Jabula brought South Africa’s music to the world a decade before Paul Simon’s Graceland. Thunder And Happiness: The Complete Albums 1975-1976 anthologises their first two albums: Jabula and Thunder Into Our Hearts, all released on CD for the first time. Formed in Britain by exiled apartheid-era musicians who had left South Africa in 1973, Jabula (Zulu for happiness) infused the sound of the Townships with jazz, creating a compelling rhythmic stew. Jabula’s music was accessible, compulsive and fresh. Jabula were an important musical force. Mike Oldfield invited them to play on his Ommadawn and Incantations albums. Their leader Julian Bahula also played on Oldfield’s Amarok and Stevie Wonder’s Characters album. Jabula were the subject of the 1981 film Jabula – A Band in Exile. The release of Thunder And Happiness: The Complete Albums 1975-1976 is significant, allowing this historic band to be heard again. Bahula was previously with the legendary Malombo Jazzmen. After arriving in Britain he was also central to the ANC, and organised Nelson Mandela’s 65th birthday concert in 1983 at London’s Alexandra Palace (held while Mandela was still in jail). In April 2012 South African President Jacob Zuma bestowed the National Order of Ikhamanga to Julian Bahula for his exceptional contributions to music and the arts, and the struggle for a free and democratic South Africa. Press: "...their overall sound is a potent mix of tough township jive grooves, progressive rock and American funk." - Howard Male, The Independent on Sunday, 9/12/12
1. JABULA HAPPINESS 2. BAILE – THEY ARE GONE 3. LISTEN TO ME CRYING 4. NALEDI 5. BADISHI – HERDBOYS 6. THANDI 7. SIAKALA – WE ARE SAD 8. OUR FATHERS 9. LET US BE FREE 10. THUNDER INTO OUR HEARTS 11. SOWETO MY LOVE 12. ITHUMELENG BA MAMELODI 13. TEARS OF AFRIKA 14. BALEKA – RUN AWAY 15. JOURNEY TO AFRIKA 16. HARVEST PART II