Universal Men
Encyclopedia
Universal Men is the debut album from Juluka
, a South Africa
n 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 Mervyn Africa and Sipho Gumende.
Juluka's early albums did not receive much airplay from the South African Broadcasting Corporation
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. Jaluka's producer took it to the station, and Africa became the first local number one on the Capital Countdown.
Total: 40'09
Juluka
Juluka was a South African music band formed in 1969 by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. Juluka means "sweat", and was the name of a bull owned by Mchunu.-Career:...
, a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n band led by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu
Sipho Mchunu
Sipho Mchunu is a Zulu musician best known for his partnership with 'white Zulu' Johnny Clegg in the band Juluka from the 1970s to the 1990s. Mchunu's Zulu compositions, vocals and guitar work brought traditional Zulu styles such as maskanda and mbaqanga to a wider crossover audience both in South...
. 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
Migrant worker
The term migrant worker has different official meanings and connotations in different parts of the world. The United Nations' definition is broad, including any people working outside of their home country...
, 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
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Freedom's Children and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
artists Mervyn Africa and Sipho Gumende.
Juluka's early albums did not receive much airplay from the South African Broadcasting Corporation
South African Broadcasting Corporation
The South African Broadcasting Corporation is the state-owned broadcaster in South Africa and provides 18 radio stations as well as 3 television broadcasts to the general public.-Early years:Radio broadcasting began in South Africa in 1923...
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. Jaluka's producer took it to the station, and Africa became the first local number one on the Capital Countdown.
Track listing
- Sky People 5'08
- Universal Men 4'46
- Thula 'Mtanami 4'11
- Deliwe 5'21
- Unkosibomvu 5'05
- Africa 3'37
- Uthando Luphelile 5'02
- Old Eyes 3'24
- Inkunzi Ayihlabi Ngokumisa 2'58
Total: 40'09