VA - Gospel Greats, vol. 1 (1990)

Gallo/Mike Fuller Music (MFM), FML1032

Gospel hit the mainstream at the end of the 80s and many popular bubblegum and crossover acts tried their hand at the genre, some never turning back. Here the MFM stable seized the moment and put out a compilation featuring most of their biggest stars, including Mercy Pakela, Ali Katt, PJ Powers (Hotline), William Mthethwa and keyboard fiend Mathambo aka Bones Brettell. Then there are the established names of the genre like Rebecca, Benjamin Dube, Pure Gold, at times backed by the likes of the Holy Spirits Choir, Forever Mass Choir, Baragwanath Choir and Galathia Ama First Born Choir.

REBECCA - Saturday Nite (1991)

Family/CCP/EMI, FLY(V)554   
Producer: Sizwe Zako   
Engineer: Marvin Moses  

To appeal to as wide an audience as possible, and continuing the successful formula of 1989's Thank You Very Much, side A of Saturday Nite sees Reebs sing her heart out on bubblegum tracks like 'Lazy One' and 'Dlala Mntwana', while side B is more Sunday morning - gospel numbers like those that would bring her greater fame in subsequent years.

REBECCA - Thank You Very Much (1989)

CCP/EMI, SLY(V)4064621   
Producer: Sizwe Zako   
Engineers: Wessel van Oudtshoorn (mixed by: Richard Mitchell)
Recorded at: Powerhouse Studios       

Rebecca Malope hit the scene in the late 80s as a pint-sized and squeaky clean rival to Brenda and Yvonne. Her first albums were Rebecca (1988) and Woza Lovey (1989). She soon switched from bubblegum to gospel, where she continues to rule the local market today. Thank You Very Much catches her during that transition - with the 6-track album divided between typical late-80s disco beats ('Talk Talk', 'Missing You', 'Holiday Vibe') and the pop-gospel Reebs has made her own ('Izono Zam', 'Senzeni', 'Thank You Very Much').