PRAYER FOR S.A. - Prayer For S.A. (1991)

African Gospel Music, AGM105

Producer: Pastor Victor Phume

Engineer: Sam Loy (Greenville, TX)

Recorded at: Victor Phume Recording Studios, JHB

Synth-heavy gospel in the name of peace in South Africa at a time when violence threatened to derail the struggle for democracy. The brainchild of one Pastor Victor Phume, who also recorded with a band called The Syndicate. One track, 'King of Kings', was recorded at Lazer Productions in Texas, USA.

"The ever-increasing number of lives being lost in our country through a variety of causes necessitated the outcry for a concerted prayer from the gospel music artists in South Africa. 'Prayer For SA' is a contribution from the gospel music ministry denoting a plea for peace through prayer. This album is dedicated to all those who lost their beloved ones; and those who may wish to join in our prayer to tranquilize our beloved country."

In recent times Phume has written a book, titled 'Is God a White Man', and since 2007 has run the School of Prophets in Soweto.

BENJAMIN & THE YOUTH CHOIR - Holy Spirit (1986)

Roy B/Dephon, RBM056

Producer: Sello 'Chicco' Twala

Engineer: Dane Stevenson

Recorded at: Blue Tree

Today one of the biggest names in gospel, Pastor Benjamin Dube started out alongside bubblegum stars at the Dephon label like Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Sello 'Chicco' Twala, who produced this album. Later albums include Celebration (1994), I Feel Like Going On (1999), High Praise Explosion (2002), You Blessed Me Still (2005), All Time Favourites (2006), Looking Back and In His Presence (2007).

"Meadowlands-born Bonani Benjamin Dube is the last-born son of evangelists Mrs Grace Dube and the late Mr Benjamin Dube Snr....At the age of 14 he was shocked by the tragic death of his father, but had to continue from where Benjamin senior had left off to complete the race. He did his music diploma in piano at FUBA Academy in Newtown in the mid-eighties. Later with his family as The Dube Family released the album We Are What We Are (Gallo GRC, 1989) produced and written by him...Benny who was a member of Image started his solo career with his debut single 'I Live Joyfully'. In 1986 he released Holy Spirit as Benjamin and The Youth Choir. It was produced by Sello Chicco Twala at Dephon Records on the Roy B label. The title track which was written by Chicco Twala became a monster hit. In 1988 when Benjamin released Ebenezer he was already a household name who was invited to be a supporting act for the US gospel star, James Cleveland, when he toured South Africa. He later toured America where he shared the stage with greats like the Mighty Clouds Of Joy and Andre Crouche" (Mojapelo, 2008:332).

VA - Gospel Greats, vol. 1 (1990)

Gallo/Mike Fuller Music (MFM), FML1032

Gospel hit the mainstream at the end of the 80s and many popular bubblegum and crossover acts tried their hand at the genre, some never turning back. Here the MFM stable seized the moment and put out a compilation featuring most of their biggest stars, including Mercy Pakela, Ali Katt, PJ Powers (Hotline), William Mthethwa and keyboard fiend Mathambo aka Bones Brettell. Then there are the established names of the genre like Rebecca, Benjamin Dube, Pure Gold, at times backed by the likes of the Holy Spirits Choir, Forever Mass Choir, Baragwanath Choir and Galathia Ama First Born Choir.

THE CHALLENGERS - Lendawo Ingcwele (198?)

Midnight Beat/Dephon, MBT208

Producer: Simon Ngwenya

Engineer: Phil Audoire

Recorded at: Orange 338

The Challengers were a popular Zulu gospel group not afraid of a synth or two, as the cover of this album (translated at "this holy place") suggests - partly no doubt due to the influence of producer and co-arranger Simon Ngwenya (Indod'engaziwa, Abakhwenyana). Altogether The Challengers released some 20 albums over the years. The key figure behind the group was Thokoza Msomi, who later established groups like iThemba Lama Khatholika (since 2001) and oMama be Nqaba yamaKhatholika. 

