• Penny Penny – Ibola Aids
    • Penny Penny – Ingani
    • Penny Penny – Amarumasi
    • Penny Penny – Kulani Kulani
    • Penny Penny – Hai Kamina
    • Penny Penny – Yogo Yogo
    • Penny Penny – Ti Samboko
    • Penny Penny – Ama Owners
    • 1. Ibola Aids
    • 2. Ingani
    • 3. Amarumasi
    • 4. Kulani Kulani
    • 5. Hai Kamina
    • 6. Yogo Yogo
    • 7. Ti Samboko
    • 8. Ama Owners

    The rags-to-riches chronicle of Penny Penny's life would be remarkable if he had only released his smash debut Shaka Bundu and packed houses for a few years. But the inimitable South African singer and dancer known for his trademark top ponytail and emphatic anthems was no one-hit wonder. In the aftermath of Shaka Bundu's nationwide explosion, far beyond his country the album resonated with ever bigger audiences. He performed up and down the continent, building fanbases in more than a dozen countries. So his sophomore album Yogo Yogo - released in 1996 - solidified Penny Penny's standing in pop music nationally and provided new energy to his pan-African stadium-filling adventures. "I was very busy between Shaka Bundu and Yogo Yogo. Shows every week, local and outside the country. There was no relaxing from 1995 until 1999." The album also reflects the era in which it emerged. If Shaka Bundu arrived triumphantly amid newfound political freedom in South Africa with the end of Apartheid and Nelson Mandela's election, Yogo Yogo was a next level expression for the maturing artist. He wanted to get a message out. Composed with Joe Shirimani, who also produced the album, the sound and compositional style echoes the earlier recording but the topical nature of the lyrics became more deliberate, more didactic. In the song "Ingani" Penny proclaims, we are all one people even though we may speak different languages, we are all Nguni—a larger historical grouping that includes many of the ethnic groups in modern South Africa. "Kulani Kulani," which means grow up, urges young people to say no to drugs and yes to education. Ama Owners, referring to the public transport drivers involved in violent rumbles, asks the nation's drivers to relax because we need them for our safe arrival. Penny's success as a Xitsonga artist should not be under-estimated in the context of popular music at the time in South Africa.

    Other Releases on Awesome Tapes From Africa

    Hailu MergiaPioneer Works Swing (Live)Awesome Tapes From Africa
    "Pioneer Works Swing (Live)" brings into focus the kind of onstage group improvisation and deadly solo passages that reach for places Mergia and the band...
      Gibraltar DrakusHommage A ZanzibarAwesome Tapes from Africa
      No shortage of colorful characters emerged from Cameroon’s bikutsi scene in the 1980’s and early 90’s. Gibraltar Drakus is one of the most enduring...
      • – N'nom Wom (Mon Époux)
      • – Exode Rural
      • – O Zanzibar
      • – Mekeya A Dzal (Retour Au Village)
      Roger BekonoRoger BekonoAwesome Tapes From Africa
      Roger Bekono made a deep mark in the contemporary history of Cameroonian music through the four-on-the-floor, ribald intensity of bikutsi. The Ewondo-language...
        Professor RhythmProfessor 3Awesome Tapes From Africa
        South African mbaqanga and bubblegum instrumentals for the dancefloor! Awesome Tapes From Africa focus on the second album release by one of the key players...
        • – Uskamosothotsa
        • – Ubohisa Kanna
        • – Via Zimbabwe
        • – Raditaba (Nozindaba)
        • – Professor 3
        • – Zabalaza

