Earthworks

"Jumbo and Mary Vanrenen ran Earthworks from their front room, before starting Earthworks Records. The most appealing of the 23 or so Earthworks releases is a compilation called 'The Indestructible Beat of Soweto', which featured on all lists of the best of '85 compiled by persons of taste. It features work by such key ensembles as Umahlathini Nabo and Ladysmith Black Mambazo."(John Peel, Observer, 2 Feb 1986)
== Links To Peel ==
On 15 February 1983, Peel played a track from the Kanda Bongo Man album 'Afro Rythmes Présente Kanda-Bongo-Man' on the Afro-Rythmes label, sent to him by Earthworks co-founder Jumbo Vanrenen as part of efforts to get African records more widely heard in the UK. The DJ had previously played the first release on Earthworks Records, by London-based Orchestre Jazira, on 12 October 1982.
Writing in the Observer in 1986, the DJ cited Earthworks Records with fellow specialist independent labels such as Stern's, DiscAfrique and GlobeStyle as “smaller operators [who] knew that there had never been any serious possibility that African music would make the pop charts, and that what was needed was the establishment of a catalogue of releases that would sell steadily over the years as people learned of the potency of the music.”
With world music a regular part of his shows from the 1980s, Peel would continue to play Earthworks releases over many years, including albums by artists such as Thomas Mapfumo and Mahotella Queens, as well as numerous compilations, taking in five volumes of the 'Indestructible Beat of Soweto' series and three "Zimbabwe Frontline' collections. Records on the label would also feature heavily on the shows of Peel's colleague and friend Andy Kershaw.
In 1987, Jumbo Vanrenen turned the business over to Trevor Herman, moving on to head the Mango world music label at Island for over a decade. After earlier tie-ups with Rough Trade and Virgin, Earthworks was sold to Stern's in 1992. 
In June 2022, 84 Peel show C120 cassettes covering the period 1979-1983 from the collection of Earthworks co-founder Jumbo were sold at auction and subsequently became known as the Omega Tapes.
== Sessions ==
(Artists featured on Earthworks releases, including compilations, who recorded Peel sessions. Please add more information if known.)
*Four Brothers (4 sessions, 1989-2000)
*Kanda Bongo Man (2 sessions, 1993-2002)
*Thomas Mapfumo (1 session, 1998)
== Mentioned ==
*15 February 1983: (John refers to the taper of the Omega Tapes, Jumbo, who's trying to get African records more generally heard in this country, has an organisation called Earthworks, and sent him the following record.) - Kanda Bongo Man: Mazina (album - Afro Rythmes Présente Kanda-Bongo-Man) Afro-Rythmes
*24 March 1983: (JP: “And the other morning I broke bread with my chum Jumbo Vanrenen, formerly of Virgin Records, now of Earthworks, his own label, and he's also importing African records, which I was very pleased to find out about, because it means I'll now be able to hold of them without having to spend far too much money on them. And this is a record that will be coming out as a single on Earthworks Records, not quite sure when….”) - Four Brothers: Makorokoto (7") Earthworks DIG 002
== Compilations ==
(Known plays by John Peel of various artists releases on Earthworks, listed chronologically by first play, including joint releases with Stern's after 1992. Please add more information if known.)
