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South African Music Zine edited by Sugar |
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Contents  
This week's contents: Editorial: The week in brief News: Enrique Iglesias, Dollyrockers, Splashy Fen, The Finkelstiens, 'On The Go', Cape Town Festival 2004, 3rd Ear, Press releases. Charts: SA Rock Digest MP3 and Album Charts New Releases: New SA MP3's and CD's, Evolver, African Dope, Koos Kombuis, Wendy New, Jak de Priester, Sheer Africa, One World February Releases. CD of the Week: 'Africa She Too Can Cry' - Hawk Classic SA Rock: USA For Africa; A Naartjie In The UK; Vinyl Junkies; South African Rock Lists Sound Solutions: A reader's forum - letters, info, questions and answers Live Music: Events round-up, SA Punk, Bed On Bricks, Daniele Pascal, Brian Finch and Ken E Henson, SA Punk, Cape Festival Launch. SA Music Links And Resources: Contact Details Editorial THE WEEK IN BRIEF Vodacom, 5fm Music, and Big Concerts have announced that Enrique Iglesias will be touring South Africa in April - that should pacify all those disappointed Limp Bizkit fans! ... The Dollyrockers' third album, 'The Heat', has just been re-released with an altered version of the original cover and booklet, but the music on the chart-topping album stays the same ... The 2004 USA Songwriting Competition is now accepting entries. This is open to all regardless of nationality ... A little Underberg girl whose family cannot afford the cost of her desperately-needed medical procedure will likely be the first recipient of charitable deeds generated by the Easter weekend's 15th Annual Splashy Fen Music Festival. When Jules Verne wrote 'Around The World In Eighty Days', he could not have predicted that his title would inspire an equally-crazy tour from local rock outfit, The Finkelstiens ... The line-up for the 'On The Go' concert in PE has been finalised, as has the tracklisting for the compilation CD that will be simultaneously released ... During March 14-22 the Cape Town Festival will be taking the festival (with tourists in tow) into the communities of Masiphumelele, Manenberg, Khayelitsha, Langa, and Bonteheuwel. in keeping with its "Celebrating Ten Years of Democracy" theme ... There is also a live review of the official launch of the Cape Town Festival which took place last week. Dave Marks gives us an update on events surrounding 3rd Ear's invaluable archive of historic SA music ... We take a look at some of the ridiculous artists' press releases that we receive, one in particular from (let's call her) "Janice" ... SA label, African Dope, get themselves a spotlight in the MP3 section with a selection of their catalogue's finest tracks currently available on mp3 ... Evolver's song, 'Lets Get Naked', was featured on SAmp3.com a while ago but has been getting some recent radio interest ... Wendy New has released her new album, 'Dissolve In The Sun' ... Jak de Priester is a new Afrikaans artist who has just released his debut album called 'Sally Williams Nougat'. 'Sheer Africa' is the name of Sheer Sound's new sub-label, who have just released their first five titles dedicated to exposing the authentic and indigenous music of Southern Africa ... There's the monthly list of all the new February releases from One World, and some specials as well ... Koos Kombuis steps up to our new 'Celeb-Select' section with his 20 favourite SA songs ... From Texas, Kurt Shoemaker tells us about the Delta Blue album, 'Turn' ... From London, John Samson reviews the album, 'Back Stabbers And Money Grabbers' by Black Eyed Susan. Bed On Bricks' bassist, Schalk van der Merwe, got married recently (congrats to Schalk and Ilse!), but now BOB are back with some March gigs ... There is news on the upcoming RP Studios Emerging Sounds gigs in March ... Daniele Pascal has opened 'Villa Pascal' for some soirees ... Brian Finch and Ken E. Henson, with Namibian master bassist Swartzie, are flying in to Durban to entertain their flock at the Catalina for another set of shows. There's also the usual weekly mp3 and album charts, recommended SA gigs, letters to Sound Solutions, Digest Classifieds, old SA charts, and what's new on the shelves at Mabu Vinyl and CD and Vibes Vinyl. And that is some of SA music, this week ... If you would like to contact us, please send an email to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=Digest Thanks! Ed. ----------------------------
From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Deddy' to 'ZX Dan'... visit the online archive for the history (and future) of South African Rock at: http://www.rock.co.za The SA Rock Encyclopedia is an archive of South African pop and rock music - past, present and future - and includes sections on classic albums, rock legends, rock lists, charts, trivia, family trees, a hall of fame, weblinks and more... ---------------------------- SAGIGS.COM The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can now be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com If you cannot access SAgigs.com then e-mail gigs@sarockdigest.com and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. ---------------------------- SAKLANK.COM Sluit aan by http://www.SAKlank.com deur e-pos te stuur aan intekenaar@saklank.com Alle rasionele idees, gedagtes, bydraes, briewe en konsert-/CD-resensies is altyd welkom! ---------------------------- THE OFFICIAL RODRIGUEZ WEBSITE 'Cold Fact', the classic album from the 70s, as well as 'After The Fact', the second Rodriguez album, have been re-issued and both are now available at One World. http://www.oneworld.co.za All Rodriguez Info at: http://www.sugarman.org ---------------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST http://www.sarockdigest.com If you would like to receive all the SA music news on this page, as a free weekly Monday morning email newsletter with no attachments, then please enter your email address in the SA Rock Digest banner on the left. News
ENRIQUE IGLESIAS SA TOUR Supporting Unite Against Hunger Vodacom, 5fm Music and Big Concerts have announced the forthcoming tour of music sensation Enrique Iglesias to South Africa. Kicking off on the 27th of April in Cape Town, he will then be heading to Durban on the 29th, Sun City on the 1st, and finally Johannesburg on the 2nd of May. Enrique Iglesias has already had world-wide album sales of over 30 Million (18 million of which are in Spanish), 5 American Music Awards, 2 Grammy's, 2 Billboard Music Awards, a World Music Award and more! His seventh album, 'Seven', was released late last year, and has already climbed the charts, with its dance hit, 'Addicted'. Enrique supports Unite Against Hunger, a crisis food relief program driven by Food & Health Care Giant, Tiger Brands, providing immediate hunger relief to more than 80 000 South Africans per month. Sms the word "hunger" to donate R10 towards "Unite Against Hunger" 082 003 9040 Tour Itinerary: Tuesday 27th April - The Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town Thursday 29th April - Westridge Park Stadium, Durban Saturday 1st May - The Sun City Superbowl Sunday 2nd May - The Dome, Johannesburg Ticket prices: Cape Town - R150; R225 and R300 Durban - R150; R225 and R300 Sun City - R295; R320 and R320 Johannesburg -R150; R225 and R300 *All excluding Computicket service charges Buses run to Sun City daily from Eastgate shopping Centre, at 09:00, 12:00 and 18:00. Tickets are R190 (one way), available from Computicket. For more information on upcoming shows: www.bigconcerts.co.za or www.5fm.co.za www.enriqueiglesias.co.za e-mail: michael@bigconcerts.co.za -------------- 'THE HEAT' GETS A NEW COVER The Dollyrockers' third full-length album, 'The Heat', was released in 2003 and has already topped the Digest album charts. But now the album has been re-released with the correct artwork as it was originally intended. So, all those "Dollys" fans who have already bought the CD, are now in possession of a rare and collectable edition of the album. Those wishing to own both the original as well as the new version of the cover art can email the band at mailto:rompeach@hotmail.com and they will gladly post you the new cover. Apart from 'The Heat' topping the SA Rock Digest Top 30 Album charts and the first single, 'Lovesong', topping the SAmp3 charts in the same week, 'The Heat' was also named in Die Burger as the 2nd best SA album released in 2003, just pipped by Fokofpolisiekar. The album was also Barney Simon's "Featured Album of the Week" on the Fanta World Chart Show on 5fm on 14th of Feb. Copies of the Dolly Rockers' albums are available at Mabu Vinyl & CD in Cape Town and online at http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=dolly DOLLY ROCKERS http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus/dolly_rockers.html -------------- WHY NOT ENTER THE 2004 USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION? The 2004 USA Songwriting Competition is now accepting entries. This is open to all regardless of nationality. Entrants stand to win a grand prize of over US$50,000 value in cash, music merchandise and radio promotion. Also, winning songs will be played on a syndicated radio show in over 60 cities in US and Canada. This is great exposure for you and your songs! Judges include A & R managers from Sony Music, Warner, EMI, Universal and BMG. Sponsors include Roland, Sony, RollingStone.com, New Music Weekly, Sam Ash Music Stores, Steinberg, Ibanez Guitars, D'Addario Strings, Audio Technica, Electronic Musician Magazine, Recording magazine, Singer Magazine, Loggins Promotion, Intellitouch