OBED NGOBENI & the Kurhula Sisters - Ta Duma

Afrosynth Records AFS040

Obed Ngobeni and his backing singers the Kurhula Sisters were among the originators of Shangaan Disco, a genre that helped shape South Africa’s ‘bubblegum’ sound of the 80s.

The group emerged in 1983 with 'Kuhluvukile Ka Zete', a hit that later gained international recognition as ‘Kazet’. In 1984 Ngobeni follow this up with the album Gazankulu, which included the irresistibly catchy ‘Ta Duma’, pioneering in its fusion of traditional and electronic - a sign of things to come.

Heads Music boss Emil Dean Zoghby also cooked up a disco version of the track with producer Peter Moticoe and engineer Phil Audoire for release as a 12” (with a dub, of course), replacing the original version’s guitars with another layer of stinging synths and a proto-house beat to drive the song’s emphatic call-and-response chorus.

Ta Duma, the latest release on Afrosynth Records, brings together all three versions of this massive track for the first time - a tribute to the roots of bubblegum. On the B-side, ‘Xikhobva’ offers a more traditional bass and guitar-driven Shangaan groove over simmering drums.



‘Ta Duma’ was arguably Ngobeni’s crowning achievement, although his career would continue to grow. The albums Mchoza and Tshiketa followed in 1985 and ’86, the latter released on US label Shanachie as My Wife Bought A Taxi in 1987. Ngobeni’s audience even stretched to South America, where Eka Diza was released on Colombian label Discos Perla in 1988.

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TERYLENE - Listen to the Music (1984)

Jive Wire/Head’s, SV0079

Producer: Peter Moticoe

Engineer: Martin Moss

Obscure early 80s disco single on Emil Dean Zoghby’s Heads label, produced by the legendary Peter Moticoe and co-written by future bubblegum star William Mthethwa alongside J. Ramauwane and T. Lyn. Full of funky synths, best showcased on the B-side dub version.

NEVILLE NASH - Teaser (1984)

CTV, NALP(V)3320

Produced: D. Feigelson, Neville Nash & Richard Mitchell

Engineer: Richard Mitchell

Mixed by: Richard Mitchell, Neville Nash & Tom Mkhize

Nash was one of the funkiest guys on the scene since the late 70s, years before the rise of bubblegum. Following softer soul/disco albums like 1980's Kind Hearted Man, his 1981 eponymously titled effort and 1982's Diamonds & Pearls and Solid Gold, he trimmed the Afro, grew the 'tache and turned up the synths for arguably his finest album, 1984's Teaser. Tracks include 'Perfect Love', 'Love On the Edge of Night', 'Break Down'. and 'One of Those Nights', which Nash famously performed live at the historic Concert in the Park in Johannesburg in 1985.

One of the pioneers of 'crossover' music, Nash defied apartheid to work with a variety of black, white and coloured musicians on the album. Players include Stimela's Lloyd Lelosa (synths), Isaac Mtshali (drums) and Ntokozo Zungu (guitar), Al Etto and Cecil Mitch on backing vox, Mac Mathunjwa on Fender Rhodes and synths, as well as Mike Faure on sax. Programming by Adrian Strydom, who owned the only Fairlight in the country at the time. The album was followed by the single What's Your Name? What's Your Number? (1985) and Why? (1986).

MANKA LE PHALLANG - Leseli (1984)

Reamusic, JUL(E)160

Producer: Clive Risko

Engineer: Martin

Deep Sotho accordion/Famo grooves by multiracial act Manka Le Phallang, who churned out a number of albums in the 80s and featured strongly on the 1988 international compilation 'Sheshwe: The Sound of the Mines'. Produced by former country crooner Clive Risko.

VIVA - Ooh-chi-ah (1984)

Righttrack, RTS615-12"

Producer: W. Ndlovu

Engineer: W. Ndlovu

Recorded at: Emcee Studios

Probably unrelated to the act of the same name that recorded 'Don't Turn Your Love Away' in Durban in 1985, Viva's 'Ooh-chi-ah' is a long-forgotten disco gem featuring an array of synths and electronic sounds, with lyrics taking a leaf out of Kool & The Gang's book, urging listeners to "Get your back up off the wall".

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.

BONNY- Have A 'Bonny' Christmas (1984)

Tru Sound, TSL800

Producers: Issy Nathan & Nick Blignaut

Engineer: Doug van der Merwe

Bonny van der Merwe's mellow synth take on all your timeless Christmas favourites, with instrumentals of 'Silent Night', 'Little Drummer Boy', 'Come All Ye Faithful', 'Jingle Bells', 'Amazing Grace', etc. The festive cover art is enough of a reason to buy this album, but surprisingly the tracks are smooth enough to keep you coming back to this every year. This album was followed in 1986 by 'And I Love You So', a collection of popular medleys.

