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ALTAR - Stay Alive (1991)

July 23, 2015, 8:52 am
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Diamond/Accord, AMH402
Producer: Altar
Engineers: Meir Eshel & Nic Paton
Recorded at: Miditone


Downtempo reggae that eschews Jamaican influences for a distinctly African touch, thanks to rudimentary synths and raw vocals that at first sound undercooked but after repeated spins lends itself to a deep irie vibe - not unlike Izindlovu and Big Elephant. Tracks include 'Reggae in Africa', 'Sad Face' and the still relevant 'Damn Poachers'.


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SHALOM - U O Me / Dance (1986)

July 27, 2015, 12:28 pm
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Hot Stuff/CCP, 12HST(P)4054046
Producer: Tata 'TNT' Sibeko
Engineer: Jan Smit
Recorded at: Universal Studios


Fiery, uplifting Afro-rock inspired by the likes of Funky Masike Mohapi and Harari, with powerful vocals and plenty of time for guitar solos. Followed in 1987 by Africanism. 'Dance' is packed full of evil synth solos, while  'U O Me (Oa Nkolota)' contains determinedly uplifting, escapist lyrics:

"Live for today, sing a happy song.
Everybody loves you, you're my pride and joy..."



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THAMI AND THE ALL-ROUNDERS - Ekaba ke mango eo (1983)

July 30, 2015, 12:31 pm
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CCP, RG(E)1034
Producer: Tom Vuma


The All-Rounders were originally a band of talented blind multi-instrumentalists that included Babsy Mlangeni. Many members of the band left the country after 1976, while Simon Falatsi went on to form Marumo. "By 1983 the line-up had so changed that it would be wrong to call it a band of the blind. They released an album, Ekaba ke Mang Eo, under the name Thami and The All-Rounders, produced by CCP's Tom Vuma. Their lead vocalist was Thami Sobekwa, one of the most powerful voices in the industry at that time. Yes, he's the voice on 'Cause I Love You' on the group Stimela's live album. You may also like to know that one of the band members was Faith Shadi Kekana who would later be a member of female trio Shadiii" (Mojapelo, 2008:16).

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BAHUMUTSI - Azikho! (1991)

August 3, 2015, 12:36 pm
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Tusk/Diamond, TUH21
Producer: M. Maponya
Engineer: Lee Short
Recorded at: RPM Studios


A notable member of South Africa's anti-apartheid musical theatre scene during the 80s (alongside the works of Amandla, Mbongeni Ngema and others), the Bahumutsi Drama Group was established in 1977 by playwright Maishe Maponya. They used the Moravian church hall in Diepkloof, Soweto to perform plays in the township between tours of Europe. As they grew in stature they set up their own label to release Busang Meropa: Bring Back The Drums in the UK in 1987. Azikho! features the musical talents of Fuya Nofuya (guitar), Maile Maponya (piano, flute and synths), Zenzi Mbuli (congas), Vuyisile Sabango (sax and synths) and Nhlanhla Ngubeni (bass), as well as guest appearances from Bayete's Themba Mkhize (Sakhile) and Sello Mphatsoane. It's soulful, uplifting, modern African jazz. Includes the unforgettable refrain: "Shit! I never knew I was a hypocrite!"


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SOUL BROTHERS - Isilingo (1985)

August 7, 2015, 1:47 pm
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Priority, PRYB4002
Producer: Jabu Moses Dlamini
Engineer: Peter Thwaites
Recorded at: Ovation


Formed in KwaZulu-Natal in the mid-1970s, the Soul Brothers have remained the most successful proponents of the mbaqanga sound that has long dominated South African urban music. By the mid-1980s, they had established themselves as one of the biggest groups in the country, which they remained for the next three decades. Led my vocalist David Masondo and 'Black' Moses Ngwenya on keyboard and organ, the rest of the group at the time consisted of Skhumbuzo Mabaso (lead guitar), Sicelo Ndlela (bass), Bongani Nxele (drums) and Michael Magubane and Thomas Phale on horns. Featured guests were Brian Tyeke (keys), Johnny Chonco (guitar) and Makhaya (percussion).

According to the liner note on Isilingo (temptation), "The Soul Brothers have consistently been the most successful recording group in South Africa. Yet, despite their enormous success, each new album that they release is a vast improvement on their previous effort. 'Isilingo' is an album that has been blessed by outstanding creativity and originality."

Though their sound was still at its best, the release was tinged with sadness, coming after the death of their original bassist Zenzele 'Zakes' Mchunu the year before. "The album is dedicated by The Soul Brothers to the loving memory of the late Zenzele Mchunu. In spite of this tragedy The Soul Brothers' music will live on and still reach greater heights." 