Tuners, Livewire Contacts, Indie Bible, Superdups, ASN, XM Radio, Acoustic Café radio show and more. Enter your songs in 15 different categories such as Pop, Rock, Country, R&B, Folk, World, Jazz, Instrumental, etc. Past winners include South African songwriter - Don Clarke, who won an honorable mention award in 1999. Winners come from Denmark, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Argentina, Columbia, Moldova, Bosnia, Iceland, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Canada, United States and UK. v FREE Early Entry Bonus: First 1,000 entries will each receive a subscription to Recording magazine as well as a Broadjam.com membership (free Audio webpage for your songs!). Hurry to: www.songwriting.net Contact: Iris Andersen USA Songwriting Competition http://www.songwriting.net --------------- SPLASHY FEN 2004 - GOOD SAMARITANS DRINK BEER! Easter Weekend - Thursday 8th April to Monday 12th April A little Underberg girl whose family cannot afford the cost of her desperately-needed medical procedure will likely be the first recipient of charitable deeds generated by this Easter weekend's 15th Annual Splashy Fen Music Festival. Since its inception, Splashy Fen management has 'donated' the event's well-patronised Beer Tent to the local Sani 152 Round Table - with an impressive list of heart-warming results. Proceeds from the inaugural Splashy Fen 14 years ago helped the Round Table to fund the district's first cerebral palsy home - Pevensey Place. A care centre for palsy-afflicted rural youngsters - Ester Alm - has also been nurtured by annual funding care of 'Splashy Fenners' with a fondness for beer. Other yearly beneficiaries include regional schools - which receive the lion's share - plus the SPCA and Underberg Farmers Association. 'One-off' donations result from appeals by the local community or direct approach from an individual in need. These cut across all racial or social divides and are as far reaching as to include equipment for disadvantaged up-and-coming sports stars, self-employment projects for rural women and a 'helping hand' for families overtaken by sudden misfortune. Thanks in no small part to Splashy Fen's annual revelry, Sani 152 is among the Round Table's top fund-raisers, with last year's festival adding more than R170 000 to its coffers. Few are as appreciative of this guaranteed 'bonus' as 2004 Chairman Pierre Horn, who acknowledges that "without the good graces of Splashy Fen, Sani 152's achievements would pale somewhat into insignificance". The Round Table 'gives back' to Splashy Fen management some 12% of its Beer Tent profits each year, and as a result of this - plus a Ticket Sales percentage - the festival has itself injected some R100 000 into Southern Drakensberg communities during the course of its 14-year existence. This money has funded self-help programmes and farm schools, along with construction of an outdoors Wildlife Education Centre. Owner of the farm 'Splashy Fen' and Festival Director, Peter Ferraz, says that although potentially lucrative approaches from large corporate interests to run the Beer Tent are plentiful "it has always been, and will remain, our declared principle to keep the community interest foremost". All signs point to the extra activities of Splashy Fen 2004 attracting a record number of festival-goers, and while beer lovers seldom need an excuse to indulge, the list of particularly benevolent 'after-effects' surely provides a compelling one. For more info: Peter Ferraz - Splashy Fen Festival Director: 033 701 1932 Pierre Horn - Chairman Sani 152 Round Table: 083 709 8900 David Shuttleworth - SAB Miller: 031 910 1486 Visit the website www.splashyfen.co.za -------------- 100 GIGS IN 80 DAYS When Jules Verne wrote 'Around The World In Eighty Days', he filled the book with the awesome and sensational adventures of an English man travelling around the globe. Little did he know the book would result in major movies and travel expeditions, never mind a tour from local rock outfit The Finkelstiens. 2003 has been a race towards the finish line for the trio. They released their debut album, 'The Dawning Of A New Error', enjoyed three hits singles including the infectious 'QQ Me', completed four national tours, countless interviews and two music videos. 'Find Its You', the more recent of the two videos, was filmed on top of a house in the suburbs and included loads of enthusiastic fans getting their groove down to the band's music. The Finkelstiens (Wang, Worm and Ghomez) are fast becoming a household name, much due to their upbeat live performance and entertaining antics on stage and their popularity is spreading. 'QQ Me' the first single from their album, has recently been tested by the Chinese and is being used by a Chinese mobile company as a ring tone. The qq website, which originates from China and has just been launched in South Africa via MWeb, has included the song on their members-only downloads section reaching millions of people in China. To date the band has been featured on MTV World Chart Express, twice, and have performed at some pretty impressive festivals. Now they are embarking on a tour of momentous proportions that has never been done before. The almost insane idea to tour throughout South Africa will take the band to places as far a field as Namibia. The tour will see guest bands periodically joining The Finks as they move from town to town in an effort to complete the tour which comprises one hundred shows in the required eighty days. They are both apprehensive and positive about the upcoming tour, which starts on the 8th April and ends 26th June. -------------- "ON THE GO" REUNION CONCERT IN PE March 2004 Update: The organisers are counting down the days to the PE musicians' re-union concert. They have finalised the line-up for the 3 nights and it looks like this: Friday 19th - Second Generation, Van Wyk Brothers, The Hazy Shades, Geoff Evans, Jigsaw, Pleasure Machine, Caroline Wilken, Dept of Music, Ken J Larkin Saturday 20th - The Jets, Freddy van der Putte, Maiden Voyage, J Lawrie Trio, Express, Tomboys, P&B Ross, Bits And Pieces, Ken J Larkin Sunday 21st - The Cavaliers, Howard Nock, Steal, Gaynor Smith, The Sapphires, "Let There Be Drums", "Legends Of On The Go" There will be 500 seats available each night at R55 each and booking will open on Wednesday, the 3rd of March at Computicket. We do expect the tickets to go quickly so please make sure that your friends and family get in early so that they will not be disappointed. The 'Legends of On the Go' CD compilation has also been finalised and will be on sale at the concert and via the website as well as selected shops in Port Elizabeth. Watch the website for details. They have increased the number of tracks from what was on the preview copy which was launched in January. This is the new track listing: 'The Legends Of On The Go' - Various PE Artists (OTG001) 1. Ken J. Larkin - 'Turn around' (2:28) 2. Gene Smith - 'If you could read my mind' (2:53) 3. Julian Laxton Band - 'Blue water' (4:51) 4. Charlie Griffin - 'Midnight lover' (3:25) 5. Paul Mattisson - 'Cat Stevens medley' (6:08) 6. The Dealians - 'Look out here comes tomorrow' (2:52) 7. The Zeroes - 'Work all day' (sleep all night)' (2:56) 8. The Clan - 'I dial your number' (2:18) 9. Tank - 'My my (what a beautiful feeling)' (2:26) 10. Barry van Zyl/Shawn Phillips - 'Hadeda' (5:18) 11. Brendan Ross - 'Hold on' (4:50) 12. Alistair Coakley - 'Lissa' (5:48) 13. Duncan Mackay - 'The opening' (7:04) The organisers thank all the musicians who contributed tracks, and Rob Allingham of Gallo, and Tertius Louw of SA Rock Digest for sourcing and supplying some of the vintage tracks. For more info of the bands of that era, go to http://www.sarockdigest.com The organisers are very happy to announce that 'Platinum Productions' has come on board to take charge of the sound as well as supplying additional sound and lighting equipment. From Johannesburg ex-PE singer, Patrick Viviers' company 'Hotdot Print' will print the concert program and CD inserts. This is a joint initiative by ex Port Elizabeth Musicians: Anton van Rooyen, Tony Yoko & Gene Smith. In association with The Herald, Algoa FM, The Boardwalk Casino, Audiosure &Tempo Music Funds generated from the event will be used to finance musical instruments and training for under privileged children at music schools in the Eastern Cape P.O.Box 778 - Randburg -2125 Tel/Fax 011-7925594 Cell 0825677404 Email mailto:onthego@audio-trax.com www.audio-trax.com/Website/On_the_Go.html -------------- CAPE TOWN FESTIVAL UNITES TOURISTS WITH LOCALS Whip out your diaries because the period 14 to 22 March offers an abundance of 'Must Do's'. During this time, and in keeping with its theme, "Celebrating Ten Years of Democracy", the Cape Town Festival will be taking the festival (with tourists in tow) into the communities of Masiphumelele, Manenberg, Khayelitsha, Langa, and Bonteheuwel. Titled 'In-Touch', the community-based mini-art festivals have become a firm favourite on the annual Cape Town Festival calendar - and word has it that host communities have been working around the clock, under the erudite guidance of community leaders. This year's In-Touch theme is titled "Unleashing Township Vibe". Sums up Cape Town Festival Director Yusuf Ganief, "It is all about taking the Festival to the people, and inviting the world into the communities". For its part, the Noordhoek-based Masiphumelele community will play host to two 60-minute performances, titled Rhythms of Africa, at the eternally popular Two Oceans Arts and Crafts Centre, respectively