I think it was around 2007 when I met a music industry insider who was interested in starting a record label with me. I had been shopping a Kwaito and an Afropop project around, he heard them and approached me with an offer: he would bring in the artists, I would produce the albums and he would use his connections to get the music out to the public.
I wasn't surprised when the first couple of albums didn't do well. They were new artists and we were finding our feet. It was when my comrade failed to sell an album we produced with a legendary South African singer that I decided to leave the partnership.
The good news is that when we split up I came away with a few of our masters and there's some really great stuff in there. I later remastered the best of the recordings and released them on a compilation called Core Sample South Africa. I've got to hand it to him, my partner may not have put much effort into our label, but he did bring in some great artists.
Sgub' Kwela was our Afropop group (we also produced African Jazz, House and traditional artists). Their sound is a mix of Afropop and Marabi and features some excellent guitar work by Albert Khumalo of The African Jazz Pioneers. Tlong is the only music video we made with Sgub' and it was a great experience.
My favorite memory from the shoot is when a camera-carrying remote control helicopter was heading straight for the lead singer as she walked down the street singing and she didn't flinch even as the whirling blades drew close. I was really impressed by that. I imagine it took no small amount of courage to stand her ground at that moment.
Finally, if anyone out there is wondering who the hell I am, and you don't blink, you will see me in a couple of shots (my 15 min. of fame!). I'm the token white guy playing the drums and I also picked up a couple of other instruments for the performance in the shebeen.
The entire video was shot in one day in Johannesburg's Alexandra township. Most of the "extras" in the video are people who just came out to the street to join in the fun. There was a great vibe on set that day and I hope y'all enjoy the results.
Peace,
Rob
Song: Tlong ka Ofela
Artist: Sgub' Kwela
Style: Afropop, Marabi
Language: Tswana
Description: Calling all people 2 come and listen to the sound of Marabi!
Matsatsi: vocals
Pule Sepeng: programming
Samuel Banda: bass, keys
Albert Khulmalo: guitar
Additional programming by Rob Luce
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Rob Luce at The Cooler
Produced by Sgub' Kwela and Rob Luce