SF Jukebox Goes to Africa

Early tomorrow morning, Koshi and I will depart for what is guaranteed to be an adventure to a continent that neither of us have visited before: Africa. Granted, we'll be going to what is arguably the most civilized of nations on the continent, South Africa, but given the country's history and its present state, it's certainly no San Francisco (although Cape Town seems to have a lot in common with our fair city by the bay). Naturally we will seek out jukeboxes in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, but may be limited in our exploration by a variety of factors including but not limited to matters of safety. Who knows where we'll end up.

In preparation for my trip, a coworker lent me his iPhone for an hour this morning so I could listen to a compilation of South African music that he really likes, Indestructible Beat Of Soweto, Volume One [on Last.fm]. This leads me to believe I might come back with a suitcase full of CDs (remember those things?)

This compilation inspired me to search for South African music on YouTube where I very quickly learned that the 60s vocal group hit "Grazin' in the Grass" by Friends of Distinction was an instrumental track written and originally recorded by a South African musician Hugh Masekela. The song was also a hit for him.

Friends of Distinction version:



Hugh Masekela's original version:



The next post I make will be from Johannesburg! After this trip I'll just have to get to Australia, South America, and Antarctica to complete the globe.