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BLACK BUSH BUCKS - Limnandi Evangeli (1987)

June 19, 2013, 6:23 am
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RPM, RPM7119
Producers: Peter Tladi & B Ncgobo
Engineer: Humphrey Mabote
Recorded at: RPM Studios


Old school isicathamiya gospel along the lines of the famous Ladysmith Black Mambazo - not quite as polished but with plenty of soul. Lyrics in Zulu except for 'Jesus Is My Plea'. Produced by future label boss and festival promoter Peter Tladi.

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PHIL YOUR PROMISE - Unite (1990)

June 22, 2013, 8:00 am
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DPMC/Tusk, DMB9008
Producers: George Vardas & Chris Ghelakis
Engineers: George Vardas & Chris Ghelakis


Phil and Promise made up another new school act under influential producers George Vardas and Chris Ghelakis, drawing on bubblegum and hip-hop to create upbeat pre-kwaito grooves similar to MM Deluxe. Co-programmed by James Nyingwa from JE Movement shortly before he passed away. Fresh beats, evil synths and lyrics that touch on the political on 'Set Me Free' and the title track:

"Come on everybody
Let's be as one,
Let's look to the future,
Let's be united,
Let's love each other,
and be with one another all the way.
I think it's much easier, to be united...
Let's come together, you and I."

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WILLIAM MTHETHWA - Setjwetla (198?)

June 25, 2013, 8:44 am
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Roy B/Dephon, RBL137   
Producer: William Mthethwa     
Engineer: David Moloele           
Recorded at: Orange 338                                                



'Mr Everything' has had a long and prolific career but he arguably reached his peak with Setjwetla, a hot disc full of potent synths, violent vocals and catchy melodies, including shout-out's to his native Free State ('Haak Vrystaat') and the vibrant Sotho township south of Joburg ('Sebokeng').

“One release that drew him into sharp spotlight was his controversial album Setjwetla, which was accompanied by dancing in the nude. It provoked so much debate in the national media, to which he responded by saying the song was inspired by a Basotho cultural dance. The storm overshadowed good tracks on the album like 'Haak Vrystaat', 'Mphe Borotho' and 'Kgwedi E Fedile'.” (Mojapelo, 2008:46).

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PERCY KAY - Come Down (1986)

June 29, 2013, 6:28 am
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Reamusic/EMI. 12RMJ(C)20
Producer: Enoch Nondala
Engineer: Rick Wolff


Classic funk in the vein of better known acts like Neville Nash or The Rockets - two seven-minutes tracks with deep grooves, fresh synths and super-smooth lyrics:

"Turn around baby, 
I wanna see your pretty face, 
before I take you to my place..."

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AFROSYNTH XIII: MONDAY BLUES

July 1, 2013, 10:59 am
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1. 'Ibhabhalazi (Monday Blues)' - Ibiza (1986)
2. 'Holiday' - Margino (1984)
3. 'Faceless People' - Shalom (1987)
4. 'Shayis'umoya' - Abakhwenyana (1986)
5. 'Don't Play With Fire, It's Dangerous' - Taxi (198?)
6. 'Early In The Morning' - Mr Chacklas (1988)
7. 'Time To Foetsek' - The Rockets (1989)
8. 'Get Up (Jo'na)' - Ninja (1989)
9. 'Mphe Borotho' - Wiliam Mthethwa (198?)
10. 'Don't Touch' - V-Mash (1989)
11. 'Xigangu Xaphorisa' - Kaya (1986)
12.  'Without You' - Tom Dollar (1987)
13.  'Pretty Face' - Percy Kay (1986)
14. 'Doctor Of Love' - Lawrence 'Sackey' Goreoang (1986)

Ripped And Compiled By DJ Okapi, June 2013

FREE DOWNLOAD!
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TOOLS & FIGS - Featuring: Int'wencane and Ndalama (1991)

July 16, 2013, 8:44 am
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On Record/EMI, ONB127   
Producers: Ronnie Robot, Themba Mawelela, Fred Woods & Chris Sithole
Recorded at: The Cottage Studios                       
   

Popular duo from the On Record stable who also released solo albums as Lady Thuli and Mafika. This six-track album bridges the gap between the past and the future, thanks to slick production from the likes of Ronnie Robot (Rabbitt) and Themba 'Little Big Man' Mawelele - it's timeless Afro-pop that still sounds fresh. Tracks like 'Blackout' and 'uPele Pele' can be played over and over, unlike the more derivative bubblegum of the day.

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MOTHOTLUNG BOYS - Mmino, O Monate (1985)

July 18, 2013, 8:14 am
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Teal, TEL2090
Producer: Lulu Masilela


Taking their name from their hometown of Mothotlung in North West, then the homeland of Bophuthatswana, the boys puts out traditional Tswana grooves, aka Mmino, O Monate ('nice music').


