Gumba Fire: Bubblegum Soul & Synth Boogie In 1980's South Africa

In 1980s black South Africa, a local form of pop music evolved as the disco boom died down and slowly mutated. It was often ubiquitously described as Bubblegum - usually stripped-down and lo-fi with a predominance of synths, keyboards and drum-machines and overlaid with the kind of deeply soulful trademark vocals and harmonies that South African music is famous for.

Compilers Miles Cleret (Soundway) and DJ Okapi (Afrosynth Records) present a selection of 16 rare, handpicked 1980s cuts that highlight the period that nestles in between the ‘70s (where American-influenced jazz, funk and soul bumped shoulders with local Mbaqanga) and the ‘90s, when Kwaito and eventually house-
music ruled the dancefloors of urban South Africa.

1. The Survivals - My Brother
2. Stimela - Mind Games
3. Hot Soul Singers - Hlala Nami
4. Zoom - Wayawaya
5. Ashiko - Gumba Fire (Madlakadlaka)
6. Monwa & Sun - Heartbeat
7. Ntombi Ndaba - Do You Trust Amajita?
8. The Black Five - Selallane
9. Starlight - Picnicing
10. Zasha - Hayi Ngodlame
11. Sabela - Africa
12. Condry Ziqubu - She's Impossible
13. General Peter Maringa - Listen To Me
14. Zasha - Arrow Dub
15. Ozila - Wola Wola