THE RHYTHM KINGS - Mantwa (1982)

City Lights/Rainbow, CGH5004

Producer: Maxwell Mngadi

Smooth Sotho soul with a healthy dose of early pre-bubblegum organ sounds, produced by Maxwell Mngadi (Soul Brothers, Super Tens, Soul Fire, Peace Brothers). Striking the right balance of timeless grooves, traditional touches and modern instrumentation, best on 'Nthabiseng' with its soaring male vocal harmonies and thumping beat. 'Gasane' and 'Nifike A Jonie' also stand out for piercing synth leads giving them a futuristic touch.

LESOTHO MIGHTY BOYS - Mahlalela (1989)

Tusk, HSH8057

Producers: Tlanyane Mopeli & Handley Hodgeson

Engineer: Fab Grosso

Recorded at: RPM Studios

The soothing sounds of isicathamiya choirs are largely synonymous with Zulu culture, but the genre itself was adapted to other languages too, with Xhosa, Swati and Sotho choirs not unheard of, perhaps as a deliberate marketing ploy. Some popular Zulu choirs, including the most famous of all, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, have recorded Sotho tracks. From the mountain kingdom itself came this album, Mahlalela ('lazy bones').

THAMI AND THE ALL-ROUNDERS - Ekaba ke mango eo (1983)

CCP, RG(E)1034

Producer: Tom Vuma

The All-Rounders were originally a band of talented blind multi-instrumentalists that included Babsy Mlangeni. Many members of the band left the country after 1976, while Simon Falatsi went on to form Marumo. "By 1983 the line-up had so changed that it would be wrong to call it a band of the blind. They released an album, Ekaba ke Mang Eo, under the name Thami and The All-Rounders, produced by CCP's Tom Vuma. Their lead vocalist was Thami Sobekwa, one of the most powerful voices in the industry at that time. Yes, he's the voice on 'Cause I Love You' on the group Stimela's live album. You may also like to know that one of the band members was Faith Shadi Kekana who would later be a member of female trio Shadiii" (Mojapelo, 2008:16).

MARUMO - Modiehi (1982)

Spade/Mavuthela BL340

Producer: West Nkosi

Engineer: Owen Wolf

South Africa's blind musicians have a proud legacy, most famously in stars like Steve Kekana and Babsy Mlangeni. In 1982 producer West Nkosi (Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens) recorded a group of musicians from the Athlone School for the blind in Bellville near Cape Town - John Mothopeng, Munich Sibiya, Simon Falatsi and Marks Mbuthuma, who had previously played in bands like the  All Rounders, the Orations and the legendary Batsumi. The result is masterful display of virtuosity and versatility, from the classic Sotho soul of 'Re a Hlopheha' to the deep funk of 'Khomo Tsaka Deile Kae?', space-age synths on 'Toitoi' to touches of gospel ('O Mohau'), classical and jazz.

"Those who tend to think that blind people are living in their own microcosm simply because they are blind must give that idea up... As the Transvaal Association for Blind Black Adults is the dome, the foresight and the future of the blind, our four artists' roads crossed while involved in fund raising for the organisation. They then took a firm decision to combine and clique to form this new band Marumo. Their most solemn prayer is to see Marumo succeed to the most highest accessable peak. This should prove to you that Marumo has a wide variety of talent. Give them a 'Go' support them. They are not modest of their own microcosm: they are part of you and BELONG to you. All they need is your encouragement."

MANKA LE PHALLANG - Leseli (1984)

Reamusic, JUL(E)160

Producer: Clive Risko

Engineer: Martin

Deep Sotho accordion/Famo grooves by multiracial act Manka Le Phallang, who churned out a number of albums in the 80s and featured strongly on the 1988 international compilation 'Sheshwe: The Sound of the Mines'. Produced by former country crooner Clive Risko.

MAKAOTA AKALAME - Tau Ea Thaba No. 2 (1987)

CCP/EMI, RG(O)4051981

Producer: SM Khoza

Engineer: Graham Handley

Vintage Sotho grooves driven by upbeat rhythms, frantic accordian melodies and soaring vocals, still the hallmarks today of the Mountain Kingdom's perenially popular famo sound.

KORI MORABA - Le Rato Howena (1981)

RPM, RPM7057

Producer: Jimmy Mojapelo

Engineer: Hennie Hartmann

Recorded at: RPM Studios

Kori Moraba was a popular figure on the Sotho soul scene alongside contemporaries like the Black Five, Babsy Mlangeni and Mpharanyana. In 1977 he released one of the earliest examples of homegrown reggae, entitled Sotho Reggae, years before the likes of the Dread Warriors, Lucky Dube and Steve Kekana. In 1978 he led The Minerals line-up that released 'Maditaba' in Europe. 1981's Le Rato Howena captures him in his prime. Moraba continued to have hits during the 80s, many written by Jimmy Mojapelo, and in 1992 released Victims of the System (1992).

THEKWANE AND THE SOUND BROTHERS - Ka Thlahetswe Ke Mehlolo (1983)

Muziwakithi/GRC, MZK607

Producer: Banzi Kubheka

Engineer: Keith Forsyth

Pre-bubblegum Sotho soul heavily influenced by the late 70s Sotho soul king Mpharanyana and his backing band The Cannibals (who went on to become Stimela), with a distinctive mbaqanga groove usually reserved for Zulu lyricists. The title (more correctly 'Ke hlahetswe ke mehlolo') means something like 'I have experienced spells of bad luck'. Produced by Banzi Kubheka (Banjo, Vibe Talk).

MAKAOTA - Makaota No.2 (1989)

Kudu/EMI, KD(O)514   
Producers: MJ Dlamini & Solly Khoza   
Engineer: Felani Gumbi       
Recorded at: Priority Mobile Studio                       
  

The traditional music of the Basotho isn't everyone's cup of tea - endless rolling basslines, grating accordians and scat-rapping vocals. But if you can appreciate the music of the mountain kingdom, nobody keeps it as real as Makaota.

WILLIAM MTHETHWA - Setjwetla (198?)

Roy B/Dephon, RBL137   

Producer: William Mthethwa     

Engineer: David Moloele           

Recorded at: Orange 338                                                

'Mr Everything' has had a long and prolific career but he arguably reached his peak with Setjwetla, a hot disc full of potent synths, violent vocals and catchy melodies, including shout-out's to his native Free State ('Haak Vrystaat') and the vibrant Sotho township south of Joburg ('Sebokeng').

“One release that drew him into sharp spotlight was his controversial album Setjwetla, which was accompanied by dancing in the nude. It provoked so much debate in the national media, to which he responded by saying the song was inspired by a Basotho cultural dance. The storm overshadowed good tracks on the album like 'Haak Vrystaat', 'Mphe Borotho' and 'Kgwedi E Fedile'.” (Mojapelo, 2008:46).

THE MOON LIGHT - Ha O Fihlelwa Ke Meleko (198?)

Midnight Beat/Dephon, MBT223   
Producers: William 'Mr Everything' Mthethwa & Dimakatso Moletsane
Engineer: David Moloela   
Composer: Sibusiso Tshabalala
Recorded at: Orange 338

Great Sotho gospel album - with minimalist drums, smooth synths and incredible call and response vocals. Highlights include 'Nna Ke Ilo Iketla' and 'Seke Tlo Tsamaya'. Produced by William 'Mr Everything' Mthethwa.