Producer: Selwyn Shandel
Engineer: Fernando Perdigao
Recorded at: Powerhouse
PHUMI MADUNA - Bad Guy (1987)
Bullet/CCP/EMI, BU(O)4051741
Producer: Selwyn Shandel
Engineer: Fernando Perdigao
Recorded at: Powerhouse
After making it big as part of Cheek To Cheek, Phumi went solo, first in a similar bubblegum direction like on the 4-track album Bad Guy. Later she turned to reggae - in Lucky Dube's band and solo as Sister Phumi.
Producer: Selwyn Shandel
Engineer: Fernando Perdigao
Recorded at: Powerhouse
DAN NKOSI - Julia (1989)
Leopard/Hit City, LEO(V)139
Producers: John Galanakis & Dan Nkosi
Engineers: Richard Felani Gumbi & John Galanakis
Hailing from Ermelo in Mpumalanga, Dan Nkosi's brand of Shangaan-influenced synth-pop earned him many fans, as did his leather pants. "Dan Nkosi was such an energetic performer that his fans nicknamed him 'Steamroller' following his 1987 album, Ganda Ganda. Some of Dan's memorable hits are 'Julia', dedicated to one of his dynamic dancers and backing vocalists, as well as 'Wash'emkhukhu'." (Mojapelo 2008:150)
Producers: John Galanakis & Dan Nkosi
Engineers: Richard Felani Gumbi & John Galanakis
Hailing from Ermelo in Mpumalanga, Dan Nkosi's brand of Shangaan-influenced synth-pop earned him many fans, as did his leather pants. "Dan Nkosi was such an energetic performer that his fans nicknamed him 'Steamroller' following his 1987 album, Ganda Ganda. Some of Dan's memorable hits are 'Julia', dedicated to one of his dynamic dancers and backing vocalists, as well as 'Wash'emkhukhu'." (Mojapelo 2008:150)
AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS CHOIR - Toyi Toyi Mix (1991)
Island/Teal Trutone SV0181
Producer: Dali Tambo (exec: Barry Feinburg)
Engineer: Lee Hamblin
Director/arranger: Ndonda Khuze
One of the last and best albums put out by the ANC in exile. produced by Dali son of ANC leader Oliver Tambo.
Producer: Dali Tambo (exec: Barry Feinburg)
Engineer: Lee Hamblin
Director/arranger: Ndonda Khuze
THE BHUNDU BOYS - Hupenyu Hwepasi (1984)
Black Talent/Shed, BTMR004
Early album from Zimbabwean jit-jive kings. Notes feature detailed biographies of Rise Kagona (guitar, vocals), Biggie Tembo (guitar, vocals), Shakie Kangwena (keys) and Kenny Chitsvatsva (drums) and the history of the band. "The group was formed in 1980 as a backing band for Son Takura a visiting singer, but when the tours were over, there was sufficient demand for the group that they stayed together and started recording...
"Bhundu Boys enjoy a lot of popularity, and when their own personalities are explored, it is easy to see why. The individual members are a conglomerate of varying characters, ranging from the quiet to the outrageous..."
"Bhundu Boys enjoy a lot of popularity, and when their own personalities are explored, it is easy to see why. The individual members are a conglomerate of varying characters, ranging from the quiet to the outrageous..."
MORDILLO - Runaway Bus (1989)
Tiger/RPM, TIGLP402
Producer: Lefty Rhikoto
Engineer: Lee Short
Recorded at: RPM Studios
Former backing back for Shangaan disco king Paul Ndlovu. Made up of Lefty Rhikoto (lead guitar), Themba Mazibuko (vocals), Japie Bodibe (bass), Abram April (drums) and keyboardists Joseph Tshabalala, Rogers Mvelase and Joshua 'Joeman' Tladi - usually in their trademark sailor regalia. Other albums include I'm Crazy (1987) featuring the hit 'Voyager'.
The title track could be a cunning attempt at beating censors with innocuous spelling, where bus sounds like baas/boss...
"I can tell there's no more time left,
I've seen what I could not recognise.
I finally see the dawn arriving,
Get out of the way... baas!
You are in the middle of the road!"
Producer: Lefty Rhikoto
Engineer: Lee Short
Recorded at: RPM Studios
Former backing back for Shangaan disco king Paul Ndlovu. Made up of Lefty Rhikoto (lead guitar), Themba Mazibuko (vocals), Japie Bodibe (bass), Abram April (drums) and keyboardists Joseph Tshabalala, Rogers Mvelase and Joshua 'Joeman' Tladi - usually in their trademark sailor regalia. Other albums include I'm Crazy (1987) featuring the hit 'Voyager'.
The title track could be a cunning attempt at beating censors with innocuous spelling, where bus sounds like baas/boss..."I can tell there's no more time left,
I've seen what I could not recognise.
I finally see the dawn arriving,
Get out of the way... baas!
You are in the middle of the road!"
YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA - I Cry For Freedom (1988)
Roy B/Dust/Dephon, RBL143
Producer: Attie van Wyk (exec: Phil Hollis)
Engineer: Richard Mitchell
Recorded at: The Power House Studio
One of SA's most bankable, beautiful and brightest stars, Yvonne first emerged in the mid-80s and is still going today. Besides the popular title track, this album from her 80s heyday includes the hit 'Doctor Doctor', 'Caught Breaking The Law' and the saucy 'Baby I Want You Right Now'.
