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!

THE ELEPHANTS - Phuz' ushiye (1987)

CCP /Mabob City / EMI, MMB(O) 4061751
Producer: The Elephants
Engineer: Tom Maybury
Composed by: Elphus Mkhize
Recorded at: Platinum Studios

Elphus Mkhize first found fame with West Nkosi's Abafana Baseqhudeni in the late 70s. The band released in Germany in 1982 under the literal English translation of their name, "The Cockerel Boys." A few years later, the Elephants were a little-known bubblegum forerunner to Mkhize's reggae act Izindlovu (literally, the Elephants), themselves predecessors to Jambo, a major reggae act of the 90s.

The six tracks on this LP cover gospel ("Praise"), social responsibility ("Young Generation"), fun in the sun ("Swimmerman"), entertainment ("Radio Zulu"), drinking ("Phuz'ushiye") and loose women (on the synth-instrumental "Amakhekhe")

IZINDLOVU - Phambili La Siyakhona (1990)

Soul Brothers Records / Tusk MXH15

Producer: E. Mqothuka Mkhize
Recorded at: Triple Six Studio, Soweto

Killer album of reggae-tinged Zulu synth-pop on the Soul Brothers label. "Phambili La Siyakhona" is the follow-up to 1989's "Ezami Ziyawina", released on Ken Haycock's Cool Spot label and engineered by Mally "Ntshebe" Watson. Izindlovu was the forerunner of a group that became known as Jambo consisting of Elphus Mkhize, Sipho Johnson Mdletshe and Mandla Nongena. Jambo released several albums in the late 80s and 90s, produced by Richard Siluma after he had left Lucky Dube.