PRODUCER: Tony Thorpe (Language)

Extract from SA Rock Digest Top 30 Albums(Year 2000)

Lungiswa “Lulu” Plaajties had more than served her apprenticeship in the Amampondo musical family/collective, and it was time for her to record her own album. MELT 2000 boss Robert Trunz made it happen and the result is our strongest contender for SA/World album of the year. ‘Lungiswa’ merges African rhythms and languages, acoustic and indigenous instruments, Motown and Maskanda, and her gorgeous voice in an album that is a sheer delight. From the opening lullaby version of our anthem and her spoken self-introduction right through to her impassioned version of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Inner City Blues’, ‘Lungiswa’ is this year’s ‘Urbanzulu’.

Lulu Lungiswa Plaatjies is the first ever South African artist to attract the attention of a master like Tony Thorpe, Language label owner and producer. Correspondingly, her new album ‘Ekhaya’ reflects her outstanding vocal talents perfectly. Combining her powerful native singing voice with the contemporary urban sounds that are Tony Thorpe’s trademark, her album includes an original and wonderful rework of the South African National Anthem, and a version of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Inner City Blues’ sung in her Xhosa tongue. Backed by the dramatic and sensitive percussive support of Amampondo, Lungiswa has created a timeless album with popular appeal

Featured artists on Ekhaya:

Bass – Nik Cohen, Congas – Mabi Thobejane, Djembe
Vocals – Amampondo , Drums – Andy Gungadeen
Kudu Horns – Michael Ludonga, Mzwandile Qotoyi, Simpiwe Matole, Xola Mlambo
Keyboards – Nick Coler, Simon Wallace, Simon Davies
Marimba – Mandla Lande
Percussion – James Mac
Percussion [Tablas] – Naushad Sheikh
Saxophone – Tony Kof
Trombone – Trevor Edwards
Trumpet – Kevin Day