Various Artists - Gumba Fire: Bubblegum Soul & Synth Boogie In 1980s South Africa

Label: Soundway
Format: gatefold 3xLP
Cat: SNDWLP 124
Released: 07 Mar 2018
Genre: Disco|Afro Pop|Afro Funk

Preview

Soundway's latest essential collection successfully shines a light on synth-heavy South African music of the 1980s, chronicling local musicians and producers' attempts to create their own hybrid forms of boogie, synth-soul and bubblegum pop. Naturally, compilers Miles Cleret and DJ Okapi have done a brilliant job bringing together killer cuts that showcase the best of South Africa's '80s synth sounds, while at the same time ensuring a high ratio of rare and hard-to-treats. While some of the tracks genuinely sound like they could have been made in New York, London or L.A, there are plenty of others that include multiple instrumental nods to a diverse range of contemporaneous South African sounds. Crucially, the music is superb throughout.