LITTLE LENNY - Space Car (1986)

Gresham, DGX441   
Producers: Julian Laxton & Les Goode   
Engineer: Les Goode       
Mixed at Syntrax by Adrian Strydom

The underrated Little Lenny put out some quality sounds, with fresh, funky melodies and new synth sounds. The title track is solid gold weighing in at 7min. B sides 'Taxi Dube Station' and 'Stockies Draai' both take inspiration from the synth bassline of Imagination's 'Music And Lights' and give it a Mzansi makeover.

LITTLE LENNY - Don't Play With Love / Baby Dance (1985)

David Gresham, DGX391
Producers: Allan Goldswain & Julian Laxton
Arranger: Richard Siluma

Not to be confused to Jamaican dancehall DJ from the same era, Mncedisi "Little Lenny" Mkhize enjoyed short-lived success in the mid-80s. He wrote both songs on this maxi single, arranged by Richard Siluma, who helped launch the career of his cousin, Lucky Dube.


'Dont play with love' is classy synth-pop with a gospel message:
"God created me and you...
It's up to us to build it up... 
If we love one another, 
God will take good care of us"

B-side 'Baby Dance' is a rare example of bubblegum with scratching samples. It was co-written by Lloyd Lelosa from Stimela and another forgotten man, Sipho Kheswa.

Check out this 2009 BBC news report on Lenny as he reminisces about the old days as a hippie in the historic PE township of New Brighton and his present-day struggles in Joe Slovo kasi - sadly an all too common story for yesterday's one hit wonders.