"The siren effect was brought into her album I Cry For Freedom with the track 'Caught Breaking The Law'. My understanding of the strategy behind the concept was that the producers, Attie and Phil, were playing on the tense and hair-rasing effect of the siren, which to most people spelled danger - the police, the ambulance or the fire brigade. It immediately captured our attention. It also won the sympathy of the listener who knew what normally happened to people who were dragged into the cold and dark cells for breaking the law . . .
"In a short space of time Yvonne Chaka Chaka was South Afria's most popular musician on the continent. She was a hit in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and many other countries. It was on her 1990 successful Uganda tour that she earned the name 'Princess of Africa'." (Mojapelo 2008:98)
Producer: Attie van Wyk (exec: Phil Hollis)
Engineer: Richard Mitchell
Recorded at: The Power House Studio
One of SA's most bankable, beautiful and brightest stars, Yvonne first emerged in the mid-80s and is still going today. Besides the popular title track, this album from her 80s heyday includes the hit 'Doctor Doctor', 'Caught Breaking The Law' and the saucy 'Baby I Want You Right Now'.
"The siren effect was brought into her album I Cry For Freedom with the track 'Caught Breaking The Law'. My understanding of the strategy behind the concept was that the producers, Attie and Phil, were playing on the tense and hair-rasing effect of the siren, which to most people spelled danger - the police, the ambulance or the fire brigade. It immediately captured our attention. It also won the sympathy of the listener who knew what normally happened to people who were dragged into the cold and dark cells for breaking the law . . .
ALI KATT - Killer (1988)
MFM, FML1022
Producers: Bones Brettel, Bernie Millar & Godfrey Nzuza
Charismatic Katt added his powerful vocals to MFM's distinctive pop sound (Zone 3, Mercy Pakela, Casino). Best tracks include 'Liar' and 'Living in the Ghetto'.
"Ali Katt aka Ali Moroatshehla sang for The Minerals in 1979 before Godfrey Nzuza of MFM launched his professional solo career, which will always be remembered for the hit 'Let The Good Times Roll' from his album Have Mercy (1987). Katt's next album, Killer, included a tribute to the unusual (siamese) twins Mpho and Mphonyana. After a long break he made a come back in a duet called Ali Katt and Biggs with the album Township Boy" (Mojapelo 2008:190).
Producers: Bones Brettel, Bernie Millar & Godfrey Nzuza
VA - Superfly vol. 4 (1987)
CCP/EMI, FLY(V)4051721
Killer compilation featuring all-time classics from the day's biggest stars.
SIDE ONE:
1. Don't Hold Her Ruff - Lazarus Kgagudi
2. Feel Free - The Winners ft Lionel Peterson
3. Hamba Uzo Buyo - The Big Dudes
4. Tender Care - Brenda & The Big Dudes
SIDE TWO:
1. Jive Pantsula - Hotline
2. I Will Hold On - Mercy Pakela
3. African Man - Kamazu
4. The Boss Is Back - CJB
Killer compilation featuring all-time classics from the day's biggest stars.
SIDE ONE:
1. Don't Hold Her Ruff - Lazarus Kgagudi
2. Feel Free - The Winners ft Lionel Peterson3. Hamba Uzo Buyo - The Big Dudes
4. Tender Care - Brenda & The Big Dudes
SIDE TWO:
1. Jive Pantsula - Hotline
2. I Will Hold On - Mercy Pakela
3. African Man - Kamazu
4. The Boss Is Back - CJB
MACA JOE - Night Flight (1989)
Orange/Tusk, ORH005
Producer: Maca Joe
Engineer: Ray Johnston
Six-track gem from unknown trio, similar to other long lost Afro-synth legends like BTR5 and Sky Jinx. Full of searing synths and studio beats and ecstatic call and response vocals, a healthy dose of Michael Jackson inspiration and a reggae touch on the title track. Trippy outer space cover art.
Producer: Maca Joe
Engineer: Ray Johnston
ZASHA - Zishangani (1988)
Teal, KVL5057
Producers: Ian Osrin & Zasha
Engineer: Ian Osrin
Zasha were a cut above the rest, crafting their own sound on airtight grooves and a wide variety of infuences - funk on 'Harder Than The Rest' and reggae on 'Fire in the Ghetto', while 'Chiriri' and 'Zishangani' look across the Limpopo for inspiration. It's a timeless, pan-African groove that still sounds fresh today, except for the kwaito/house beat on 'Samorai (Ninja)'
Featuring Godfrey Mthimkhulu (vocals and percussion), Skipper Tshabalala (guitars) and Mzamo Thobejane (keys and bass). "This LP is dedicated to our parents and friends and we hope you will dance the days and night away."
"Some people just don't understand,
how painful it is to be divided...
Notes on a piano, they need each other,
just like a guitar needs his bass guitar
just like a drummer needs a dancer.
They need each other." ('Zishangani')
Producers: Ian Osrin & Zasha
Engineer: Ian Osrin
Zasha were a cut above the rest, crafting their own sound on airtight grooves and a wide variety of infuences - funk on 'Harder Than The Rest' and reggae on 'Fire in the Ghetto', while 'Chiriri' and 'Zishangani' look across the Limpopo for inspiration. It's a timeless, pan-African groove that still sounds fresh today, except for the kwaito/house beat on 'Samorai (Ninja)'
Featuring Godfrey Mthimkhulu (vocals and percussion), Skipper Tshabalala (guitars) and Mzamo Thobejane (keys and bass). "This LP is dedicated to our parents and friends and we hope you will dance the days and night away.""Some people just don't understand,
how painful it is to be divided...
Notes on a piano, they need each other,
just like a guitar needs his bass guitar
just like a drummer needs a dancer.
They need each other." ('Zishangani')
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