Stimela

Formed in Johannesburg in 1981, comprising several veterans who had been part of the South African music scene for years. They evolved out of The Cannibals with Ray Phiri (guitar), Isaac Mtshali (drums), Lloyd Lelosa (keyboards), Jabu Sibumbe (bass) and Charles Ndlovu (synthesizer).

While Phiri and Mtshali had been members of The Cannibals, Lelosa and Sibumbe joined from The Movers. In 1985 Janji Mayo replaced Jabu Sibumbe.

In 1982 they released their first album Mama Wami and in 1983 “they released their first (12”) single “I Hate Telling A Lie”/“I Love You.

During the 1980s they released several classic albums such as Fire, Passion, Ecstasy (1984), Shadows, Fear and Pain (1985), Look, Listen and Decide (1986), Unfinished Story (1987) and Trouble In The Land of Plenty (1989).

They worked with Paul Simon on the Graceland album, bringing international attention to their music. In 1992 Ray Phiri left the group to embark on a solo career. The band continued with releases into the 1990s and a much later album, A Lifetime … in 2010.

The Movers

Formed in Alexandra in 1967. The original line-up included Sophie Thapedi (vocals), Oupa Hlongwane (guitar), Sankie Cluenyane (organ), Norman Cluenyane (bass), Archie Mohlala (drums), Lula Nasekela (alto sax), Thomas Phale (tenor sax). Early on Maxwell Kubheka replaced Norman Cluenyane on bass.

They launched their career with the release of the singles “Apple Tart” (1969) and “Movers Underground”.

They released their first solo album Crying Guitar in 1970. They experienced several line-up changes over the next decade and by 1981 their line-up had changed to: Ben Rhikoto (guitar), Jabu Sibumbe (bass and percussion), Lloyd Lelosa (keyboards and vocals), Mafa Pholo (drums), Thomas Phale (tenor sax), Eaglett Ditsi (vocals) and Joy White (vocals).

They released singles and albums on a regular basis throughout the 1970s and until their last album, Space, released in 1981.