The German label Network Records recently issued the third installment in its excellent Golden Afrique series, book-sized double-CD sets that focus on particular regions of Africa primarily during the 70s—the continent’s golden era for popular music. Volume 3 takes aim at South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, and if only for the reason that Paul Simon’s Graceland made South African pop ubiquitous on these shores, it’s the least interesting edition thus far. That’s not to say that the choices made by its three compilers—including Günter Gretz, the German behind the indispensable Popular African Music label—are weak, although inclusions by Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, and Chris McGregor ignore vastly superior work. It’s just that we’re unlikely to be surprised by tunes by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Mahlathini, and Hugh Masekela, as good as they may be. I’m shocked that kwela king Spokes Mashiyane isn’t represented, as Malawi’s Donald Kachamba delivers a dose of the style, but such quibbling could go on forever.
