BENJAMIN BALL - In The Jungle (1990)

Tusk/Diamond TUH11

Producer: Professor Rhythm

Engineer: Fab Grosso

Following the massive success of 'Flash A Flashlight' from his debut solo album Paulina in 1984, Benjamin Ball spent the rest of the 80s and early 90s continuing to fuse disco and reggae, over time focussing more on the latter. On In The Jungle he reunites with Thami Mdluli (aka Professor Rhythm), with whom he started playing 10 years earlier as part of Hot Soul Singers/Sound Busters/CJB family.

While the title track, 'Danki Eheck' and the downtempo 'Thy Kingdom' show his true colours as a conscious reggae man to rival names like Lucky Dube, the opening track 'Cry For Freedom' offers a funky synth-driven groove (so funky the song gets a dub version on the six-strack album) reminiscent of his early hits but with a political message (at a time when censorship was no longer so severe). 'This Music Got Us' sees BB showing off his rapping skills. Featuring keyboards by one Magic Fingers Dolphy (aka Prince D). Composed under the pseudonym Elsie Joseph.

BENJAMIN BALL - Come To Me / Hi Lite (1986)

Sound Of Soweto, 12XTWS(c)141

Producers: Cyril Mnculwane & Benjamin Ball

Engineers: David Moloele & Phil Audoire

Recorded at: Orange 338

Benjamin Ball emerged as one of the funkiest dudes around with his 1984 smash 'Flash A Flashlight' off the album Paulina, injecting his distinctive monotone voice and some reggae grooves into the bubblegum sound. Alongside producer/co-writer Cyril Mnculwane (of CJB) and manager Peter Snyman (who also handled Brenda Fassie), Ball went on to release albums like Kabadzeene (1988), In The Jungle (1990) and Take A Chance (1991), although he sadly never quite lived up to the potential of 'Flashlight' and later faded into obscurity. This is a hot 2-track album, with B-side 'Hi Lite' in particular showing off a slick dancefloor sensibility and bearing a close resemblance to his breakthrough hit:

"Everybody's on the move, in the golden city,

They're so busy, getting ready for the disco,

They wanna move, to a place where they can be happy,

It's called Hi-Lite, it's international boogie club...

Come on people get ready, I wanna see you get ready

There's no parking, on the dancing floor

People doing the best they can

Everybody's groovin', groovin' to the music,

Gotta keep them dancin', gotta keep them busy,

Gotta keep them movin', gotta keep them groovin'.

Gotta keep them boogyin', gotta get them dancin'...

DJ turn it on..."

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.