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STIMELA - Trouble in the Land of Plenty (1989)

September 17, 2013, 6:49 am
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Gallo GRC, HUL40190
Producers: Ray Phiri & Dave Segal
Engineers: Dave Segal & Dave Subkleve


Perhaps the greatest South African band of all time, Stimela reached their peak in the late 1980s with albums like Trouble, which contains hits like 'Can't spend your life just taking', 'I Long to Return' and the title track. "It is Stimela in full swing, like a hungry cheetah that has taken a well-calculated final decision to attack its prey without mercy" (Mojapelo, 2008:139).




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VOLCANO - Msamaria (1987)

September 20, 2013, 5:56 am
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Gallo/GRC, BL614
Producers: West Nkosi
Engineer: Mark Holland (mixed by Dave Segal)
Recorded at: RPM Studios


"When Richard Makhubele met Godfrey Nkuna and Godfrey Khumalo in 1986 they formed a band called Volcano. Yes, an eruption! Later they were joined by Shadrack Banda and Amos Maluleke. The following year in 1987 they recorded their debut mini album Watch Out on the Gallo label produced by the late West Nkosi and co-engineered by Dave Segal and Humphrey Mabote. The songs were co-written by Richard Makhubele and West Nkosi while Felani Richard Gumbi took care of the arrangements and played all keyboards. Splash had just relased the debut Peacock, and it was soon clear that the two would be rival in this township pop market. After two other albums at Gallo, Msamaria and Lugano, they left the stable toward the end of the 1990" (Mojapelo, 2008:153).


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FIRE/ASHIEKA - Burning Desire (198?)

September 24, 2013, 6:00 am
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Laubar/Miking Music, MRS219
Producer: Doc Barense


Funky disco from completely unknown outfit with two different names, independently recorded for obscure Pretoria label during an unknown year. Reminiscent of acts like Harari and Ashiko. Tracks include 'Disco Scene', 'Love Fun' and 'Taxi Driver'.

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PETA TEANET AND THE SPECIAL SERVANTS - The Gospel Album (1991)

September 27, 2013, 4:23 am
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Challenger, CHIL084        
Producers:Tom Maybury & Peta Teanet    
Engineer: Tom Maybury             
Recorded at: Hi-Tech Studios, Jhb


Born Ntahleng Teanet Peta in 1966 in Lesitele, Limpopo, he started singing in church, then played keyboards for Relela. Following the death of Paul Ndlovu (Street Kids, Mordillo), Peta Teanet soon assumed the title of Shangaan disco king. "After the passing of his hero, Teanet went down to Johannesburg with the aim of sustaining Paul's legacy. After knocking on many doors, he eventually met the leader of Mordillo, Lefty Rhikoto, who was prepared to produce him. Using the name Peta Teanet, his debut album Maxaka (1988) hit the streets ... That was the birth of an unchallengeable hit machine." Other albums include Divorce Case (1989), More Hits From Peta Teanet (1990), The Real Peta Teanet (1991), Saka Naye Jive (1992) and more. He was shot dead by a cop in 1996 while promoting his last album, appropriately titled King Of Shangaan Disco (Mojapelo 2008:144-155).

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JOY WHITE - Take Me (1987)

September 30, 2013, 8:59 am
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Right Track, RTL9027
Producer: Peter 'Hitman' Moticoe
Engineer: Sam Wingate
Recorded at: RPM


"The late Joy White who was from Soshanguve in Tshwane and later become Stimela's first lead vocalist, released a hit co-written by Steve Kekana and Mac Mathunjwa titled 'Hupapa Twida'. In 1987 he released his solo album Take Me on the RPM Right Track label. The album was produced by Peter Moticoe and included a tshiVenda song 'Tshituku-tuku'." (Mojapelo, 2008:141).

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HOT SOUL SINGERS - Give Me My Love Back (1986)

October 4, 2013, 1:01 am
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Teal, KVL5024
Producer: Sam Mthembu


Formed in 1975 as the Tembisa Happy Queens by manager Sam 'Jiza Jiza' Mthembu. Changed their name in 1979 and released popular albums like Jiza Jiza Wami and Together. The group's popularity saw them touring throughout South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Transkei, Botswana and Zimbabwe. They also played alongside overseas acts persuaded to tour the country in the early 1980s, like the O'Jays, Two Tons Of Fun, Gene Chandler, Gwen Brisco, Love Machine, Freedom Express and Clarence Carter.

The group's original lineup was Lindiwe Ndlovu and sisters Ntombifuthi and Nombuso Mabaso. After numerous personnel changes by 1986 the group was made up of Thabi Elizabeth Nkosi from Johannesburg and Busie Yvonne Zulu and Thoko Evidence Mgaga from Durban. The group's backing musicians included the likes of Thami Mdluli (aka Professor Rhythm) and Sox.