KATIE PENNINGTON - Look What God Is Doing (1989)

Maranatha, MAR048

Producers: Danny Antill & Lukie Carelson

Engineer: Andre Groenewold

Recorded at: Maranatha

An American-born gospel singer who made an impact on the pop scene with her powerful vocals, most famously by featuring on the Stimela hit 'Where Did We Go Wrong', Pennington as a solo artist here delivers sugary gospel pop, with synths by Danny Antill (Sunset, Patience Africa, Liz Pass, Billy Paulson). "Although I was born, raised and educated in the United States, I have had a mission call to Africa since the day I asked Jesus into my life at age five. It has been my privilege to live and minister along with my husband Leif in this country of OURS for the last five years. Africa my home too!"

JOSEPH DEE - Ikhethele / Choose For Yourself (1986)

Teal Sound, XPD2471

Producer: Joseph Makwela

Engineer: Phil Nel

Joseph Dumako made his name leading the prolific Holy Spirits Choir and the Forever Mass Choir, where he helped fuse gospel's call-and-response vocals with bubblegum's frantic synths. Solo he put out a string of potent keyboard instrumental albums. The title track here borrows the melody of the then-banned anthem 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica', which Dumako recorded in full on his 1989 solo album Lover's Wedding. Later albums include Spiffy Diffy and Tigers Don't Cry. An underrated legend of South African gospel, he passed away in 2011.

SUNSHINE SINGERS - Sithethelele (1986)

On Record, ONH002

Producer: Charles Sejeng, Ernest Nkosi & Julian Laxton 
(exec: Ronnie Robot)

Engineer: Bobby Summerfield

Recorded at: Minc Studio

Early release from the On Record stable and one of the first attempts at the pop-gospel sound that soon became hugely successful thanks to Pure Magic, Rebecca Malope and Platform 1. Co-composers/ producers Charles Sejeng and Ernest Nkosi also worked on the similarly styled Katlehong Choir that year, while Julian Laxton re-released his own instrumental version of Sithethelele ('We Forgive') around the same time. Engineer Bobby Summerfield was a young DJ and engineer recently recruited by Hilton Rosenthal to his Minc Studio, best known for Johnny Clegg and Paul Simon's Graceland. Summerfield soon moved to LA, where he found international success.

PLATFORM 1 - Isencane (1990)

KGM/Sounds of Soweto, KGM502

Producers: Freddy Gwala & Quinton Madlala

Engineer: Graham Handley

Recorded at: Sweet Sixteen

With gospel proving hugely popular since the late 80s, Platform 1 carved a special niche for themselves by focussing on always-in-demand wedding songs. The group emerged when Pure Gold joined forces in 1989 with Senior Gospel Choir and lead vocalist Nani Ntengo. Based in Mzimhlophe, Soweto, they put out their debut album Isencane the following year. It's righteous, joyous music fueled by a keyboard triple threat of Freddy Gwala, Quinton Madlala and Vukuzenzele Mbele.

The album proved a massive hit and set the tone for countless albums since then, all reportedly selling over 25 000 copies. Recent releases include Asesabi Lutho (2004), Ngiphenduke Kanjani (2005) and Woval'emnyango (2009). They remain a popular fixture in Southern Africa, having toured Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zambia, as well as all over the UK. They're still going strong, now down to a trio, with Freddy Gwala still at the helm. Notable names to have worked with the act include Blonde Makhene, Mandla 'Spikiri' Mofokeng (MM Deluxe) and Zane 'Mahoota' Zibika. Gwala remains a popular solo performer, particularly in Zimbabwe.

KATLEHONG CHOIR - N'kosi ya Makosi (1986)

Racey/Orange338, RACES301-12"

Producers: PH Phaake, C Sejeng & E Nkosi

Engineer: Marks Mankwane

Funky gospel grooves from Joburg's East Rand, with a vintage bubblegum feel. The B-Side instrumental does away with the religious message to let the synths shine through. Co-produced by PH Phaake (also behind hitmaker Kelly Chauke) and Charles Sjeng (Q-Tex), while engineer Marks Mankwane is a legend in his own right, most notably backing Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens.