        People also bought

        The AwakeningHear, Sense And FeelBlack Jazz Records
        The Awakening are the heaviest of all the groups to release on Black Jazz Records - this is simply a spiritual jazz classic album - every track is superb....
        • – Awakening - Prologue Spring Thing
        • – Convulsions
        • – Kera's Dance
        • – Brand New Feeling
        Sun Ra ArkestraSwirlingStrut
        Marshall Allen directs the Arkestra's first studio album in over twenty years, ‘Swirling'! This new recording represents the "continuation of a heartfelt...
        • – Satellites Are Spinning/Lights On A Satellite
        • – Seductive Fantasy
        • – Swirling
        • – Angels And Demons At Play
        • – Sea Of Darkness/Darkness
        • – Rocket No. 9
        • – Astro Black
        • – Infinity/I'll Wait For You
        • – Sunology
        • – Door Of The Cosmos/Say
        Negative ResponseEctopic BeatManufactured Desire Records
        Very limited cassette issue material from south London's Negative Response - a cult, minimal synth/DIY project that formed in 1980.
          • Cassette Tape MD011£11.99
            Limited edition of 30 hand-numbered copies
            In stockAdd to Bag
          When Jah Shall ComePressure Sounds
          Bunny Lee recorded a massive volume of remarkably consistent music in the 70s. This compilation brings together rare and unreleased cuts that put the listener...
          • Tommy McCook – Tommy's Vibes
          • Johnny Clarke – No Babylon Shall Escape In This Time *
          • Jah Smile – Ethiopian Rock
          • Lennox Brown – Jamaican Fruit Of African Roots *
          • Ronnie Davis – Every Knee Shall Bow *
          • Cornell Campbell – King Tubby's vs Arrows Dubplate *
          • Al Campbell – One Room Shack
          • John Forbes – War Zone
          • Linval Thompson – Look How Long Nyabinghi Calling You *
          • The Raver – Life Of My Own *
          • The Aggrovators – Bell Road Rock *
          • Cornell Campbell – Keep On Running
          • U-Roy – The Right To Live
          • Al Campbell – Wicked A Go Feel It
          • Tommy McCook – Joe Frazier *
          • Johnny Clarke – No Man Is An Island *
          • Linval Thompson – Go Jah Jah Pickney *
          • Johnny Clarke – Better Collie *
          Khruangbin & Leon BridgesTexas MoonDead Oceans
          Texan R&B singer Leon Bridges teams up again with psychedelic wanderers Khruangbin for yet another out there, hallucinatory, dream soul collaboration!
          • – Doris
          • – B-Side
          • – Chocolate Hills
          • – Father Father
          • – Mariella
          Billy BrooksWindows Of The MindWewantsounds
          Wewantsounds reissue this killer, in-demand, funky jazz rarity from trumpeter, Billy Brooks, featuring that classic break on 'Forty Days', as sampled by...
          • – Fourty Days
          DCTL (DJ Duct + Telly)Troop Session Works Series 01Troop Music Works
          An 11 track, Detroit-style beatdown house set produced by Japanese duo DCTL (aka DJ Duct + Telly). Smudged samples and raw drum machine sequences - monster!
          • – Excerpt 1
          • – Excerpt 2
          As Serious As Your lifeJohn Coltrane And Beyond By Valerie WilmerSerpent's Tail
          Truly seminal work, first published in 1977 by writer and photographer Valerie Wilmer, that details the incredible energy and characters behind the African-American...
            • Book (400g) 9781788160711£12.99
              In stockAdd to Bag
            • Original Book (250g)£25.00
              Original secondhand Pluto Press early out of print edition few creases to sleeve
            The Bug feat. Dis FigIn BlueHyperdub
            Dark, claustrophobic dancehall vibes and noxious, hip hop dread from The Bug and producer/vocalist Felicia Chen aka Dis Fig - ace!
            • – Around Me
            • – Come
            • – Destroy Me
            • – Blood
            • – In 2 U
            • – Levitating
            • – Forever
            • – Blue To Black
            • – Take
            • – No Return
            • – You
            • – End In Blue
            TenderloniousRagas From Lahore: Improvisations with Jaubi22a
            Following on from the release of 'Tender in Lahore' earlier in 2020, 22a releases the full LP-length suite of improvised Ragas from a one day recording...
            • – Azadi
            • – Kirwani
            • – Impressions
            Dezron Douglas & Brandee YoungerForce MajeureInternational Anthem Recording Company
            Original compositions alongside cover versions of classics by the likes of Alice and John Coltrane, The Stylistics, The Jackson 5, Pharoah Sanders, Kate...
            • – Intro (Coffee)
            • – Gospel Trane
            • – Equinox
            • – The Creator Has a Master Plan
            • – Sing
            • – You Make Me Feel Brand New
            • – We'll Be Right Black
            • – Never Can Say Goodbye
            • – This Woman's Work
            • – Nothing Stupid
            Makaya McCravenUniversal Beings E&F SidesInternational Anthem Recording Company
            An addendum to Makaya McCraven's critically-acclaimed 2018 releases, 'Universal Beings'. 'E&F Sides' presents 14 pieces of "organic beat music" cut from...
