African Litany

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African Litany
Studio album by
Released1981
Recorded1981
GenreZulu rock
Length40:13
LabelEMI/MINC (original South African release)
Rhythm Safari (current releases)
ProducerHilton Rosenthal
Juluka chronology
Universal Men
(1979)
African Litany
(1981)
Ubuhle Bemvelo
(1982)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

African Litany is the second studio album from South African band Juluka, released in 1981.[2] It features lyrics sung in English and Zulu.

The first track, "Impi", which became one of the band's hits, retells the story of the Battle of Isandlwana, won by the Zulu, and was banned from the radio in South Africa at the time, but gained underground popularity. It remains a cult classic in South Africa and has now become mainstream to the point of often been associated with international sports events, in particular rugby.

Track listing[edit]

  1. "Impi" (Clegg)
  2. "African Sky Blue" (Clegg, Mchunu)
  3. "Jarusalema" (Clegg)
  4. "African Litany" (Clegg)
  5. "Bull-Man-Free" (Clegg, Mchunu)
  6. "Gijim'beke" (Mchunu)
  7. "Heart of the Dancer" (Clegg)
  8. "High Country" (Clegg)
  9. "Mama Shabalala" (Clegg)
  10. "Thandiwe" (Mchunu)

Personnel[edit]

  • Johnny Clegg - vocals, guitar
  • Sipho Mchunu - guitar, percussion, vocals
  • Johnny Boshoff - bass guitar, percussion, vocals
  • Derek de Beer - drums, percussion, vocals
  • Robbie Jansen - flute, saxophone, vocals
Additional personnel
  • Umvovo Shelembe - vocals
  • Umncengeni Ngubane - vocals

References[edit]

  1. ^ Allmusic review
  2. ^ "Scatterlings Club". Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2010.