XILEMBE - Ncilo Ncilo (1989)

Tops/Cool Spot/EMI, TOPS(V)1   
Producer: Mally Watson (exec: Ken Haycock)       
Engineer: Richard Chauke   
Recorded at: Cool Spot   

Debut album of Shangaan group Xilembe ("courage") led by Richard Chauke and featuring Tshidi Mokwena and Jerry Sibanyoni. By their second album, Maxango, Sibanyoni had left the group to join bubblegum act Volcano. Both albums went gold. Chauke was the backbone of the group and later was himself known as Xilembe.

After Mokwena went solo in 1991, Chauke kept going, releasing the Venda album Dobana Domba with Tusk. In the 90s he tried his hand at competitive motorbike racing before putting out Xilembe's fourth album, Makhanani, in 2000. Over the years he often worked with another Cool Spot prodigy, Mdu Masilela, first of MM Deluxe and later a solo kwaito star. Ncilo Ncilo has a similar late 80's house-influenced pantsula beat, best on tracks like 'Hahomakole', 'Mad Joe' and 'Mthabeni'.

XILEMBE - Maxango (1990)

Tops/Cool Spot/EMI, TOPS(V)4
Producer: Mally Watson (exec: Ken Haycock)
Engineer: Richard Chauke
Recorded at: Cool Spot

Shangaan pop duo made up of Richard Chauke - also of Venus - and Tsidi Mokwena. "Matshidiso Mokoena became known as a member of a trio known as Xilembe. In 1989 they released an album titled Ncilo Ncilo on Cool Spot's Tops label. When Xilembe split in 1991, she went solo using the name Tshidi." (Mojapelo 2008:112)

As one would expect from Cool Spot, the production is top notch. Best tracks include 'U Tsandzekile' and 'Mikateko'. Fun cover getup with slick Rick's torn denim shorts and moon bag, but surely it could've done without the phonetic translations. Chauke's hairdo is by one Charles "Scissors" Le Coiffure.