Universal Men is the debut album from Juluka, a South African band led by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. It was first released in 1979 and has acquired the status of a classic album in the history of South African music.
The album explores the experiences of a Zulu migrant worker, caught between his traditional rural background and the city where he lives and works.
In addition to Clegg, Mchunu, and other regular Juluka band members, the album features studio musicians including Colin Pratley of the South African progressive rock band Freedom's Children and jazz artists Robbie Jansen, Mervyn Africa and Sipho Gumede of the South African band Spirits Rejoice.
Juluka's early albums did not receive much airplay from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) at the time because the racially mixed band and fusion of Western and African music were contrary to the country's apartheid policy at the time.
However the album's release coincided with the launch of Capital Radio 604, the station which broke the SABC's monopoly. Juluka's producer took it to the station, and "Africa" became the first local number one on the Capital Countdown.
Track listing
"Sky People" – 5:08
"Universal Men" – 4:46
"Thula 'Mtanami" – 4:11
"Deliwe" – 5:21
"Unkosibomvu" – 5:05
"Africa" – 3:37
"Uthando Luphelile" – 5:02
"Old Eyes" – 3:24
"Inkunzi Ayihlabi Ngokumisa" – 2:58
Personnel
Mervyn Africa, keyboards & synthesizer
Johnny Clegg, lead & backing vocals, guitars, percussion & umhuphe mouth bow
Sipho Gumede, bass guitar
Robbie Jansen, flute & saxophone
Gilbert Mathews, drums
Sipho Mchunu, lead & backing vocals, guitars & concertina
Paul Petersen, electric guitars
Colin Pratley, african drums
Brass – Duke Makasi, George Tyefumani, Thabo Mashishi
Backing Vocals – Anneline Malebo, Bafazane Qoma, Samson Makhunga, Thoko Ndlozi, Umncengeni Ngubane, Umsuthu Nxele, Umvovo Shelembe, Vayisa Mahlaba