on 14 and 21 March. Performed by the Ubuntu Dance and Marimba group, the production features a high-energy display of traditional Xhosa and Zulu dance and music, coupled with an audience participation component in the Imbizo of djembe drumming and dance demonstrations. For their part, the community of Langa, which is Cape Town's oldest (and most venerable) township, will enliven the Langa Civic Hall and Guga S'thebe Precinct with music, song and dance on 28 February. All indications are that the combined presence of community members flocking to support the music and dance line-up with the enthusiastic support of tourists will bring out the best in participating musicians and dancers. These include the likes of The Township Idols, Afrovibrations, Buntu Kwebulana, Cape Town's four Pop Idols finalists, the Squatter Camp Boys and the ubiquitous traditional Zulu dancers. Other offerings include poetry with rising bard Princess, the Hope and Suffer Drama Group, an eco-fashion show, exhibitions, craft fairs, the presence of traditional healers (amagqirha) - and, as in the case of each community offering bar Masiphumelele, food stalls, and eco-fashion show and Children's Festival, complete with jumping castle, face painting, puppetry and recreational games. Other dates worth notching up in the diary include the period 11 March to 10 April, when the Guga S'thebe Centre plays host to an international exhibition of photographs. Titled "Borders and Beyond", the exhibition, sponsored by Pro Helvetia, will also be staged at the CBD-based Joao Ferreira Gallery between 6 and 31 March. By way of their contribution to the Festival programme, Khayelitsha residents have set 6 March as the day to show off their talents at the Khayelitsha Site B Hall. With a bevy of musicians, dancers, eco-fashion models, stallholders, and crafters (grass, bead and wireworkers), those in the know will be Khayelitsha-bound on this date. Musicians and dancers who have confirmed their presence include Chicago Bulls, 5 Movers, Vuyiswa Mgedezi, Conscious Marimba, the Township Idols, Doctor Pantsula, Dickie's Lovers, ZDL and Vuyolwethu, and the Simangele Traditional Dancers. The communities of Bonteheuwel and Manenberg will piggyback on one another's identical programmes. In both cases between 09h00 and 18h00, dates and venues to diarise are: Bonteheuwel (18, 19, 20 March at Freedom Square); Manenberg (6 March at the Silvertree Community Development Centre). In what promises to be a high-impact quality experience of a similar format to that of Khayelitsha, residents are calling for tourists to step beyond the proverbial bus window, mingle with members of the community and just generally "get down!" Whether it's rhythm and blues, gospel, rap, karaoke, brass bands, or township jive, pantsula, and the kwasa kwasa - regardless of what does it for you in terms of song and dance, In-Touch organisers are confident that in giving individuals and groups a platform on which to showcase their work, they will attract a large number of tourists and culture vultures alike to both observe and hopefully also participate alongside Cape Town's ever-emerging groundswell of talent. With the masala of each community firmly simmering inside the Cape Town Festival pot, visitors and locals alike will be hard-pressed to attend each In-Touch activity at the same time. What they can be sure of, though, is that they will return home with fond memories of a jam-packed cultural and lifestyle encounter second to none. For further information, contact the Festival offices at (021) 465 1166, visit www.capetownfestival.co.za, or e-mail info@capetownfestival.co.za You can also find your full festival program in the March edition of The Big Issue. For further information, please contact Rebecca Atherstone at Rosemary Hare Public Relations, on 021-465 1166 or 072 242 2685. Alternatively, visit www.capetownfestival.co.za -------------- 3RD EAR MUSIC - AN UPDATE For those who have just joined us - 3rd Ear Music and friends have been documenting, producing & recording festivals, events and musicians since the mid 1960's. (If it murmured or moved - we taped it!) In the process - by being in the right place at the wrong time? - the HY Archive has collected what many consider to be a valuable resource. Some say a national treasure. It has been a wonderful music safari; 3rd Ear Music has been honoured and extremely grateful to be associated with such fine (if hidden) talent and committed artists for so many years. The adventure now needs to be shared. Many foreign music students and researchers use this resource. Here at home it is sadly a different story. Is it because so much of this hidden music was not always heard within the mainstream record and broadcast industries that it would be considered unimportant? Rian Malan was right - perhaps we need to tell the stories first, before people will listen? There are few places in the world where the history of popular music exists in quite so bizarre a climate as that of South Africa; not only during our internal exile and international isolation - the hidden years - but today in a free and democratic 10 year-old SAfrica as well. Not much seems to have changed in the music industry. (The record Industry? That's another story.) The reason perhaps is that so much of our hidden music history, like that of our political past, is not easy to access or understand. That is perhaps why more and more people consider this collection - and there are others - so important. Music media people simply do not know. We aren't blaming them! Just as people and books were banned or censored - no reasons given - so too were some musicians and their music. Political or not! So how are they to know? The Hidden Years Project wants to help them get to know. It does not aim to recreate the past. The Project is a tribute - a celebration if you will - sometimes as entertaining as it is enlightening. It is a recollection of musicians whose influence and talent could still have a role to play today. 3rd Ear Music got so ideologically wired and fired up in 1994, we thought the music, record and broadcast industries would be beating a path to our door; given what we all went through. It took just a few months for us to realise that we were expected to jump into the mainstream and compete with the established retro or nostalgic record or broadcast industries - the very institutions that were partly responsible for this country's Music Industry predicament in the first place. What we did learn - the hard and expensive way - is that our (so called) market is already there. There is no need to compete. This market knows what they wanted then and they would know now. All we, and the other archives and collectors ask for, is a level playing field. The music in our collections will speak for itself. But 10 years on, and no broadcaster, or music media journal or music education department has even begun to dig into this country's amazing and colourful hidden history, roots and traditions - outside of what is commercially available. Not only from what we have gathered here at 3rd Ear, but from a number of other collections - both here and abroad. For example, Lars Rasmussen of the Booktrader in Denmark is doing some remarkable research work into our hidden music history. He has published 6 magnificent music books (details at: http://www.3rdearmusic.com/hyarchive/hyarchive/manhattan.html or http://www.antikvar.dk/booktrader And it is an ironic tragedy that his work - particularly on the Black Jazz of the Cape - is unknown in this country. These detailed historic music books should be in every school and university library and on every Jazz musician's bookshelf. Proudly South African? It's embarrassing that we still do not know our own history! The only history that is readily promoted and made accessible today through our media, is what was commercially recorded. Which is a little disconcerting - the vast majority of musicians who did make a difference pre-1990, could not record; or if they could, their recorded music - or the best of it anyway - would be restricted or avoided and sometimes even banned. This is not to suggest that recording artists were any less committed; however, those of us that did record for the commercial record industry, for better or worse, at least have a record of our music available today. Now it's playback time! And erecting a few expensive, good looking brick 'n mortar music museums is not going to help. We do not need to re-invent or recreate the past - we need to learn from it. It is the hidden history of music - not only the retro recordings that featured on a sales chart - that we should focus on and uncover. And it is this important area of archiving that needs urgent attention and where possible, funding. Most of the collections and archives that we know of are active - as commercially viable as they are culturally important - and they can, on a level media playing field certainly become self-sustaining and job-creation projects. 3rd Ear Music will keep networking with other archives, collectors and musicians to restore, catalogue or re-issue whatever historic recordings we can find; to establish an international SAfrican Music database. These hidden history collections could help determine a direction for a more vibrant and viable Live Music Industry. 