              Walter Bishop, Jr.Coral KeysBlack Jazz Records
              Superb spiritual deepness once more channelling Coltrane, Tyner et al with the great Idris Muhammed on drums - this is a super tight set, wicked super...
              • – Coral Keys
              • – Waltz For Zweetie
              Sun RaEgypt 1971Strut
              **Essential Sun Ra release on Strut!** Sun Ra took his legendary Arkestra over to Egypt in 1971 to play a series of concerts which were later released...
              • – Discipline No. 27
              • – Solar Ship Voyage
              • – Cosmo-Darkness
              • – The Light Thereof
              • – Friendly Galaxy No. 2
              • – To Nature's God
              • – Why Go To The Moon?
              Larry HeardSceneries Not Songs, Volume OneAlleviated Records
              Alleviated Records presents the first-time vinyl reissue of Larry Heard's mid-90's gem 'Sceneries Not Songs, Volume 1'. The album stems from a time when...
              • – Dolphin Dream
              • – Tahiti Dusk
              • – Midnight Movement
              • – Snowcaps
              • – Summertime Breeze
              • – Winter Wind Chill
              • – Caribbean Coast
              • – One, Three, Five, Seven
              • – Question Of Time
              Doug Carn feat. The Voice of Jean CarnSpirit Of The New LandBlack Jazz Records
              Untouchable deep, spiritual jazz once more on Black Jazz from Doug Carn, with the soaring vocals of his then wife Jean Carn. Untouchable stuff! Of all...
              • – My Spirit
              • – Arise And Shine
              • – Trance Dance
              The Budos BandLong In The ToothDaptone Records
              Superb, long-player from NYC's mighty funk/rock troupe, The Budos Band, who bring the "split-screen maelstrom of Fela Kuti, Led Zep, Morricone, psych and...
              • – Long In The Tooth
              • – Sixth Hammer
              • – Snake Hawk
              • – Dusterado
              • – Silver Stallion
              • – Haunted Sea
              • – Budonian Knight
              • – Renegade
              Hallelujah Chicken Run BandTake OneAnalog Africa
              **A collection of Zimbabwean group Hallelujah Chicken Run Band’s tracks from 1974-1979.** Originally playing the Congolese Rumba and Afro-rock styles...
              • – Mudzimu Ndiringe
              • – Kare Nanhasi
              • – Tamba Zimba Navashe
              • – Ngoma Yarira
              • – Sekai
              • – Manheru Changamire
              • – Gore Iro
              • – Mukadzi Wangu Ndomuda
              • – Alikulila
              • – Tinokumbira Kuziva
              Kellee PattersonMaiden VoyageBlack Jazz Records
              Fantastic album on Black Jazz, originally released in 1974 and featuring the seminal vocal version of Herbie Hancock's 'Maiden Voyage' - powerful, uplifting...
              • – Maiden Voyage
              Judy PollakIn TogethernessAthens Of The North
              Athens Of The North reissue Judy Pollak's extremely rare, soul / funk / folk masterpiece 'In Togetherness'. Originals of this beauty exchange for big sums...
              • – Your Mine
              • – Come with Me
              • – Mr DJ
              • – Happiness
              • – Fascinating
              • – Billy's Coming Bac
              • – More Than Words
              • – Still in Love
              Hailu Mergia and the Walias BandTezetaAwesome Tapes From Africa
              **Reissue of a cassette only album, released in 1975 on the band’s in-house label to fund their record store.** From their genesis as members of the...
              • – Nefas New Zemedie
              • – Mestirawi Debdabe
              Cosmic Vibrations feat. Dwight TriblePathways & PassagesSpiritmuse Records
              New, extraordinary music by Cosmic Vibrations ft Dwight Trible. An interplanetary journey from this new, LA based 6-strong ensemble of experienced musicians...
              • – Nature’s Vision
              • – Blue Skies
              • – How Long
              • – Motherless Child
              • – Water Flow
              • – Movin’ On
              • – OLBAP
              • – Tragedy Escapes
              Dorothy NorwoodHe's A Friend (1978)Jewel Records
              Fantastic gospel soul on original cassette!Great Original still-sealed cassette tape !!!
                Star Feminine BandStar Feminine BandBorn Bad Records
                Without warning, this group of young girls from a remote region of Benin is shaking up the world of garage rock with breathtaking freshness, ingenuity,...
                • – Peba
                • – Rew Be Me
                • – Femme Africaine
                • – Montealla
                • – La Musique
                • – Idesouse
                • – Iseo
                • – Timtitu
                Beverly Glenn-CopelandKeyboard FantasiesTransgressive
                Beverly Glenn-Copeland is already known amongst collectors and music heads for two sought after albums of folky jazz in the key of Joni. It was this album,...
                • – Ever New
                • – Winter Astral
                • – Let Us Dance
                • – Slow Dance
                • – Old Melody
                • – Sunset Village