Does this music have a spiritual side, like Shona mbira music in Zimbabwe?
A.N.: Yes. There is a connection between the music and the spirits, even though I’m not particularly into that. But I know that some of the songs I play, people get into a trance when they hear it. You can take it as music, as I do, or you can go for the higher plan, where the music is spiritual. Vusi Mahlasela Vusi Mahlasela comes from Mamelodi township. His first band was called the Pleasure Invaders, but he made his way into South African music history with the powerful songs he wrote during the struggle to end apartheid, especially after the 1976 Soweto student uprising, in which he participated. Since the end of apartheid, Vusi has emerged as one of the country’s most versatile and powerful troubadours. The version of “Thula Mama” on the Throw Down Your Heart CD was recorded before a live audience just moments after Bela first met South African singer/songwriter Vusi Mahlasela. Vusi picks up the story. Vusi Mahlasela: This project evolved from an experience at E-Town, a radio show
