Mahotella Queens - Uyavutha Umlilo (1971)

A classic song from the Mahotella Queens, "Uyavutha Umlilo" (The fire is burning), from 1971. The Queens are backed by the irrepressible Makhona Tsohle Band and fronted, as usual, by the brilliant groaner Simon "Mahlathini" Nkabinde on lead vocals. Hilda Tloubatla leads the Queens line-up.

The song, which Mahlathini and the Queens re-recorded in 1987 for their international debut album "Thokozile", stipulates how their sound is the best sound there is to find - 'siyagiya unyawo olusha iJive Makgona!' (we're doing the new modern craze, Jive Makgona!).

Original song as taken from vinyl, with self-made video containing pictures of Mahlathini, the Queens, and the Makhona Tsohle Band.