GLORIA GRACE - Count Me Out (1990)

MFM/Teal Trutone, FML1031   

Producers: Patrick van Rensburg, Abe Sibiya & Marshall Harmse

Engineer: Marshall Harmse               

Recorded at: Real-Time Studios                                                      

Upbeat, accessible pop with powerful, youthful vocals like Winnie or early Brenda. Full of synth-heavy grooves produced by Zia's Patrick van Rensburg and Abe Sibiya, along with Marshall Harmse from hi-NRG act Shiraz, who had an international hit with 'Fight For Our Lives'. 'Ma Afrika Pendukani' lifts the bassline from labelmates The Rockets' hit 'Situations', while 'Viva Music' tells it like it is:

"Dance brother, dance,

Shake your body to this song. 
It should clear your mind, 
And you'll never be lonely. 
Sing along with me,
There is life in this song, 
You can feel it now,
This song is just for you"

V-MASH - The Hunger (1988)

Gallo/GRC, BL653   

Producers: Alec Khaoli & Colin Smith       

Engineer: Colin Smith               

Recorded at: Fireworks

Debut album from a young Vinolia Mashego soon after being discovered by the legendary Om Alec Khaoli, whose smooth synths and slick studio beats are all over this album. In the 90s Vinolia became a household name, not as a singer but on TV as host of the popular SABC music show Jam Alley - before falling on hard times. Tracks include the prophetic ‘It’s In The Liquor Bottle’ and ‘Let’s Push It Up’, featuring Om's former Harari bandmate Funky Masike Mohapi. 

JUDI - Wondering Stoney (1991)

Tusk, TUH26   

Producer: Tata Sibeko      

Engineer: Peter Pearlson          

Recorded at: RPM

 

Something completely different. Like Buddy Masango doing his country thang, Judi took a stab at the folk sound of Tracy Chapman. The result sounds closer to white acts like Little Sister, with tracks like 'To Be Somebody' not unlike contemporary Afro-pop star Zahara. Judi's vocals just can't pull it off though, despite being backed by a diverse line-up including drummer Isaac Mtshali (The Cannibals, Stimela, Harari) and Kevin Kruger (Kariba), with production by Tata 'TNT' Sibeko.

SISTER COOL - Ma Afrika (1989)

Cool Spot, SPOT(V)006    

Producers: Monwa Yekani & Mally Watson (exec: Ken Haycock)

Engineer: Mally Watson

Recorded at: Cool Spot

Cool Spot was set up in the late 80s and quickly became home to important acts like Jambo, Monwa & Sun and MM Deluxe. Monwa Yekani emerged as a talented  songwriter and producer, and so assumed control of the label's girl group, made up of Khanyisile Sibiya, China Monyane and Shashi Motumo. Full of warm synths and fat pantsula beats, the trio gave others like Syndicate Sisters and the Dalom Kids a run for their money. 

PETER PADI - Don't Fight With Me (1987)

Smyle/EMI, 12SMYM(C)1001   

Producers: Isabel Maseko & Colin Smith  

Engineer: Colin Smith

New school single along the lines of MarcAlex, Izzyboy Masedi and others. This ambitiously titled 'Super Triple Maxi' Includes a longer 'international dance mix' and a more interesting, experimental studio mash-up 'Somethings Got To Change'. Though Padi did not find lasting success in the industry, he was a few years ahead of his time - and scores bonus points for rhyming "baby" with "don’t mean maybe".

