Hot!!! Soundway follow up their killer Doin’ It In Lagos comp with three plates of like-minded sounds from further south. These 16 tracks represent the sound of South African dancefloors in the 80s and late 70s, where American strains of jazz, funk, boogie and house infiltrated mbaqanga and kwaito. Some of these inclusions could have easily been classic Prelude or SOLAR joints (Zoom’s “Wayawaya,” Condry Ziqubu’s “She’s Impossible,” The Black Five’s “Selallane,” Starlight’s “Picnicing”), while others proudly wear their local influences on their sleeves (Hot Soul Singers’ “Hlala Nami,” Zasha’s “Hayi Ngodlame” and “Arrow Dub”). In addition to the aforementioned tracks, be sure to check The Survivals’ “My Brother” (bassline inspired by Moroder’s “Knights In White Satin”?) and Stimela’s Minneapolis-tinged “Mind Games.” The whole comp bangs. Triple vinyl edition includes one bonus track not found on the CD version, Joshiba’s infectious “Gloria.” Gatefold sleeve includes collage of original album art and extensive liner notes by Soundway’s Miles Cleret and DJ Okapi of Afrosynth Records. Recommended.

• black triple vinyl pressing
• housed in gatefold sleeve w/ extensive liner notes by DJ Okapi + Miles Cleret
• music label: Soundway 2018

reviewed by hannibal chew 03/2018