Current cultural trends denote a sharp increase in the number of good-time party-pop bands as of late, and I think we can all understand why. Trendy-type parties call for trendy-type party music, do they not? I guess trendy-type parties are on the rise. It’s interesting though, to observe how party-pop bands such as Matt & Kim are essentially attempting to recreate the atmosphere originally tailored by the old South African Soweto scene. The edgy tempos employed by the dorm-plaguing likes of Matt & Kim et al. are outstandingly similar to those utilized by, say, S. Piliso & His Super Seven. Granted, Jive artists generally rely less on a well-produced 4/4 rhythm than their modern electronic rivals, but the party-time mood is there. The mood was there from the start in that old Soweto community.
But wait, what’s that you say? You don’t know what Soweto is? How about Jive? Zulu? Well, then. Here’s why you should do yourself a little research:
• Jive, or Mbaqanga, offers relatively uncharted sensations to those of us who don’t reside near its origin. Spritz a couple South African names into your casual conversation to quickly impress your friends!
• Do you enjoy listening to Paul Simon’s Graceland? Thought so.
• Vampire Weekend.
• How much MGMT do you think a person can really listen to without wanting to off themselves?
• You think I don’t have a YouTube video? Because I do:
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Looks like you should get started on your Soweto research. Fortunately, it just so happens that Strut plans to provide you with a great introduction. Starting March 2, you can get your pretty little hands on a copy of Next Stop… Soweto, a superb Mbaqanga sampler. How convenient.