STIMELA - Siyaya (1991)

Gallo, HUL40238

Producers: Dave Segal & Stimela

Engineer: Dave Segal

Recorded at: Bop & Downtown

Stimela's 1991 album Siyaya (we are moving) came at the end of a golden run of iconic albums, starting in 1984 with Fire, Passion and Ecstasy and until 1989's Trouble in the Land of Plenty. Frontman and founder Ray Phiri was in 1990 invited to feature on Paul Simon's Rhythm of the Saints album, the long-awaited follow-up to Graceland. Phiri reportedly left the group around this time to concentrate on his solo career, in 1990 signing to French label Barclay, but after his 1992 solo album People Don't Talk, So Let's Talk things never quite panned out as hoped. Stimela continued with Nana 'Coyote' Motijoane, who had been hired to share vocal duties with Phiri a few years earlier. One of the country's most distinctive and powerful vocalists, Coyote had long proved an able substitute, and the stream train marched on. The core line-up remains intact on this album, with Isaac Mtshali (drums), Lloyd Lelosa (keys), Thapelo Khomo (keys), Ntokozo Zungu (guitar) and Charles Ndlovu (organ) with Sandile Ngema replacing Jabu Sibumbe on bass. Also featuring a young Ringo Madlingozi.

Though not featuring on every track Phiri was still closely involved in Siyaya as a co-producer, and provides guitar and vocals on two of the eight tracks, 'Rhythms of Oneness' and 'The Guys Are Doin' It' (a nod to Hugh Masekela's 1975 hit). Though arguably considered to not fall within the band most revered albums, it still contains some of their greatest hits, 'African Changes', 'Go On (Living Your Life)', 'A Song Tells a Story' and 'Siyaya Phambili' (we are moving forwards), a song that answered many of the band's skeptics and also captured the sprit of political change at the time. Three songs of the best known tracks from this album were included in Stimela's 1992 UK release, Kululani. 

Stimela continued to release albums, including Don't Ask Why (1994), Out of the Ashes (1996) and more recently Turn On The Sun (2011) but struggled to maintain the same relevance or success as during their prime in the second half of the 1980s

VA - Give Praise Where Praise is Deserved (1985)

Plum, Teal, KVL5013

Producer: Sipho Gumede & Ray Phiri (exec: Charmaine Modjadji)

Engineer: Richard Mitchell

Recorded at: RPM Studios

The mid-1980s represents the apex of state-sponsored repression in South Africa and a turning point in musicians' role in the struggle for democracy. International pressure on the nationalist regime was mounting too, particularly Archbishop Desmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. Two of South Africa's most gifted musicians, Ray Phiri (Stimela, The Cannibals, Kumasi, Paul Simon's Graceland) and Sipho Gumede (Sakhile, The Boogie Man, Jika) gathered other top South African artists, including Lionel Peterson, Mara Louw, Lloyd Lelosa (Stimela), Nana 'Coyote' Motijoane and Katie Pennington to record this album in recognition of Tutu’s achievements and to raise funds for the African Bursary Fund.

The project was helmed by Charmaine Modjadji, a former Soweto beauty queen who spent much of apartheid exiled in the US before returning to South Africa to emerge as a prominent businesswomen and restaurateur. According to her liner notes, "This album is to raise funds for the African Bursary Fund so a smooching kiss to Richard Mitchell for his engineering, Sipho Gumede, Ray Phiri, Charlie Ndlovu and Lloyd Lelosa without whose musical genii this album would not have been possible. May God bless you in you music careers. I love you all. Thanks to all those lovely people who will feel good about this project. The ever living spirit is never without resources."

NANA COYOTE - Vuka Zenzele (1989)

Teal Trutone/Midnight/Gallo, SUF3   
Producer: Thapelo Khomo   
Engineer: Ian Osrin       
Recorded at: Digital Cupboard

The late great Nana Coyote Motijoane is recognised as one of South Africa's most powerful and distinctive vocalists, capable to injecting emotion into any song he featured in - most famously alongside Ray Phiri in Stimela. Vuka Zenzele ('wake up and do it for yourself') features Thapelo Khomo (producer of 90s stars Bayete and contemporary afro-soul queen Simphiwe Dana), Dumisani Ngobeni (former Big Dude and father of Brenda Fassie's only child Bongani) and guitarist Kenny Mathaba, recently returned from Europe after the break up of The Malopoets. Tracks include 'Namibia 435' - after the UN resolution that would pave the way for Namibia's independence from South Africa, and 'The Ouens' - also the name of the band (the same line-up, including producer/engineer Ian Osrin) responsible for the soundtrack (and who performed live) in the 1988 film Mapantsula.

COYOTE - Who Is The Lord Of The House (1987)

Gallo, BL606   
Producers: Ray Chikapa Phiri, Lloyd Lelosa and Thapelo Khomo
Engineer: Dave Segal       
Recorded at: RPM Studios   

Tsietsi Daniel Nana Motijoane was born in Lesotho in 1955 and grew up in Sharpeville. He cut his teeth with soul acts the Black Five and Uhuru (later Sankomota) and had huge hits in the mid-80s with Ozila's 'Lifesaver (I'm Suffering)' and 'Take Your Love And Keep It', a timeless duet with Steve Kekana. Nicknamed 'The Wild Dog', he went on to join the mighty Stimela (three members of which produced this album), where his powerful vocals proved the perfect foil to Ray Phiri's.

Coyote's solo albums include Don't You Wanna Know Me, Vuka Zenzele (1989), Majaja (2003) and Mo Fe (2007). He passed away in June 2010, aged 55.

This four-track album serves up Coyote's special brand of Mzansi soul, with traditional Sotho and uplifting gospel touches. 'Malifatjana' is the most upbeat, driven by slick synths, horns and call-and-response vocals.

                     

ZASHA - Hayi Ngodlame (1989)

Teal Trutone, SUF2
Producer: Thapelo Khomo
Engineer: Ian Osrin

 

Funky, sophisticated Afro-pop where real musicians trump programmed beats. Fronted by singer Steven Mthimkulu and guitarist Skipper Shabalala, who recently made a comeback as a solo act. Produced by Thapelo Khomo, who also worked with acts like Kamazu, Pappa, Jabu Khanyile (Bayete) and more recently Simphiwe Dana. Dedicated to "our late brother 'Boxie' Lekalakala, who passed away in 1987". Hair by Superkurl, 68 Simmonds St, Joburg!

In a nod to their infuences, the title track features Coyote (v) and Jabu Sibumbe (bass) from Stimela, and Jimmy Mngwandi from Image. "Every brother is our brother, every sister is our sister". Highlights on this 6-track album include 'Stop That Game' and 'A Letter To My Family'. Other Zasha albums include Love Target (1986), I'll Be There For You (1991), Stop That Game (1992) and Save The World (1994).