3rd Ear Music continues to produce, document, record & promote music events & musicians through its interactive Website http://www.3rdearmusic.com Mailto:thirdear@iafrica.com Dave "Laundry" Marks* (* Thanks to Spike Milligan) -------------- NAME THIS ARTIST AND WIN A PRIZE! We get a lot of press releases here at Digest Towers and some of them are actually reasonably free of spin and hype and full of informative content. But, far too many of them tell us how this artist starting singing/playing guitar/drums/piano at a very early age, excelled at school and in Church choirs, and is now the most unique new talent on the planet and is someone who is totally different from every other stale, boring contemporary South African artist yet resembles a workable mixture of all the Beatles, Brian Wilson, Jimi Hendrix, Dylan, Kurt, Bruce, Blink 182, and Prince and, well you get the idea. I once read a press release about a Cape Town band, that I had not yet heard or heard of, which said that this band were "busy creating a sensation in Cape Town equal to that of the Velvet Underground in New York in the '70's". The band's name... can't remember, but I have never heard a peep out of them since. Rubbish you shout, that's not how it is! I knew you'd say that, so I brought along some proof. Below is a direct quote from a press release that I received this week about a newish, female SA artist who has already received some Digest coverage. For purposes of sensitivity, we have altered all references to the artist's real name and replaced it with the name "Janice" (for no special reason) and the name of her album as "Janice's Album"... okay!? If you think you know who fits this description, please mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com and if you are correct, we will think of a nice prize for you... Here we go, her new press release reads: "It has been a long time since the South African market has been exposed to such vibrant and enthusiastic talent as that of "Janice". "Janice's Album" is a musical exploration that is both experimental and ingenious. This girl will take you on the Rock ride of your life during her performance. She grabs you with her sex appeal and takes you on a personal exploration of her life that has been musically produced. You feel as if you were there, as if she wrote each and every song especially for you and in a matter of one hour she takes you through the deepest of emotions. ""Janice" is one of the greatest gifts to South African music, and most definitely amongst the most talented rock artists that have ever seen the light. {I have to pause here to think about that last line... Ed.}. She pleases her audience by also incorporating deeply soul cover versions, but only one or two, and these tell you why she sings and who has been her inspiration. Vocal talent equivalent to that of great women like Tina Turner and Bonnie Tyler ensures "Janice" a uniqueness that defines a sound and an audience of her own." So, I have a suggestion to all those artists' PR's out there. Avoid spin, hype, exaggeration and talking nonsense. Give us the story, tell us about the artist, album or single, and send us the music, and let us make up our own minds. This type of hype-filled rubbish is of no good to anyone. (SS) -------------- CHARTS 
SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [2] (1) Met My Stukkende Kitaar - Koos Kombuis & Valiant Swart (''n Jaar In Die Son'/Rhythm/Bowline) 2. [3] (2) Blah Di Blah - Drop Dead Gorgeous ('Melt with Me'/Indie) 3. [1] (1) Lovesong - The Dollyrockers ('The Heat'/Indie) 4. [5] (4) The Countdown - Bluescream ('Bluescream'/Indie) 5. [4] (1) Sobriety Friend - Old Mol ('Rock The Bedsprings'/Legend) 6. [7] (6) To Confide In - Lazarus ('Parallax View'/Indie) 7. [15] (7) Gangsta - The Rudimentals ('More Fire'/Indie) 8. [6] (1) Fokofpolisiekar - Fokofpolisiekar (SAmp3.com/Rhythm/Bowline) 9. [10] (9) Take You Down - Glow (Witchdoctor Records) 10. [8] (7) Step Outside - Luna ('Luna'/Indie) 11. [17] (11) Close To Me - Six Of Nine (Indie) 12. [14] (12) Saad van 'n Psigopaat - Abel Kraamsaal ('Woorde Op 'n Wynboks'/Indie) 13. [18] (13) Gravity - James Stewart (Street Level) 14. [11] (11) Afrikaner Surfer Boy - Vanessa Van ('Leef Die Droom'/Bowline) 15. [9) (3) Let's Get Naked - Evolver ('Evolver' EP/Indie) 16. [13] (2) Rise - Sonar ('Bitterwaste' EP/Indie) 17. [16] (16) Bliss - Toyland ('With Every Breath'/Witchdoctor Records) 18. [12] (11) Antipodean Dirge - Tim Wells ('Elephant'/Indie) 19. [24] (19) Die Ding Ruk Mal - Kallitz (Mothermix) 20. [23] (20) Living As Numbers - Zero Tolerance ('A Perfect Life'/Indie) 21. [22] (21) The Master Plan - Blood Island Raiders ('For The Sake Of Clarity'/Witchdoctor) 22. [29] (22) FCK - Teba ('Silvertab Harambe Dope Sessions'/African Dope) 23. [25] (23) Gimme Da Weed - Chronic Clan ('African Dope Sound System'/African Dope) 24. [26] (24) Musical Chairs - Serving Suggestion ('Try Whistling This'/Indie) 25. [19] (2) Duiwel Kom Ons Haal - Springcan ('Are You Confuzed?'/Indie) 26. [28] (26) Parallel - Saturnine ('Silence Is Deafening'/Wicked Rock) 27. [-] (27) Gone Away - Sam Paddock (Indie) 28. [21] (1) Hands Down - Track 4 ('Demo'/Indie) 29. [30] (29) Diengele - Kalahari Surfers ('Muti Media'/African Dope) 30. [20] (3) Mowgli - Zero Tolerance ('A Perfect Life'/Indie) Download South African MP3s at http://www.samp3.com ---------------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 20 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [1] (1) The Heat - Dollyrockers (Indie) 2. [2] (2) Humanarium - Bed On Bricks (Indie) 3. [4] (3) As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand - Fokofpolisiekar (Rhythm) 4. [3] (3) 21 Gunslut - Soulja (Indie) 5. [6] (5) Muti Media - Kalahari Surfers (African Dope) 6. [5] (1) More Fire - The Rudimentals (Indie) 7. [7] (1) African Dope Sound System - Various (African Dope) 8. [11] (8) With Every Breath - Toyland (Witchdoctor) 9. [9] (1) 'n Jaar In Die Son - Koos Kombuis & Valiant Swart (Rhythm/Bowline) 10. [8] (8) Naked EP - Hog Hoggidy Hog (3 Chord Records) 11. [13] (11) Boerecountry - Blomkrag (Indie) 12. [14] (12) Africa She Too Can Cry - Hawk (Retro Fresh) 13. [10] (4) Luna - Luna (Indie) 14. [12] (1) Steady On - Moodphase 5ive (African Dope) 15. [18] (2) Sui - Benguela (Open Record) 16. [22] (16) I-Ternal Fire - Lions Of Zion (Indie) 17. [16] (1) Rock The Bedsprings - Old Mol (Legend) 18. [15] (2) Melt With Me - Drop Dead Gorgeous (Indie/Bowline) 19. [17] (3) Power - Tribe After Tribe (RetroFresh) 20. [19] (2) Perelsvoordieswyne - Best Of - Johannes Kerkorrel (Gallo) 21. [20] (7) Flat To Round - David Foster (Rhythm/Bowline) 22. [21] (1) Jika Jika - freshlyground (Freeground) 23. [26] (23) Never Look Back - Brian Finch (Independent) 24. [25] (24) High Society presents: 14 Steps towards Self Actualisation - Daniel Friedman (Independent) 25. [23] (2) Hello Crazy World - Prime Circle (David Gresham Records) 26. [-] (26) A Definition - Chiaroscuro (Indie) 27. [27] (1) Die Mamba - Piet Botha (Rhythm) 28. [24] (1) The Truth - Jo Day (Indie) 29. [29] (1) Another Universe - Arno Carstens (Epic) 30. [28] (3) Breathe Sunshine - Various (Amabala) MP3s by all these artists are available to download at http://www.samp3.com Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za More info on all these artists at: SA Rock Legends The hosting of MP3s on the SA Rock Digest website is thanks to the Future Perfect Corporation http://www.futureperfectcorporation.com Building online communities to make the future perfect Chart statistics at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts New Releases
NEW MP3's: SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN DOPE Some of the hippest new South African music is still being produced and released from a small semi-detached house in Buitenkant Street in Gardens, Cape Town. The seeds of African Dope were originally planted by the Krushed 'n Sorted duo, Roach and Fletcher, and from those early productions a mighty music stash has grown. Names like Moodphase 5ive, Felix Laband, Kalahari Surfers, Godessa, and Constructus have graced their own albums as well as the internationally popular compilations that include 'African Dope Volume 1', Cape Of Good Dope', and the most recent, 'African Dope Sound System'. These collections have unveiled a host of new names and tracks from across the SA new electronica spectrum including dub, hip hop, ragga, and whatever novel break beat sounds are pumping out of the back rooms and studios of the City Bowl and further afield. African Dope have always made their tracks freely available online to all and any who want to hear them and their albums have been selling consistently while their tracks continue to get huge downloads at SAmp3.com. This week we focus on African Dope, and hope that they continue to "grow" from strength to strength. Below is a list of some of the best tracks from African Dope currently available for downloading at http://www.SAmp3.com. African Dope MP3's: 'Breakfast In Bed' - Ronnie Zonked (hidden bonus track by Ronnie Domp from 'African Dope Volume 1') 'Diengele (The Generals)' - Kalahari Surfers (from 'Muti Media') 'Donkey Rattle' - Felix Laband (from '4/4 Down The Stairs' - used in recent "underage drinking" TV advert) 'Income' - Krushed & Sorted (from 'Acid Made Me Do It') 'Miles' - Moodphase 5ive (from 'Steady On') 'Office Girls' - Tykoon Suit 'Paralyser' - Ghetto Muffin (from 'African Dope Volume 1') 'Pornography' - Pug (from 'Cape Of Good Dope') 'Praha Paradise' - Ernie (from 'African Dope Vol 1' & 'God Is African' soundtrack) 'Rhymedrop (Mime's So Dark Remix)' - Moodphase 5ive (from 'African Dope Vol 1' & 'God Is African' soundtrack) 'Social Ills' - Godessa (from 'Cape Of Good Dope') 'What Ya Gonna Do?' - Mr Mo & G-Steel More mp3s at http://www.samp3.com/africandope.html All African Dope CDs are available online from One World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 and at Mabu Vinyl & CD in Cape Town (021-423 7635) -------------- 'LET'S GET NAKED' - EVOLVER Evolver are a 4-piece funk-rock phenomenon from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. For the past couple of years Peter Pote (vocals, guitar), Sean Murphy (keyboard), Warren Field (bass) and Shaun Victor (drums) have been hitting and missing each other in various line-ups, but fortunately Evolver marks the first time that all four are pooling their talents and pursuing the same vision. Evolver's hot-and-bothered first single, 'Let's Get Naked', was "Unearthed" through 5FM, and has subsequently received enthusiastic reviews in local and national press, as well as extensive airplay on 5FM. The song has climbed to number 16 on the 'Coca Cola Top 40', is still climbing the 'Samsung High 5 at 5', and recently re-entered the SAmp3.com charts after the re-awakened interest in the song following its airplay. 