11/02/12

Ho$h! You're at AFROSYNTH, the realest African selection . . .

This week we bring you Zambia's international disco queen ANNA MWALE, Shangaan girl group THE DALOM KIDS, solid funk from MELVYN MATTHEWS, crooner ZAYN ADAM and jazzman RATAU MIKE MAKHALEMELE.

Last time we checked out JONATHAN BUTLER's breakthrough second album, seven-man synth act SENSATIONS, a supporter's album for Moroka Swallows by THE SOCCER BOYS, underrated jazz pianist LIONEL PILLAY and the SIX PAK compilation that went down smooth.
Also be sure to download the latest mix - WINNER TAKES ALL - a hot soul stew of recent additions to the library.

Sharp!

SENSATIONS - Chapter 2 (1988)

Eric Frisch, EFL1013   
Producers: Tammy Moluli (Thami Mdluli)       
Engineer: Les Goode   
Recorded at: Grove Studios


Great album from little-known seven-man outfit (aka Sensation) produced by the prolific Thami "Professor Rhythm" Mdluli (credited here at Tammy Moluli). Nearly identical to other top bubblegum boybands like Splash and Sky Jinx, whose music consisted of walls of synths and rudimentary drum machines.

Songwriting credits are shared among all members (plus one): Zukile Macotoza, George Makobane, Noah Mashilo, Sello Mathiba, Malcolm Makume, Chris Kwela, Gerdes Khoza and Bassie Maseko. Formulaic for the time but still fresh today, 'Mita-Mita' features a catchy kiddies' call and response chorus. Other titles include 'Ninja', 'Get Busy' and 'A.I.D.S' - a warning from the earliest days of a pandemic that has gone on to claim millions of lives in Southern Africa, where stigma and misinformation about the disease still abound.

"There's a killer coming...
It doesn't care if you're a superstar, 
It doesn't care if you're a fisherman, 
A man or a woman, 
A boy or a girl.
Aids is so dangerous. 
Watch out!"