LIZ PASS - God Bless Africa (1989)

Password International, PWI001

Producer: Danny Antill

Recorded at: Decibel Studios

Beyond the evangelizing message are sophisticated productions by keyboard wiz Danny Antill (Sunset, Billy Paulson, Mara Louw - and still going strong as a solo artist) and powerful vocals from Ms Pass, who writes: 'I am a white African, born and raised in Zimbabwe, educated in the USA. I once had no hope, now God has given me hope. These songs express my heart-cry for Africa ... Only when we see Africa as God sees her will we know truth and peace." Showing off a variety of influences from jazz to pop. Best tracks 'God Bless Africa', 'I Believe in Africa', 'Alleluiah Amen' and 'Africa Is The Place' feature the 44-strong Sebokeng AFM Mass Choir.

WILLIAM MTHETHWA and THE FAITH MISSION CHOIR - Satane Tloha Ho Nna (1990)

Midnight Beat, MBT226

Producer: William 'Mr Everything' Mthethwa

Engineer: George Vardis

Recorded at: TRS Studios

Mthethwa made his name as a dynamic frontman during the 1980s. As bubblegum began to fade, 'Mr Everything' ventured into gospel as well as reggae and soccer-themed albums. He also helped launch the career of another Sotho soulman, Sox. Dedicated to Aubrey Bano Moloi of the Young Five, who passed away on New Years day that year, this gospel album ('Satan Leave Me Alone') is full of fresh synths and Mthethwa's powerful vocals.

CHILDREN OF AFRICA - People Of Africa (1986)

WEA, WIM448 

Producer: Keith Hutchinson     

Engineer: Jan Smit           

Recorded at: Universal & Ovation

Mediocre singalong gospel project with a crossover message. Bubblegum influences on 'People of Africa', buoyed by some funky synths, while B-Side  'Sheltered in the Rock of Ages' is tedious gospel rock. Featuring Danny Bridgens (PT House, The Goolers).

LENNY - We Are The Winners (1988)

Genesis/Tusk, GNC1002

Producer: Thomas Masingi (exec: Rev NJ Tshawane)      

Engineer: Jan Smit  

Composed by: Leonard Makhathini 

Recorded at: TAKK Studios, Jhb       

Super funky gospel pop by one Leonard Makhathini, along the lines of the more famous Peta Teanet and Rebecca Malope. With lyrics in English and isiZulu, best tracks include 'He's Ruling My Life' and 'Unguku Thula Kwami', while 'Security' slows it down with the synth-soul ala Monwa & Sun. "May Honour and Glory be to the Almighty God. He has blessed me during my childhood and now He is using me at my teenage years. He owns my giftedness".

PETA TEANET AND THE SPECIAL SERVANTS - The Gospel Album (1991)

Challenger, CHIL084        

Producers:Tom Maybury & Peta Teanet    

Engineer: Tom Maybury             

Recorded at: Hi-Tech Studios, Jhb

Born Ntahleng Teanet Peta in 1966 in Lesitele, Limpopo, he started singing in church, then played keyboards for Relela. Following the death of Paul Ndlovu (Street Kids, Mordillo), Peta Teanet soon assumed the title of Shangaan disco king. "After the passing of his hero, Teanet went down to Johannesburg with the aim of sustaining Paul's legacy. After knocking on many doors, he eventually met the leader of Mordillo, Lefty Rhikoto, who was prepared to produce him. Using the name Peta Teanet, his debut album Maxaka (1988) hit the streets ... That was the birth of an unchallengeable hit machine." Other albums include Divorce Case (1989), More Hits From Peta Teanet (1990), The Real Peta Teanet (1991), Saka Naye Jive (1992) and more. He was shot dead by a cop in 1996 while promoting his last album, appropriately titled King Of Shangaan Disco (Mojapelo 2008:144-155).

BLACK BUSH BUCKS - Limnandi Evangeli (1987)

RPM, RPM7119
Producers: Peter Tladi & B Ncgobo
Engineer: Humphrey Mabote
Recorded at: RPM Studios

Old school isicathamiya gospel along the lines of the famous Ladysmith Black Mambazo - not quite as polished but with plenty of soul. Lyrics in Zulu except for 'Jesus Is My Plea'. Produced by future label boss and festival promoter Peter Tladi.