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THE TEMBISA PILGRIMS - Isimanga (1985)
Mike Fuller Music, FABL7000Producer: Magnet Lasi NtombelaThese soulful isicathamiya grooves coming out of Joburg's East Rand represent a departure for the MFM label, more often associated with pop...
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SMALL - Don't Leave Me In The Rain (1991)
Tusk, TUH23Producer: Tata SibekoEngineer: Lee ShortRecorded at: RPMNew school act produced by Tata 'TNT' Sibeko (Shalom, Judi, Madlala Bros). Best tracks include the downtempo 'Melody Of Love' and...
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WILLIAM MTHETHWA and THE FAITH MISSION CHOIR - Satane Tloha Ho Nna (1990)
Midnight Beat, MBT226Producer: William 'Mr Everything' MthethwaEngineer: George VardisRecorded at: TRS StudiosMthethwa made his name as dynamic frontman during the 1980s. As bubblegum began to fade,...
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GABRIEL MAYA - To Me You Are Everything (1984)
Hope Records, 12HOP(C)107Producer: Koloi Sabata LebonaEngineer: Andre HerbstEarly 80s funk inspired by the likes of Kool & The Gang and Earth, Wind & Fire rather than any local influences -...
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MASIKE - Hooked On Your Love/I've Been Hurt (1985)
Rainbow/WEA, RADS318Producer: Masike MohapiEngineer: J. SmitRecorded at: Universal StudiosFormer Harari frontman Funky Masike Mohapi went solo in the early 80s, releasing maxi singles like this before...
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BAD BOYZ - Young Generation (1989)
Orange, ORH004Producer: ThaboEngineer: Terry MeredithRecorded at: The Sound StudioChicco-influenced disco beats with all kinds of new school influences, ranging from dancefloor-friendly pre-kwaito...
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SIMON MOLOI - January To December (1985)
Priority/WEA, PRYH3007Producer: Jabu Moses DlaminiEngineer: Graham HandleyRecorded at: Battery MobileFunky four-track album of fun, escapist bubblegum, without any shortage of distinctively local synth...
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THE HARD WORKERS - Kae Kapa Kae (1988)
Mbali/RPM, RLLP043Producer: Tom MkhizeEngineers: David Moloele & Tom MkhizeRecorded at: Orange 338The Hard Workers had short-lived success with the pantsula-styled Kae Kapa Kae ('anywhere')....
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THE SUPER TENS - Umsebenzi (1990)
Soul Brothers, MCM1010Producers: Maxwell 'China' Mngadi & Moses NgwenyaNamed after old ten-seater taxis from the 70s, the Super Tens' soulful, synth-heavy mbaqanga made them one of the most popular...
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PAT SHANGE - Undecided Divorce Case (198?)
Roy B/Dephon, RBL136Producers: Rick Wolff & Pat ShangeEngineers: Richard Mitchell & Ralph MartinRecorded at: EMI Powerhouse, Priority, RPMPat hit the right notes with his synthesized African...
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EPHRAIM JOE AND SUNGURA BOYS - Pamusha Pano (1992)
Zim/Tusk, SUH1077Producer: Bothwell NyamhonderaEngineer: Willis MbirimiRecorded at: Shed StudiosJoe was a pioneering figure in Zimbabwe's music scene during the 1980s, spearheading the Sungura genre...
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MARGINO - Happy People (198?)
Roy B/Dephon/Gallo, RBL117Producers: Attie van Wyk & Pikes CronjeEngineer: Pikes CronjeRecorded at: RPM StudiosFunky bubblegum grooves by Kim Kallie produced by the influential Attie van Wyk...
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LIZ PASS - God Bless Africa (1989)
Password International, PWI001Producer: Danny AntillRecorded at: Decibel StudiosBeyond the evangelizing message are sophisticated productions by keyboard wiz Danny Antill (Sunset, Billy Paulson, Mara...
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UMPHAHLEKA no NGQI - Inkunzi (198?)
Leopard/Hit City, LEO071Producers: RF Gumbi & Alton NgubaneEngineer: RF GumbiRecorded at: PlatinumTight mbaqanga grooves by the duo of Buzizwe Mchunu (aka Mphahleka) and Mhlanganisi Malindela Mzila...
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PERCY KAY - Don't Drink And Drive (1988)
Reamusic, RML(E)2018Producer: Enoch NondalaEngineer: Jan SmitFollowing on from Come Down (1986) and Phehla (1987), this disc catches soul brother Percy Kay at his very best, with stinging synthwork on...
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VIVA - Don't Turn Your Love Away (1985)
Jive Wire, SV0114Producer: Kevin MasonEngineer: Mike DurandtRecorded at: Coastal Recording, DurbanHi NRG-inspired synthpop from Durban's own Mike Durandt, it follows the tried and tested formula of...
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SACKEY - Ilala Vuka (1987)
Tusk, TUSB3002Producer: Lawrence GoreoangEngineer: Kevin ManasRecorded at: 8th AvenuePopular Potchefstroom soulman Sackey finds the sweet spot with his heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies on this...
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NIKI DALY - Whitey In Love (1989)
Sea/Tusk, SEK103Producer: Murray AndersonRecorded at: UCA. Cape TownDaly had a hit with 'Is It An Ism or Is It Art?' from the 1984 album Living In The Suburbs, perhaps the best example of his...
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LADY THULI - I'm Gonna Make It (1989)
On Record, ONH110Producer: Edward Jordan (exec: Ronnie Robot)Engineer: Si HigginsOne half of popular duo Tools & Figs, alongside Mafika. Together they were a central part of the On Record stable's...
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SLIPSTREAM - Cruisin' (1987)
Reamusic, RML(V)2014Producer: Keith HutchinsonEngineer: Scotty ScottSmooth jazz meets synth-funk for this innovative take on the bubblegum sound. Unfortunately the instrumental sax groove hasn't aged...
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