This previously unreleased Lazarus Kgagudi single was produced and remixed by the 8th Avenue Studios team of Craig Beyrooti and Martin Mitchell in Johannesburg in 1990.  Lazarus originally wrote and recorded the classic track for the album with the same name at 8th Avenue in 1987. Step Ahead’s Phiri Motale played keyboards and produced the original track while Kevin Manas was the recording and mixing engineer.  Emil Zoghby was executive producer for both the original and remix and many of Lazi’s albums.  Lazi recorded numerous albums at 8th Avenue Studios including Lazarus Kgagudi (Platinum Record), Don’t Hold Her Ruff, If You Don’t Know Me (Gold Record), Lazarus Kgagudi 3 (Double Platinum Record), and Careless Mistakes.  He collaborated on all of these records with Emil Zoghby, Craig Beyrooti, Kevin Manas, Phiri Motale and the band Step Ahead.  The production team of Craig and Martin worked very well together and released several great albums by Blackie Sibisi, Joe Gad & The Earth People, Fly by Night and The Sidney Sessions.  Lazi also produced albums for several artists who recorded at 8th Avenue including Max Masuluke, Willie Mohlala, Eric D, and Sigaman.  While this energetic dance version of Don’t Hold Her Ruff was not released in 1990, it was remastered in 2025 by Craig and his son Jayden to commemorate the 35th anniversary of its recording.

Music and Lyrics by Lazarus Kgagudi

Personnel

Lazarus Kgagudi – Lead Vocals

Julia Makhothi – Backing Vocals

Phiri Motale – Original Keyboards

Martin Mitchell – Synths, Programming, Bass

Craig Beyrooti – Synths, Programming