Umoja - Take Me High

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A monumental career in pop music isn’t easy when the system is built against you. But South African songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist “Om” Alec Khaoli managed to do just that with his band Umoja. As apartheid reached its violent peak, Khaoli pursued an escapist form of dance music that resonated across his complicated country, influencing countless legends and releasing recordings across the world.
Umoja, which means oneness or unity in Swahili, was clear in its message to the public. “Oriented towards society, advocating uniting of people. Race was the big thing,” Khaoli says. “We wanted people to come together and unite and just form a oneness.” Indeed the band’s fanbase was mixed among black, colored and white fans. However, their lyrics were not overtly political. “If you wrote songs about apartheid, we would disguise them. If we used language as it was, we would get arrested.”
The band helped refine a commercially powerful emergent style, bubblegum, with the album 707 in 1988. “Bubblegum music was about escape,“ according to Khaoli. “If you had grown up in South Africa at the time, there was nothing more in your life than oppression. It was even in your dreams. Anything that was a way out was welcome… When this music was playing everyone just wanted to dance, just have a good time.”

[@LekhabunyaneRatsou]

I love that album

[@basekataramotie2471]

Take me high tuneeeee life hle used to be super perfect with no corona

[@HelloMisterJAMWAH]

This whole album is immense. Gives me nostalgia for the late 80s/early 90s even though I didn't hear it until my late thirties.

[@gracekeitumetse5015]

Powerful songs I was in Form one in 1986 always listening to Radio Namibia DJ Chimbwi gone are the days.

[@kamwisimataa6704]

Those years with the late mukannkala in the studio around one on Saturdays it was entertaining

[@Matthieu260582]

this is the best youtube recommandation ever this is a gold mine this song. omg im so happy. it is the same vibe as SAvuka i love it what a glorious day.

[@davesem2825]

Disco music at it's best

[@phillipsuaaka5042]

Remember 80's when I was small boy before Namibia Get Indepedence.😊

[@asareadjei8186]

Respect to the artists and to those who were able to preserve such beautiful old songs.

[@MotheoChabaemang-mj2kv]

Ohhh my uncle may ur soul rip I miss you guys alot

[@kamwisimataa6704]

Nice song, it reminds me when I grade 6 listening to radio Botswana very Friday & Saturday

[@bellahmarape8056]

Me too in 1986-7 ko Francistown monarch area 2 aaash😭😭😭😭😍😍😍😍❤️❤️Got are the days shem

[@kamwisimataa6704]

@@bellahmarape8056 send me those songs if having

[@kamwisimataa6704]

Can someone upload Zulu boy if having that song do you know me from kwazulu

[@piratapequeno]

Pretty funky. Glad to hear there was music that transcended race lines, even during the darkest days of apartheid. People needed an escape from that.

[@eliamathesikombwa1099]

some of the greatest sounds to come from africa

[@temusshipanga2850]

Awesome hit💯I just love this song.

[@sandrosmhlongo3768]

Can we please have artist like this again please, this was a talent and a half.

[@Tmkize]

i love youtube. the best song ever

[@jeremiahmarkusmedia6915]

what a cool album cover :)

[@eudaemonia5015]

damn, these dudes got the juice

[@kmarupi9693]

Umoja, too good for their time👌

[@mandlaeshwellmashaba572]

Holla oom 707 mandla mashaba zackariya park I became a recording artist because of u

[@pappielomo5530]

Shooo !!! OM ALEC KHADLI o ntse a chesa wa baba ke pele-pele.

[@ronaldthophego7061]

Love these guys

[@cjjones258]

So good

[@vuyanichris7794]

Aish ezitrack mzukwana ngezkayhi zolonwabo lokujita or ukupantsula sijike kuqhume uthuli qha pantsula competition was high in those days by 707 umoja

[@akofangakanyang8577]

Vuyani Chris

[@chuchadebebe]

this is champeta lol

[@santiagoochoarios3260]

ROOTS OF CHAMPETA BUT NOT IS CHAMPETA