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.

V-MASH - Naughty Boy (1989)

Gallo GRC, BL687   
Producers: Alec 'Om' Khaoli & Colin Smith   
Engineer: Colin Smith       

"Vinolia Mashego who became known as V-Mash will always be remembered as the tigress of SABC televisions's youth programme, Jam Alley. But when "Om" Alec Khaoli met her he saw a music performer with massive potential" (Mojapelo 2008:108). With party tracks like the hit 'Suna Papa', 'Celebrate Tonite' and 'Don't Touch', Naughty Boy was the starlet's second album, after The Hunger (1988) and before Cheena in 1991. It features cameos from influential producer Tom Vuma (guitar) and Om's former Harari compadre Funky Masike (vocals).

WALK THIS WAY - Best Friends (1990)

CSR/One Way/Teal Trutone, OWL2005   
Producers: Chris Ghelakis & Marvin Moses           

Interesting crossover project by popular new school producers Chris Ghelakis and Marvin Moses. Formed in 1989, Best Friends was their debut album, followed in 1992 by  (Don't wanna live in A) Matchbox, featuring "I'm Sorry". The band built up a loyal following in nightclubs all over the country, fronted by dynamic duo Vic Kotzen and guitarist Mella Mann. Dave Ridley and Moses provide the keyboards, with backing vocals from The Syndicate Sisters and The Angels. Not credited on this album, Tracey Madden en Pamela Felix performed live with the band, along with Brent Harris on drums. Drawing on house and hi-NRG influences, its a tentative step into a brave new world post-bubblegum. The title track adds reggae and hip-hop influences, while they also attempt a cover of the Aerosmith hit they take their name from.

KAYA - Xigangu Xaphorisa (1986)

Gallo GRC, XWI132   
Producer: Richard Siluma   
Engineers: Mark Baker & Sam Wingate                       

Innovative Shangaan pop produced by the man who launched Lucky Dube's reggae career around the same time, Richard Siluma. The two tracks on this album weigh in at seven minutes each, so it's hardly the kind of frenetic power-pop usually associated with the genre, but it's packed full of fresh synth sounds.

                   

MTUSENI SIBIYA no MFANA NGUBANE nezi NKONKONI - Xola Phela (1983)

Jamloti/CCP/EMI, JML(E)7011   
Producer: SM Khoza       

More 'Zulu traditional' grooves, this time from Mtuseni Sibiya, Mfana Ngubane and "The Wildebeests". It goes back to the roots of maskandi, relying primarily on guitar melodies and call-and-response vocals, while favouring old-style accordians over the keyboards that would come to dominate the genre thanks to the likes of the Madlala Brothers.

FABASI - D.O.L. (Ducks of London) (1989)

Black Talent/EMI, BTMR(O)038   
Producers:  Jonjo & Mlungisi   
Engineer: Great Duiker       

Tough, pre-kwaito pop that draws heavily on Brenda and Chicco from the same period. According to the Soweto-born singer, "My aim is to write good songs. I want people to know that I enjoy myself when I perform and I sing because I enjoy it, not out of vanity. I sometimes just like opening my mouth and yelling! I further like keeping in shape because looking good is part of my performance." Featuring killer synth work from Peter "Chilly Tshabalala", also of CO Connexion.

JAMBO - Calling All Children (1991)

Cool Spot, SPOT(V)011   
Producer: Mally Watson       
Engineer: Sipho Jonson Mdletshe   
Recorded at: Cool Spot Studios, JHB

Jambo were perhaps second only to Lucky Dube in popularity among reggae acts in Mzansi. This was their third album, after Prodigal Son (1988) and Bad Friend (1990), and came during a time of growing uncertainty and violence ahead of the imminent fall of apartheid. The title track is "dedicated to the leaders of tomorrow" and calls on the youth to go back to school, after the student uprisings of 1976 set the tone for much of the militant 1980s:

"The time has come for you to go to school,
The time has come to get education...
One child, one education
will build tomorrow nation...
I cannot always be there to protect you,
So you must learn to stand up on your own"

IBIZA - Zanele Nta Kushabela Scooter (1986)

Mavuthela/Gallo GRC, HUL40106   
Producer: West Nkosi   
Engineer: Philip Nel       
Recorded at: RPM Studios

Instant classic on the much loved Mavuthela label, a relatively rare foray into synth-heavy bubblegum by Mr West Nkosi – best known for producing two of South Africa's greatest exports, Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. With Ralph Mahura on keyboards, Ephraim Madiba on bass and Mandla Mkhize on vocals. Backing vocals by Felicia Marion and Thoko Ndlozi. The four tracks on the album set the tone for much of what was to come over the next five years - the best a funky ode to the hangover, 'Ibhabhalazi (Monday Blues)':      

"Wake up, it's Monday, how do you feel today?
Everybody's crying out, saying Monday is a bad day.
I heard a man sitting next to me, that he's got babalaza.
There is nothing that you can do, just get yourself a tot of whiskey..."

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.

TOM DOLLAR - Without You (1987)

CCP/EMI, HIX(V)4061951   
Producer: Peter Moticoe   
Engineers: Fernando Perdigao & Humphrey Mabote       
Recorded at: Powerhouse & Gallo Studios               

Stimela-infuenced Afro-soul by Tom Chiloane, co-written by the prolific Peter Moticoe. Featuring revered bluesman Larry Amos on guitars and backing vocals by the likes of Deborah Fraser and Joy White. Joey Mabe (part of the Makgona Tsohle Band that backed Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens) plays piano, strings and bass, with bass synths and DX7 by Kokotile Rakhetla and extra synths by Enos Lubisi. It all goes down smooth but lacks the hooks that make a hit.

RALPH MARTIN - I Feel The Beat (1986)

Priority, PVB1223   
Producers: Ralph Martin & Fergie Ferguson   
Engineers: Humphrey Mabote & Richard Mitchell       
Recorded at: Battery Mobile                               

80s pop-rock backed by Hotline drummer Larry Rose and Doug Rome on keys. Ralph Martin started out playing guitar in various bands before landed a recording deal then a engineering job at Priority Records (part owned by CCP and later Jive/Zomba founder Clive Calder). He spent the next 10 years engineering, producing and playing guitar on numerous pop, rock, jazz, kwela and mbaqanga productions, including a few hits. More recently he started his own studio, the Cry Room, where he hires out his axe skills for his company Guitar SOS.

LAWRENCE 'SACKEY' GOREOANG - Hey-Tah-Dah (1986)

Third World Music/Sounds of Soweto, TWL(0)537   
Producer: Lawrence Goreoang   
Engineer: Kevin Manas       
Recorded at: 8th Avenue Studio

Sweet 4-track album of distinctive bubblegum by the former guitarist of The Teenage Lovers, a band from Ikageng in Potchefstroom who were regulars on the 70s soul scene and featured keyboard maestro Rex Rabanye. Sackey also wrote the hit 'Mr Moonlight' for another popular soul act, The Question Marks (Mojapelo 2008:47).