LITTLE LENNY - Don't Play With Love / Baby Dance (1985)

David Gresham, DGX391
Producers: Allan Goldswain & Julian Laxton
Arranger: Richard Siluma


Not to be confused to Jamaican dancehall DJ from the same era, Mncedisi "Little Lenny" Mkhize enjoyed short-lived success in the mid-80s. He wrote both songs on this maxi single, arranged by Richard Siluma, who helped launch the career of his cousin, Lucky Dube.


'Dont play with love' is classy synth-pop with a gospel message:
"God created me and you...
It's up to us to build it up... 
If we love one another, 
God will take good care of us"

B-side 'Baby Dance' is a rare example of bubblegum with scratching samples. It was co-written by Lloyd Lelosa from Stimela and another forgotten man, Sipho Kheswa.

Check out this 2009 BBC news report on Lenny as he reminisces about the old days as a hippie in the historic PE township of New Brighton and his present-day struggles in Joe Slovo kasi - sadly an all too common story for yesterday's one hit wonders.

Lenny's greatest hits