ROBIN AULD - Z-Astaire (1984)

Mountain, MOULP(M)38

Producer/Engineer: Kevin Shirley

Recorded at: Spaced Out Sound Studios, Cape Town

Born in Zambia in 1959, Auld moved to Cape Town as a child. In his late teens he played guitar for local favourites the Lancaster Band. In 1982 he released his first solo album, At The Corner, followed two years later by Z-Astaire, also the name of his backing band at the time ('Z' rhyming with 'Fred' in South African English). Both albums were on the influential Mountains Records label (also home to David Kramer and others) and produced by Kevin 'Caveman Shirley (who left for Australia in 1987 and later the US, working with seminal hard rock acts like Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Rush and Journey). 

In 1986 Auld moved to the UK, returning to South Africa in the early 1990s and releasing popular albums such as Love Kills, Heavy Water and Zen Surfing in the 3rd World on the Shifty label. After another long stint in the UK, he is back in Kalk Bay, still performing, and running a label called Free Lunch. Z-Astaire includes Auld's breakthrough hit, 'Baby You've Been Good To Me'. Auld later wrote of the song on his website: "The suburbs loved it as much as the hip underground hated it. They both must have sensed my natural empathy for white trash culture."

FACE TO FACE - Face To Face (1984)

RPM, RPM1200

Producer: Kevin Kruger

Engineer: Richard Mitchell

Recorded at: RPM Studios

For white music fans starved of international live acts during the 80s, Face To Face burst onto the scene as teenage saviours, a band that could at last replace the fanatical, teeny-bopper appeal of the 70s predecessors Rabbitt. Slammed by many as Duran Duran clones, they nevertheless met the rampant local demand for boys with tight pants, big hair, eyeliner and well-crafted pop songs such as the hits 'Here We Are' and 'Night Of The Long Knives'. But fame came too quickly and the band broke up before they could complete their second album, around the time of their performance at the Concert In The Park. Drummer Jarrod Aston went on to find the most success, fronting the similarly-styled Cinema who had a string of number 1s in the second half of the 80s, including a hit in Japan with 'Strangers Again'. Keyboardist Simon le Fevre and guitarist Keith MacFarlane formed Seven in the UK.

 

RONNIE JOYCE - For The First Time (1984)

Smash, XMAS859

Producers: Emil Zoghby & John Galanakis

A child star from the Cape Town fishing village of Kalk Bay, Ronnie Joyce was approached at age 14 by Clive Calder and Ralph Simon (a few years before moving to the UK and establish the legendary Zomba/Jive empire) to open for Richard Jon Smith. In 1975 he teamed up with a young Jonathan Butler to record It Takes Two, also scoring an international release with 'Give A Little Love', produced by Calder. 

By the 80s he had shed the child star image (and the 'Little Ronny Joyce' moniker). This solo 2-track maxi, '(I'm Crying) What Went Wrong With Us' is a good example of bubblegum's crossover roots - it's American disco-soul injected with a driving mbaqanga bassline, thanks to songwriting shared by Emil Zoghby, John Galanakis (Banjo, Pure Gold) and N Mathebula. 'For The First Time' (penned by Zoghby alone) is a fairly insipid ballad lacking local flavour or funky hook. Around the same time, Joyce was roped into fronting The Rockets in their prime - including a memorable performace at the Concert in the Park in Joburg in 1985. 

Sadly this great talent was never able to recreate the fame he found in the 70s. He faded into obscurity in the 90s, trying his hand at gospel. In 2012 he was invited to perform alongside his old sidekick Jonathan Butler, for the first time in some 30 years (also with Lionel Peterson). He passed away soon after this gig, however, after a long illness. What would have happened if Joyce had accompanied Butler and Calder out of apartheid South Africa?

GABRIEL MAYA - To Me You Are Everything (1984)

Hope Records, 12HOP(C)107

Producer: Koloi Sabata Lebona

Engineer: Andre Herbst

Early 80s funk inspired by the likes of Kool & The Gang and Earth, Wind & Fire rather than any local influences - similar to Melvyn Matthews and Neville Nash. Both 'To Me You Are Everything' and 'Me Oh My' are catchy, uplifting disco tunes meant to take listeners far, far away from the realities of the day.

CHEEK TO CHEEK - So Good So Nice (1984)

CCP/Bullet, BU(E)599

Producer: Mally Watson

Debut album by wildly popular bubblegum duo of the late Madoda Malotana and Phumi Maduna. The album launched the duo's prolific career as well as a professional rivalry with Brenda and the Big Dudes (featuring Madoda's brother Desmond) for the biggest name in the business. Tracks include 'Jam To the Mambo Beat', '6.30 Rush Hour' and 'Set Me Free'.

