Vumani – Isiqedakoma
Label: La Casa Tropical – CASALP02
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Country: South Africa
Released: 2022
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bubblegum, Synth-pop, African
TRACKS:
A1 Isiqedakoma
A2 Guy Fawkes
A3 Banana Kar
B1 Midnight Train
B2 Cheater
B3 Black Mampatile
DESCRIPTION
Much in demand album from 1986.
Not much is known about the mysterious pop sensation Vumani or his short musical career. Originally from KwaZulu Natal he made his way to Johannesburg in the mid 80’s to follow his dream of becoming a recording artist. He was able to make that dream come true when talent scouts from Decibel Music came across the charismatic youngster. At the time Decibel was still a small fish trying to make waves and the label believed in Vumani they had found the star they were looking for. Being a label with mostly groups signed to the catalog they needed a Front Man to push into the growing demand for Solo Artists that were dominating the airwaves and catching the hearts of youngsters.
Up to this point Decibel had one major hit record. In 1986 they released a single by an artist named David Thanzwane. The music was a direct rip off of the first hit Single by Shangaan Disco pioneer Paul Ndlovu. Copying the music of both sides of the original single the “covers” offered different lyrics and hooks also sung in xiTsonga. This was enough to trick the masses and the single led to record sales for the small label. The unintentional outcome of the single was that from then on the producers and label had one sound they wanted to pump out in hopes of recreating that magic. This desire to create another Shangaan Disco hit would be the backbone of the Vumani sound and what makes his music so special and collectable after all these years.
