ABAFANA BOTHANDO - Mahosha Nabafana Bothando (1985)

FEN Record, FL45
Producer: Sipho Kheswa

Bare-bones maskandi with wailing vocals and bass-heavy grooves that laid the foundations for the likes of the mighty Madlala Brothers, but favours traditional instrumentation (guitar, bass, accordian) over synths. Sweet cover pic taken on the streets of downtown Jozi. Produced by the forgotten man Sipho Kheswa, who started out with Richard Siluma and one Lucky Dube in a band called the Love Brothers.

The name Abafana Bothando can be translated to something similar - "Boys of Love" or "Lover Boys". This group is unlikely to be related to the contemporary maskandi act of the same name, given that this album came out over 25 years ago. This is the real makhoya!

SIPHO KHESWA - Umuhle (198?)

Buffalo / DGP / Little Monster, BFX324

Producers: Julian Laxton & Allan Goldswain

Born George Sibulayi Makaza in Harrismith in 1957, as a student at the Rainbokspruit School in the Free State, "his studies suffered due to his pre-occupation with the music of the Soul Brothers" (Mojapelo, 2008:66). After school, he joined Richard Siluma's band The Love Brothers. Siluma went on to become a successful producer, most notably with his cousin Lucky Dube. He and Thomas Masingi were responsible for launching Makaza's solo career under the name of Sipho Kheswa. "Umuhle" is a killer electro-mbaqanga instrumental, available on the AfroSynth 3: Back to Skool mix.