Tag: Malopoets

1988 was a poor year for South African musicians on the Capital Countdown: only eight artists with nine songs made the Top 40 (there were two songs by Cinema). As always, we have put together a playlist of additional songs which we think should have charted.
Once again, we have Shifty Records to thank for recording various musicians who otherwise would not have been recorded and thus more easily forgotten: The Gereformeerde Blues Band, The Kêrels, Koos and Tananas. Shifty got behind the Voelvry tour in 1988 and three of these groups: the Gereformeerde Blues Band, The Kerels and Koos were included on the Voelvry compilation album of that year. As the Voelvry spirit of white Afrikaans rebellion swept through the dorps and cities of South Africa it is strange that Capital missed out on the opportunity to capture that moment.

1988 saw further releases from now established artists: Bright Blue, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Dog Detachment, Sipho Mabuse, Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, Malopoets, Mango Groove and Savuka all released great new music, while David Kramer was back with music from the Cape Town musical, composed by Kramer and Petersen. Veteran folk guitar player, Steve Newman, was back with a group formed with two established Shifty artists, Gito Baloi and Ian Herman. 1988 also saw the emergence of Ralf Rabie (Johannes Kerkorrel) who was the main force behind the Gereformeerde Blues Band. Both of these Shifty initiatives went on to greater mainstream success over the next decade and a half. 1988 also saw a once-off album from the Jazzanians. While they did not record another album Zim Ngqawana went on to enjoy a successful solo career.

The Psycho Reptiles also recorded their first and only album in 1988, and are still remembered for their single “Monster From The Bog”. Bakithi Kumalo had risen to fame through his collaboration with Paul Simon on the Graceland album and tour and he released his first solo albumin 1988. Shake Baby was one of several Carl Raubenheimer initiatives after his collaborations with James Philips (Corporal Punishment and Illegal Gathering) but although they were a popular band on the live circuit in Cape Town they never went on to release a full album. Koos were a bilingual English-Afrikaans avante garde punk band who sadly also only brought out one album. The Kêrels released their debut album in 1988 and their “Golden Days” single has ended up on the occasional compilation album.

This eclectic mix of songs makes for interesting and enjoyable listening. Sit back, turn up the volume and have fun!

What is your favourite track on the "Miss Parade" for 1988?

Time On My Own – Bright Blue

Time On My Own – Bright Blue 15 %

We Got Da Beat – Cape Town

We Got Da Beat – Cape Town 0 %

White Flag – Dog Detachment

White Flag – Dog Detachment 5 %

Hillbrow – Gereformeerde Blues Band

Hillbrow – Gereformeerde Blues Band 0 %

Umqombothi – Yvonne Chaka Chaka

Umqombothi – Yvonne Chaka Chaka 5 %

Bayete – Jazzanians

Bayete – Jazzanians 5 %

The Kêrels

The Kêrels 5 %

Takumba – Bakithi Kumalo

Takumba – Bakithi Kumalo 0 %

In Detention – Koos

In Detention – Koos 0 %

Chant – Sipho Mabuse

Chant – Sipho Mabuse 0 %

Kazet – Mahlathini And The Mahotella Queens

Kazet – Mahlathini And The Mahotella Queens 5 %

Azania – Malopoets

Azania – Malopoets 0 %

Mau Mau Eyes – Mango Groove

Mau Mau Eyes – Mango Groove 0 %

Monster From The Bog – Psycho Reptiles

Monster From The Bog – Psycho Reptiles 15 %

I Call Your Name – Savuka

I Call Your Name – Savuka 40 %

Falling In Love – Shake Baby

Falling In Love – Shake Baby 0 %

Hard Hat Jive – Tananas

Hard Hat Jive – Tananas 5 %

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