Letta Mbulu - Nomalizo (1983)

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Letta Mbulu – Nomalizo (1983)
From album Sweet Juju (1983) Limited Issue
Released on Morning ‎Label – AM28-3

Written By – Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya
Vocals – Letta Mbulu
Backing Vocals – Caiphus Semenya, Jim Gilstrap, Marlena Jeter, Maxi Anderson, Mortonette Jenkins, The Waters
Drums – Jonathan Moffett
Guitar – Clarence Charles and David Williams
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Piano – Clarence McDonald
Synthesizer – Dean Gant
Engineer – Gerry Brown
Producer – Caiphus Semenya

Another versatile musician who barely warrants an introduction on world music scene is Letta Mbulu, the wife of legend Caiphus Semenya. Her talent was spotted by Jimmy Mabena, the manager of The Swanky Spots, at the age of 13. Letta met Caiphus on the set of the musical King Kong. When Caiphus toured the US with the musical Sponono in 1964, he invited her to join him, and they wrote songs, sang and also produced for other artists.
Letta's solo album, titled Letta Mbulu, was released in 1967 through Capital Records. She worked on a number of big projects including Alex Hayley's Roots, and Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Alice Walker's The Colour Purple. Letta has worked with jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, calypso icon Harry Belafonte, and even Michael Jackson on “Liberian Girl”.

But before fame, Letta was in the 1950s a member of the African Jazz And Variety Show in Johannesburg. She also worked with The Skylarks and The Jazz Dazzlers.