Dazz = Disco Jazz
Dazz was originally a huge hit in 1976 for Brick, an American soul funk disco quintet. The track was covered in 1977 by a South African studio band formed around Julian Laxton, Duku Makasi, Robbie Jansen and John Galanakis.
Today’s post features the full-length versions of this rare 12″ …enjoy!
City Soul -Dazz
City Soul -Funky Dunky
one post a day for the remainder of 2017 featuring a selection of some of my best finds of African music last year…not necessary brand new releases. Mostly vintage original pressings found during my travels all over the world.
Teal Records – XPD 2479 South Africa 1986
Producer – Ray Phiri
Produced by the late Ray Phiri of Stimela fame. Two fantastic disco/boogie tracks and a soulful tune from 1986 by Sandile Ngema
See also
Stimela -Look, Listen And Decide 1986
Guitarist Ray Phiri R.I.P. (1947-2017)
Discovery of the Week -Thoughts Visions and Dreams -Ray Phiri
Today’s post shares a rare South African dance 12″ released in 1994.
Groovy G. consists of rapper and singer Marlon, ace muso The Big A and Funky DJ, muso and hot dance producer, the man behind the grooves on ‘Viva Dance’.
‘Viva Dance’ was produced by Patric van Blerk, the man who produced the mega hits of Margaret Singana in the 70’s, besides successful innovative Dance compilations in the 80’s.
The mini-album features a mix of dance styles popular in the mid 1990’s, referring clearly to house, rap and pop…but in a typical South African mellow vibe
Groovy G. -Viva Dance! (Tusk PVC 57 South Africa 1994)
Groovy G. -SOUTHERN JAM
Groovy G. -SOMETHING ABOUT YOU
Groovy G. -LOVE THANG
Groovy G. -GIVE ME A LITTLE TIME
Groovy G. GIVE IT TO ME
Groovy G. -lOVE ON THE DANCE FLOOR
see also Keep on Bumping in 2017 -South African Disco & Boogie Part 1
here is the second part of the story of South African Disco & Boogie, published in the 3rd volume of “Hot Stuff” the online magazine focusing mainly on Disco & Boogie. See pages 19 through 25 for the full spread….
SOUL GEMS, BOOGIE BOMBS, DISCO DYNAMITE and ULTRA-RARE HOLYGRAILS !!!
In the first South African disco movie “Botsotso” (1979), the recurring plot is a fairy tale similar to the story of Cinderella. The hero is a dustman who wants to go to the ball, but like Cinderella, he does not have the approriate clothes. Miraculously, he gets the clothes, wins the princess and the respect of his peers. By the end of the film his brother is no longer ashamed of him, and in the followup Botsotso 2 (1983), leading man Luki starts as a cook, but ends up owning the disco.
The suggestion is that class mobility can be effected by changing one’s clothes and learning to dance. Of course that idea is a wellknown theme that was first glorified in the classic disco movie ‘Saturday Night Fever’, starring John Travolta as Tony Manero, a troubled youth from Brooklyn who found glory on the dance floor.
The success of disco music was soon spreading over South Africa as wildfire. Many youth from the townships were trekking to the big cities to find fame and glory under the mirror ball. Simultaneously eager producers from local record companies, always keen on easy sales, flocked to the dancefloors to watch the action. Some great talent escaped the poverty and grim life of the townships and made it big. But most of these young hopefuls ended up as one-hit wonders or simply took the bus back to their homelands on a one-way ticket.
One of the biggest names to dominate the booming disco scene of the 1970s was Harari, even being invited to perform in the US with jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela in 1978. During this tour, the band’s leader Selby Ntuli died, leaving Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse as the new leader. This eclectic ensemble was impossible to categorise; mixing funk and disco with jazz, while also using traditional African instruments to create a completely unique sound that many tried, but failed to imitate. They were the ultimate party band, yet boasted some of the best musicians around at the time, such as Alec ‘Om’ Khaoli and Lionel Petersen. The single ‘Party’ from the album ‘Heatwave’ (Gallo 1980) even entered the American Disco Charts giving the group worldwide exposure and making a superstar of Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse. Harari will forever hold legendary status, even after their split in 1982.
