Ubuhle Bemvelo is a studio album from Juluka, a South African band led by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. It was first released in 1982.[1][2] The title means "natural beauty" or "the beauty of nature". All the songs on the album were in isiZulu.[2]
| Ubuhle Bemvelo | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1982 | |||
| Length | 36:37 | |||
| Label | EMI/MINC (original South African release) Rhythm Safari (current releases) | |||
| Producer | Hilton Rosenthal | |||
| Juluka chronology | ||||
| ||||
Recording and composition
editUnlike Juluka's previous two albums, Ubuhle Bemvelo was not composed as an album, but was a composite of songs in isiZulu previously written by band leaders Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu, including from a period when they had been a musical duo. Lyrically the album used imagery of working class life.[2] This album was the first to feature two new members of Juluka: Gary Van Zyl on bass guitar, and Zola Mtiya on percussion.[1] Musically the album had a more Pop-oriented sound than the band's previous work, drawing on mbaqanga and township jive.[2] The album was heavier on vocals, and lighter in its use of the keyboard.[1]
Release and reception
editThe album was released in November 1981.[2] Its final track was a version of Woza Friday that became the band's first major hit.[1][2] The track "Umfazi Omdala" became a common feature of Clegg's live performances,[2] and an English translation of it appeared on Juluka's next album Scatterlings as "Umbaqanga Music". A retrospective review on the music website AllMusic was positive, describing the album as a "timeless record".[2]
Track listing
editAll tracks composed by Johnny Clegg; except where indicated
- Umfazi omdala 3'30
- Dumazile 3'40
- Bazothini 3'55
- Zingane zami 3'30
- Biza 3'40
- Sonqoba 3'35
- Umgane wami 3'50
- Inhliziyo yegwala 4'10
- Soweto 3'40
- Woza Friday 3'40
Total: 36'37
Personnel
edit- Johnny Clegg - vocals, guitar[1]
- Sipho Mchunu - guitar, percussion, vocals[1]
- Gary Van Zyl - bass guitar, percussion, vocals[1]
- Zola Mtiya - drums, percussion, vocals[1]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Ubuhle Bemvelo". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pithouse, Richard (2025). "Johnny Clegg and the Poetry and Politics of Migrant Labour". In Drewett, Michael; Spini, Lucilla (eds.). Johnny Clegg: Critical Reflections on His Music and Influence. NYU Press. pp. 83–112. ISBN 978-1-77614-964-3.
External links
edit- Samples on Juluka website Archived 14 December 2005 at the Wayback Machine
- Other samples
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