'Let's Get Naked' had originally reached #3 on the SAmp3.com charts in July last year. Hear what the fuss is all about.... Download 'Let's Get Naked', 'Freud Said', 'Snakes & Ladders' and 'Push & Shove' by Evolver at: http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_e_k.html -------------- All the mp3s listed here are available to download at http://www.SAmp3.com - the biggest South African mp3 website in the world. --------------- SEARCH FOR MP3's Use the SAmp3.com onboard search engine, powered by Google, to search for mp3s on SAmp3.com. ----------------- Email your MP3 reviews to editor@sarockdigest.com All the full-length mp3s are available for free download at http://www.SAmp3.com by kind permission of the artists and/or their labels. ---------------------------- CELEB-SELECT: KOOS KOMBUIS This is a new series in which we ask some of our SA music luminaries to send us a list of their own, favourite SA songs. This week Koos Kombuis steps up to the podium and presents his 20 favourite tunes (though we only asked for 10, Koos insisted on 20!): 20. 'Burnout' (Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse) 19. 'Danzer' (Anton Goosen and Lucky Dube) 18. 'Master Jack' (the original ballad as sung by Dave Marks, not the poppy tune by Four Jacks and a Jill) 17. 'White Trash' (Garden Variety) 16. 'The House where nobody lives in' (Amanda Strydom) 15. 'Shabby Little Hut' (The Bats) 14. 'Johnny Calls the Chemist' (Falling Mirror) 13. 'Die Gezoem van die Bye' (Des Lindbergh) 12. 'Afkool' (Brasse vannie Kaap) 11. Anything at all by Vusi Mahlasela, especially the song about fynbos 10. 'Codename Ruby' (Piet Botha) 9. 'Ek en jy en die Highway' (Valiant Swart) 8. 'Reggae Vibes is Cool' (Bernoldus Niemand) 7. 'Ik wandel met een Engel' (Stef Bos and Louis Mhlanga) 6. 'Tiger en Louise' (Spinnekop) 5. 'Manenberg' (Dollar Brand) 4. 'Happy Birthday Baby Jesus' (Frank Opperman) 3. 'Danville Diva' (Karen Zoid) 2. 'Mouthful of Dry Wine' (David Kramer) 1. 'He's Gonna Step on you again' (Johnny Kongos) Special mention: 'Ag Pleez Deddy' (Jeremy Taylor) 'How can I miss you if you won't go away?' (Blue Cheese) 'Limpet Mine' (Kalahari Surfers) Koos Kombuis www.kooskombuis.co.za ---------------------------- NEW CD's: WENDY NEW RELEASES 'DISSOLVE IN THE SUN' One of the most intriguing new releases of 2004 comes from Wendy New, a South African-born and New York-resident singer/songwriter. Wendy's new album, 'Dissolve In The Sun' has just been given a general release in SA and has already caught a lot of attention for its combination of intelligent lyrics, clever melodies and Wendy's powerful vocal delivery. Wendy New has already appeared at many popular music venues including Bassline, Showcase, Radium, Up the Creek, Bugsy's, the Market Theatre, and Jargonelles in Johannesburg; the Independent Armchair Theatre and Mercury Lounge in Cape Town; and The Bitter End, CBGB, Fez and many others in New York. Wendy has collaborated with electronica music project, 310, and some of her songs have been featured on film soundtracks. Her music has been described as "a kind of new millenium soul blues" and her songs are a beguiling synthesis of pop, electronica, world, hip-hop and folk/rock with "magnetic gritty sweet melodies and kickarse grooves" 'Dissolve In The Sun' has 12 tracks including the powerful opener, 'I Am The Soul', 'Crossfire', 'Why Do I Feel This Way', and the title track. All the songs were written by Wendy apart from '3'30"', which was written with Damon Berry, and 'Give Up Gracefully' and 'Dissolve In The Sun' which were written with 310. Check out www.wendynew.com for more info and gig line-up. -------------- JAK DE PRIESTER - 'SALLY WILLIAMS NOUGAT' Jak de Priester is making big and promising sounds in the South African music industry. His music is inspired by the rich South African culture and he uses his songs as a conduit to tell the world about it. Jak's professional career started in 2002 when he was announced overall winner of the ATKV Crescendo competition. Crescendo means the gradual increase of loudness, a concept that he mentally embraced by making a gradual ascent in his music career when winning the Geraas music award for "Beste Nuweling", which is a new addition to South African music. He was selected from 35 entries. Being in the public eye, it was inevitable that demands for a CD would follow and after a review in Huisgenoot, Bowline agreed to distribute his CDs commercially as from February 2004. At the launch of the CD in the Aula, over 300 copies were sold after the show. 'Sally Williams Nougat' is the title of his début CD. The lyrics of the songs comment on social issues in South Africa. Jak loves to spend hours on the streets, watching people - life in action, so to speak. Music video's of "Sally Williams Nougat", "Kerkorrel", and "In die hitte van die oomblik" have been produced and played on television. Jak has also appeared on several television shows like, "Kwêla", "Pasella", "Belboks", "Geraas" and "Dis hoe dit is..." Jak de Priester will be performing at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival in April this year. The show, 'In Soul-O performance', has already made its début in Pretoria. -------------- SHEER AFRICA RELEASE THEIR FIRST BATCH OF TITLES Sheer Records is the Johannesburg-based independent record company, and 'Sheer Africa' is the name of Sheer's new sub-label dedicated to exposing the authentic and indigenous music of Southern Africa. This week we take a quick look through the first five titles released on the Sheer Africa label 1) 'Tales Of The Drum' - Soweto Percussion Ensemble The Soweto Percussion Ensemble is an eight-piece drumming ensemble that creates drumming music that has a largely drumming-based repertoire, featuring Mhurundzi (large African Bass drums); djembe; various "Bush Toms"; African Congas; cowbells, percussions and scant vocals. It also carries detailed and explicit album notes with further information. 2) 'Tales Of The Kora' - Various Artists Kandia Kouyate, Ballake Sissoko, Baaba Maal, Taj Mahal, and Toumani Diabate are just some of the well-known names on this comprehensive portrait of this fascinating 21-string African Harp-Lute from West Africa. Accessible and listenable, from start to finish, this album details the elaborate history of the Jeli or Griot societies from this region, and their uses of this magical instrument over time, going one step further by focusing on the amazing diversity that has been achieved with it across a myriad of musical genres. Featuring all those internationally and regionally recognised artists (including some seriously big World Music names) who have made this instrument truly world famous, this journey features both instrumentals as well as vocally accompanied tracks with representations of traditional, modern and fusion styles presented. The album is beautifully and authentically packaged in an African manner, with notes on the instrument's history, as well as a unique "science-style" labelled diagram of the instruments finer points and notes on the featured artists. 3) 'Tales Of The Marimba' - Various Artists For the first time a collection of all the best and biggest songs from various well-known artists capturing this instrument in all of its diversity and splendour. Focused largely on the Southern African method of playing the marimba - that being several marimbas (alto, soprano, tenor and bass) playing concurrently to form a polyrhythmic and melodic song, often accompanied by drums, percussion and vocals - this album has all the sounds that international music fans adore! This album has the biggest names in the genre (notably Amampondo, Heshoo Beshoo, Akwaaba, Afrida Marimba Band, and Brice Wassy), as well as a blend of both straight instrumental and vocally accompanied tracks. World music listeners' interest is further heightened by the inclusion of examples from West Africa and the manner in which they play their marimbas (there called the "balaphon"). 4) 'Tales Of The Mbira' - Various Artists A musical portrait that captures this interesting "thumb piano" from Zimbabwe's glorious diversity across genres and time featuring the biggest artists that have made this instrument famous, with listenability and accessibility ensured. Hear tracks from Thomas Mapfumo, Samite, Mahube, and SA's own, Pops Mohamed. The sound of what Stella Chiweshe termed "tuned raindrops", here finds expression through examples where it has been fused with modern African flavours, older fusion styles in the "Chirumenga and Jit" flavours of Zimbabwean music, as well as ambient modern methods of playing and examples of the instrument's traditional uses. The album is beautifully and authentically packaged in an African manner, with notes on the instrument's history, as well as a unique "science-style" labelled diagram of the instruments finer points and notes on the featured artists. 