	
	
(LP - Viva Zimbabwe: Dance Music From Zimbabwe) Earthworks ELP 2001
* 22 August 1983: Patrick Mukwamba And The Four Brothers: Dai Ndiri Shiri
*27 August 1983 (BFBS): (JP: "This is a terrible time for records. August is always a bad month, but this is particularly bad I think, and there have been very very few records in the last 3 or 4 weeks anyway which have given me much more than the occasional kind of frisson of pleasure, but by and large there's been nothing which has made me think - 'I'm glad I lived long enough to hear this blighter'. But finally an LP has come to my rescue from Earthworks...") - Patrick Mukwamba & Four Brothers: Dai Ndiri Shiri
*27 August 1983 (BFBS): Devera Ngwena Jazz Band: Solo Na Mutsai
*27 August 1983 (BFBS): New Black Montana: Magumede (Fatty) 
* 06 September 1983: Patrick Mukwamba And The Four Brothers: Zvinonaka Zvinodhura
* 17 September 1983 (BFBS): Devera Ngwena Jazz Band: Zvoku Mayadhi
(LP - Zulu Jive / Umbaqanga) Earthworks ELP 2002
*11 October 1983: Aaron Mbambo: Salishinini Langa
*15 October 1983 (BFBS): Aaron Mbambo: Selishonile Ilanga
(LP - Phezulu-Eqhudeni) Earthworks ERT 1002
*07 April 1984 (BFBS): Mahotella Queens: Umthakathi 
*09 April 1984; Indodaumahlathini: Gabi Gabi (Show Off) 
(LP - Go South) Earthworks CERT 4001
*31 July 1985: Dele Abiodan: Ololomoko 
(LP - Viva! El Ritmo - Cuba Baila / Cuban Dance Music) Earthworks International EMW 5501
*04 September 1985: Son 14: Bayamo En Coche
*09 September 1985: Umahlathini Nabo: Qhude Manikiniki
*10 September 1985: Los Van Van: Pour Encima Del Nivel
*16 September 1985: Carlos Embales: Dulce Habanera
*30 September 1985: Caridad Cuervo: Machante
(LP - The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto) Earthworks EMW 5502
*02 October 1985: Umahlathini Nabo: Qhude Manikiniki
*23 October 1985: Amaswazi Emvelo: Indoda Yejazi Elimnyama
(LP - Duck Food: African Female Vocal Mbaqanga Classics) Earthworks International EMW 5505
*04 June 1986: Mahotella Queens: Jive Mabone (Show Them How To Jive)
*10 June 1986: Mgababa Queens: Sidl'imali Zethu (Our Own Money) 
(LP - Thunder Before Dawn; The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto Volume Two) Earthworks EWV 1
*21 January 1987: Makgona Tsohle Band: Vula Bops 
*03 November 1987: Amaswazi Emvelo and Mahlathini: Utshwala Begazati (Shared Beer)
*07 November 1987 (Radio Bremen): Abafakasi: Wakwami (My Wife, My Love) 
*11 November 1987: Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo: Kwa Volondiya (In Volondiya)
*17 November 1987: Makgona Tsohle Band: Vula Bops
*24 November 1987: Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo: Thuto Ke Senotlolo (Education Is The Key) 
*30 November 1987: Makgona Tsohle Band: Vula Bops
*08 December 1987: Amaswazi Emvelo: Jabula Mfana (Be Happy Friend) 
(LP - Hurricane Zouk) Earthworks EWV 2
*28 October 1987: Gerard Hubert: Levé Zouké
(LP - Heartbeat Soukous) Earthworks EWV 3
*28 October 1987: Kanda Bongo Man: Belle Amie 
(LP - Zimbabwe Frontline) Earthworks EWV 9
* 03 August 1988: Susan Mapfumo And The Black Salutarys: Dzvoko
* 09 August 1988: Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Nyimbo Yakwasu
* 16 August 1988 (Radio Bremen): Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Nyimbo Yakwasu
* 17 August 1988: Four Brothers: Rudo Imoto
* 30 August 1988: Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Nyimbo Yakwasu
* 07 September 1988: Patrick Mkwamba & Four Brothers: Emeriya Usanyengedzwe
* 14 September 1988: Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Nyimbo Yakwasu
