This is the story of Sankomota, recorded by Shifty Studios in 1983 and released in 1984 as the very first album on the Shifty Records imprint [SHIFT 1], Sankomota’s debut is a landmark of African music. Blending traditional Sotho rhythms, soul, funk, and rock with profound, often politically charged lyrics, the band created a sound entirely their own—a sound so potent and unique that the apartheid government deemed it a threat and banned the act from entering South Africa.
The story of this album’s recording is as powerful as the music itself. As the members of Sankomota (then known as Uhuru) were barred from entering South Africa, the founders of Shifty Records Lloyd Ross and Warrick Sony took a mobile studio in a caravan across the border into the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.
This album was born not in a pristine studio, but in a makeshift setup, captured against all odds. It stands as a testament to the band’s incredible talent and Shifty’s unwavering commitment to subverting the apartheid system by giving voice to those it tried to silence.
The Legacy of Sankomota
Sankomota, led by the visionary late composer and singer Frank Leepa, went on to become one of the most critically acclaimed and influential bands to emerge from Southern Africa. Their debut album is the crucial first chapter in that story, introducing the world to their complex harmonies, intricate arrangements, and powerful social commentary.
Shifty Records is proud to announce the reissue of the seminal self-titled debut album by the legendary Basotho band, Sankomota, available on limited edition 180-gram black vinyl, and a special edition blue vinyl, and features a brand-new digital mix for streaming and download services out shortly, allowing modern audiences to experience this masterpiece with unprecedented clarity and depth.
The vinyl records are available now to South African shoppers at https://www.permanentrecord.co.za/products/sankomota-sankomota and will also available in Europe at select stores soon thanks to our distributor soundsofsubterrania.com.
This reissue celebrates not only the music but also the spirit of resistance and artistic integrity that Shifty Records and Sankomota embodied. It is a vital piece of musical history, restored and presented for both long-time admirers and new discoverers.
