AFROSYNTH XII: FREE AT LAST

The 12th and latest mix in the popular AfroSynth series, Free At Last is another celebration of old skool South African cool. Selected by DJ Okapi and ripped from the original vinyls, it features 15 upbeat, largely unknown tracks covering a variety of genres - vintage bubblegum (The Survivals, Vumani, Banjo); smooth disco-funk (The Rockets, Neville Nash, Fire & Flame), early kwaito (MM Deluxe, E&S Brothers); synthesized versions of traditional Zulu (Fani S'Khosana), Shangaan (Tsokotsa) and Venda (V Kids) pop; slick Afro-pop (Caiphus Semenya), as well as innovative studio experiments (Hey Fever, Choice!). As with the previous mixes, these songs capture the pain and hardship that defined life in South Africa under apartheid, and more importantly the people's growing sense of optimism and hope for a better future.

1. 'Play The Music' - The Survivals (1989)
2. 'Mr Jekejeke' - Makwerhu (1987)
3. 'Makhanana' - Tsokotsa (1986)
4. 'Botswana in 1986' – The V Kids (1989)
5. 'The Sneezing Song' - Hey Fever! (1984)
6. 'Gimme a Break' - The Rockets (1986)
7. 'Be Free My People' - MM Deluxe (1990)
8. 'Bomba' - E&S Brothers (1987)
9. 'Midnight Train' - Vumani (1986)
10. 'iPansula' - Fani S'khosana (1984)
11. 'Whole Lot of Love' - Fire and Flame (1985)
12. 'Feel It' - Neville Nash (1986)
13. 'Free at Last (Ghetto Mix)' - Choice! (1990)
14. 'Ndi-kulindile' - Caiphus Semenya (1991)
15. 'No No No, No More' - Banjo (1985)

compiled by DJ Okapi
Johannesburg, December 2012

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LISTEN/download individual tracks from SoundCloud

CAIPHUS SEMENYA - Streams Today ... Rivers Tomorrow (1991)

Gallo/Munjale, MUN9006   
Producer: Caiphus Semenya (associate: Letta Mbulu)   
Engineers: Mick Williams, Greg Cutler, Gerry Brown       
Recorded at:  Battery Mobile Studio at Woodpecker Inn, Gaborone, Botswana.

One of Mzansi's most celebrated musos, Caiphus left for exile in the 60s, joining Hugh Masekela's Union of South Africa with Jonas Gwangwa and later settling in LA with his wife singer Letta Mbulu. In the late 70s he wrote  the African music for Roots, and later for Colour Purple, which earned him an Oscar nomination. He's also credited with co-writing three tracks on Quincy Jones' Grammy-winning Back On The Block (1989), including the melody for the title track. His songs have also been performed by the likes of Cannonball Adderley, Harry Belafonte, The Crusaders, Lou Rawls, and Nina Simone.




At home he is better known as the band leader of the BUWA ensemble and for hits like 'Angelina' and 'Matswale'. He returned to South Africa in 1990 and headlined the Unity Concert at Soccer City in 1991. Streams Today ... Rivers Tomorrow was released the same year. It shows a range of international touches like Afro-Cuban grooves on 'Mamase' and scratching on 'Ndi-Kulindile', and a more Pan-African sound throughout.



Jabu Nkosi handles keyboards on the album, with synths by Caiphus and Craig Harris. Also featuring Sipho Gumede on bass and Condry Ziqubu on guitars. Re-released in 1998 minus the Afro-sci-fi cover.

VA - Africa Africa (1988)

Star, Polygram (Eur)

84021-1

Side A:

1. "Jive Soweto" - Sipho Hotstix Mabuse

2. "Tsotsie Taal" - Zia

3. "African Convention" - Myriam Makeba

4. "Don't Go Lose It Baby" - Hugh Masekela

5. "Ah Freak Sans Fric" - Manu Dibango

Side B:

1. "My Blue Lady" - Sipho Gumede

2. "Maraba Start 500" - Boyoyo Boys

3. "Mon Coeur Balance" - Daouda

4. "All I Need is Here in Africa" - Steve Kekana

5. "Singa Jindi Majita" - Stimela

6. "Angelina" - Caiphus Semenya

7. "Bamnqobile" - Ladysmith Black Mombaza (sic)