BENJAMIN BALL - Paulina (1984)

Third World, TWL 510

Absolute classic album by Ball backed by his former Sound Busters bandmates Neo Maphaka and Cyril Mnculwane, soon to become CJB, and Thami Mdluli aka Professor Rhythm . 'Flash A  Flashlight' was one of the first big bubblegum hits (with 'Weekend Special' and 'Burnout') and set the tone for countless imitators in the years to come. The album is American-styled disco-funk with a touch of reggae. Other tracks are 'Soweto Tonite', 'I Just Keep Dancing', 'Reggae Music' and 'Rocket Baby'. Ball (real name Benjamin  Msane) also released maxi singles such as 'I Need It' (1984) and 'Come To Me' (1986) before drifting into obscurity, reportedly serving time in jail, becoming a qualified sangoma and converting to Rastafarianism. He is currently living in Umzinto on the KZN south coast and trying to revive his music career.

THE DYNAMICS - Switch It On & Wind It Up (1984)

Priority, MOBL100
Producers: Mick Williams, Dynamics & Ian Osrin
Engineer: Mick Williams
Recorded at: Battery Mobile at The Woodpecker Inn, Botswana

Influential and much-loved multi-racial ska act made up of Steve Howells (drums), Jimmy Florence (keys, bass, trombone), Herbert (bass, keys) and 'The Dynamic Horns’ Winston Nyaunda and Harvey Roberts.

With timeless tracks like ‘Thugs’ and 'Who’s Worried?', this mini-album was recorded at Hugh Masekela's mobile studio in Botswana with English producer Mick Williams. After Switch It On, the band left for the UK to escape conscription and apartheid oppression but failed to live up to their huge potential, reforming in the mid-90s to release their long-awaited follow-up, Organic. Lots more on this band HERE.

MARGINO - That's My Man (1984)

Roy B/Dephon/Gallo, LPRBL109   
Producers: Phil Audoire, Attie van Wyk
Engineer: Pikes Cronje       
Recorded at: Ovation & RPM Studios

Super funky stuff that came out at the same time as Brenda & The Big Dudes' 'Weekend Special' and set the tone for the prolific Dephon team, who soon went on to launch stars like Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Chicco. Margino, aka Kim Kallie, daughter for Rhodesian singer Judy Page, also sang with reggae group Kariba and jazz rock outfit Turbo in the early 80s, and later did backing vocals for Future (1986) and others. She first shot to fame as a solo star with a version of 'Holiday' (written by Lisa Stevens and Curtis Hudson, credited as Cathy Hudson), which was released at the same time as Madonna's version - her debut hit. Dephon svengali Phil Hollis had picked up the song as Midem that year and used it to launch his prototype bubblegum star. Margino also had hit in '83 with another cover: In-Deep's 'Last Night a DJ Saved My Life'. Both were huge sellers, largely with black audiences.

CABO VERDE SHOW - Oh! Mylena / Bem Danca (1984)

Brandao Records, 002               

Evil synthesizer grooves from this big band from the small former Portuguese colony off the coast of west Africa, led by one Emmanuel Lima, who handles the Rhodes, Moog and Hammand organs, as well as vocals on 'Oh Mylena'. Full of Latin influences and reminiscent of Mozambican marrabenta.

SAITANA - Love Fever (1984)

Black Music/CCP/EMI, BMC(0)571   
Producer: Sabata Lebona

Monty 'Saitana' Ndimande was one of the original members of Harari (first known as The Beaters), formed with Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse, 'Om' Alec Khaoli and the late Selby Ntuli while all were still students of Orlando High School way back in 1968. This 1984 solo album has some solid grooves reminiscent of Harari's signature Afro-rock sound, but lacks some of the energy of the full collective. Saitana's other albums include Baby Don't Go in 1976.

He died mysteriously in 1987, amid rumours of booze and drug abuse - found dead next to the railway tracks outside Joburg (while Hotstix was in Brussels remixing his solo hits 'Jive Soweto' and 'Shikisha'), and was replaced by 'Funky' Masike Mohapi. His son Zynne (aka Mahoota) was a founding member of seminal kwaito act Trompies and is now a top house DJ and producer. He never knew his biological father before his death, as Saitana's family was convinced that his mother was trying to extort money from the star.

Lyrics on 'Kind Man' hint at his troubles:
"I am having difficulties,
I am having lots of problems,
Because I'm a kind man
I always give, give, give...
The more I give,
the more you want...
I'm giving you all I've got,
What do I get in return?"

HEY FEVER! - The Sneezing Song (1984)

MFM, XFL204   
Producers: Bones Brettell & Bernie Millar   
Engineers: Bones Brettell & Bernie Millar       

Super-catchy novelty hit that helped lay the sound for many bubblegum songs to come. It made it overseas, for example to Germany, marketed as Italo-Disco. B-side contains a dub 'Sing-it-yourself' version.

"Bones Brettell (already famous as keyboard played for supergroup Hotline and hitmaking record producer) and Bernie Millar (already famous for being Bones' buddy) decided that in the light of the current flu epidemic, sneezers of the world should have some kind of VIRAL ANTHEM!

"The discerning record collector will notice that the beat has not only an infectious dancing rhythm, but is specifically designed for those who prefer to boogie in the horizontal position, while afflicted by infections of another nature."