Vusi Mahlasela's grandmother Ida ran a
shebeen (an illegal tavern or what Americans might call a speakeasy) in South Africa's Mamelodi township, outside of Pretoria. She home-brewed beer and made a place for the township's residents to gather after another day's hard labor.
Ida's grandson went on to become an internationally successful musician, albeit one who still lives in Mamelodi. As a tribute to the woman who "was and still is my greatest hero," Vusi threw a big party on the street where Ida's
shebeen used to be and performed a night of the music he used to hear there.
That's the story behind Vusi's new live album
Shebeen Queen. You'll hear a track from it this week on Global A Go-Go, along with some of the township sounds of that era:
mbaqanga and soul jive.
Also this week (Labor Day Monday September 7, 3:00-5:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards at
wrir.org/listen, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at
my podcast site): Jamaica's rockers-steppers sound, a healthy dose of Turkish psychedelia featuring the electric
baglama saz, quick visits to three Lusophone countries, a set of Ethio-jazz and dance music therapy from Colombia.
