One of South Africa’s biggest independent labels for decades, the Music Team catalogue spanned all genres and markets in the country’s rich and varied industry. When it came to the disco sound popular in the late 80s and early 90s, artists in the stable had access to top studios, musicians and producers with an ear on the latest trends, as well as distribution via a number of Music Team imprints - CTV, Red Label, Spinna, Mambo Music, Solid and others. Run by Maurice Horwitz, Music Team gave talented working musicians a shot at stardom. Those who tasted success would typically release a few albums over as many years before moving on either to other labels or falling off the radar as times changed. 

Compiled here then are six tracks from the Music Team catalogue, originally released in South Africa between 1986 and 1992. Three are by popular male crooners Isaac ‘Cool Cat’ Mofokeng (‘Candy’), Linda Olifant (‘I Won’t Let You Go’) and Jappie Lebona (‘My Love is Yours) and are typical of the label’s take on the ‘bubblegum’ sound of the day, along with a slower groove by female singer Thandi Zulu (aka TZ Junior), ‘Instant Love (Eyami Lendoda)’. Two instrumentals — Mr. Ace’s ‘Ace 1’ and ‘Axe Chop’ by The Hard Workers, a popular studio project by Music Team’s in-house producer Tom Mkhize — meanwhile hint at the imminent rise of house and kwaito. All were forged in the fire of a cruel and volatile political system that was quickly unravelling - but instead of addressing the political realities of the day sought to provide listeners with an escape to a world where love and music were all that mattered.

Compiled with DJs and dancefloors in mind, Afrosynth Records’ Music Team Sampler dusts off some rare and long-forgotten gems and makes them available for a new audience.

A1 Isaac ‘Cool Cat’ Mofokeng - Candy  5:28
A2 Mr. Ace - Ace 1  4:34
A3 Linda - I Won’t Let You Go  5:19 

B1 Jappie Lebona - My Love Is Yours  5:52
B2 The Hard Workers - Axe Chop  2:59 
B3 Thandi - Instant Love (Eyami Lendoda)  5:00

AFS045 VA - Music Team Sampler

PREMIERE: Crack D - Trust Me [Hive Label]

Release Date Traxsource Promo: 28/05/2021
Release Date Worldwide: 11/06/2021

Crack D
Soundcloud | @crack-d
Facebook | www.facebook.com/crackdmusic

Hive Label
Soundcloud | @hivelabel
Facebook | www.facebook.com/hivelabel

Buy on Traxsource

PREMIERE: Crack D - Trust Me [Hive Label]

PREMIERE: Vallmon - Disco Dose (Laurian Remix) [Sundries]
Release Date Worldwide: 14/07/2023

Vallmon
Soundcloud | @itsvallmon
Bandcamp | www.vallmon.bandcamp.com

Laurian
Soundcloud | @laurianhouse

Sundries
Soundcloud | @sundrieswax
Bandcamp | www.sundrieswax.bandcamp.com

Bandcamp

PREMIERE: Vallmon - Disco Dose (Laurian Remix) [Sundries]

Follow Artist: @dice_nz

FULL WAV ALBUM DOWNLOAD VIA: www.thatsnotanedit.bandcamp.com

Yeh, Nah, That's Not An Edit Vol.2 - NZ Edition

Free Download

DiCE_NZ Feat. House of Downtown - Back 2 Basics

(T. Mkhize) Kato Music
From AFS045
© Music Team/CTV 1987
℗ Afrosynth Records 2024

pre-order here: https://www.rushhour.nl/record/vinyl/music-team-sampler

'Candy' - Isaac 'Cool Cat' Mofokeng

(H. Lebona) Roi Music
From AFS045
© Music Team/Spinna 1986
℗ Afrosynth Records 2024

pre-order here: www.rushhour.nl/record/vinyl/music-team-sampler

'My Love Is Yours' - Jappie Lebona

Dudu Bembe - Low House Conspiracy [Fri By Frikardo]
Buy: https://fribyfrikardo.bandcamp.com/album/low-house-conspiracy

PREMIERE: Dudu Bembe - Low House Conspiracy [Fri By Frikardo]

Here a new Re-Disco of a 2000s classic.
Get on Da Lukas Bandcamp page: https://dalukas.bandcamp.com/

BLND DA LUKAS RE-DISCO

BLIND DA LUKAS RE - DISCO (SNIP)

Contemporary Outdoors (A Vision Of Panorama Remix)

Contemporary Outdoors (Byron The Aquarius Midnight Remix Instrumental)

Belohnungszentrum - Dance On The Groove [Discoholics Anonymous Recordings]

Disco Heat #14 - Lebron

Each song is more than just music—it is a message of hope, love, and faith. With powerful vocals, harmonious arrangements, and unshakeable faith, they praise God Almighty and Jesus Christ. Their music invites you to dance, pause, celebrate, and be inspired by the positive power of faith. 

SOUL VIBE NATION sees itself as a movement, not just a band. They want to build bridges between generations, cultures, and musical styles, connect people, and spread joy. Every melody, every groove, every note is meant to send out positive vibes and remind us that faith, community, and joie de vivre can go hand in hand.

 Soul. Funk. Gospel. Faith. Heart. Movement. – That's SOUL VIBE NATION


Vibrant World of Funk Gospel Music, Vol. 3

Vibrant World

'Ace 1' - Mr. Ace (1992)

http://afrosynth.blogspot.co.za/search/label/The%20Hard%20Workers

Ayoba-Yo

'Axe Chop' - The Hard Workers (1988)

PREMIERE: Even Funkier - Feelin' Lurrrve [See-Saw]

Release Date Worldwide: 02/03/2021

Even Funkier
Soundcloud | @evenfunkier
Bandcamp | www.facebook.com/itsevenfunkier

See-Saw
Soundcloud | @seesawlabel
Facebook | www.facebook.com/seesawlabel

'Candy' - Isaac 'Cool Cat' Mofokeng

Afrosynth Records

Related tracks