Another star of that same era is Blondie Chaplin, a former member of Durban’s soul & rock band The Flames who made it quite big on his own, while scoring his biggest hits with Pappa Makhene.
Blondie And Pappa – Don’t Burn Your Bridges / Boogie On Up -Bullet – B150 (1978)
Blondie And Pappa -I Can’t Get Along Without You / I’m Here, You’re There –CCP Records –CCP1 (1980)
Blondie And Pappa -Going Home To My Mama / I Like It –CCP Records –CCP7 (1980)
Blondie And Pappa -Never Gonna Let You Go / Cape To Nassau –CCP Records –CCP17 (1981)
Spankk featuring Blondie –The Air That I Breathe (Love Of My Life) / Hallelujah (Praise His Name) -Family – FLY 507 (1983)
Blondie – Communicate / Sugar I Like It -Family – FLY 517 (1984)
Blondie – Overtime/D Good Day -Family – FLY 528 (1985)
Another dance success story in the mid 70s came from Cape Town with The Rockets, a band and dance group fronted by singer Ronnie Joyce who would later go solo to become South Africa’s youngest child star at 13. He was discovered by the popular soul crooner Richard Jon Smith, who introduced his protegee to producer Cliver Calder . This ex-South African correspondent for Billboard magazine would relocate to the UK in 1974 where he would form Zomba Records with his partner Ralph Simon.
Ronnie Joyce’s biggest inspiration of course was young Michael Jackson, whom he resembled with his afro hairdo and funky dance moves. The band had a number of hits like ‘Surrender’, ‘Situations’, ‘Ooh La La’ and ‘Gimme A Break (Dance). Ronnie Joyce embarked on a solo career and released hits like ‘Working On A Good Thing’ and ‘What Went Wrong With Us?’. The young singer teamed up on TV shows and radio programs with another child star; Jonathan Butler. 
Best known nowadays as a respected and well known jazz artist in the Cape Jazz genre Jonathan Butler started his career as a teen idol in the same vein as Justin Bieber. The album ‘Spotlight on Jonathan Butler’ contains a selection of uptempo soul & boogie tunes and some classic soul ballads, produced by Peter Vee for Clive Calder Productions.
Breakdancing, another street craze that started in the New York slums of Bronx and Harlem in the US took the South African youth by storm in 1984, especially in the urban areas. Hot US albums by Break Machine ‘Break Dance Party’, produced by Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo, fueled the popularity of dance styles like the head spin, moonwalking, electric boogie, spider and glide in South Africa where local acts became known nationwide. The Ghetto Slickers, a high energy breakdance trio from the house of popular singer, dancer, actor and disc jockey Cocky ‘Two Bull’ Tlhotlhalemajoe became the most popular dance act.
The Black Consciousness movement of the seventies promoted locally by activists like Steve Bantu Biko as well as African American artists like James Brown, saw individuals and organisations contribute towards building the self-esteem of the oppressed masses of South Africa. ‘Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud’ became the slogan for black South Africa.
In 1985 the Black Glamour Exhibition in Johannesburg showcased progressive young blacks and their culture. Amongst the musicians who participated in this massive show of self-pride were Ebony, Stimela, Street Kids, Pappa & Blondie a.o.
But nobody was prepared for the tsunami that in 1986 would sweep the country when came Paul Simon released his ‘Graceland’ album. The release of this worldwide hit record created an enormous international interest in South African musicians and their music. Simon faced controversy for seemingly breaking the cultural boycott imposed by the rest of the world against South Africa because of its policy of apartheid. In addition, some black critics viewed Graceland as an exploitive appropriation of their culture.