5) 'Tales Of Urban SA' - Various Artists The final title in this first series of releases on the Sheer Africa label moves away from the indigenous instruments and heads straight for the heart of the SA urban sound with songs from Kwaito and House music's biggest names including Chiskop (with Mandoza), Kabelo, Msawawa, DJ Walker (feat. Senyaka), Mapuputsi, M'du & Ganyani, Revolution (& Phillip Tabane), Mzekezeke (feat Brown), and Arthur. 'Tales Of Urban SA' is a comprehensive portrait of the development and current status of Kwaito and House music flavours in South Africa. Featuring the majority of the big names in these genres, and some really palpable hits, this is an album that will capture those looking for an "all in one" overview of these genres. A listenable album for people of all walks of life, brightly and beautifully packaged with an African identity, with comprehensive album notes on artists, styles and the history of these genres locally, a complete, representative and fascinating album. ---------------------- ONE WORLD - FEBRUARY RELEASES Here are some of the February New Releases - now available from http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 Also, check out our special offer on the 'Urban' book series, and consider the new range of EMI Box Sets, offering 3 CD's at a reduced price. ------- SPECIAL OFFERS: BOOKS: 'URBAN' '01, '02 and '03 - Various New SA Writers One World, in association with New Africa Books, is currently offering a limited special on all three in the 'Urban' books series. The 'Urban' anthology of new writing was initially conceived and edited by Dave Chislett as new short story collections for new writers, and was later embraced by New Africa Books who began publishing an annual collection under its Spearhead imprint in 2001. You can now buy copies of 'Urban '01', 'Urban '02', and 'Urban '03' at a special price of R249.99, a saving of R25. Purchasers will only pay one shipping charge for all three books if you choose the special offer. 3-IN-1 CD BOX SETS: Rebecca - 3 In 1 SA's top Gospel artist - Includes the albums: 'Umoya Wam' and 'Ngiyekeleni' Amadodana Ase Wesile - 3 In 1 Includes the albums: 'Thixo Ulilanga Lethu', 'Ngeloxa Lokushiywa', and 'Jesu O Tsohile' Pure Magic - 3 In 1 Includes the albums: 'Thul' Ulalele', 'We Bathandwa', and 'Njalo' Lord Comforters - 3 In 1 Includes the albums: 'Konke - feat Njengoko Ndinjalo', 'Ubukhulu Bakho', and 'Hallelujah' Alexandra Brass Band - 3 In 1 Includes the albums: 'Gumba 1', 'Diphala Vol 1', and 'Diphala Vol 2' Solly Moholo - 3 In 1 Includes the albums: 'Motlhang Ke Kolobetswang "Die Poppe Sal Dans"', 'Ba Mmitsa Tsotsi feat Charles Damsey Wa Lengagele', and 'Ranta E Wele' NEW CD RELEASES: Jazz: Van Zyl, Van Der Spuy & Vennote - 'Hadeda' A flight of musical fantasy from Barry van Zyl and Nibs van der Spuy - also featuring the likes of Shawn Phillips, Neo Muyanga, Laurinda Hofmeyer, Concord Nkabinde, and Jana Cilliers Victor Ntoni - 'Heritage' He is a Berkeley College of Music student, a music teacher, a music conductor, an upright bass maestro, and here Victor Ntoni shows off his musical skills backed by the Heritage band with Pat Matshikiza, Linda Kekana, and Lucas Senyatso. Pop & Rock: Just Jinger - 'Bootleg Album' Something very different from SA's best-selling pop-rock group. The Parlotones - 'Episoda' One of the most anticipated SA debut albums of 2004 Soulja - '21Gunslut' Tough but tuneful debut from Cape Town rockers, includes 'Plan My Attack' and 'War/No More Trouble'. Dawnay - '2nd Coming' New selection of soul-based pop to follow up on his successful debut. Township Pop: Miriam Makeba - 'Reflections' A powerful parade of the many hits that reflect Mama Africa's musical journey, with 'Pata-Pata', 'The Click Song', 'Iyaguduza', 'I Shall Sing' and plenty more. Tsepo Tshola & Sankomota - 'Best Of' A wonderful mixed bag from these Lesotho music legends. Mzwakhe Mbuli - 'All The Hits' The "Peoples Poet's" controversial imprisonment is now over and here's a selection of the songs that made him famous, with four new tracks. Stimela - 'Trouble In The Land Of Plenty' A sure-fire hit album and the only title that has been missing from our catalogue. Includes the hit 'What's Going On (Trouble In The Land Of Plenty)' Malaika - 'Malaika' An Afro-fusion band with a mixture of all traditional African Sounds, an all-round great album. Paul Ndlovu - 'Greatest Hits' The late Paul Ndlovu with his most unforgettable moments including 'Game No 1' and 'Tsakane' Gospel: Various Artists - 'Gospel Grooves Volume 3' The next in the very successful compilation series, featuring artists like Brenda, Chiskop, Spokes H, and Rebecca. Sipho Makhabane - 'Nkosi Ngibheke' With a steady and growing following, Sipho now releases his 4th album. Winnie Mashabe - 'Bonang Lerato' The follow-up to the 'Motswale' album, contains 12 tracks and some sure-fire hits. Vuma Mazibuko - 'Ngena Kimi Moya' The debut album from this very promising gospel artist. Kwaito: 24-7 - 'Phushang Phushang' A SoulCandi and Sheer production featuring a duo who have it all to make it big including some seriously catchy tunes. Dance/Elecronica: Brotherman & Groove Assassins - 'The Universal Energy That Is Groove' Plenty of funky beats and breaks for chilling or for dancing Traditional: Mahotella Queens - 'Bazobuya' Mahlathini may have passed on, but these three famous ladies are proudly continuing their musical tradition. Various Artists - 'We Are Growing' A melting pot of SA music, from some better-known hits to more traditional music. Izingane Zoma - 'Itshe Lentaba' A group with a tradition of fine albums and well-earned success. Izingane Amakhosi - 'Umkhuba Ulay'khaya' A newish maskandi group from KZN who had their album produced by Khuzwayo, who has also produced Amatshitshi Amhlope. Amatshitshi Amhlope - 'Ufile Umuntu' Following their hit album, 'Isisho Sabadala', it has been one hit album after another for this excellent traditional outfit. King Star Brothers - 'Babili Bathathu' An a Capella group that can be compared to the Kings Messengers Quartet from the '60's. Reggae: The Rudimentals - 'More Fire' Debut album from the very popular Cape Town Ska-punk group, includes 'Gangsta' and 'Noh TV'. Instrumental: DNA Strings - 'El Nino' New 11-track album from the popular instrumental group from Stellenbosch. Afrikaans: Jan Blohm - 'Melkstraat Confessions' A lovely album filled with strong songs and emotional lyrics International: Stef Bos - 'Donker En Licht' (2CD) New album from the Belgian singer-songwriter, who has a long-standing South African following. -------------- ONE WORLD http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 Selling South African Music To The World -------------- MORE REVIEWS More reviews can be found at: Open Record http://www.openrecord.co.za Amuzine http://www.cd.co.za/reviews.htm -------------- CD of the Week
HAWK - 'AFRICA SHE TOO CAN CRY' - (RetroFresh, freshcd137)
Here is a quote from an email received in 1999 from Krister in Sweden: "I am 24 years old and a university student. When I was about 6 or 7 or so I got hold of this fantastic album, Jo'burg Hawk's 'Africa she too can cry' from 1973. This has haunted me thru the years and I find it an all time great. I suppose that the chance that their album ever got out on CD are minimal. That's unfortunate since my only vinyl is really torn down and scratchy." OK, Krister, your wish (and that of many others) has been granted. At last this classic album from the 70's has been re-released on CD. This album has actually been released in 3 different versions; the first was in 1972 a year or so after the phenomenal 'African Day' album. In 1973 'Africa She Too Was Cry' was released in the UK (and Europe) by the Charisma label (home of Genesis at the time) with a revised track listing and credited to JoBurg Hawk. In the late 90's an unofficial CD with the same title was released by the Japanese Never Land label. Despite the fact that this was a pirate CD, it was also more of a compilation than a re-issue, as it featured tracks from all 3 Hawk albums. After much deliberation and discussion (and lack of master recordings) Benjy Mudie of Fresh Music decided to release the UK version of 'Africa She Too Can Cry' with bonus tracks culled from some singles-only releases and the elusive 'Live And Well' album, which was not actually a "live" recording, despite its title. The 'African Day Suite' is a re-recorded and extended version of the side-long epic which originally appeared on 'African Day'. It tells the story, in spoken words, lyrics and music, of a rampaging elephant that threatens to destroy a tribal village and has to be killed. The fact that the censors missed the analogy to the oppressive apartheid regime at the time is amazing. Freedom's Children's Ramsay Mackay wrote a major portion of the material for this album, and though he did not play on it, his influence is strongly felt. Mackay's compatriot in Freedom's, Julian Laxton, was a Hawk member by this time and his guitar work here is subdued but legendary. The catchy 'Dark Side Of The Moon' song has nothing to do with the Pink Floyd classic album, and in fact was released almost a year before that album's debut. Bonus tracks include the original version of the much-covered 'Orang Outang' (Kenny Henson's Harambee, Margaret Singana, Brian Finch and more have all recorded it) which was also penned by Ramsay Mackay and released as a single in the UK in 1973. The obscure 'Kalahari Dry' song was used as part of an ad campaign for Groovy cooldrink (remember Groovy?) and released as a single in South Africa in November 1972. The original vinyl single was found lurking in Tertius Louw's extensive collection and digitally transferred by him for this CD re-issue. The Chicago-meets-Osibisa styled 'Mumbo Jumbo' is another Ramsay Mackay composition which deserves wider exposure. The closing track of this CD re-issue is the beautiful ballad 'In My Youth' (from 'Live And Well') which sounds like it could have been written for the stageshow 'Hair'. Audrey Moutaung's voice soars on this one and is then balanced by the earthy tones of Ornellas. Excellent and detailed sleeve notes are provided by Raymond Joseph including recent interviews with vocalist Dave Ornellas and guitarist Julian Laxton. This is truly an album of Africa and a must-have for every music fans collection. (BC) READ http://www.rock.co.za/hawk LISTEN http://www.freshmusic.co.za/retrofresh.htm BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=hawk -------------- This and any other SA CD can be ordered online at One World, the best SA CD store on the pla-Net. CLASSIC SA ROCK:
