^ Bridet, Guillaume; Brinker, Virginie; Burnautzki, Sarah; Garnier, Xavier (2018-06-22). Dynamiques actuelles des littératures africaines: Panafricanisme, cosmopolitisme, afropolitanisme (in French). KARTHALA Editions. p. 238. ISBN 978-2-8111-1982-9.
- ^ a b c Mojapelo, Max (2008). Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music. African Minds. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-920299-28-6.
- ^ a b c d Pareles, Jon (14 July 2017). "Ray Phiri, 'Graceland' Guitarist and Anti-Apartheid Bandleader, Dies at 70". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ "Stimela Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ "The Presidency | Raymond Chikapa Phiri (1947)". web.archive.org. 2014-12-09. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
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