Heels & Souls Recordings is a label that has been curating a series of soulful jams, reflecting their stirring DJ sets and bountiful, deep crates. Now, they look back to the sounds of South Africa’s townships in 1991, picking four of Tashif Kente’s finest cuts from his sought after album A Boy And A Dream.

Soweto-born Mzwandile ‘Tashif’ Kente – who played with South African legends Harari for a brief period – went solo in 1984 and released just one album as Tashif Kente in 1991. Harari also helped to establish other greats like Condry Ziqubu, Sipho Mabuse and Alec Khaoli, artists whose oeuvre is also recognised for their soulful and unique styles – and that’s ever-present again here with Tashif.

It’s a glorious album that speaks of love, lust, jealousy and longing. Produced by Kente and Selwyn Shandel with Marc Rantseli also joining the fold, fans and collectors of the era will note the exceptional nature of the music, now with choice cuts pressed to a high quality 12″. There are UK and US influences from the 1980s and early 1990s, from R&B to boogie, proto house to new jack swing.

On the a-side, the new jack heavyweight Tell Him I Became Your Lover leading into the boogie-tinged grooves of Somebody’s Got My Love.

On the flip, the jealousy jam Who’s That Boy is paired with the R&B style number I Like The Way You Love Me – there’s such a uniqueness to South African storytelling and lyricism around this time, especially in relation to affairs of the heart, present once again on the former.

Ben and Pat, Heels & Souls, say: “Licensed from Gallo, who transferred the original ¼ inch tapes from their archives, we have enlisted the expertise of Justin Drake to remaster these South African beauties for a new generation of listeners.

“It has that signature South African synth bass, drum machine and killer keyboard combo of the bubblegum and kwaito scenes, topped with Kente’s buttery vocals.”

It’s reissue number seven for Heels & Souls Recordings and can be ordered at the label Bandcamp. It’s out proper on October 27th. The four favourites from the LP are pressed loud on a 12” with artwork that is becoming synonymous with quality.

The H&S pressings are always great, this time solving the frequent issue of playing South African OGs that can be a bit flimsy and often packed on each side of a record.

Keep up the great work you two!