VA - Roy B's Party Time Vol. 2 (198?)

Roy B, RBL124u

Roy B was a successful independent label (aka Dephon) run by Phil Hollis that helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in the business. The second volume of their Party Time compilation features Yvonne Chaka Chaka singing 'Winner My Dear Love', a thinly veiled tribute to Winnie Mandela, as well as Chicco with his breakthrough solo hit 'I Need Some Money', Pat Shange ('Rules of Love'), William Mthethwa & The Young Five, Benjamin Dube's gospel hit 'Holy Spirit' as well as lesser known band The Groovy Guys. The album also features two prominent acts not usually associated with the label, Splash (wrong listed here as Smash) and the late great Al Etto (singing 'She's Hot').

STILETTO - Say I'm Your Number One (198?)

David Gresham, DGX412

Producers: Dennis East & Clive Goodwill

Engineer: Fernando Perdigao

The mid-80s saw a trend in local producers releasing near-identical covers of international hits, probably in reaction to some tracks not being released here due to the cultural boycott. These include Margino's cover of the Madonna hit 'Holiday', Amadoda's cover of the Pointer Sisters' 'Automatic', and this, written by Stock Aitken & Waterman and a hit for British singer Princess in 1985. Co-producers Clive Goodwill and Dennis East, both originally from Durban, are still active in the industry. B-Side 'Sweet Jam' is a smooth instrumental groove composed by East and Goodwill. 

PETER MARINGA - Makanani (198?)

Roy B/Dephon, RBM051

Producer: Peter Moticoe

Engineer: Rick Wolff

Recorded at: Studio 5

High-end bubblegum grooves on the Roy B label produced by the legendary Peter Moticoe (Tom Dollar, The Ghetto, Joyce, Minebelt, Shadiii). "Clothes concept" by kwaito pioneer Senyaka Kekana (RIP). Maringa also released Jakalas (1988) and made a comeback in 2014 with Hadyiwa.

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. 

JOE MOSES - Remembers The Invaders (198?)

Roy B/Dephon, RBL139

Producer: Al Etto

Engineer: Stephen McNamara

Recorded at: Platinum Studio

The Invaders were a groundbreaking rock group from the Eastern Cape established in the early 1960s and initially inspired by Cliff Richard & the Shadows following their visit to Port Elizabeth in 1961. Joe Moses was the lead guitarist of the band, which also launched the career of vocalist Lionel Peterson. Here he revisits some of the Invaders hits from 20 years earlier, like 'Shock Waves' and 'Ice Cream & Suckers', with the late great Al Etto giving the instrumentals a modern, synth-infused twist. More about the Invaders here.

THE JUVENILES - Push Before I Start (198?)

Roy B, RBM048

Producers: Pat Shange & Adrian Strydom (exec: Phil Hollis)

Engineer: Mark Holland

Recorded at: Syntrax

Before Pat Shange became a solo star in the mid-1980s with hits like 'Sweet Mama'. 'Casanova' and 'Undecided Divorce Case', he fronted a mbaqanga outfit known as The Juveniles. This two-track album catches Pat somewhere during this transition, probably shortly before he went solo. It's catchy, fun bubblegum, with the car theme reminiscent of Condry Ziqubu's timeless hit 'Skorokoro'. Featuring some input from another star of the Dephon stable, William Mthethwa.

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).

MARGINO - Happy People (198?)

Roy B/Dephon/Gallo, RBL117

Producers: Attie van Wyk & Pikes Cronje

Engineer: Pikes Cronje

Recorded at: RPM Studios

Funky bubblegum grooves by Kim Kallie produced by the influential Attie van Wyk ("keyboards, synths, backing vocals and DMX drum machine"). Featuring guitarist Danny Bridgens (PT House, Children Of Africa, The Goolers) and a duet with Byron du Plessis (who incredibly went became frontman of American rock group Toto in 1990) on 'You'. Other tracks include the footloose 'You Turn Me On', 'You Need A Woman' and 'I'm Getting Out', as well as covers of Pure Energy's 'One Hot Night' (written by Curtis Hudson) and 'You' by Norwegian band Lava ft Randy Crawford. On other albums Margino also had huge hits with near identical renditions of 'Holiday' (made famous by Madonna) and Indeep's 'Last Night A DJ Saved My Life'.