Kurt Shoemaker (Texas), John Samson (London), Tertius Louw, and Brian Currin browse through the best of SA rock - its history, its people, and its music, past, and present. USA FOR AFRICA - Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music. DELTA BLUE - 'TURN' Nice effort by Delta Blue, who now have several CDs to their name--with this six-track EP they sound like they sprung into life all growed up as a tight band--but who knows how many kilometres and gigs lie behind this solid and tight sound? 'Turn' sounds challenging, like Delta Blue deliberately set out to showcase their range with defiant confidence. The first track has a Baxtop-y or Little Feat-ish feel to it, in part due to the slide guitar. 'Riverblues' ignites the party mood with the fancy guitar, shuffling drums, and strong vocals. Second track, 'Dare to Love Me', is brassy sassy blues, and not at all a mopey love me song, but one challenging her to love him. The third song, 'Be Sharp' picks along, driven by the strong backbeat, into rockabilly territory, as Gerald Clark, lead vocals, urges his girl to look sharp or he'll find another. Then 'When I Get the Blues' slows things down and reflects about "when I get the blues". After a longish intro, 'Walk Your Blues Down' (fittingly, a walking blues number), pulls the cord and revs it up. Rockin' walkin' blues. And we close with a moody instrumental piece of picked guitar and somber harmonica finery. 'Turn' is a strong first set of original songs by a tight blues band that has been around a few years now, even popping up on 'Tassenberg 4' recently. Nice intro to Delta Blue's blues funk rock chops... but why wait? Pop on over for a healthy set of their work. READ http://www.cd.co.za/legends/90s/delta_turn.html LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/artists.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=delta%20blue Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas kurt@sarockdigest.com ---------------------------- A NAARTJIE IN THE UK - London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music: 'BACK STABBERS AND MONEY GRABBERS' - BLACK EYED SUSAN (Indie, 1998) Hands up who remembers Paper Lace's song, 'The Black Eyed Boys'. It was a bouncing sing-a-long '70's pop tune that had a line that went something like "Oooooohhhh it's the Black Eyed Gang, They motorcycle into town". Well this had nothing to do with the South African band Black Eyed Susan, other than you could imagine these Black Eyed Boys motorcycling into town. The main reason for this is that they purvey a brand of heavy rock that is usually associated with Motorcycle gangs. That said, one could get the wrong idea about them if you only listened to the 39-second opening track, 'Heaven's Gate', as this is a beautiful guitar piece that one would associate more with a medieval wandering minstrel than with a bunch of Hell's Angels. However, as the drums, bass and rock guitar kick in, you're soon starting up your iron and rocking. But this is not a mad "how much noise can we make" album as that beautiful guitar of 'Heaven's Gate' weaves its way into the other tracks, injecting great melodies into the songs while they fluctuate between grunge, pure rock and gothic rock. Francois Bredenkamp on vocals has that rasping quality that is perfect for these sort of rock outings while Hilton Inez adds soaring guitar solo's to most tracks. Although the album title is a tipping of the hat to those at the business end of the Music Business, few of the tracks refer to this, the exception being 'Generation X' which contains the line "The day smiling handshaking men stole the futures of the young". The other tracks are more generally world angry and full of frightening vision and none angrier than a venom-filled version of Rodriguez' 'Hate Street Dialogue'. {Read an amazing story about this cover version at http://www.sugarman.org/coldfact.html - ed.} For a band that appears to have been stabbed in the back a few too many times by the industry, they have still managed to persevere and produce this high quality rock album. And when you go into your local music emporium to purchase this, remember they are not the Black Eyed Boys, or the Black Eyed Peas, but 5 ous who call themselves Black Eyed Susan. BLACK EYED SUSAN http://www.cd.co.za/legends/90s/black_eyed_back.htm John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com ---------------------------- * CHART CHAT: John Samson takes a weekly look at the the SA pop charts from 15, 20, 25, and 30 years ago this week. Oscar Toney Jnr never really set the world alight in his native US despite 23 years of trying. His best effort 'Turn On Your Love Light' was to peak at number 65 there. However in 1969 he cracked the top 5 in SA. Other new comers to the top 5 this week that year where the Bee Gees whose 'I Started A Joke' was to be their first of 12 top 20 hits in the period 1969 to 1989. The Staccatos were at number 1 for the 3rd week. Irish born Sean Rennie's hit 'Charly' was not related to Rabbitt's 'Charlie', but Sean who moved to South Africa in 1964,made the top 5 in 1974 where Rabbitt would falter at 14 two years later. After All is another group about which very little is known, so if anyone can shed some light on this group, please send it on. The Bee Gees enjoyed a 5th week at the top in 1979 bringing their total weeks at 1 to 17, having had 2 previous chart toppers (1969's 'Don't Forget To Remember' and 1978's 'Stayin' Alive'). Julie Covington was racing up the charts with her version of the Richard & Linda Thompson classic 'I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight', however, she will always be best known for the 1977 hit 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina'. Ryan Paris is a worldwide one hit wonder. 'Dolce Vita' shot up most charts, making number 5 in the UK and jumping up to number 3 in 1984 in South Africa. His website claims that he starred alongside Robert de Niro in 'Once Upon A Time In America' but most sources don't list him in the cast, so maybe he was an extra. The top 2 remained unchanged for the 3rd successive week. South Africans at number 1 this week: Cry To Me - The Staccatos (1969) I Don't Wanna Play House - Barbara Ray (1973) Substitute - Clout (1978) South African New Entries this week 01-Mar-74 Give Me Back My Woman - Alan Garrity 03-Mar-72 How Do You Do? - Rising Sons 05-Mar-71 Understanding - Peanutbutter Conspiracy 05-Mar-76 I Won't Give Up - Bruce Millar 06-Mar-70 Rebbeca Stein - Bats 06-Mar-70 Love Is A Beautiful Song - Dave Mills John Samson ---------------------------- BIRTHDAYS 6 David Gilmour (Pink Floyd, 1946) 12 James Taylor (1948) 14 Steve Fataar (1943) 15 Eddie Calvert (1922 in Preston, England, died 7 August 1978 in Johannesburg) 17 Nat "King" Cole (1919, died 15 Feb 1965) 22 Robin Auld (1959) 24 Cornelia (Moller) (1950) 25 Elton John (1947) 26 Diana Ross (1944) 27 Johannes Kerkorrel (born Ralph Rabie, 1960, died 12 November 2002) 30 Eric Clapton (1945) If you info on any South African artists dates of birth, please send them to brian@rock.co.za