Back in 1972, after breaking up his career with Simon & Garfunkel, he had already succesfully engaged Jamaican artists to bring the reggae effect into his music. In 1985 Simon engaged South African musicians like Ray Phiri, Isaac Mtshali, Bakithi Khumalo and Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the recording of the ‘Graceland’ album in New York. The rest is history.
Earlier in 1985 Stevie Wonder demonstrated outside the South African Embassy in Washington and released an album ‘In Square Circle’ that same year. On a protest track ‘It’s Wrong (Apartheid) exiled South African musicians Tshepo Mokone, Thandeka Ngono, Linda Tshabalala and Fana Kekana were featured as backing vocalists. In 1987 Michael Jackson asked Letta Mbulu for the song “Liberian Girl” that was part of his groundbreaking album ‘Bad’.
Local record companies responded to this with a non-stop flow of dance records that initially broke first on the radio, followed by success on dancefloors.
The radio broadcast industry, which had earlier seen the end of the SABC’s monopoly with the launch of Radio SR in 1977 with black deejays broadcasting in English, was more diversified then most radio stations. When Radio SR introduced South Africans to smooth talking jocks like Cocky ‘Two Bull’ Tlhotlhalemajoe, Meshack Mapetla or Danisile Lavisa, many young black boys and girls started gearing themselves to a wider and freer broadcasting industry. The radio landscape would never be the same.
Suddenly there was airtime and a healthy market for locally produced black dance music that came from within the community itself, not being imported from US or UK. Labels like On Records, formed by Ronnie Robot, Sound of Soweto and Flash dominated the local markets.
Not many of these releases ever made it further then the borders of South Africa, but they are not forgotten! Just like Cinderella, these records are waiting to be rediscovered after a period of obscurity and neglect.
By no means do I claim that this list is complete….still adding!
Letta Mbulu -I’ll Never Be The Same LP -Tamla Motown – TMC 5242 (1973)–rare LP by a South African legend, one of the holy grails
Little Ronnie Joyce –Give A Little Love / Working On A Good Thing –Bullet Records (B14) (1974)
Jonathan Butler -‘Spotlight on Jonathan Butler’ -MFP 54748 (1975)
Lionel Petersen –I’ll Take You Where The Music’s Playing -Plum Records (PLC 5019) (1975)
Rene Richie and her Cosmic Band –Love In Space -Gallo Records ML 4181 (1978) –Italo Disco from South Africa
Qondile Nxumalo –Mad World / Uthando Olungaka -Soul Brother (PB 75) 1978
Malcolm Soul –Mr. Cool / I’m Gonna Give In CTV Disco -CTS 715 (year of release unknown)
Botsotso –original soundtrack –Buffalo Records (BFL 1005) (1979)
Thandeka Ngono –s/t –Atlantic (ATC 8004) (1979)
Alec ‘Om’ Khaoli –Magic Touch / Be My Wife Gallo Records –PD2007 (1981)
Masike “Funky” Mohapi -Hamba Sibali Wami (pts 1 & 2) –Raintree Records (RAB 311) (1982)
Caiphus Semenya – Listen To The Wind Moonshine 2002 (1982)
Dudu Mazibuku & The Paper Dolls –Disco Beat / Botsoso Girl -Zasha Records (AAB3) (1983)
Piliso –Thumela –Peach River Records (BBSLP 02) (1983)
Brenda & The Big Dudes – Weekend Special Family Records – FLY(V) 4 (1983)
Brenda & The Big Dudes – Let’s Stick Together Family Records – FLY(V) 8 (1984)
Street Kids –Try Me (Game Nr. 2) Right Track PRO RTS 35 (1984)
Ebony – I Need Somebody / You Are The One–Right Track Records (RTS 619) (1985)
Tata –It’s A Mess / Afro Breakdance -Hot Stuff (HST (C) 1507 (1985)
Eric D -Slow Down / Nothing For Nothing -Sounds of Soweto (SOS 2) (1988)
Travolta –Leb 3 (Amarovers) Bubblee Records (Buble 5) (1988)
and a few rare field recordings as well….