These words hopefully still ring true today, after frontman Masondo passed away on 5 July 2015. At the time of his death, the Soul Brothers were recording their 39th album, which includes collaborations with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Steve Kekana and Ihashi Elimhlophe. The group's other founding members, guitarist Tuza Mthethwa passed away in 1979 and Themba American Zulu in 1988. 

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CLOUT - A Threat And A Promise (1980)

August 10, 2015, 1:38 pm
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Sunshine, GBL(L)514
Producer: Grahame Beggs
Engineer: Ian Martin


One of South Africa's most successful bands in the global market, Clout had an international number one hit in 1978 with their cover of the Righteous Brothers''Substitute', along with other lesser hits like 'Save Me'. Though marketed as an all-girl group, this was seldom the case. It turned out that even their signature hit had been recorded using male session musicians from the band Circus. By their third and final album, 1980's A Threat And A Promise, the line-up was three women and three men, including keyboardist Ron 'Bones' Brettell, who went on to form crossover act Hotline, while lead singer Cindi Alter would front the similarly styled Zia. The album is full of catchy, hook-driven pop-rock numbers, and includes the bands last two singles, the Hall & Oates cover 'Portable Radio' and 'Wish I Were Loving You' (written by John Sembello).



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LESOTHO MIGHTY BOYS - Mahlalela (1989)

August 13, 2015, 1:49 pm
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Tusk, HSH8057
Producers: Tlanyane Mopeli & Handley Hodgeson
Engineer: Fab Grosso
Recorded at: RPM Studios


The soothing sounds of isicathamiya choirs are largely synonymous with Zulu culture, but the genre itself was adapted to other languages too, with Xhosa, Swati and Sotho choirs not unheard of, perhaps as a deliberate marketing ploy. Some popular Zulu choirs, including the most famous of all, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, have recorded Sotho tracks. From the mountain kingdom itself came this album, Mahlalela ('lazy bones').

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PRAYER FOR S.A. - Prayer For S.A. (1991)

August 17, 2015, 1:51 pm
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African Gospel Music, AGM105
Producer: Pastor Victor Phume
Engineer: Sam Loy (Greenville, TX)
Recorded at: Victor Phume Recording Studios, JHB


Synth-heavy gospel in the name of peace in South Africa at a time when violence threatened to derail the struggle for democracy. The brainchild of one Pastor Victor Phume, who also recorded with a band called The Syndicate. One track, 'King of Kings', was recorded at Lazer Productions in Texas, USA.

"The ever-increasing number of lives being lost in our country through a variety of causes necessitated the outcry for a concerted prayer from the gospel music artists in South Africa. 'Prayer For SA' is a contribution from the gospel music ministry denoting a plea for peace through prayer. This album is dedicated to all those who lost their beloved ones; and those who may wish to join in our prayer to tranquilize our beloved country."

In recent times Phume has written a book, titled 'Is God a White Man', and since 2007 has run the School of Prophets in Soweto.

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PHILLIP MATHOLE - Birthday Party (1991)

August 20, 2015, 6:02 pm
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DPMC, DMH9028
Producers: Abie Sibiya, Dave Booth, Marshall H.
Engineers: Dave Booth & Marshall H.
Recorded at: Real Time


Upbeat bubblegum grooves with a new school touch like MarcAlex. Produced by Abie Sibiya, formerly the keyboardist  for crossover acts Zia and Wozani, and later chairman for the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO). Titles include 'Godgiven Lover', 'You're My Sunshine' and the more political 'Pledge of Peace', 'In The Ghetto' and 'Anginandawo Mina' (I don't have a home) about being forcibly evicted.

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OSHOMI - Saphela Isizwe (1990)

August 24, 2015, 6:26 pm
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Roi/Music Team, CT(T)89
Producer: Tom Mkhize
Engineer: Humphrey Mabona, Felani Gumbi & Tom Mkhize


One of the biggest figures in Zulu maskandi music, Bhekumuzi Luthuli started out in a mbaqanga band named Oshomi in Durban's Umlazi township in the late 70s. Tom Mkhize of CTV Music invited him and Oshimi to Johannesburg for mbaqanga music recording, and after two albums Bhekumuzi went solo and switched to maskandi, soon becoming one of the genre's top-selling artists.

Saphela Isizwe is dedicated to the band's bass player Joe Mzobe, who passed away soon after its recording: "We regret that you were not spared to hear the final mix, of which your bass played such an important part." Guest musos included Stimela members Isaac 'Mnca' Mtshali and Ntokozo Zungu, sax man Teaspoon Ndelu, pennywhistle legend 'Big Voice' Jack Lerole, another maskandi star in Bheki Ngcobo (Ihashi Elimhlophe), and prolific producer and session man Felani Gumbi. 

