MAFIKA - Road Block (1989)

On Record, ONH106         

Producers: Steve Cooks, Thema Mawelela, Kevin Botha & Ronnie Robot

Engineers: David Moloele & Phil Audoire         

Recorded at: Orange 338

One of the stars of the On Record stable, Mafika Shabalala set himself apart from the rest with his lyrical skills, sung over the homegrown dance rhythms that soon gave rise to kwaito. This his debut album was followed by Killer (1989) and Alien Town (Joburg) in 1990. He later formed the popular duo Tools & Figs. The title track was a massive hit, while tracks like ‘16676 (Give Me A Number)’ pay tribute to those who gave their freedom for the struggle:

 
"Remember when we were young,
and the songs that we sung,
broke the silence,
of the funeral drum,
and the hope that we had,
for the peace that will come,
past the violence,
and the feet marching on."

TOOLS & FIGS - Featuring: Int'wencane and Ndalama (1991)

On Record/EMI, ONB127   
Producers: Ronnie Robot, Themba Mawelela, Fred Woods & Chris Sithole
Recorded at: The Cottage Studios       

Popular duo from the On Record stable who also released solo albums as Lady Thuli and Mafika. This six-track album bridges the gap between the past and the future, thanks to slick production from the likes of Ronnie Robot (Rabbitt) and Themba 'Little Big Man' Mawelele - it's timeless Afro-pop that still sounds fresh. Tracks like 'Blackout' and 'uPele Pele' can be played over and over, unlike the more derivative bubblegum of the day.

MAFIKA - Killer (1989)

On Record ONB113

Producers: Steve Cooks, Themba Mawelela & Ronnie Robot

Composers: S. Cooks, T. Mawelela, K. Botha

Recorded at: Cut 'n Mix Studios

Between 1988's Roadblock and 1990's Alien Town (Joburg), Mafika Shabalala put out Killer, a 6-track album that blended innovative production, conscious messages and classic disco beats. The title track is an eloquent anti-crime anthem, while "Lady Selborne" commemorates forced removals from the multiracial township in Pretoria along the picturesque banks of the Swart Spruit and within view of the Union Buildings:  

"Memories of life of riverside, ever since the day Selborne died. Some things are forgotten, let's sing to the children: we must build a better future, don't let it happen."

"King (Martin Luther)" samples MLK's most famous speech and sends a powerful message against assassination, at a time when the nation's leaders were still languishing in prison or in exile, three years before SACP leader Chris Hani was gunned down at the dawn of democracy:

"You can hide from the fact if you choose, but you can't heal the memory. There are times when there's nothing to lose, special moments in history. You won't find the truth through interrogation, you won't change the future with assassination."

Killer may sound like just another pre-kwaito bubblegum album, but there is far more to Killer than what meets the ear on first listen, setting it apart from most others of the time.

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