AFRICAN SANCTUS – For African tapes, choir, operatic soprano, light soprano, shouter, African drummer, rock drummers, two percussion, electric guitar, bass guitar, piano, and Hammond M.100 organ.
rare recording of an actual auction of tobacco in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Published by Tobacco Auctions Limited, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia
Syndicate – Keep On Bumping
Scroll to page 18-24 for Soul Gems & Bump Music in this volume of ‘Hot Stuff’. The story of South African Disco & Boogie Part 1…discover how soul singer Margaret Singana became known as Lady Africa….read a collector’s story on one of the rarest records by Percy Sledge produced and recorded for a South African movie…and remember why David Thekwane and Patricia Majalisa became household names in South Africa and beyond.
Percy Sledge -Soul Fire
This post features an extended article on South African Disco & Boogie I wrote for the ‘Hot Stuff’ online magazine. This specialist publication is recommended wholeheartedly, chockablock with interesting interviews, articles, reviews and memorabilia of the Disco era.
More rare stuff in Part 2 of South African Disco & Boogie to be published soon…
Thank you for being a part of Soul Safari! Just to let you know that Soul Safari appreciates your visit to these pages. May 2017 be a safe, prosperous and healthy year for all of you!
every week during the month of August 2015, Soul Safari presents a selection of the hottest, rarest and above all most exemplary Boogie & Disco from Africa. All records were originally produced, recorded and released in South Africa. Get ready for a real hot August!
First up is this LP by singer Ebony -real name Linah Khama- who was active mostly between 1984-1989. Her biggest hits include the 12″ singles ‘I Need Somebody’ (1984) and ‘I Don’t Need You / Ooh La La Hop’ (1987).
Ebony -Feeling Good (Righttrack – RTL 9026 South Africa 1987)
Piliso – Thumela
I wish I could find some more info on this rare album by Piliso, released in Holland only in 1983. Unfortunately nothing pops up on Google or anywhere. Discogs clarifies that the same album was released in 1979 as Uwandile – The Tie Breaker in Nigeria. A few acetates were cut at Trident Studios in 1981 for release of album by Boom Records in Nigeria. Not sure if the Boom release ever happened.
Some info from the sleeve of the Dutch release; Uwandile Piliso is a singer and hails from Johannesburg, South Africa
Recording artists; Guitar -J. Ndlou Bass -Andre Abramse
Drums -Butley Moore
Vocals -Uwandile Piliso
Fender Rhodes -Gboyega Adelaja Keyboards -T. Matebese Horns -E. Oyewole/O. Julius
Recorded and mixed at Decca Studios, Lagos Nigeria
All songs written by Uwandile Piliso
Artwork; Susan E. St George
released on Peach River Records – BB SP LP 02 The Netherlands 1983
Thumbs up to reader Afrikola for his valuable comment. This post was edited on June 16th 2015 and the following info added
This was a group of South African exiles in Nigeria at the time. Wandile also played with Themba Matebese in his T- Fire group that got comped on some Soundway Nigerian compilations.That group featured big names from Africa 70 , like Lekan Aminashaun,Tunde Williams and Kenneth Okulolo. Andre Abrahamse and Josi Ndlovu from Zimbabwe did a nice AfroDisco album called Amandla , as well as backing the drummer Butley Moore on his own record , Happy Merry Music.All from around the same time on Boom Records.After coming back from exile , Andre Abrahamse was a well sought after studio musician , appearing on lots of Jazz albums. Themba Matebese also produced the Basa Basa Soundz album Together We Win , that also got repressed on Peach River Records under another name Basa Basa Homowo.
Each week during the month of March Soul Safari presents a selection of exquisite South African boogie/disco rarities. Final selection for March is this rare promo by South African singer Stargo-Man with 2 boogie/disco sides from 1989
Soul Safari 
