John Kongos is a singer and songwriter from South Africa. He had success there and in 1966 moved to England to further his career.  In 1971 he had two hit singles in the UK. These days he’s most famous for his first hit “He’s Gonna Step On You Again” (#4 UK in May 1971) which was covered (adapted ?) by Happy Mondays for their 1990 single “Step On”. I prefer his 2nd hit “Tokoloshe Man” (#4 UK in November 1971), a Tokoloshe being a mythical African beast that’s said to terrorise and eat people at night.

Both of those singles are big beaty, rocked up dance numbers, proto-Glam rockers. I’d been keeping an eye out for both on 7” but although they are cheapies I never turned copies up. And then I came across this album and both songs are on it. “Tokoloshe Man” is that most important of songs, track 1 side 1, and “He’s Gonna Step On You Again” is the final track on the record.

I have listened to the rest of it, once. Dull early seventies soft “rock” with not a hint of “Tokoloshe Man” or “He’s Gonna Step On You Again” and their meaty, beaty rhythms to be found anywhere. Not anything I ever wish to hear again. But for now I have both of those booming singles to hand whenever I need them.

Tokoloshe Man - https://youtu.be/0dzxTcJX6QA?si=OKord-ihZphytvgS