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DONOVAN - Do It In The Dark (1992)

October 8, 2013, 8:06 am
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Shandel, SHAN26
Producers: Jorge Arrigone, Joe Rachidi, Tom Vuma (exec: Selwyn Shandel)
Engineers: Jorge Arrigone & Shane Wellington
Recorded at: Shandel Studios, Jhb


As part of Umoja in the mid-80s, Donovan Knox went to the US with Om Alec Khaoli to record and soon had some international success with 'UR The One'. Knox later played in Image, whose members included Don Laka and Sello 'Chicco' Twala. This solo album is classic new school, ranging from R&B to kwaito and house, along the lines of more successful contemporaries MarcAlex.

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RICHIE COLE AND HIS SOUTH AFRICAN BROTHERS - Skokiaan (1990)

October 11, 2013, 8:56 am
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Roots, ROTH136
Producers: Richie Cole & Robin Taylor
Engineer: Richard Mitchell
Recorded at: The Leading Edge


"Richie Cole's trip to South Africa was controversial. He arrived here during significant times. Nelson Mandela had just been released from prison, but the cultural boycott of South Africa was still in place. Cole's statement to the world was: 'I'm here for world peace, music and education.' Politics aside, we were privileged o have him in South Africa and the musical education was shared. He gave us American jazz and we gave him an African experience which is evident in much of the music on this album." - Don Albert

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BEN BRAKO - Baya (1991)

October 18, 2013, 12:27 am
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Serengeti/Tusk, SUH1072   
Producer: Ben Brako & Jon K (exec: SG Eshun)   
Engineer: Dave Yowell       
Recorded at: Sultan Sound, London


Debut album by popular Ghanaian musician/teacher/businessman, released in South Africa by Tusk a few years after its initial release in 1987. Baya brought his talents to the attention of the nation and to African music lovers worldwide, going on to win the Leisure Foundation Album of The Year 1987 and Musician of the Year 1987, receiving Gold status in 1988. He was rewarded further for his musical talent by winning the ECRAG Mahogany award for consistency in highlife music in 1989. This coincided with the release of Ben's 2nd album Everybody. He made a comeback in 2007 with the album Adenda and is still active today.




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ZAPP - Woza Year 2000 (1990)

October 21, 2013, 1:01 am
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On Record, ONH117         
Producers: Mzamo Thobejane (exec: Ronnie Robot)         
Engineer: David Moloele
 

Smoking hot disco tunes from unknown artist. 'Woza Africa' sends a message of solidarity to Mozambique and Zimbabwe, while the title track reflects the newfound send of optimism that began to emerge in 1990 with the release of Nelson Mandela:  

"We are counting down
to the year 2000.
No more troubles,
no more poor,
no more starvation,
no more apartheid,
no more crime..."

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SHAKARA - My Sweet Marshmallow (1986)

October 23, 2013, 12:39 am
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Teal, XPD2469
Producers: T Mafabatho & Ian Osrin                   


Typical bubblegum on  three tracks of solid grooves and fresh synth sounds, courtesy of one T Mafabatho and prolific producer Ian Osrin. The title track, though catchy, manages to drags on for over 10 minutes, too long for such a sugary sweet love song, despite lyrics like:

"I walk into the shop,
I see plenty chocolate,
I see a whole lot of marshmallow,
but you are sweeter,
you're my sweet marshmallow..."

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MOSES MCHUNU - Babulala Umuzi ka Baba (1981)

October 25, 2013, 1:01 am
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Ezomdabu/Mavuthela/Gallo, BL320 
Producer: West Nkosi       
Engineer: Owen Wolf                


Maskandi star Moses Mchunu was born in 1948 in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, also the home of president Jacob Zuma. He moved to Joburg in 1966, getting a job at a hotel before meeting master producer West Nkosi and signing to Gallo in the 70s. Although his traditional Zulu grooves are nothing unique, Nkosi's production, coupled with his smooth vocals and million-dollar smile, set Mchunu above the rest.

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TAKE 5 - Take 5 (1992)

October 28, 2013, 1:00 am
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Diamond/Tusk, TUH39     
Producer: Ories Khoza                        


Super-catchy Shangaan pop from the early 90s with some English tracks like 'Live For The Weekend', 'Life Sweet', 'Come On To Take Five Band' and the bittersweet'It's Alright Now':
 
"People used to tell me
I could make it on my own,
but every time I tried,
you know I found myself alone.
So I went to my neighbour,
I said, 'Neighbour I need your help.'
She said, 'I can't help you sister,
you see I'm looking for it myself.'"

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CALTON SOUNDS - Monica (1991)

November 1, 2013, 8:40 am
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Zim/Tusk, SUH1070   
Producer: Bothwell Nyamhondera   
Engineer: Peter Muparutsa       
Recorded at: Mosi Oa Tunya Studios


Talented but little-known act from Zimbabwe produced by Bothwell Nyamhondera, the man behind bigger names like The Bhundu Boys and Oliver Mtukudzi, and engineered by Peter Muparutsa, former frontman of the popular RUNN Family. Picked up by BBC DJ John Peel who played a few songs on his shows in early 1992.

