SAITANA - Love Fever (1984)

Black Music/CCP/EMI, BMC(0)571   
Producer: Sabata Lebona

Monty 'Saitana' Ndimande was one of the original members of Harari (first known as The Beaters), formed with Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse, 'Om' Alec Khaoli and the late Selby Ntuli while all were still students of Orlando High School way back in 1968. This 1984 solo album has some solid grooves reminiscent of Harari's signature Afro-rock sound, but lacks some of the energy of the full collective. Saitana's other albums include Baby Don't Go in 1976.

He died mysteriously in 1987, amid rumours of booze and drug abuse - found dead next to the railway tracks outside Joburg (while Hotstix was in Brussels remixing his solo hits 'Jive Soweto' and 'Shikisha'), and was replaced by 'Funky' Masike Mohapi. His son Zynne (aka Mahoota) was a founding member of seminal kwaito act Trompies and is now a top house DJ and producer. He never knew his biological father before his death, as Saitana's family was convinced that his mother was trying to extort money from the star.

Lyrics on 'Kind Man' hint at his troubles:
"I am having difficulties,
I am having lots of problems,
Because I'm a kind man
I always give, give, give...
The more I give,
the more you want...
I'm giving you all I've got,
What do I get in return?"

HARARI - Home Brew (1982)

Rufaro Records, ML 4636
Producers: Sipho Mabuse & Greg Cutler
(except 'Madala' by Sipho Mabuse, Greg Cutler & Condry Ziqubu)
Engineer: Greg Cutler (except 'Winning' by Keith Forsyth)
Arranger: Sipho Mabuse
Recorded at: R.P.M. Studios
Mixed at: Satbel Recording Studios

 

Late Harari release featuring an expanded personnel under the stewardship of Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, but minus the original Harari players like Om Alec Khaoli and Funky Masike Mohopi. 1982's Home Brew features the talents of Ray Phiri (The Cannibals, Stimela), Lionel Peterson, Khaya Mahlangu and Alistair Coakley (Hotline), among others (see below).

Tracks:

1. Winning (S Mabuse) (5:25)
2. Madala (C Ndlovu/C Ziqubu) (4:56)
3. Highlife (S Mabuse/C Ndlovu) (3:54)
4. Playing for the People (S Mabuse/C Ziqubu/C Ndlovu) (5:22)
5. Rocksteady (S Mabuse/C Ziqubu/C Ndlovu) (4:32)
6. Run for Your Life (S Mabuse/C Ndlovu) (4:20)
7. Don't Give Up (S Mabuse) (3:43)
8. Soweto Dawn (S Mabuse) (5:37)

Musicians:

• Sipho "Hot Sticks" Mabuse: Drums, Flute, Piano (Soweto Dawn), Synthesizer, Percussion, Vocoder, Vocals, Timbales and Chimes, Fender Rhodes
• Charles "Babas" Ndlovu: Piano, Fender Rhodes, Prophet V Bass synthesizer, Organ and Vocals
• Thelma "Ndo" Segonah: Piano, Fender Rhodes, Prophet V Bass synthesizer, Organ and Vocals
• Condry "Magic Fingers" Ziqubu: All Guitars and Vocals
• Branny "Mzi" Ledwaba: Congas, Assorted Percussion, Shekere, Bells and Vibroslaps
• Mzwandile "Zandi" Kente: Bass & Vocals
• Isaac "Madala" Mofokeng: Vocals on 'Run for Your Life' & 'Rocksteady'
• Lionel Petersen: Lead Vocals
• Sipho "Master Blaster" Gumede: Bass on all tracks except 'Winning'
• Jabu Sibumbe: Bass on 'Winning'
• Khaya Mahlangu: All horns on 'Soweto Dawn'
• Ray Chikapa: Guitar Solo on ' Winning'
• Isaac "MCA" Mtshali: Drums on 'Winning'
• Alistair Coakley: Guitar on 'Rocksteady'

Thanks SA Rock Encyclopedia.

FUNKY MASIKE - Hand to Mouth (1990)

Gallo GMP, HUL 40224

Producer: Alec 'Om' Khaoli
Engineers: Dave Segal & Alec 'Om' Khaoli

Former Harari vocalist and guitarist Masike Mohapi put out this solo effort with the help of former bandmate turned producer Alec Khaoli.  Unlike Om's solo efforts, though, "Hand to Mouth" isn't up to scratch. The most interesting thing here, besides the weird cover art, is the The "dub & stutter" remix of "the Ghetto", which does away with most of the corny lyrics of the original mix, and offers some interesting synth and old-school mixing effects.

FREE DOWNLOAD!!

OM ALEC - Now! (1989)

Gallo GRC, HUL 40191
Producers: A. Khoali & Colin S.
Engineer: Colin S.

Former Harari top dog Alec "Om" Khaoli came into his own towards the end of the decade, becoming a bankable solo star, respected producer, and legend of the synth and drum machine. Unlike during his days in Harari, solo Om showed no fear of the censors, with Now! featuring outspoken political commentary on tracks like "Apartheid must go" and "Equal Rights." Other standouts include "The Big One", with its conversation intro and evil synths.

FREE DOWNLOAD!

HARARI - the best of (1983)

Gallo, DGL 753/4

Double-album of all the hits from the greatest afro-rock in SA ever, including the jam from which the band took its name.

The end of an era as far as Harari were concerned. Time for Mabuse to strike a path as a sol

HARARI - Flying Out (1981)

Gallo (Africa), ML 4537.

Producers: S. Mabuse / A. Khaoli / G. Cutler

Following 1980's Heatwave, Flying Out was a far poorer effort, and by then, Harari’s funk had fallen flat. They disbanded at the end of '82, although new lineups continued to release albums under Sipho Mabuse’s stewardship.

HARARI - Heatwave (1980)

Gallo, ML 4447
Producers: Sipho Mabuse/ Alec Khaoli / Greg Cutler
Engineer: Greg "Genius" Cutler
Recorded at: Satbel studios

Gallo (Africa), MC 4447.

Producers: S. Mabuse/ A. Khaoli / Greg Cutler. Engineer: Greg Cutler.

Recorded at: Satbel Studios

Formed in the late 60s in Soweto, the Beaters changed their name to Harari after a three month tour to Zim in 1976. Hugh Masekela invited them to the USA in ‘78, but on the eve of their departure, leader Selby Ntuli died. The tour fell through and drummer Sipho Mabuse found himself in charge, soon leading the band in a more commercial, flamboyant direction. 

The first black pop group to appear on SA television, Harari were also the first to cross-over to white audiences. Undeniably funky, almost all their songs were sung in English, and at their peak, Harari were putting out a rock-funk hybrid with minimal “traditional” African influence. Their biggest album, Heatwave (1980) was released in the USA and led to a two-album deal with A&M Records. In 1982, their single “Party” (off Heatwave) entered the American Disco Hot 100. Other titles such as “Good Vibes”, “Dancing Singing” and “Get Funky”, the space-cadet outfits, nicknames and star-signs all reflect the dizzy escapism the band offered audiences of all races. Key personnel include bassist Alec “Om” Khaoli (Scorpio!), Charlie ‘Babas” Ndlovu (Taurus!) on keyboards and Masike ‘Funky’ Mohapi (Libra!) on guitar and vocals.