(CD - Spirit Of The Eagle (Zimbabwe Frontline Vol. 2)) Earthworks CDEWV 18
* 26 March 1990: Thomas Mapfumo And The Blacks Unlimited: Nyamutamba Ne Mombe
* 27 March 1990: Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Masvingo Netara
* 04 April 1990: Patrick Mkwamba & Four Brothers: Vambozha Vauya
* 18 April 1990: Robson Banda & The New Black Eagles: Dzinomwa Muna Save
(LP - Freedom Fire - The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto Vol. 3) Earthworks EWV 17
*02 April 1990: Ubkunzi Emdaka: Ikhaya Lami
*03 April 1990: Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens: Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo 
*09 April 1990: Mahotella Queens: Masole A Banana
(LP - Guitar Paradise Of East Africa) Earthworks EWV 21
*06 October 1990: Peter Mwambi: Ndia
*13 October 1990: Daniel Kamau: Mumbi Ni Wakwa
*14 October 1990: Peter Mwambi: Ndia
*10 November 1990: Famous Nyahururu Boys: Ndiretikia Ni Nii 
(LP - The Kings And Queens Of Township Jive (Modern Roots Of The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto)) Earthworks EWV 20
*10 November 1990: West Nkosi: Marabi Bell 800
*17 November 1990: Abafana Baseqhudeni: Mubi Umakhelwane
*18 November 1990: Mbazo: Okwami Okwezandla 
*24 November 1990: West Nkosi: Chillis 500
(CD - Kenya Dance Mania) Earthworks CDEWV 24
*11 August 1991: Gabriel Omolo & His Apollo Komesha: Magy Nyar Alego 
*14 September 1991: Gabriel Omolo & His Apollo Komesha: Lunch Time
(LP - Jit - The Movie) Earthworks CDEWV 23
*17 August 1991: Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Ngoma Ngairire
*18 August 1991: Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Farirai Mwana Auya
(CD - Jive Nation - The Indestructible Beat of Soweto, Vol 5) Earthworks / Stern's STEW34CD
*27 January 1996: John Maluleke & Rotterdam Sisters: Loko Ni Ehleketa Chiawelo
*13 February 1996 (Radio Mafia): John Maluleke & Rotterdam Sisters: Loko Ni Ehleketa Chiawelo
*17 February 1996: Makhubela & Nkhohlwani Girls: U Nga Khomi
*09 March 1996: West Nkosi: Majava Java
*29 March 1996: Colenso Abafana Benkokhelo: Hawui Khuzanimadoda
(CD - Roots Rock Guitar Party - Zimbabwe Frontline Volume 3) Earthworks / Stern's STEW40CD
* 22 April 1999: Zimbabwe Cha Cha Cha Kings: Bunako Rwemwana Wanguo
* 04 May 1999: Muddy Face: Mukoma Wangu
* 05 May 1999: Zimbabwe Cha Cha Cha Kings: Runako Rwemwana Wanguo
* 27 May 1999: Four Brothers: Takaboneko
* May 1999 (FSK): Four Brothers: Takava Neko
(LP - Tea In Marrakech) Earthworks / Stern's STEW44CD
*05 September 2001: Orchestre National De Barbes: Poulina
*18 September 2001: Orchestre National De Barbes: Poulina
*20 September 2001: Nass Marrakesh: An-a, An-ta
*26 September 2001: Chaba Zahouania: Ellila Matef
*30 September 2001 (BBC World Service): Orchestre National De Barbès: Poulina 
(CD - Kwaito - South African Hip Hop) Earthworks / Stern's STEW42CD
* 02 August 2002 (BBC World Service): Boom Shaka: Nkosi Sikelela
(CD - Desi Nation: A Collection Of Nu-Bhangra Grooves) Earthworks / Stern's Music STEW48CD
*September 2003 (FSK): Stin: Soormey (O-Ji-Mix)
*12 September 2003 (BBC World Service): Tarli Digital: Mundey Patey Jaan Geh (Summer Bass)
(CD - Tulear Never Sleeps) Earthworks / Stern's Music STEW49CD
*05 October 2004: Jean Noel: Ela Lia
== See Also ==
*South Africa
*Zimbabwe
*Kenya
*Film Soundtracks
*September 2001 (Peel's Record Box)
*Sounds
== Links ==
*Discogs: Earthworks
*Discogs: Jumbo Vanrenen
*Afropop: In Remembrance of Jumbo Vanrenen
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