PAT SHANGE - Undecided Divorce Case (198?)

Roy B/Dephon, RBL136

Producers: Rick Wolff & Pat Shange

Engineers: Richard Mitchell & Ralph Martin

Recorded at: EMI Powerhouse, Priority, RPM

Pat hit the right notes with his synthesized African grooves, danceable beats and clever lyrics to secure a loyal audience all over Africa. 'We're All The Same' sends a powerful anti-apartheid message, while 'Shayile' and 'African Lady' celebrate the good times. Other titles include 'The Payable Fine' and the hit 'Undecided Divorce Case'. 

"Special thanks to Ace Mbuyisa for his magic fingers on keyboards. Also I would like to take my hat off to the lovely ladies who sang with love - Stella Khumalo, Beulah Hashe, Deborah Fraser, Merilyn Nokwe and the late Jean Madubane (may you rest in peace)."

SUZI BE - I'm A Lady (198?)

Sonovision, SONOM033  

Producers: Julian Laxton, Ronnie Robot & Adam L  

Engineer: Andre Herbst   

Composed by: Patric van Blerk

Interesting and long-forgotten crossover project from the early 80s featuring influential old hands Patric van Blerk, Julian Laxton and Ronnie Robot. Vocals reminiscent of PJ Powers (Hotline) and Cindy Alter from Zia. 

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.

DENNIS & THE WHIZZ KIDS - Vuka Tsotsi (198?)

Roy B/Dephon RBL140   

Producers: Pat Shange & Rick Wolff         

Engineer: Rick Wolff                  

Recorded at: RPM Studios

This largely unknown act put out top-notch pantsula grooves on the influential Dephon label, produced and arranged by the one-and-only Pat Shange and his frequent collaborator Rick Wolff. Slick and catchy, along the lines of Volcano. Best tracks include ‘Manano (Please Come Back Home)’ and ‘Give It To Me (Hey Boy)’.

FIRE/ASHIEKA - Burning Desire (198?)

Laubar/Miking Music, MRS219
Producer: Doc Barense

Funky disco from completely unknown outfit with two different names, independently recorded for obscure Pretoria label during an unknown year. Reminiscent of acts like Harari and Ashiko. Tracks include 'Disco Scene', 'Love Fun' and 'Taxi Driver'.

PAT SHANGE - Love Is Like a Bank Account (198?)

Roy B/Dephon/Dust, RBL147   
Producers: Pat Shange & Rick Wolff   
Engineers: Rick Wolff & Graham Hendley       
Recorded at: Sweet 16                       

Whatever Pat lacked in originality he more than made up for with style and humour. With titles like 'Just A Friend Of Daddy', 'Love Is Like A Bank Account' and 'Marriage Is Not For Stars', Pat's smooth vocals (not unlike Dan Tshanda of Splash), topical lyrics and slick production made him one of the most popular stars of the day. Although Roy B had the frustrating habit of not putting dates on their albums, this came after Man Oh Man (RBL125) and before I'm Accused (RBL164), Pat's three biggest albums at the height of the bubblegum era in the late 80s.

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).

TAXI … is Dangerous (198?)

Roy B/Dephon, RBL142   
Producers: Al Etto & Victor Khojane   
Engineer: Graham Hendley       
Recorded at: Sweet 16

Taxi were another popular act of the late 80s, also the house band for the Dephon stable - with a tight bubblegum sound thanks to a barrage of keyboards (Winston Dlamini), piano (Kenneth Mbovane), bass synths (David August) and additional keys from producer Al Etto, also a notable solo act, songwriter and member of The Rockets. Fronted by "Dr" Victor Khojane with Thabo Aaron on drums and backing vocals from the likes of Felicia Marion (from Joy), Beulah Hashe, Marilyn Nokwe (The Angels) and others. Best tracks include 'Don't Play With Fire", "Don't Disturb" and "Give Me Your Love".

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.