AFROSYNTH V: STILL BURNING

** Hot off the press!

AFROSYNTH V: STILL BURNING

1. ‘Living in Exile’ – CHICCO (1989)

2. ‘House on Fire’ – SANKOMOTA (1983)

3. ‘Ubab’ uzwane’ – MADLALA BROTHERS (1991)

4. ‘I Will Never Fall in Love’ – LUCKY DUBE (1984)

5. ‘Taximan’ – ÉVOID (1983)

6. ‘No! No! Señor’ – BRENDA & THE BIG DUDES (1986)

7. ‘God’s Children’ – FUNKY MASIKE (1990)

8. ‘Don’t Push Me’ – SOWETO SOUND MACHINE (1990)

9. ‘Killer’ – MAFIKA (1989)

10. ‘Sezijikile Inzinto’ - ABANGANI (1987)

11. ‘Kwamagaba Ngejubane’ – AMADODA O MUZI (1986)

12. ‘Buti ka Busi’ – STEVE KEKANA (1980)

13. ‘Burnout’ – SIPHO ‘HOTSTIX’ MABUSE (1984)

14. ‘Nighlife’ – WALTER & WATAJA (198?)

15. ‘Dumazile’ – JULUKA (1982)

16. ‘Teargas’ – KALAHARI SURFERS (1987)

FREE DOWNLOAD!!

SIPHO KHESWA - Umuhle(198?)

Buffalo / DGP / Little Monster, BFX324

Producers: Julian Laxton & Allan Goldswain

Born George Sibulayi Makaza in Harrismith in 1957, as a student at the Rainbokspruit School in the Free State, "his studies suffered due to his pre-occupation with the music of the Soul Brothers" (Mojapelo, 2008:66). After school, he joined Richard Siluma's band The Love Brothers. Siluma went on to become a successful producer, most notably with his cousin Lucky Dube. He and Thomas Masingi were responsible for launching Makaza's solo career under the name of Sipho Kheswa. "Umuhle" is a killer electro-mbaqanga instrumental, available on the AfroSynth 3: Back to Skool mix.

AFROSYNTH 2:

Chimurenga2Uhuru: Music of the Revolution

1. “Liberator” – Amandla/ANC
2. “Vukani Mawethu” – Amandla/ANC
3. “Mama Ndiyalila” – Sounds Of Soweto
4. “Siyalila” – Amandla/ANC
5. “See This Head” – Sounds Of Soweto
6. “Eemie Ninalia” – Longfellow Martin Magarula
7. “Mugabe Mutungamiri” – ZANU-PF
8. “High Time” – Glen Gibs
9. “Potential Aggressor” – Kalahari Surfers
10. “The Boss Meets Pieter Botha” – Maz Gazolin Et Ses Pumps
11. “Township Beat” – Kalahari Surfers
12. “Change Is Pain” - Mzwakhe Mbuli
13. “Kugarira Nyika Yavo” - ZANU-PF
14. “Destroy Apartheid” - Deezo & The Bananabeats
15. “Kulonyaka” – Amandla/ANC
16. “Masseve Moçambique” - Orchestra Marrabenta Star de Moçambique
17. “Katawe” - Lebombo
18. “Ruzhinji Rwe Afrika” - ZANU-PF
19. “Let Me Tel You White People Of South Africa” – Longfellow Martin Magarula
20. “Thina Sizwe” – Sounds Of Soweto
21. “Gona Rechimunrenga Rapedze Bunu” - ZANU-PF
22. “Pray For Mandela, Zimbabwe” - Lovemore Majaivana & The Jobs Combination
23. “Africa” – Amandla/ANC

VA-  Sheshwe: The Sound of the Mines (1988)
Rounder (USA) / reamusic, 5031
Producer: Clive Risko
Engineer: Jan Smit 

International compilation featuring four South Sotho bands: Manka Le Phallang (translated as "The River"),  Majakathatha ("struggling"), Manonyane A Moama ("the birth of Moama") and Sebata Sebata ("The Wild Animals"). For many around the world, a rare glimpse during international isolation into the rich culture of the Basotho.

Extract from liner notes by Robin Hogarth: 

"The four bands...are all traditional South Sotho - or Sheshwe - bands, based in the goldmines of the Orange Free State of South Africa. Their members are migrant mineworkers with their home roots in the majestic mountain land of Lesotho. Their music strongly represents the culture of their people.

