Dennis Mpale - Paying My Bills (1994)

Revered South African trumpet player Dennis Mpale had three wonderful decades of recording to his name when he went into the studio to lay down this unusual concoction of horn play over Kwaito, a style of local house music. The title Paying My Bills is almost derisory, as though Mpale wants you to know he does not apologize for jumping on popular sounds. Indeed, the occasional melodic vocal harmonies, like on “Make it For You,” mirror Eurodance chart hits. But who cares? His trumpet play is soothing over the repeating synth lines, electric bass, and drum machines, and the album is a shouldn’t-work-but-does classic.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Dennis Mpale - Do Like Miles (6:53)
1.02 - Dennis Mpale - Friends (6:13)
1.03 - Dennis Mpale - Get Up and Get It (5:27)
1.04 - Dennis Mpale - Hassling (6:15)
1.05 - Dennis Mpale - Make it for You (6:53)
1.06 - Dennis Mpale - Paying My Bills (3:36)
1.07 - Dennis Mpale - Shadow (5:56)
1.08 - Dennis Mpale - Take My Time (6:26)