IZINSIZWA - Uthandabani? (1991)

Music Team, WHR(C)101

Producer: Bheki Ngcobo

Engineer: Danny Bridgens

Composer: Bheki Ngcobo

Recorded at: Kitchen Sync

Synth-heavy mbaqanga along the lines of the Soul Brothers, Abangani, Madlala Brothers and many others. Produced by Bheki Ngcobo (Ihashi Elimhlophe) and engineered by keyboard wizard Danny Bridgens. Best tracks ‘Isingehlule’ and ‘Intozami’ see Izinsizwa (the young men) replacing traditional Zulu guitar lines with uptempo synths for infectious, offbeat winners. 

• Mint copies of this album are for sale here 

THE NEW BROTHERS - Emakhuneni (1990)

CTV/Roi/Music Team, CT(T)86

Producers: Dumisani Ngcobo & Felani Gumbi

Engineers: Felani Gumbi & Peter Pearlson

Recorded at: RPM Studios

New-school mbaqanga packed full of interesting synth sounds and vocal melodies, fusing traditional grooves with modern instrumentation, and also mixing it up by drawing influence from gospel (on 'Masibambhane'). Produced by Dumisani Ngcobo (Izinkunzi, Abakhokheli).

OSHOMI - Saphela Isizwe (1990)

Roi/Music Team, CT(T)89

Producer: Tom Mkhize

Engineer: Humphrey Mabona, Felani Gumbi & Tom Mkhize

One of the biggest figures in Zulu maskandi music, Bhekumuzi Luthuli started out in a mbaqanga band named Oshomi in Durban's Umlazi township in the late 70s. Tom Mkhize of CTV Music invited him and Oshimi to Johannesburg for mbaqanga music recording, and after two albums Bhekumuzi went solo and switched to maskandi, soon becoming one of the genre's top-selling artists.

Saphela Isizwe is dedicated to the band's bass player Joe Mzobe, who passed away soon after its recording: "We regret that you were not spared to hear the final mix, of which your bass played such an important part." Guest musos included Stimela members Isaac 'Mnca' Mtshali and Ntokozo Zungu, sax man Teaspoon Ndelu, pennywhistle legend 'Big Voice' Jack Lerole, another maskandi star in Bheki Ngcobo (Ihashi Elimhlophe), and prolific producer and session man Felani Gumbi. 

Luthuli passed away in 2010, aged 48 and still at the height of his powers, after releasing an album per year for the past 20 years. He was nominated posthumously at the SAMAs for Male Artist of the Year and Best Traditional Music Album for his final album Isipho (gift).

SOUL BROTHERS - Isilingo (1985)

Priority, PRYB4002

Producer: Jabu Moses Dlamini

Engineer: Peter Thwaites

Recorded at: Ovation

Formed in KwaZulu-Natal in the mid-1970s, the Soul Brothers have remained the most successful proponents of the mbaqanga sound that has long dominated South African urban music. By the mid-1980s, they had established themselves as one of the biggest groups in the country, which they remained for the next three decades. Led my vocalist David Masondo and 'Black' Moses Ngwenya on keyboard and organ, the rest of the group at the time consisted of Skhumbuzo Mabaso (lead guitar), Sicelo Ndlela (bass), Bongani Nxele (drums) and Michael Magubane and Thomas Phale on horns. Featured guests were Brian Tyeke (keys), Johnny Chonco (guitar) and Makhaya (percussion).

According to the liner note on Isilingo (temptation), "The Soul Brothers have consistently been the most successful recording group in South Africa. Yet, despite their enormous success, each new album that they release is a vast improvement on their previous effort. 'Isilingo' is an album that has been blessed by outstanding creativity and originality."

Though their sound was still at its best, the release was tinged with sadness, coming after the death of their original bassist Zenzele 'Zakes' Mchunu the year before. "The album is dedicated by The Soul Brothers to the loving memory of the late Zenzele Mchunu. In spite of this tragedy The Soul Brothers' music will live on and still reach greater heights." 