On any given weekend or holiday from the mines, one may find one of these bands playing in a dusty mining compound, to the obvious enjoyment of their compatriots.

"The traditional South Sotho instruments are the accordian, sometimes a bass, and percussion - including a characteristic large drum with a type of 'high-hat' made from many bottle caps. The music is interspersed with whistling, and is both sung and spoken by way of a fast energetic rap. The lyrics themselves are virtually ad lib - with the singer making up ideas and anecdotes as he goes along, prodding the audience into response and action. The Sheshwe bands are probably the most uninhibited of all traditional African musical groups.

"The South Sotho bands have become extremely popular with the fellow-countrymen on the mines, and indeed represent a vital part of their culture. Their musical style is unique, as is their own brand of humor, yet another bright facet of the many-sided South African culture."

Side A:

1. "Malimo a Manonyane" - Manonyane A Moama

2. "Leta La Maluke" - Maka Le Phallang

3. "Bana Baleha" - Majakathatha

4. "Kwedi" - Sebata Sebata

5. "Batauoe" - Manka Le Phallang

6. "Tsheng La Terai" - Mana Le Phallang

Side B:

1. "Setumo" - Sebata Sebata

2. "Ngoanaka" - Manonyane A Moama

3. "Khomo E Khunoena" - Majakathatha

4. "Selomo Ke Motjhonoke" - Sebata Sebata

5. "Manka Re Liaheehile" - Manka Le Phallang

6. "Batla Ho Liela" - Manonyane A Moama

 

WALTER & WATAJA - back to school / night life (198?)
(12" single)

mankwane, MAN M008
Producer: Marks Mankwane
Engineers: Andre Herbst & Lee Short
Recorded at: SonoVision studios

éVoid(1983)
WEA,  WIC 8012
Producer: Lucien Windrich
Engineer: Richard Mitchell   
Recording at: RPM Studios, JHB   

 

 Classic debut from one of the few white rock bands to successfully incorporate African sounds and styles as a means of resisting the status quo. "Taximan" (featuring Bakithi Khumalo on bass) and "Shadows" remain two of the biggest hits to come out of the 80s. éVoid were also right on the button when it came to experimenting with new synthesizer sounds. Tracks like "I am a Fadget", "Inda-inda-Indaba" and "Urban Warrior" give Eno-era Talking Heads a run for their money. Performed alongside Steve Kekana, Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse, Juluka, Hotline and a host of others at the famous multiracial "Concert in the Park" at Ellis Park in January 1985 for Operation Hunger. Left for the UK soon after to escape conscription.

The albums executive producer was Benjy Mudie, who once played bass in the band and who signed them to WEA in the early 80s. He is also the one responsible for remasters and re-releasing the album on his Retro Fresh label. This is what he had to say about the album: "I listen to éVoid’s first album, made for like R8000. And it sold gazillions, right.  I listen to it now, 27 years later, and I think ‘what a great fucking pop record’. I mean ‘Taximan’ still has a vibe. And we made that record in two days.. I hear it now and I think ‘fuck, what a brilliant song!’. It still cuts through anything on radio, when radio does play it."

• Lucien Windrich: vocals, guitars
• Erik Windrich: vocals, keyboards, bass synthesizers
• Wayne Harker: drums
  
• Linndrum used on 'I Am A Fadget' and 'Urban Warrior'
  

          

Afrosynth 4: Survival of the Fittest

AFROSYNTH 4: Survival of the Fittest

1.    Junk Jive – éVoid (1983)
2.    Sodom & Gomorra – The Times (1990)
3.    Never Gonna Give You Up – Brenda & The Big Dudes (1986)
4.    Nwananga Washaneseka – Joe Masunga (1986)
5.    Shitokofela – Mafika (1989)
6.    Not Your Business – Debs Fraser (1990)
7.    Thembile – Damaster (1989)
8.    Rhythm Africa- Hotline (1983)
9.    Wemngoma Lishonile – Holy Spirits Choir (1987)
10.    Come On Baby I Need You – BTR 5 (1988)
11.    Vusiwana A Va Hleki – Ronald Chauke & The Tsonga Kids (1991)
12.    Hey Tonight – The Cannibals (1981)
13.    Kiss Kiss – The Big Dudes (1987)
14.    Uyophelalaphi – Sounds Of Joy (1991)
15.    Tana La Kamina – Bornn (1990)
16.    We Will Survive – Yvonne Chaka Chaka (199?)
17.    My Foolish Heart – The Bhundu Boys (1987)

FREE DOWNLOAD!!

