The story of South Africa’s ’80s bubblegum soul scene
Listen to our 30-minute podcast with Soundway Records.
Released on triple vinyl today, Soundway Records’ new compilation Gumba Fire: Bubblegum Soul & Synth Boogie in 1980s South Africa charts the country’s explosive and subversive dance floor disco scene.
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Selected by Miles Cleret and DJ Okapi, the compilation is something of a follow-up to the label’s superb Doin’ It In Lagos collection last year, and shines a light on a scene getting increasing airplay from adventurous DJs around the world.
Recorded at a recent VF Soho Radio show, this 30-minute interview with Soundway Records’ Alice Whittington digs into that scene in more detail, touching on some of its major artists, and the stories behind their meteoric rise to the height of South African pop stardom.
Order a copy here.
Podcast tracklist:
Stimela – Mind Games
Ntombi Ndaba – Do You Trust Amajita?
Ozila – Wola Wola
Ashiko – Gumba Fire (Madlakadlaka)