Luthuli passed away in 2010, aged 48 and still at the height of his powers, after releasing an album per year for the past 20 years. He was nominated posthumously at the SAMAs for Male Artist of the Year and Best Traditional Music Album for his final album Isipho (gift).

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TREVOR NASSER - Speak Softly Love (1990)

August 28, 2015, 6:39 pm
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RPM, RPM1271
Producer: Kevin Kruger
Engineer: Darryl Heilbrunn
Arranged by: Dan Hill
Recorded at: RPM


Something different from classical guitarist Trevor Nasser, best known for his fancy fingers on the theme song of the popular mid-80s TV show Vyfster (five star). His 1990 album Speak Softly Love contains 16 tracks, a mix of international and Afrikaans standards, including themes from The Godfather, Dr Zhivago and Deer Hunter, produced by keyboard fiend Dan Hill. Today he's still going strong, releasing albums like Somewhere Out There (2009), Classical Memories (2012) and The Classical (2015).

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STILETTO - Say I'm Your Number One (198?)

August 31, 2015, 2:00 pm
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David Gresham, DGX412
Producers: Dennis East & Clive Goodwill
Engineer: Fernando Perdigao


The mid-80s saw a trend in local producers releasing near-identical covers of international hits, probably in reaction to some tracks not being released here due to the cultural boycott. These include Margino's cover of the Madonna hit 'Holiday', Amadoda's cover of the Pointer Sisters''Automatic', and this, written by Stock Aitken & Waterman and a hit for British singer Princess in 1985. Co-producers Clive Goodwill and Dennis East, both originally from Durban, are still active in the industry. B-Side 'Sweet Jam' is a smooth instrumental groove composed by East and Goodwill. 

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SPIRRO - Speed Trap (1989)

September 12, 2015, 3:15 am
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Roi/Music Team, YPC(C) 10007
Producers: F. Gumbi & E. Ndlela / FJF Locomotion
Engineer: Terry Meredith
Composer: Bethuel Maseko
Recored at: Sound Studio


Chicco-inspired disco with slick synths over electronic beats and half-sung, half-spoken vocals that preempt kwaito, most obviously on 'Do It'. Mostly English lyrics avoid the frivolous in favor of socially relevant topics like road safety ('Speed Trap'), booze ('Drunken Women') and politics ('Who Killed Bingo' and 'Unification'): 

"Blacks, whites, Indians, coloureds… 
Let's be united. 
If we can unite, we can build a better future...
Unification is the only solution"

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THE NEW BROTHERS - Emakhuneni (1990)

September 19, 2015, 3:09 am
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CTV/Roi/Music Team, CT(T)86
Producers: Dumisani Ngcobo & Felani Gumbi
Engineers: Felani Gumbi & Peter Pearlson
Recorded at: RPM Studios


New-school mbaqanga packed full of interesting synth sounds and vocal melodies, fusing traditional grooves with modern instrumentation, and also mixing it up by drawing influence from gospel (on 'Masibambhane'). Produced by Dumisani Ngcobo (Izinkunzi, Abakhokheli).

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SIMBA MORRI - Mwanza Nyanza (1990)

September 22, 2015, 3:10 am
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3rd EarTEAG3310
Producers: Simba Moriri & Phil Audoire (exec: David Marks)
Engineer: Phil Audoire
Recorded at: 3rd Ear Music, Durban


Simba Morri (aka Morri Natti) was born in Kenya and came to South Africa to study Anthropology at Wits University in Johannesburg before turning full time to music. A regular performer at political gatherings, he joined the band Mapantsula, who first released on Shifty Records' anti-conscription Forces Favourites compilation. Part of South Africa's multiracial 'alternative' scene in the 80s, his music added a rare pan-African element at a time when South Africa was isolated from the rest of the world.

In 1986 Morri recorded his debut album Wasamata on Shifty, the following year contributing guitars and vocals to Mzwakhe Mbuli's iconic debut Change is Pain. In 1990 he released Mwanza Nzanza (Celebrating Life) on Durban-based 3rd Ear Music. A regular on the club scene, he also taught at the Funda Centre in Soweto. In 1994 he was invited to perform at the African Arts festival in South Korea. In the mid-90s two songs from this album, 'Unity' and 'Celebrating Life' were used by the SABC to encourage voting. 1996 saw him supporting Crosby Stills & Nash in Johannesburg, and in 1997 he performed in Nantes, France.