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MAFIKA - Road Block (1989)

November 8, 2013, 11:28 pm
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On Record, ONH106         
Producers: Steve Cooks, Thema Mawelela, Kevin Botha & Ronnie Robot
Engineers: David Moloele & Phil Audoire         
Recorded at: Orange 338


One of the stars of the On Record stable, Mafika Shabalala set himself apart from the rest with his lyrical skills, sung over the homegrown dance rhythms that soon gave rise to kwaito. This his debut album was followed by Killer (1989) and Alien Town (Joburg) in 1990. He later formed the popular duo Tools & Figs. The title track was a massive hit, while tracks like ‘16676 (Give Me A Number)’ pay tribute to those who gave their freedom for the struggle:
 
"Remember when we were young,
and the songs that we sung,
broke the silence,
of the funeral drum,
and the hope that we had,
for the peace that will come,
past the violence,
and the feet marching on."

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IHASHI ELIMHLOPHE - Bambelela (1988)

November 11, 2013, 11:04 pm
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Soul Brothers, MXH5        
Producer: Maxwell Mngadi       
Engineer: Fernando Perdigao
Recorded at: Powerhouse
  

Born in Empangeni in Kwazulu-Natal, Bheki Ngcobo rose to fame through his songwriting, guitar playing, singing and dancing skills. Better known as Ihashi Elimhlophe (the white horse), some of his other top-selling albums include Intandane (1986), Uqanduqandu (1989), Impendulo (1994), Inyakanyaka (1995), Isiphalaphala (1997), Ithemba (1998) and 100% Ihashi (2006). Since 1976 he has released close to 30 albums. His talents were recognized at the first SA Traditional Music Achievement (SATMA) awards in 2005 when he won in the Best Maskandi category. Ihashi has performed outside the country, including Zimababwe and even Sri Lanka. Together with his wife Linah (aka Ebony) they were honoured in 2007 with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Embalenhle, Mpumalanga. Their children are in a group called Amaponi. Together the family started their own label, Ihashi Namaponi.

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REX RABANYE - Stop Nonsons (1988)

November 15, 2013, 2:35 am
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Black Music/CCP/EMI, BMC(V)4063691  
Producer: Rex Rabanye   
Engineer: Fred Woods


A former bandmate of Lawrence 'Sackey' Goreoang in 70s soul act the Teenage Lovers, Rabanye inspired a generation of keyboardists, releasing a string of popular solo instrumental albums before tragically going deaf. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2006 Samas. He earned a law degree and his paintings were displayed at the Methodist church in his hometown of Ikagang in Potchefstroom, Free State. He passed away in late 2010 (Mojapelo, 2008:48).


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SHOE LACES - Mama ka Vusi (1981)

November 19, 2013, 11:18 pm
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Mavuthela/Gallo, BL323   
Producer: West Nkosi       
Engineer: Owen Wolf                


Soulful mbaqanga with the signature West Nkosi touch, full of organ sounds and bass-heavy grooves. Purists will dismiss Shoe Laces as Nkosi’s attempts to push mbaqanga into the modern era after its popularity began to wane in the 1980s – at least before the boom in interest internationally for acts like Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens. In doing so Nkosi drew on the soul sounds he honed producing the likes of Mpharanyana and the Cannibals, employing musicians from his Mavuthela stable, including members of another influential mbaqanga act, Amaswazi Emvelo.

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KASSE MADY - Fode (1990)

November 22, 2013, 10:51 pm
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Shifty, SHIFT(Y)42   
Producer: Kassy Made Diabate                  


Local pressing of Malian star’s breakthrough album, first released in 1989. "Kasse Mady Diabate can retrace his origins to the 13th century, when his ancestor Morykaba Diabate was fighting along with the great Sunjata. Seven centuries of history have provided him with a rich musical tradition, lyrics heavy with symbols and images, and a perfect vocal training. A griot by birth, Kasse Mady was requested in '72 to join the Badema, Mali's national orchestra. From then on, he has led a double career, as a griot and as a singer with a modern band".


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DENNIS & THE WHIZZ KIDS - Vuka Tsotsi (198?)

November 25, 2013, 7:47 am
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Roy B/DephonRBL140   
Producers: Pat Shange & Rick Wolff         
Engineer: Rick Wolff                  
Recorded at: RPM Studios


This largely unknown act put out top-notch pantsula grooves on the influential Dephon label, produced and arranged by the one-and-only Pat Shange and his frequent collaborator Rick Wolff. Slick and catchy, along the lines of Volcano. Best tracks include ‘Manano (Please Come Back Home)’ and ‘Give It To Me (Hey Boy)’.

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