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MAKAOTA - Makaota No.2 (1989)

July 20, 2013, 8:48 am
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Kudu/EMI, KD(O)514   
Producers: MJ Dlamini & Solly Khoza   
Engineer: Felani Gumbi       
Recorded at: Priority Mobile Studio                       
  

The traditional music of the Basotho isn't everyone's cup of tea - endless rolling basslines, grating accordians and scat-rapping vocals. But if you can appreciate the music of the mountain kingdom, nobody keeps it as real as Makaota.

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NANA COYOTE - Vuka Zenzele (1989)

July 23, 2013, 8:39 am
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Teal Trutone/Midnight/Gallo, SUF3   
Producer: Thapelo Khomo   
Engineer: Ian Osrin       
Recorded at: Digital Cupboard


The late great Nana Coyote Motijoane is recognised as one of South Africa's most powerful and distinctive vocalists, capable to injecting emotion into any song he featured in - most famously alongside Ray Phiri in Stimela. Vuka Zenzele ('wake up and do it for yourself') features Thapelo Khomo (producer of 90s stars Bayete and contemporary afro-soul queen Simphiwe Dana), Dumisani Ngobeni (former Big Dude and father of Brenda Fassie's only child Bongani) and guitarist Kenny Mathaba, recently returned from Europe after the break up of The Malopoets. Tracks include 'Namibia 435' - after the UN resolution that would pave the way for Namibia's independence from South Africa, and 'The Ouens' - also the name of the band (the same line-up, including producer/engineer Ian Osrin) responsible for the soundtrack (and who performed live) in the 1988 film Mapantsula.

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PAT SHANGE - Love Is Like a Bank Account (198?)

July 25, 2013, 8:21 am
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Roy B/Dephon/Dust, RBL147   
Producers: Pat Shange & Rick Wolff   
Engineers: Rick Wolff & Graham Hendley       
Recorded at: Sweet 16                       


Whatever Pat lacked in originality he more than made up for with style and humour. With titles like 'Just A Friend Of Daddy', 'Love Is Like A Bank Account' and 'Marriage Is Not For Stars', Pat's smooth vocals (not unlike Dan Tshanda of Splash), topical lyrics and slick production made him one of the most popular stars of the day. Although Roy B had the frustrating habit of not putting dates on their albums, this came after Man Oh Man (RBL125) and before I'm Accused (RBL164), Pat's three biggest albums at the height of the bubblegum era in the late 80s.

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IZAKHAMUZI - Kudala Kwenzeka (1986)

July 27, 2013, 8:56 am
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Teal, TEL2115   
Producer: GM Buthelezi                                   


No relation to the hotstepper Ini Kamoze, Izakhamuzi (the Citizens) put out tight mbaqanga grooves with a gospel touch. Full of smooth vocal harmonies and slick guitar and keyboard work, but nothing original here. Titles include 'Uxolo Bafowethu' (Peace, brothers).

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YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA - The Rhythm Of Life (1991)

July 29, 2013, 8:17 am
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Teal, RBL185
Producer: Attie van Wyk
Engineer: Fernando Perdigao
Recorded at: Powerhouse


Another disappointing album from the overrated 'Princess of Africa'. Titles capture the volatile politics and spirit of change at the time, like 'Let's Get Together', 'Brother Hold My Hand', "Who's Got The Power' and 'He Never Came Home', while 'Uganda' is a nod to Yvonne's fans in East Africa.

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PJ POWERS - Thandeka (1989)

July 31, 2013, 8:10 am
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Straw Hat Music/Gallo GRC, SHL1001
Producers: Kenny Mataba, Alan Rissik & PJ Powers
Engineer: David Subkleve & Sam Wingate
Recorded at: Audio Lab, Jhb


After pioneering crossover act Hotline broke up, PJ Powers' initial solo releases were hit and miss, until the anthem for the 1995 Rugby World Cup took her back to the top of the charts. Thandeka, after her own nickname, blends traditional African sounds with rock and folk influences. Royalties for 'The Whole World's Gone Insane' dedicated to the Rhino and Elephant Fund. Featuring Jabu Sibumbe (Stimela) on bass, Luis Moreira on trumpet and backing vocals by a young Ringo Madlingozi.

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HOTEP - Heading Home (1990)

August 5, 2013, 6:08 am
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Sun/African Echoes, AE7862
Producer: Rashid Vally (exec)
Engineer: Murry Anderson
Recorded at: UCA Studio, Cape Town


"Born Cecil Barnard in Crawford, Cape Town on 7 June 1941, Hotep Idris Galeta was given piano lessons by his father at a young age. He was later mentored by master pianist Abdullah Ibrahim. In 1961 he left South Africa for the US via London. Once there, he worked with various musicians including his compatriots Hugh Masekela and Letta Mbulu. He was offered a scholarship to study jazz piano under John Mehegan. Hotep holds a Master's degree in jazz and lectured at the University of Hartford in Connecticut from 1985 to until 1991 when he returned home. Back at home he got involved in various projects and worked as music lecturer at the University of Fort Hare, Alice in the Eastern Cape" (Mojapelo, 2008:281).

