Qhum Qhaks

Kwaito, the music that blew up in 90s post-apartheid South Africa characterised by slowed-down house beats and breezy rapping, is enjoying something of a moment. New artists who were too young to experience the original boom are drawing from the old sounds, while former names are finding renewed interest for their work both home and abroad. Sandy B fits into the latter category; his 1995 EP Amajovi Jovi, a local hit in Durban, was re-released in 2017, and following forays into R&B, soul and Afro-pop, the singer-cum-rapper has been talked back into revisiting the genre by Danish DJ and producer Simone Ahà.

It's a throwback album – imitative rather than explorative – matching the simplicity of his original tunes element for element, the only real difference being a noticeably cleaner production. Opener ‘AmaYellow Bone’ dives straight into that 90s sound with a high, hollow bass line, a four-to-the-floor kick pattern and Sandy B bouncing away lyrically on top, with a catchy chorus-line, even for non-Tsotsitaal speakers. Neither the formula nor the MIDI sounds vary much throughout the rest of the record, and though it's well-made, it feels more like an on-trend diversion rather than anything fresh.