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 

POOSH - Check Ups (1991)

Music Team, ETL(C)5028

Producer: Danny Mokoka

Engineer: Danny Bridgens

Composer: Vusumzi Keiser Dipu

Recorded at: Syntrax

Debut album from Pumla Mtengwane, with all songs composed and keyboards played by Keiser Dipu, former frontman of Chaka. Uptempo pantsula grooves with Poosh’s singing and rapping often taking a backseat to frantic beats and layers of synths, best on tracks like ‘Johnny Boy’, ‘Do It’ and ‘Sisi Rebecca’, a funky ode to rising star Rebecca Malope.

“From humble beginnings singing in a choir choir, talent competitions and shows, here is my debut album. Thank you to Keiser Dipu for always believing in me and my dream. Together we had made this album come true. Special thanks to Music Team for the chance in a million to record my album and for the support and encouragement they have given me. Everybody has a dream, and if you can dream it, you can achieve it.”

SYNDICATE SISTERS - Foolish Games (1991)

DPMC, DMB9033

Producers: Marvin W. Moses, C. Ghelakis & G. Vardas 

Leaders of the new-school sound that drew influence from international trends like Eurobeat and New Jack Swing, the DPMC label struck gold with the Syndicate Sisters, a trio whose sound typifies the early 90s pre-kwaito sound, along with MarcAlex, J.E. Movement and others. All instruments and programming by Marvin Moses, featuring guest vocals by a young Ringo Madlingozi (on ‘Bad Boy’) and the late great Ronnie Joyce (on ‘Every Song’).

T-GROUP - Luambo (1991)

Beat City/Tusk, QBH1143

Producer: Ananias Maphwanya

Engineer: Lee Short

Recorded at: RPM

Venda grooves driven my guitar and bass but underpinned by plenty of sweet synths and organ sounds, with infectious call-and-response vocals that work best on tracks like ‘Ndokondelela’ and ‘Wo Ndingelani’. Composed and produced by Ananias Maphwanya (Gift Brothers).

PARK STATION - Culani (1991)

Music Team/Roi/Red Label, RLLP(C)080

Recorded at: Howard Morgan Studio

Synth instrumentals of songs composed by Platform 1, Pure Gold and the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), among others. The result is an album full of interesting synth sounds over funky basslines, similar to African Youth Band, S.Y.B., J.G. Project and others. Named after the train station in downtown Johannesburg.

SENYAKA - Ntate Senyaka (1991)

Roy B/Teal, RBL186

Producer: Senyaka Kekana

Engineer: Peter 'Mahamba' Pearlson

Recorded at: Downtown Studios

Following the groundbreaking album Fuquza Dance (1987) and the subsequent success of Portuguese (1988) and Sophiatown (1989), kwaito forerunner Senyaka Kekana’s 1991 album Ntate Senyaka was certainly not his best, attempting to blend his signature rapping style with traditional accordian grooves. He was soon back to his best for 1993’s Ma-Gents and remained popular as an artist and actor until his untimely death in 2015.

JOHNNY BOKELO ISENGE ET SON GROUPE MBONDA AFRICA - Anti Balle (1991)

Tusk, HIM101

Producer: Mme Denise

Recorded at: Studio Diana Music, Paris

Jean ‘Johnny’ Bokelo Isenge was a popular Congolese guitarist who began his music career as a teenager in the 1950s. Recorded in Paris with his band Mbonda Africa and originally released in 1989 on Espera, Anti Balle was one of Bokelo’s last albums before he passed away in 1995. It was released in South Africa in 1991.

* Mint copies of this album are for sale here 

NOVIDADE - Voaria (1991)

Tusk, TUH19

Producers: Tata Sibeko & Thokoza Memela

Engineer: Humphrey Mabote

Recorded at: RPM Studios

Led by Mozambican guitarist Benjamin Nhassavele, Novidade were a trio also featuring Michael Mancu (keyboards) and Anderson Khomba (bass). Following 1988's Fun Time, the band had a hit with 'Voaria', which came out as a 12" single in 1990. The album of the same name came out the following year, and features five tracks blending Shangaan, Mozambican, Afro-Cuban and sophisticated electronic sounds, the latter thanks to producer Tata Sibeko, who handles programming and sequencing. Other personnel on the album are Isaac 'Mnca' Mtshali (Stimela, The Cannibals) on drums, saxman Mandla Masuku, Mozambican-born percussionist Johnnie Hassan and backing vocals by Tu and Marilyn Nokwe, Veronica Makgalemele and Mandisa Dlanga.