"Simba calls his music Mashariki Muziki, a blend of rhythms and styles that embraces the Swahili Hi-Life music of Kenya (his home), the Socca and Afro music of Central Africa, he Chimurenga music of Zimbabwe and the Mbaqanga and Township Jive of South Africa and Mozambique. His influences range across the continent, from Nairobi to Durban, and his songs express ideas and emotions that are vibrantly African, with an infectious beat that is universally danceable."


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FRISCO SHIKUNDU & SISTERS - Manana (1985)

September 25, 2015, 2:05 am
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Roi/CTV/ETL, ETL(E)5004
Producer: Tom Maseko
Engineer: Jan Smit


Tsonga music (closely related and at times used interchangeably with 'Shangaan') relying heavily on interesting new synth sounds and drum machine beats that would soon develop into the 'Shangaan disco' of Penny Penny and more recently the 'Shangaan electro' of Nozinja, both now enjoying international attention.

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SHADES - One More Night (1990)

September 29, 2015, 1:38 am
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Hit City,HC002
Producers: John Galanakis & Ziggy Adolph
Engineers: RF Gumbi & John Galanakis
Recored at: Platinum


Shades were a duo of Ziggy Adolph and Paul Green, formerly members of the group Zipp (alongside Patrick Titus), who put out Communication Breakdown in 1986 and also featured on releases by Hit City stablemates Banjo and Vusi Shange. As Shades they put out a heavily Wham-inspired selection of Euro-influenced synth-pop, primarily slow jams. In the liner notes the duo give thanks to "John, Paul, George, Ringo, Michael and Stevie, whose music inspired us to become musicians in the first place". Ziggy Adolph wrote most of the tracks and co-produced the album, "the fruition of a lifelong dream". Adolph remains active in the music industry today as a producer.

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WILLIAM 'MR EVERYTHING' MTHETHWA - Tribute to Sophie Mathibela (1988)

October 2, 2015, 3:07 am
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Roy B/Dephon, RBL146
Producer: William Mthethwa
Recorded at:  Sweet Sixteen


Mpho and Mphonyana Mathibela made headlines across South Africa when they were born joined at the head in Johannesburg on 7 December 1986. A decision was made for them to be separated, which happened in 1988. The story prompted support from musicians William Mthethwa and Yvonne Chaka Chaka (and Ali Katt, who also released a song for the twins in 1988).

"This album is dedicated to Sophie Mathibela, the mother of Mpho le Mphonyana, in honor of her supreme courage and total devotion to her two babies. All proceeds for the Mpho le Mphonyana track will be donated to Sophie to help in the upbringing of the twins. This track was recorded solely for this purporse. We love you Mpho le Mphonyana." - Yvonne and William.

The album also contains other social messages such as 'We Cry For Peace in Africa', 'Help The Children', 'We Don't need a Party' (all co-written by Al Etto and Mthethwa's frequent collaborator Dimakatso Moletsane) and 'We Miss You',  as well as the more upbeat 'Matjitji' and 'Hoza 2000'.

Sadly Mphonyana died of pneumonia a year after the twins were separated. Mpho, now in her late 20’s, is still alive today. 

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SANKATANA - Mahlalela (1989)

October 6, 2015, 3:21 am
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DPMC, DMH9002
Produced by: DPMC


Four tracks of tight, band-driven disco on a label more commonly associated with pre-kwaito electronic sounds (Syndicate Sisters, Phil Your Promise, Philip Mathole). The rock art motif and the shirtless look on the cover of Mahlalela (lazy bones) hint at a roots aesthetic, balanced with some tasteful synths and danceable grooves. Best track 'Prisoner on the Street' deals with issues of poverty and dislocation -

"Walking down the street, looking for a dollar bill,
Since I was a boy, I never ever lived so nice…"

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ZIZI KONGO - Come Duze (1988)

October 12, 2015, 4:39 am
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Leopard/Hit City, LEO(O)058
Producers: John Galanakis & Dan Nkosi
Engineer: Daren McNamara
Composer: Dan Nkosi
Recorded at: Platinum


Classic album that established young Elizabeth Mkhwanazi as a bubblegum star, thanks largely to composer and co-producer Dan Nkosi, her homeboy from Mpumalanga. Kongo was the Hit City label's answer to other female stars like Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Mercy Pakela. Led my the anthemic 'Come Duze', the six-track album include other similar dancefloor-friendly electronic tracks like 'Naughty Street Boys', 'Come Back To Me' and 'It's a Party'.

According to a producers note on the album: "Zizi is the most exciting new talent to emerge on the local scene and it has been my pleasure to be involved in the production of her debut album. She is the star of the future and I hope to be part of her career for years to come."

The singer herself adds to the liner notes: "Perseverance is the mother of success and it has taken me seven years of struggle to expose my talent."


* Mint copies of this album are available for sale here while stocks last. 
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