Sankomota
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Sankomota | |
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| Also known as | Uhuru |
| Origin | Maseru, Lesotho |
| Genres | Afro-Jazz, Rock fusion |
| Years active | 1976 – present |
| Labels | Shifty Records |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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Sankomota is an Afro-jazz fusion band formed in 1976 in Lesotho. The band consisted of several members in its earliest years; Frank Leepa (guitarist, vocalist, arranger, composer), Moss Nkofo (drummer), Black Jesus (percussion), Moruti Selate (bass), Tsepo Tshola (lead vocalist and composer), and Pitso Sera (guitar), among others. In the early years, Sankomota was managed initially by Peter Scheider until 1979. Under the management of Leepa, Sankomota's career spanned more than two decades.[1]
History
[edit]Frank Leepa – also known as The Captain – started the band in school, and called it Anti Antiques. The band later changed its name to Uhuru. However, due to the popularity of Black Uhuru from Jamaica, Michael Rose, had decided to change their name again. When asked what Sankomota means, Frank Leepa said that it is the name of a mighty warrior from the Basotho and Bapedi people during the reign of King Moshoeshoe. Sankomota also means phantom or poltergeist in the Sesotho language. Sankomota was the first band to record an LP in Lesotho. They were recorded by Lloyd Ross and Warrick Sony of Shifty Records on November 11, 1983. The album was self-titled, and it has nine tracks that collectively run under 50 minutes long.
In 1991, Tshola, the band's frontman, left to pursue a solo career. In 1996, on the way to Cape Town, South Africa, the band suffered a road accident that killed unnamed members of the band.
Frank Leepa died on 27 November 2003[2] and Tsepo Tshola died on 15 July 2021.[3]
Discography
[edit]- Sankomota (1983)
- Madhouse (1984)
- Dreams Do Come True (1987)[4]
- The Writing on the Wall (1989)
- Exploration a New Phase (1991)
- The Best of 1981-1991 (1995)
- Frankly Speaking (2001)[2]
- After the Storm (2001)[5]
- Ngwana Moshangane (2021)[6]
- Piano For Kings (2022)
- Disatlo Bowa (2022)
- Change Marobalo Ep (2023)
- Pelo Yaka (2023)
References
[edit]- ^ "African Music Library | Band Profile: Sankomota". africanmusiclibrary.org. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ a b Monaheng, Tseliso (2014-11-21). "An Ode To Sankomota". Music In Africa. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ "Legendary jazz musician Tsepo Tshola has died", Channel24.com, 15 July 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021
- ^ Wiser, Danny (17 November 2020). "LESOTHO: Dreams Do Come True - Sankomota". 200worldalbums.com. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ "Sankomota Albums and Discography". Genius. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ "Shifty – since '84".
- Born For Greatness, Biography of Frank Leepa
External links
[edit]- Peter Schneider
- Sankomota discography at Discogs
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