Mannenberg - 'Is Where It's Happening'

Album 1974 Cape Town connection

The 1974 LP that carried the tune, released by Rashid Vally after he decided the working title was not marketable. A photograph Ibrahim took of Gladys Williams was on the sleeve. With Gallo distributing it, 43,000 copies sold in South Africa within seven months, extraordinary for a jazz record.

Connections

is associated with

Mannenberg (1974) the title track
Rashid Vally (1974) he produced and retitled it
Rashid Vally (1974) released on his As-Shams label

Did you know?

The tune was nearly called "Mrs. Williams from Mannenberg", after a real woman in the township.

John Edwin Mason reports that the title came from Morris Goldberg mentioning a visit to Gladys Williams, his family's former housekeeper in Manenberg. Rashid Vally chose a more marketable album title, but Williams's photograph went on the cover.

Music Manenberg 1974 Cape Town

Source: John Edwin Mason, "Mannenberg": Notes on the Making of an Icon and Anthem, African Studies Quarterly 9(4), 2007 · As-Shams / The Sun Records: About

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Did you know?

Rashid Vally could not distribute a hit that size, so he took it to Gallo. It sold 43,000 copies in seven months.

Mason reports that after the record took off, Vally admitted he lacked the financial muscle to distribute it nationally and did a deal with Gallo Records. Within seven months of release, 43,000 copies had been sold in South Africa.

Music 1974–1975 South Africa-wide