Let’s Get It on – Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse

Let’s Get It on – Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse

No, this is not a cover of the 1973 Marvin Gaye song. That was a smoozy soul track that is certainly worth putting on if you want to get it on. No, this 1985 Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse track was the follow up to ‘Burnout’. ‘Burnout’ really introduced Sipho to a white South African audience as it featured on the Radio 5, Capital 604 and Radio 702 charts, although some may have been familiar with his work while a member of Harari.

‘Let’s Get It On’ lives somewhat in the shadows of ‘Burnout’, only making the Capital 604 charts (where it got to number 5). It is a more subdued track, somewhat soulful, somewhat seductive, somewhat dance-y, but there is the same catchiness to it that ‘Burnout’ had. The beat is a pretty simple 80’s township jive and it is accompanied by the synth sound that a lot of that genre featured.

The vocals are somewhat breathy and gentle which give the song its appeal. Sipho is backed up in the singing department by a group of three women (Marilyn Nokwe, Nonhlanhla Dlomo and Jean Madubane) who went under the name The Angels and who released some records in their own right. And The Angels almost steal the show with they sexy singing. They are super seductive when singing ‘I’m in love with you/you’re in love with me/let’s get it on’ and this pretty much sums up what the song is all about. It is a song of seduction. Even the sax that comes in later on has a late night making out feel to it.

Perhaps Sipho was influenced by the Marvin Gaye track of the same name as it his song is also about seduction and getting it on. One can’t help but wonder if Marvin Gaye had been born in Soweto in Sipho’s place, would we have got to hear this track, or something very similar. I think we would have. So when you want to relax with the one you love, maybe over a candlelit dinner, then dig out ‘Let’s Get It On’ by Sipho and put it on. For dessert you could put on Marvin’s song.

Where to find it:
Let’s Get It On – Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse (2007), Gallo, CDGPS3119

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