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PAMELA NKUTHA - Umntanami (Kidnapped) (1988)

August 9, 2013, 5:42 am
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On Record, ONH105
Producers: Steve Cooks, Thema Mawelela & Velaphi Mthimkhulu
Engineer: David 'Mr Mix' Moloele
Recorded at: Orange 338


Classic dancefloor disco in the vein of Mercy Pakela, Nomuntu, Fabasi, V-Mash and others, produced by the On Record team Steve Cooks, Themba 'Little Big Man' Mawelela and Velaphi Mthimkhulu. Titles include 'Imaliyami' (my money), 'African Women' and  'Phansi Phezulu', dedicated to taxi drivers.

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MUNTU - ABC (Insimbi) (1983)

August 13, 2013, 6:07 am
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CCP/EMI, 12CCP(C)1043
Producer: Condry Ziqubu
Engineer: Nic Pickard


Following the student uprising of 1976, many young people dropped out of the apartheid school system to join the struggle. Later musicians began to urge them to return. Condry Ziqubu put out these two super-funky 7-minute tracks that call on the youth to go back to school.

"Dear mama, dear papa,
I'm going to school to learn how to write,
I'm going to school to learn how to write my name...
Hello my friend, where are you going?
Let's go back to school,
to learn how to write, to know how to read.
to know how to write your name...
Hey Mr Dum Dum,
You don't know how to write your name,
You don't know how to read a book,
You don't know how to write a letter...
Education - is the way - to the future - yes yes!"

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VUSI SHANGE - Mofe (1994)

August 17, 2013, 5:21 am
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Cool Spot, SPOT015B
Producer: Mally Watson
Recorded at: Mixmaster, Jhb


Dynamic frontman Vusi Shange started in The Eagles before joining seminal 70s soul act The Movers. In the 80s he signed to Hit City with Blondie Makhene and John Galanakis and released his debut solo maxi Lunch Boy and album Room Service in 1985. "His dance routine on stage reminded us the 'The Godfather of Soul' James Brown...This dance earned Vusi the nickname 'Mr Electricman' (Mojapelo, 2008:34). He later released Teacher We Are The Future (1986) and covered Jimmy Cliff's 'Remake The World' (1988).

In the 90s he joined Cool Spot, producing albums such as Zizi Kongo's Ibhandishi (1995) and as a solo artist embracing the new kwaito sound. After South African record presses pumped out hundreds of thousands of vinyls during the 1980s, LPs went into sharp decline in South African after 1992 culminating in the closure of all local pressing plants, making Mofe one of the last.

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OM - Magic Touch (1982)

August 20, 2013, 5:46 am
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Gallo, ML4611
Producer: Alec 'Om' Khaoli
Engineers: Pikes Cronje, Dave Segal, Phil Audoire, Richard Mitchell


As bassist for Harari Om helped forge the local disco sound. Out of the shadow of Hotstix and the rest of the band, Om went solo, guided by funk. He wrote and produced all the songs on Magic Touch, featuring guest appearances by the likes of Condry Ziqubu, saxman Barney Rachabane, Harari compatriots 'Funky' Masike Mohapi ('Raving' and guitar solo on 'Jog On), Isaac Mtshali (drums) and Charles 'Babas' Ndlovu (piano), as well as Stimela's Ray Phiri  (guitar solo on 'Tonight'). Together they dished up some funky disco that pre-empted the bubblegum era that was just around the corner - similar to another related act, The Cannibals. Om handles a barrage of vocoders, synthesizers, Korg KR55, clavicords and fender rhodes, as well as lead guitar, percussion and vocals.

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I.N.T.R.I.B.E. - Bubblegum in my Afro (1992)

September 8, 2013, 5:52 am
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Roots/Rhythm of Life, ROL(A)102


Oldskool Jozi hip-hop act "Intelligent natives teaching revolutionary intellectual black education" led where many others have followed. Despite good intentions they still had some way to go in forging their own sound. Instead the beats and rhymes are derivative of contemporary American acts like De La Soul on 'Bubblegum in my Afro' and Public Enemy on B-Side 'Black Out'.


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THE DYNAMICS - Switch It On & Wind It Up (1984)

September 13, 2013, 6:51 am
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Priority, MOBL100
Producers: Mick Williams, Dynamics & Ian Osrin
Engineer: Mick Williams
Recorded at: Battery Mobile at The Woodpecker Inn, Botswana


Influential and much-loved multi-racial ska act made up of Steve Howells (drums), Jimmy Florence (keys, bass, trombone), Herbert (bass, keys) and 'The Dynamic Horns’ Winston Nyaunda and Harvey Roberts.

With timeless tracks like ‘Thugs’ and 'Who’s Worried?', this mini-album was recorded at Hugh Masekela's mobile studio in Botswana with English producer Mick Williams. After Switch It On, the band left for the UK to escape conscription and apartheid oppression but failed to live up to their huge potential, reforming in the mid-90s to release their long-awaited follow-up, Organic. Lots more on this band HERE.



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