WILLIAM MTHETHWA - Madlozi (1989)

Midnight Beat / Teal Trutone, MBT 214
Producers: William 'Mr Everything' Mthethwa & Pat Shange
Recorded at: Sweet 16 Studio


William Mthethwa was a cut above most of his contemporaries. Jam-packed with hits, Madlozi shows 'Mr Everything' at his best - with powerful vocals and sizzling synths. William Mthethwa and the Young Five's breakthrough hit was 'Celebration', "a song that celebrated the Christmas of 1983 and of many years thereafter. Their albums include Wola Ma-Gents . . . Later William embarked on a successful solo career, though he would still release some albums like Our Love is Over (Awusuke) with his band. His self-written hot dance maxi single titled 'Nightclubbing' (Jive Wire, 1985) was produced/arranged by Peter Moticoe and engineered by Fernando Perdigao. In my opinion, William was quite ahead of his times with this single because even today it still sets the dance floor ablaze.

"His many hits include 'Botsotsi' and 'O Jola Le Clever'. 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.... William later earned himself the title 'Mr Everything' for his versatility that saw him release albums in various genres" - including reggae, gospel, political praise songs and soccer supporter's albums." (Mojapelo 2008: 46).