Showing posts with label Mercy Pakela. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mercy Pakela. Show all posts

VA - Gospel Greats, vol. 1 (1990)

Gallo/Mike Fuller Music (MFM), FML1032


Gospel hit the mainstream at the end of the 80s and many popular bubblegum and crossover acts tried their hand at the genre, some never turning back. Here the MFM stable seized the moment and put out a compilation featuring most of their biggest stars, including Mercy Pakela, Ali Katt, PJ Powers (Hotline), William Mthethwa and keyboard fiend Mathambo aka Bones Brettell. Then there are the established names of the genre like Rebecca, Benjamin Dube, Pure Gold, at times backed by the likes of the Holy Spirits Choir, Forever Mass Choir, Baragwanath Choir and Galathia Ama First Born Choir.

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

MERCY PAKELA - Young and Beautiful (1989)

MFM, FML1030   
Producers: Bones Brettell, Bernie Millar & Godfrey Nzuza           


"There is one female singer who dominated the Pantsula dance scene both on records and live shows. She ultimately earned the title 'Queen of Pantsulas'. Daughter of a priest, Nomsa Mercy Pakela arrived in Johannesburg in 1982 from New Brighton, Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape searching for stardom and she got just that. She had started singing back home at the age of 16. After a stint with Lena Khama and Girlie Mafura as Ebony, she signed a contract with MFM . . . It was at live concerts that the impact of her music on her fans was immense as 'Tunkie Tunkie' danced as if her life depended on it."

Best known for the smash 'Ayashis'Amateki', other early hits include 'Ndizo Kulinda', 'I Will Hold On', 'Respect', 'Careless Doctor' and 'It Hurts So Bad'. "In 1989 Godfrey (Nzuza) was back with the production team in the recording studio cooking Mercy's next album, Young and Beautiful, featuring the hit 'Taximan' as well as the title track. One of the tracks celebrated the building of the biggest stadium in the country, 'Soccer City'." (Mojapelo 2008:102)