Nhassavele also recorded with Minebelt and was part of the stage musical Umoja. In 2014 he released a new solo album, Knock Knock.

SUN - Looking For Love (1991)

Diamond/Tusk TUH36

Producers: Q-Sound & Sun

Engineer: Q-Sound

Recorded at: Tone Def Inc.

Sun (real name Poth Nkotsoe) established himself in the late 80s as one half of the popular duo Monwa & Sun. In 1990 they parted ways to pursue careers as solo artists and producers. 1991's Looking For Love follows Sun's eponymously titled 1990 solo debut, drawing heavily from early house and Eurobeat influences and utilizing Sun's Rick Astley-styled vocals. A sign of future trends, every title on the album is a 'mix' of some kind - including a 'new jack city remix'  of 'You Give Me Good Love' and a 'bassappella mix' of the title track. The liner notes give thanks to New York house icons Dave Morales and Tony Humphries, although it's not clear if they played a role in the album. Featuring on backing vocals Nelli 'Bibbi' Booi, whose solo album 'You Don't Mind' Sun produced that same year.

* Mint copies of this album are for sale here. 

TSHALA MUANA - Nasi Nabali (1991)

Tusk, HIM102

Producer: Tshala Muana & Ben Nyamabo

Recorded at: Studio Diana Music, Paris

One of the central Africa's biggest female stars of her day (along with Mbilia Bel and others), Tshala Muana was born in Lubumbashi in 1957 and started her career as a dancer in Kinshasa in the late 70s. In 1981 she left for Abidjan and then Paris in 1984, where she recorded her debut album Kami. She returned to Kinshasa in 1986 but decided to stay based in Paris. Other albums include La Devine (1987), Munanga (1988), Biduaya (1990), Mutuashi (1996) and Pika Pende (1999). She is currently in the midst of a comeback, releasing Lunzenze in early 2016.

* Mint copies of this album are for sale here 

TABU LEY ROCHEREAU - Face Ä Face (1991)

Tusk, HIH4002

Producers: Tabu Ley, Kayen Madoka & Sam Mbende

Engineers: Pascal Portrell & Franak

Recorded at: Gimmick Studio, Paris

As leader of Orchestra Afrisa and great rival of Franco's TPOK Jazz, Tabu Ley Rochereau was one of Africa's greatest musicians. As a bandleader and composer he helped launch the career of Mbilia Bel, the first female soukous star, marrying her in the process. When Bel went solo he discovered the next soukous diva, Faya Tess, who features on three tracks on Face Ä Face (face to face), billed as 'Le Grand Retour' ('The Great Return') of Rochereau. Packed full of interested synths, the album reflects Rochereau's attempts to keep with the times. The title track got no fewer than two different music videos, as did the catchy duet 'Sosolinga'.

The album was first released in the late 1980s, around the time Rochereau had gone into exile in France, before moving briefly to California in the early 90s. He subsequently returned to Kinshasa after the fall of Mobutu in the late 90s, soon getting into politics. He is said to have fathered well over 50 children, including French rapper Youssoupha. He died in Belgium in November 2013 and is buried in Kinshasa.

* Mint copies of this album are for sale here 

DAVID NYANISI - Misava Ya Dzinginyika (1991)

DPMC, DMH9024

Producer: David Nyanisi

Composer: D. Chauke

Super slick Tsonga disco with fresh 90s synth sounds and spaced out call-and-response vocals. Co-arranged by Blanket Matuku, keyboardist Rivers Ngwenya and Moogo Hanyane. Liner notes also pay tribute to the late Shangaan disco king Paul Ndlovu (who died in a car crash in 1986) - "how could I forget you, you taught me so much about music and life". In 2004 Nyanisi was nominated for a Xitsonga Music Award for Best Xitsonga Disco for Mahalibota.