These words hopefully still ring true today, after frontman Masondo passed away on 5 July 2015. At the time of his death, the Soul Brothers were recording their 39th album, which includes collaborations with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Steve Kekana and Ihashi Elimhlophe. The group's other founding members, guitarist Tuza Mthethwa passed away in 1979 and Themba American Zulu in 1988. 

THE PEACE BROTHERS - Umshado 'Uyisibusiso' (1982)

Rainbow/WEA, CGH5003

Producer: Maxwell Mngadi

Engineer: Graham Handley

Not to be confused with the pioneering kwaito crew Brothers of Peace, The Peace Brothers put out slick uptempo mbaqanga produced by guitar maestro Maxwell Mngadi (Soul Brothers, The Super Tens, Soul Fire, Imitshotshovu). The title track and album cover make the questionable assertion: "marriage is a blessing".

THISHA - Ama1990's (1990)

Vuka Afrika/Priority VU(O)83

Producer: Moses Dlamini

Engineer: Wessel van Oudtshoorn

Recorded at: Powerhouse Studio

Thisha began his recording career in 1981, releasing albums like Geza, Thisha and Woza Year 2000, often backed by the mighty Soul Brothers. According to the liner notes, "In 1986 he was involved in a terrible car accident, and was hospitalized for over 10 months. But nevertheless Thisha came back stronger than before. He went on to record Nto Zami and has now followed up his success story with Ama1990's. The album that has everything enjoyed by the music lover! What impresses the most, is the variety of the songs and the style that confirms the confidence of so many thousands of fans - enjoy!"

INDOD'ENGAZIWA - Thembalami (1985)

Daylight Beat/CCP/EMI, DB(O)105

Producer: Simon Ngwenya

Engineer: Fab Grosso

Recorded at: EMI Studios

"The unknown man" was an alias of Simon Ngwenya, one of the most innovative producers in the mbaqanga genre with the prolific and longstanding Abakhwenyana, who experimented with synths and studio FX instead of traditional instruments like the accordian and guitar. Left to his own devices as a solo artist, he donned his long grey beard and put out some of the hottest tunes of the day, alongside the Madlala Brothers and the Soul Brothers.

SOUL BROTHERS - Hluphekile (1991)

Soul Brothers, SBH1009

Producers: Moses Ngwenya, David Masondo & Maxwell Mngadi

Engineers: Fernando Perdigao & Neville Holmes

Recorded at: Powerhouse

The undisputed kings of mbaqanga arguably reached their peak in the 90s, with over a decade of experience and success under their belts, but still keeping old age at bay. Hluphekile is characerised by throbbing basslines and stinging synths courtesy of Black Moses Ngwenya. The title track (meaning 'troubled' or 'tormented') was released internationally on 'Jive Soweto', the fourth instalment of the popular 'Indestructible Beat of Soweto' compilation.

IZINKANYAMBA - Uqondeni (1988)

CCP/EMI, YELP(O)4063801

Producer: SM Khoza

Engineer: Graham Handley

Recorded at: Sweet Sixteen

Classy mbaqanga driven alternatively by potent synths and timeless saxophones reminiscent of the old days of marabi and sax jive. The group seemingly took its name from the Inkanyamba, a mythical serpent said to lurk inside a waterfall in rural Kwazulu or the nearby Eastern Cape. Their music is a little less ominous though - slick, upbeat Zulu grooves. Tracks include 'Nineteen Eighty Nine' and 'Phansi Imikhonto' (Down Spears).

UMPHAHLEKA no NGQI - Inkunzi (198?)

Leopard/Hit City, LEO071

Producers: RF Gumbi & Alton Ngubane

Engineer: RF Gumbi

Recorded at: Platinum

Tight mbaqanga grooves by the duo of Buzizwe Mchunu (aka Mphahleka) and Mhlanganisi Malindela Mzila (Ngqi), backed and co-produced by Felani Gumbi (a popular synth session man and engineer, here on drums) and Alton Ngubane (producer of the Madlala Brothers).