NATANO - B-Boys (1990)

8th Avenue/Frontline/Sounds of Soweto, 12EHTH(A)103

Producers: M. Barron & L. Burt                   

Recorded at: Rockets Recording Studio   

Oldskool hip-hop from Natano Braché, who rose to fame as a DJ in clubs in and around Cape Town and went on to host weekend shows on Good Hope FM as DJ Natdog. According to Afrikaans newspaper Die Burger on 16 November 1990: "Natano, the DJ from the Fame nightclub in Elsies River, recently made his debut as a musician with the release of a rap maxi single, B-Boys. This album is the first recorded by the Rockets at their studio in Elsies River to be released. According to Selwyn Rhoda, who was involved in the studio with the Rockets, the album is inspired by all the B-Boys (that's the rappers and dancers in the hip-hop movement) in the Cape. Selwyn explains that Natano played the album in the Fame for a month and that the dancers reacted very well to it. 'There is a big interest in the record. B-Boys is doing well in Johannesburg, although it is more aimed at the Cape market. The radio stations like Radio 5, Radio Good Hope and Radio 702 have played it and they are impressed by the record.' ... Selwyn says in the studio they concentrated on no letting Natano's accent sound 'too international'. They also plan to release B-Boys overseas. According to Selwyn B-Boys has a sound that will grab the listener immediately because it has a totally international flavour. It was recorded in the studio with the latest computer technology. Natano started spinning records two years ago at the Fame, and after that he played at the Galaxy and Thriller. After that he returned to the Fame."

REGGAE MANIA!

1. ‘Sound Of Africa’ - Steve Kekana (1981)

2. ‘Thule’ - O'yaba (1991)

3. ‘No Man Kill Another Man’ – Jambo (1991)

4. ‘Phambili La Siyakhona’ – Izindlovu (1990)

5. ‘Friday Morning’ - Neville Nash (1982)

6. ‘Babylon Water’ – Cokes (1988)

7. ‘Take It Easy’ – Pongolo (1989)

8. ‘Siyadudula’ – Buthelezi (1988)

9, ‘Reggae Music’ - Dread Warriors (1983)

10. ‘Fire In The Ghetto’ – Zasha (1988)

11. ‘Stop The War’ - Prince And The Buffaloes (1990)

12. ‘Don't Take A Chance’ - Rasta Kids (1984)

13. ‘Good Night Out’ – Kariba (1981)

14. ‘Reggae Mania’ – Quinton (1989)

15. ‘Flash A Flashlight’ - Benjamin Ball (1984)

Following performances in the early 80s by international superstars Jimmy Cliff in Soweto, Peter Tosh in Swaziland and Bob Marley in Zimbabwe, reggae quickly became popular amongst South African of all races and backgrounds. Reggae artists used music and lyrics to take on the apartheid establishment. The latest AFROSYNTH mix, REGGAE MANIA showcases some of the early progenitors of the genre in its uniquely South African, bubblegum-influenced sound. Ripped from the original vinyl and compiled by DJ OKAPI, the lineup includes well-known acts such as O'YABA and JAMBO, lesser known bands like the DREAD WARRIORS, the RASTA KIDS and PONGOLO, and artists from other genres who experimented with reggae (STEVE KEKANA, NEVILLE NASH, ZASHA). It offers a sample of a rich and varied reggae scene and does not include influential figures like Lucky Dube, Carlos Djedje and Colbert 'Harley' Mukwevho. Sit back, light up and enjoy Mzansi"s finest oldskool reggae jams. MO FAYA!

FREE DOWNLOAD!

BENJAMIN BALL - Paulina (1984)

Third World, TWL 510

Absolute classic album by Ball backed by his former Sound Busters bandmates Neo Maphaka and Cyril Mnculwane, soon to become CJB, and Thami Mdluli aka Professor Rhythm . 'Flash A  Flashlight' was one of the first big bubblegum hits (with 'Weekend Special' and 'Burnout') and set the tone for countless imitators in the years to come. The album is American-styled disco-funk with a touch of reggae. Other tracks are 'Soweto Tonite', 'I Just Keep Dancing', 'Reggae Music' and 'Rocket Baby'. Ball (real name Benjamin  Msane) also released maxi singles such as 'I Need It' (1984) and 'Come To Me' (1986) before drifting into obscurity, reportedly serving time in jail, becoming a qualified sangoma and converting to Rastafarianism. He is currently living in Umzinto on the KZN south coast and trying to revive his music career.