* Mint copies of this album are for sale here 

NANA ET BANIEL - Bouger le Coq chante (1991)

Tusk, HIH4001

Producer: Mukubwa Sammy

Engineers: Alan Ward, Mike B. & Tony

Recorded at: Studio Madeleine, Brussels

Congolese female vocal duo Baniel Mbambo and Nana Akumu featured on Franco's TPOK Jazz album Les 'On Dit' in 1987. They later recorded this album together, creating hypnotic vocals over intricate guitar work, groovy baselines, driving rhythms and tasteful horns. Each penned two of the tracks, as did producer Mukubwa Sammy. Titles include 'Tremblement de Terre (Earthquake)' and 'Samantha je suis Trouble'. Originally released on Belgian label Espera. 

• Mint copies of this album are for sale here

MASUTUTSA DANCE BAND - Vol 1: Setsokotsane (1991)

Diamond, TUH35

Producers: Professor & Doc Mice

Mixed by: David Moloele

Engineers: T. Mdluli & A. Cadabra

Co-produced and composed by Thami Mdluli (Professor Rhythm, Taboo, CJB), one of the leading names in early SA electronic music. While the Professor's solo albums from the same time are all instrumental, the Masututsa Dance Band makes use of a chorus of female vocals - The Super Trio - adding depth to the sound. Setsokotsane ('hurricane' in Sesotho) is split into "chapters" rather than sides. The first relies more heavily on drum machines and samples for an upbeat dancefloor groove that pre-empts kwaito and house. The second chapter ventures into other territory, drawing influences from the Dalom Kids (on 'Hayi Uku Dlala Ngami' / don't play with me), the gospel of Platform 1 (on 'Dineledi' / star) and the flute-driven anthems of Blondie's African Youth Band ('Abazali Bami' / my parents).

* Mint copies of this album are for sale here 

LES CHAMPIONS DU ZAIRE - Hommage a Franco OK Jazz (1991)

Tusk, HIH4000

Producer: Didier Boluwe

Engineer: Alan Ward

Recorded at: Studio Madeleine, Brussels

Congolese soukous from Les Champions du Zaire, paying homage to the legendary Franco Luambo Makiadi and his OK Jazz band (aka TPOK Jazz), one of Africa's most successful bands since their formation in the late 50s. When Franco passed away in October 1989, various incarnations of the band's many members recorded numerous tribute albums, including this one by a group of Franco's touring entourage who were based in Belgium. Led by guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku, the group later evolved into Odemba. Here they put a modern touch on the soukous sound with some added synths.

* Mint copies of this album are for sale here 

MONWA - Mama Kuse (1991)

Diamond/Tusk TUSB3013

Producer: Selwyn Shandel

Engineers: Jorge Arrigone & Selwyn Shandel

Recorded at: Shandel Music

Big-selling duo Monwa & Sun had a massive hit with 'Orlando Hangover' and released a string of great electronic albums in the late 80s on the Cool Spot label. After splitting both members embarked on solo careers, Monwa releasing Aweyo (1990) and Mama Kuse (1991), and Sun releasing a self-titled album in 1990 followed by Looking For Love in 1991. Both also produced other artists. The older of the two, Monwabisi Denis Yekani had earlier made a name for himself fronting Denis Yekani and the Movement. By '91 he had left Cool Spot and teamed up with producer Selwyn Shandel (The Winners, Ninja, Phumi Maduna, etc). 

* Mint copies of this album are available for sale here while stocks last.

KOFFI OLOMIDE - Diva (1991)

Tusk, HIM100

Producer: Koffi Olomide

Engineer: Roland Leclercq

Recorded at: Studio Madeleine, Brussels

One of the most successful and enduring artists to come from the DR Congo, Koffi Olomide was born in Kisangani and studied in France, returning to the Congo in the 70s to join Papa Wemba's band Viva La Musica. In the mid-80s he formed his own band, Quartier Latin International, which later launched the careers of stars like Fally Ipupa and Ferré Gola. Riding the early 'World Music' wave, in 1986 he released Diva on Belgian label Espera. His other early international releases include Ngobila (1986), Les Prisonniers Dorment (1990) and Tcha Tcho (1990), the latter his name of his signature brand of slowed-down souks. 

His albums sold well in Zimbabwe, so in 1991 South African label Tusk (formerly known as WEA) attempted to cash in by selling Diva (as well as other Congolese albums) in South Africa, although the strategy was largely unsuccessful. His more recent albums include the Kora-winning Effrakata (2002), Monde Arabe (2004) and Destiny (2014).

* Mint copies of this album are available for sale here while stocks last.