AFROSYNTH 3: BACK TO SKOOL

1. "Storomela" - U Nyabela (1980)

2. "Umenziwa akakhohlwa" - Steve Kekana (1980)

3. "Uhuru" – Sankomota (1983)

4. "Nangu umalume" – Umazambane (1982)
5. "Soul Fire" – Harari (1980)
6. "Athimakhongo" – Sello 'Chicco' Twala (198?)
7. "Breakdancer" – Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse (1984)
8. "Back to School" – Walter & Wataja (198?)
9. "Doctors Presciption" – Debs Fraser (1990)
10. "Ghetto (dub & stutter mix)" - Funky Masike (1990)
11. "Umuhle" – Sipho Kheswa (198?)
12. "Love Action" – Brenda & The Big Dudes (1984)
13. "Mawethu" – Amampondo (1989)
14. "Woza Friday" - Juluka (1982)

FREE DOWNLOAD!!

HOLY SPIRITS CHOIR - Okholwa Kujesu (1987)
Polygram/Tshona TRSLP001
Producers: Joseph Makwela/Dr Nichojha
Engineer: John Lindermann


Formed in 1985 by Joseph Dumaku in Kroonstad, Free State. "Before they started recording they were singing at funeral services and that's where they were encouraged by the community to put their music on disc so that it would sound more powerful. Fortunately they were spotted by one of the producers at Teal Records who heard their music and decided that they shoud come to the studio for recording. Their first album with Teal Records was in Sotho entitled 'Kabelo Ya Ka'. They also did the very same album in in Zulu 'Okholwa ku Jesu'." Just cos it's gospel don't mean it ain't funky - there are some KILLER synth-fuelled tracks on the album. Not too much variation - but all good! 

FREE DOWNLOAD!!

SKY JINX - Nightwatch (1987)

On Record / Tusk    ONH101

Producer: Velaphi "Imamba-Emnyama" Mthimkhulu & Ronnie Robot

Engineer: David Moloele   

Recorded at: Orange 338 Studios

Six track album from eight piece band, produced by someone calling himself "The Black Mamba" along with Ronnie Robot.  The title track is an instant classic, along with "Love Affair" and "Pusa Twala." The greatest album of all time? Listen for yourself...

FREE DOWNLOAD!

Afrosynth 1: Oldskool Jive

killer tracks from SA, 82-92

1. "Mwananga washaneseka" - Joe Masunga (1986)
2. "Mantshasi" - Cartuma 1987
3. "A Ndzi nga Switivi" - Ntlaveni Brothers No.2 (1990)
4. "Hambani mabhaca" - Umazambane (1982)
5. "Selborne" - Mafika (1989)
6. "Visible love" - Bornn (1990)
7. "Pusa Twala" - Sky Jinx (1987)
8. "Lonely Man" - The Times (1990)
9. "Themba Lami" - Thikazisa ne-Zikoshi (1989)
10. "Thina esisaphila" - Imitshotshovu (1989)
11. "U ndzi tshikele yini - Ronald Chauke & tsonga kids (1991)
12. "Wena ongakholwa" - Sounds of Joy (1991)
13. "Vatshikeni" - Damaster (1989)
14. "Modimo O Nthusitse" - John Moriri (1991)
15. "Awu-mountain side uyahlaba" - mountain side tugela ferry (1982)
16. "Umshini" - Abakhokheli (1992)
17. "National Anthem: Nkosi Sikelela" - Joseph Dee (1989)

FREE DOWNLOAD!!

MZWAKHE - Change is Pain (1986) 
Shifty / Piranha (Berlin) / Gallo, LC7717
Producer & Engineer: Lloyd Ross
Recording at: Shifty Studios & live at COSATU cultural day.   


People's Poet Mzwakhe Mbuli's seminal album was Shifty's biggest selling album ever, despite being banned immediately after its release. A South African classic.











“Change is pain in Africa,
Change is throttled by misdirected surrogates of the world,
Change of a free non-racial democratic system is certain.
Revolutionary change shall set man free from bondage.
And the reigns of autocracy shall fall.”