Hailu Mergia - Lala Belu

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 housemusic ruled the dancefloors of urban South Africa.

Tracklisting 

1. Tizita
2. Addis Nat
3. Gum Gum
4. Anchihoye Lene
5. Lala Belu
6. Yefikir Engurguro