Stimela Explained

Stimela
Background:group_or_band
Origin:South Africa
Years Active:1970s–present
Current Members:Jabu S'bumbe
Joy White
Thapelo Khomo
Ntokozo Zungu
Sam Ndlovu
Bafana Khuzwayo
Charles "Dibabas" Ndlovu
Sizwe Mashinini
Past Members:Ray Phiri
Nana Coyote
Isaac "Mnca" Mtshali
Thabo Lloyd Lelosa
Bafana Khuzwayo

Stimela, is a South African band which emerged as an afrofusion ensemble in the 1980s under the leadership of guitarist Ray Phiri best known for his collaboration on Paul Simon's Graceland and The Rhythm of the Saints, albums.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Early years

Stimela originated from a soul band called The Cannibals. Established by Phiri in the 1970s, the band attained a series of successful singles in South Africa. In the early 1980s, Phiri and former members of The Cannibals came together to form Stimela (meaning "steam train"). Ray Phiri assumed leadership of the band,as a guitarist, handling songwriting and frequently taking on lead vocals. Joy White was the band's initial vocalist.

Subsequently, the band underwent expansion with the addition of new members Charlie "Sam" Ndlovu, Nana Coyote, Thapelo Kgomo, Jacob "Mparanyana" Radebe and Ntokozo Zungu.

The band's name transitioned to Stimela following a transformative event in Mozambique, where they found themselves stranded in Maputo for three months. Forced to sell all their possessions to afford a train journey back home, this experience became pivotal as it inspired the band's new name, Stimela.

Career

The band achieved platinum status with albums like Fire, Passion and Ecstasy, Listen, Look and Decide and the controversial People Don't Talk, So Let's Talk.[9] [10]

Apartheid state-controlled songs ban

Stimela's song, "Whispers in the Deep," lyrics' prompted, "speak your mind, don’t be afraid" faced broadcast restrictions by the former South African Broadcasting Corporation as Stimela's music occasionally confronted the boundaries of what could be openly expressed during apartheid.

Artistry

Afrofusion constituted the core sound of Stimela. Stimela combined jazz and R&B with traditional South African rhythmic styles such as mbaqanga.

Band members

Discography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Voice of America . 15 July 2017 . South African Musician Phiri Dies at 70 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170716034431/https://www.voanews.com/a/south-african-musician-phiri-dies/3946096.html . 16 July 2017 . 14 January 2024 . Voice of America (VOA) . Associated Press.
  2. Web site: Vanguard (Nigeria) . 12 July 2017 . South African jazz legend Ray Phiri dies at 70 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109071717/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/07/south-african-jazz-legend-ray-phiri-dies-70/ . 9 November 2020 . 14 January 2024 . Vanguard.
  3. Web site: Tsioulcas . Anastasia . NPR . 12 July 2017 . 'Graceland' Guitarist And Arranger Ray Phiri Dies, Age 70 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220526002035/https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/07/12/536824531/graceland-guitarist-and-arranger-ray-phiri-dies-age-70 . 26 May 2022 . 14 January 2024 . National Public Radio (NPR).
  4. Web site: South Africa . Brand . 12 July 2017 . Remembering Ray Phiri, South African musician 1947 – 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114130348/https://brandsouthafrica.com/70825/remembering-ray-phiri-south-african-musician-1947-2017/ . 14 January 2024 . 14 January 2014 . Brand South Africa.
  5. Book: Pace . 1989 . Hortors Publishing . en.
  6. Book: Bridet . Guillaume . Dynamiques actuelles des littératures africaines: Panafricanisme, cosmopolitisme, afropolitanisme . Brinker . Virginie . Burnautzki . Sarah . Garnier . Xavier . 2018-06-22 . KARTHALA Editions . 978-2-8111-1982-9 . 238 . fr.
  7. Book: Mojapelo, Max . Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music . 2008 . African Minds . 978-1-920299-28-6 . 138 . en.
  8. News: Pareles . Jon . 14 July 2017 . Ray Phiri, 'Graceland' Guitarist and Anti-Apartheid Bandleader, Dies at 70 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170715011813/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/arts/music/obituary-ray-phiri-dead-graceland-guitarist-stimela.html . 15 July 2017 . 26 April 2024 . The New York Times.
  9. Web site: Stimela Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More . 2024-04-26 . AllMusic . en.
  10. Web site: 2014-12-09 . The Presidency Raymond Chikapa Phiri (1947) . 2024-04-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141209192043/http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/pebble.asp?relid=7763 . 2014-12-09 .

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