When visionary ex-pats Trevor Herman and Jumbo Van Renan compiled the music of the Indestructible Beat of Soweto: Volume 1 from the Soweto region of Johannesburg, South Africa – an acronym which translates to “southwestern towns” – they changed music forever. Without it, some of the finest music from the likes of Paul Simon, David Byrne, Peter Gabriel and Vampire Weekend may never have existed.
The Soweto municipality is historically associated with apartheid, the uprising there-against and poverty. So, given the historical significance and difficult social conditions, it comes as no surprise that the music resonates with vibrant energy and raw emotion; a cultural identity for the region.
There are now four iterations of the Indestructible Beat of Soweto series, all of which act like serotonin injections straight to the brain. So, for this week’s mix tape, we’ve concocted a sampler from the various compilations. Be warned, this is not your run-of-the-mill plodding Putomayo world music sampler available for sale at the nearest Coffee Bean, but rather, an inspiring combination of upbeat, rhythmic songs that represents some of the catchiest music on Earth. Resistance is futile.
One Response
unreal. did paul simon fly to south africa and kidnap these people for graceland or what?