KATI ELIMNYAMA - Yini Mhlaba? (1984)

Chocolate City/Rainbow Records, CNH2037

Producer: Alton Ngubane

Engineer: Graham Handley

Not to be confused with the local action movie of the same name starring Simon Sabela and musical contemporary Kati Eliclean, Kati Elimnyama ('The Black Cat') was a notable figure in the mid-80s Zulu traditional scene. In 1984 he released Yini Mhlaba? (What is the world?), produced by Alton Ngubane (The Special Five, Madlala Brothers, Umphahleka noNgqi, Thikasiza ne-Zikoshi). That year he also contributed a song 'eGoli' to the compilation Soweto Street Music: The Definitive Collection, released in the UK.

MTHENJWA ZWANE - Shimo La Pondo (1986)

Fen City/Blue Tree/Priority, FL53

Producer: Sipho Kheswa

Engineer: Dane Stevenson

Special Sithole & Nkatazo

Recorded at: Blue Tree

Don't be fooled by the disco suit and neon cover, this is vintage maskandi from the old school, full of elaborate guitar flourishes and with hardly a synth in sight. Deep, soulful grooves reminiscent of the Madlala Brothers, Ihashi Elimhlophe and Izindlovu, and many others. Produced by the underrated Sipho Kheswa.

LINGANISA NABAFANA BEJUBANE - Umakoti (1989)

Soul Brothers, MXH7

Producer: David Masondo

Engineer: Fernando Perdigao & RF Gumbi

The Soul Brothers label is synonymous with the enduring quality of the band it's named after, and the skills and professionalism of David Masondo and Black Moses Ngwenya. Umakoti (bride) is deep, mellow, timeless traditional Zulu maskandi, a far cry from the Soul Brothers' mbaqanga pop.

UMSALOFU NAMAVIZITHA - Washonaphi Ubaba (1986)

Daylight Beat/CCP, DB(A)4051511

Producer: Simon Ngwenya

Engineer: Jan Smit

Recorded by: EMI Studios

Superior quality traditional Zulu grooves courtesy of producer Simon Ngwenya (Indod'engaziwa, Abakhwenyana) who throws in some experimental synths and samples to spice up the traditional guitar-driven maskandi sound. There's even a rare English track, 'Hello Lavi', with its catchy refrain, "I want to see you tonight".

SUKAZI MKHIZE - Sukazi Mkhize Namadube (1991)

Gaza/Sounds of Soweto GAZA(K)005

Producer: Buss Ngcobo

Engineers: Nevil Fox/Dean Haskins

Recorded at: The Note Factory

Deep maskandi grooves by one Elliot Sukazi Mkhize, in the mould of Ihashi Elimhlophe, Phuzekhemisi and many others. Inspired in part by the zebra, as the cover art and title ('and the zebras') suggest.

IHASHI ELIMHLOPHE - Bambelela (1988)

Soul Brothers, MXH5        

Producer: Maxwell Mngadi       

Engineer: Fernando Perdigao

Recorded at: Powerhouse

  

Born in Empangeni in Kwazulu-Natal, Bheki Ngcobo rose to fame through his songwriting, guitar playing, singing and dancing skills. Better known as Ihashi Elimhlophe (the white horse), some of his other top-selling albums include Intandane (1986), Uqanduqandu (1989), Impendulo (1994), Inyakanyaka (1995), Isiphalaphala (1997), Ithemba (1998) and 100% Ihashi (2006). Since 1976 he has released close to 30 albums. His talents were recognized at the first SA Traditional Music Achievement (SATMA) awards in 2005 when he won in the Best Maskandi category. Ihashi has performed outside the country, including Zimababwe and even Sri Lanka. Together with his wife Linah (aka Ebony) they were honoured in 2007 with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Embalenhle, Mpumalanga. Their children are in a group called Amaponi. Together the family started their own label, Ihashi Namaponi.

MOSES MCHUNU - Babulala Umuzi ka Baba (1981)

Ezomdabu/Mavuthela/Gallo, BL320 

Producer: West Nkosi       

Engineer: Owen Wolf                

Maskandi star Moses Mchunu was born in 1948 in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, also the home of president Jacob Zuma. He moved to Joburg in 1966, getting a job at a hotel before meeting master producer West Nkosi and signing to Gallo in the 70s. Although his traditional Zulu grooves are nothing unique, Nkosi's production, coupled with his smooth vocals and million-dollar smile, set Mchunu above the rest.

MTUSENI SIBIYA no MFANA NGUBANE nezi NKONKONI - Xola Phela (1983)

Jamloti/CCP/EMI, JML(E)7011   
Producer: SM Khoza       

More 'Zulu traditional' grooves, this time from Mtuseni Sibiya, Mfana Ngubane and "The Wildebeests". It goes back to the roots of maskandi, relying primarily on guitar melodies and call-and-response vocals, while favouring old-style accordians over the keyboards that would come to dominate the genre thanks to the likes of the Madlala Brothers.

LUCKY DUBE - Ngikwethembe Na? (1985)

Gallo, BL522   
Producer: Richard Siluma   
Engineers: Sam Wingate & David Segal

By 1985 Lucky Dube had already taken his first stabs at reggae, with Rastas Never Dies (1984) and Think About The Children (1985). Gallo apparently insisted he continue releasing the maskandi records that they considered more profitable, until Umadakeni (1987). Ngikwethembe Na? (Can I trust you?) may be a far cry from the reggae that made him an international star, but the synth-fuelled sound, the signature falsetto and the production team of Richard Siluma and David Segal are all the same.

ABAKHWENYANA - 4000 (1989)

CCP/EMI, DB(V)4064261
Producer: Simon Ngwenya   
Engineers: Peter Thwaits & Wessel van Oudtshoorn
Recorded at: Powerhouse Studios, Jhb       

Dominic, Mduduzi, Boy and Bheki laid down smooth synth-fuelled mbaqanga in the mould of the Soul Brothers and many others. Like the album's precursor 20/20 the previous year, 4000 is named after a taxi - owned by a Mr Gcaba in Umlazi, near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. Highlights include 'Madala', 'Please Mama' and 'Squeeza'.

MOSES MCHUNU NEZIMBALI - Ngiyesaba Ukuganwa (1989)

Cool Spot/EMI, EB(O)003   
Producer: Moses Mchunu   
Engineer: Graham Handley       
Recorded at: Sweet Sixteen, Jhb

Moses Mchunu was one of the most popular proponents of traditional maskandi in the 1980s. His song 'Qhwayilahle' (Leave Him Alone) featured on the first Indestructable Beat of Soweto compilation that rocked the world in 1985, famously rated by US  critic Robert Christgau as one of the most important albums of the 1980s. Ngiyesaba ukuganwa (I  am afraid to marry) sees him at the height of his powers, backed by his Zimbali (flowers).