South African bubblegum disco meets sotho soul on Marumo’s 1982 LP, Modiehi

“Mbaqanga, disco-funk, gospel and spacey-synth slow jams.”

South African group Marumo’s 1982 album Modiehi has been reissued by Mr Bongo.

Read more: 10 rarities from Mr Bongo’s global record collection

Founded when its members met at Athlone School for the blind in Bellville, Marumo was comprised of John Mothopeng, Munich Sibiya, Simon Falatsi and Marks Mbuthuma.

Marumo worked with prolific producer West Nkosi – who himself was a member of supergroup Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens – to record Modiehi, which was originally released on Spades Record label in 1982.

The album has been reissued for the first time by Mr Bongo, following the inclusion of ‘Khomo Tsaka Deile Kae?’ on the Mr Bongo Record Club Volume Three compilation.

Modiehi follows Mr Bonogo’s release of Togolese singer Akofa Akoussah’s self-titled 1976 album – one of our favourite reissues of 2019.

Head here for more info on Modiehi, and check out the tracklist below.

Tracklist:

Side A

1. Modiehi
2. Khomo
3. Molato Ke Eng
4. Re A Hlopheha
5. Toitoi
6. A Mohau

Side B

1. Bosiu Bona
2. Lenyalo
3. Ke Eo Terene
4. Ha Se Nna Fela
5. Siyahlupheka
6. Ungioambela Amanga