THE SUPER TENS - Umsebenzi (1990)

Soul Brothers, MCM1010

Producers: Maxwell 'China' Mngadi & Moses Ngwenya

Named after old ten-seater taxis from the 70s, the Super Tens' soulful, synth-heavy mbaqanga made them one of the most popular non-bubblegum acts of the 80s. Following albums such as Indod'iyakhuluma (1981), Umuzi Wempi (1982) and Qinisela (1984), Umsebenzi ('work') was released on the Soul Brothers label and produced by the influential mbaqanga outfit's guitarist Maxwell Mngadi (who also produced the likes of Ihashi Elimhlophe and Soul Fire) and keyboardist 'Black' Moses Ngwenya.

THE SPECIAL FIVE - Washaywa Uvalo (1986)

Chocolate City/Rainbow/Teal, CEL523

Producer: Bongani Ngubane

Popular 80s mbaqanga outfit led by Bongani Ngubane (vocals, percussion) and featuring Jabu Ngubane (guitar), Mandla Exchange Mkhwanazi (keyboards), Lindani Mbatha (drums) and Mxolisi Ngobeni (backing vocals). Other albums include Once Bitten, Twice Shy (1989) and Thath'ukiss (1991), both on the Umkhonto label. The band also helped launch the career of a young Phuzekhemisi in the late 80s. (Mojapelo, 2008: 64, 294).

SOUL FIRE - Ukungalaleli (198?)

City Lights/WEA, CGH5002

Producer: Maxwell Mngadi       

Ten tracks of soulful ‘Xhosa Traditional’ mbaqanga featuring super-slick guitar work, driving bass rhythms and production by the influential Maxwell Mngadi, better known for his work with genre stalwarts the Soul Brothers and Ihashi Elimhlophe, and who played guitar on Harry Belafonte’s Paradise In Gazankulu.

SHOE LACES - Mama ka Vusi (1981)

Mavuthela/Gallo, BL323   

Producer: West Nkosi       

Engineer: Owen Wolf                

Soulful mbaqanga with the signature West Nkosi touch, full of organ sounds and bass-heavy grooves. Purists will dismiss Shoe Laces as Nkosi’s attempts to push mbaqanga into the modern era after its popularity began to wane in the 1980s – at least before the boom in interest internationally for acts like Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens. In doing so Nkosi drew on the soul sounds he honed producing the likes of Mpharanyana and the Cannibals, employing musicians from his Mavuthela stable, including members of another influential mbaqanga act, Amaswazi Emvelo.

IZAKHAMUZI - Kudala Kwenzeka (1986)

Teal, TEL2115   
Producer: GM Buthelezi                                   

No relation to the hotstepper Ini Kamoze, Izakhamuzi (the Citizens) put out tight mbaqanga grooves with a gospel touch. Full of smooth vocal harmonies and slick guitar and keyboard work, but nothing original here. Titles include 'Uxolo Bafowethu' (Peace, brothers).

ABAKHWENYANA - Zabalaza (1986)

Daylight Beat/CCP/EMI, DB(O)4051021
Producer: Simon Ngwenya
Engineers: Jan Smit & Peter Thwaites
Recorded at: EMI Studios

Abakhwenyana struck the perfect balance between mbaqanga and bubblegum. The title track was picked up by Harry Belafonte for 'Amandla', the best track on his landmark 1988 album Paradise in Gazankulu, while 'Mngani Wami' became 'Monday to Monday'. Also featuring bassmen Bakithi Khumalo and Cris 'Jaws' Dlathu, both of whom featured on Belafonte’s album. Co-arranged by Sammy Klaas from The Big Dudes.

IZIHLABANI - Zasha Egagasini (1986)

Decibel, DCK(O)95   
Producers: Johannes Mhlongo & Jerry Mhlanga   
Engineer: Keith Forsyth       

With their smooth vocal harmonies and rolling synths, Izihlabani ('The Stars') put out 80s mbaqanga at its soulful best, alongside the Madlala Brothers and Soul Brothers. "Izihlabani, consisting of Chwane Mhlongo, Ernest Shelembe and Junior Dlamini was formed in 1986. Their first album Yini Ngawe was very popular ... This is the group's second album and we are sure it will go just as well as the first!!!" Also featuring Dumisani Madida on keyboards.