SOUND SOLUTIONS A Reader's Forum: This is a selection of the email requests, questions, searches, and other pieces of random info we receive each week at the Digest. Sometimes we can assist, other times we look to you, our collectively well-informed readers to contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks if you do....! Send all letters, short contributions, small band-ads, musical questions and other snippets to: soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com ---------------------------- CORRECTION Hullo, I would just like to point out that Bhudaza Mapefane, who has just released his debut album "Bo-Mapefane" is NOT a South African saxophonist (as claimed by your article in www.cd.co.za under the JAZZ category) BUT he was born and bred in Lisemeng, Leribe, Lesotho. His debut album was just recorded in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Indeed his music studies were done in RSA but he is a very patriotic Mosotho from Lesotho. Please always verify the information before you publish it as it may offend other readers! Regards, Peo T. Maraisane Mailto:maraisanep@eel.co.ls Ed. - An unintentional error, and our sincere apologies to you, and all Bhudaza Mapefane's supporters in Lesotho. -------------- RARE STEVE LINNEGAR LP Hi, I recently found a copy of an album by Steve Linnegar's Snakeshed called 'Classic Epics'. The LP is in good condition and it is on Snake Records (LK1000). Someone told me that this record is extremely rare and that it is worth quite a bit. If you or anyone can let me know what its value is, or if anyone is looking to buy this LP, please email me. Thanks, Adam Mailto:adam@rock.co.za SNAKESHED http://www.rock.co.za/files/snakeshed.html -------------- NEW FROM MOSES! Hi, I hear Croki Moses is releasing a CD and Book sometime soon. Apparently based in Cape Town? I've heard his underground stuff but am very interested in hearing his first proper studio album, have you got any information on when it's being released and gigs he may be doing etc? Thanx MC Mitico Mailto:mc_mitico@yahoo.co.uk Ed. We thought it was "Croc. E Moses"?? -------------- SHE NEEDS A PLACEBO Hey there on this oh so very Monday morning, I was wondering, is there any word on Placebo coming to SA any time soon. Cos it is so needed, Fan, Fan, very big fan. For real Thanx Cya Mailto:perkyadams@hotmail.com Ed. Placebo were last in SA when they toured a few years back with Garbage. We have not heard any news on a follow-up SA tour by Brian Molko and the lads. -------------- THAT'S SCHIZO!! Hi, Today I listened to two old SA songs that were hits in the early 70's, namely 'Oh darling' by Spider and 'I get the feeling' by Stephen. According to the voices of the two singers, they could be one and the same person. Does anybody have more information about these two artists? Hope to see the One Hit Wonders of SA on a CD someday! Regards Cobus Mailto:jmnieuwoudt@icon.co.za -------------- AG PLEEZ MAN! Hi, Do you know anyone that has the guitar music for the song 'Ag Pleez Daddy'?? Thanks Kevin Mailto:kevin.g.edwards@fluor.com Ed. - Sure we do, ask Jeremy Taylor! http://www.jeremytaylor.info/ -------------- ANOTHER CROCODILE HUNTER I am looking for a CD with Crocodile Harris singing 'Give me the good news'. Do you have any suggestions where I can find it? Or perhaps download an MP3 of the Internet somewhere? Regards, Ilse Mailto:ilse@burkmining.co.za Ed - 'Give Me The Good News' is very hard to find on CD. The album with the same title has never been re-issued on CD and the 2 compilations that included this classic song are both out-of-print. Robin Graham (Harris's real name) told us recently that he is planning a 'Greatest Hits' CD ... well here's hoping. -------------- THE STACCATOS Hi My name is Joe Rutz and I live in Zürich Switzerland. I used to live in South Africa during the nineteen seventies and -eighties. I always remember that period of my life and also the beautiful music of that time. For a long time I'm looking for the Album entitled: 'Here And Now' by the South African Pop-Group of that time, called The Staccatos. [Release info: NEM, nems 300, 1969] By surfing through the Net, I found your Website and found the Staccatos listed on it. I would be very happy, if you could mail me some infos or ideas of how and where I could possibly obtain and purchase that Album LP or Cassette or a copy of it. I specially like the first track called: 'Cry to me'. I would be very happy for a reply mail by you. Many greetings from Switzerland, Joe Rutz Mailto:watax@tiscalinet.ch Ed - Unfortunately none of the Staccato's albums have been released on CD, but the classic 'Cry To Me' is available on 'The Best Of SA Pop Volume 2' CD. http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=CDGMPD40486 THE STACCATOS http://www.cd.co.za/legends/60s/staccatos_index.htm -------------- WHAT KIND OF PROJECT?? Hi, I'm doing a project on how the interest in music by artists of different cultures has become greater in the past twenty years in South Africa and I can't find information anywhere! If you can find anything for me please send it to me asap! thanks, Kyrst Mailto:ickinson@yebo.co.za Ed. - You can download all the info you need at http://www.onzin.nl/internetdownload/ ... but you will need quite a big hard drive. -------------- JOHNNY'S ROTTEN AND SYD'S VICIOUS Howzit I was just thinking of like starting a punk group like those Sex Piston okes. Maybe that Syd Kitchen ou could help, but he's gonna have to learn to play more voes than he does. Maybe we could call our seedy 'Never Mind The Boksburgs'. Do yous think that Syd would go for this. Johnny from Boksburg -------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to editor@sarockdigest.com ----------------------------- THE DIGEST CLASSIFIED ADS ----------------------------- To advertise in this section please email: editor@sarockdigest.com -------------- SEEKING ELECTRONIC DRUMS Dear SA Rock Digest, I am looking for a set of electronic drums for my 11-year-old son. Anyone who has an unused set can give me a call. Thanks Craig 082-579-5892 Mailto:offices@iafrica.com -------------- PUB GIG I'm looking for a one-man-band or duo to perform covers. It's a regular gig of Friday and Saturday nights at a pub in a top Cape Town complex in the Northern Suburbs. Music-wise, you should be able to perform a wide selection of covers from the 70's, 80's, 90's and current. A good yardstick would be the Kfm playlist eg Elton John, Sting, Billy Joel, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Toto, etc. Please contact me for further details. Clive Trilogy Music tel/fax 021 671 0403 mobile 083 720 8098 Mailto:clive@mailbox.co.za www.trilogymusic.co.za -------------- LOOKING TO EARN EXTRA MONEY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY? This is an interesting new SA music business concept. We suggest you take a good look at this opportunity. Simply send a blank e-mail to mailto:lazyman200@freeautobot.com to receive further info. (Ed. - Nope, it's not spam, but genuine and potentially worthwhile, and anyone can do it!) -------------- RECORDS RESTORED TO CD Have your favourite LP transferred to CD with full colour label and box printing. We restore the LP music/tracks in order to extract the original sound, before transferring them to CD. Only single copies are made and returned with the LP. What is done... 1. Firstly, your precious LP is put through our professional record cleaning machine to ensure that we start with as pure an original sound as possible. 2. We then play the record on the very best audiophile equipment (Thorens turntable, SME arm with Shure V15-III cartridge) and capture the music at a high sample rate, into our "Top of the Range" computer. 3. The Vinyl background noise and "Fried Eggs" sounds are gently removed from the recording. 4. Any remaining "Pops" or "Clicks" are isolated and repaired and the tracks are separated as on the original LP. 5. Then, and only then, do we copy the sound to CD. 6. Finally, the LP cover is scanned front and rear, reduced to fit and printed in full glorious colour. A label is printed for the disc itself in full colour, as on the original. There is a range of prices from R65.00 to R120.00 - depending on the postage costs, and the required and desired degree of cleanup on your single copy. Contact: Terence Tel: 021-787-0205 or Cell: 082-939-077 Email: Mailto:tegner@absamail.co.za -------------- MUSIC SHOPPING ----------------- GEMM GEMM is your best source for those otherwise impossible-to-find music titles on Record or CD! http://sugarmusic.gemm.com -------------- MABU VINYL & CD Cape Town's finest record and CD store is now at the intersection - "Where the four streets - Long, Buitensingel, Kloof, and Orange - meet" Visit our new CD Stall on the Pavement Piazza in front of the shop opposite the Long Street Baths. Mabu stocks SA and International Record and CD titles, and a growing list of independent SA CD and CD-R releases - including a large range of all the African Dope releases. Latest Vinyl additions: The Dealians - 'Look Out! ...Here Come The Dealians' (LP) Finch And Henson - 'At Home In The Dark' (LP) Bobby Angel - 'Rockin', Swingin', Twistin'' (LP) Kabasa - 'Searching' (LP) The Flames - 'Soulfire' (LP) Brenda Fassie - 'Black President' (LP) Dog Detachment - 'Fathoms Of Fire' (LP) Falling Mirror - 'Shattered (Best Of) ' (LP) Johannes Kerkorrel en die Gereformeerde Blues Band - 'Eet Kreef!' (LP) Latest independent SA CD additions: 340ml - 'Moving' Bed On Bricks - 'Humanarium' (Bowline) Bluescream - 'Bluescream' (Independent) Daniel Friedman - 'High Society presents: 14 Steps towards Self Actualisation' (Independent) Chiaroscuro - 'A Definition' Brian Finch - 'Never Look Back' (Independent) Fokofpolisiekar - 'As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand' (EP) (Rhythm) freshlyground - 'Jika Jika' (Independent) Forest Moon - 'Forest Moon' (Independent) Goema Captains Of Cape Town - 'Healing Destination' (Mountain) Hog Hoggidy Hog - 'Naked' EP (3 Chord) Kalahari Surfers - 'Muti Media' (African Dope) Lazarus - 'Parallax View' (EP) (Independent) Lions Of Zion - 'Iternal Fire' (Independent) MoodPhase5ive - 'Steady On' (African Dope) The Rudimentals - 'More Fire' (Independent) Not The Midnight Mass - 'Live At The Planetarium' (Independent) Nukular Stompers - 'Can Of Worms' (Independent) Soulja - '21 Gunslut' (Independent) Various - 'Silvertab Harambe Dope Sessions' (African Dope) Various - 'African Dope Sound System' (African Dope) Various - 'Cape Of Good Dope' (African Dope) Various - 'Breathe Sunshine' (Amabala) Various - 'A Moment In Cape Town' (Revised edition) (Afribeat) Zero Tolerance - 'A Perfect Life?' (EP) (Independent) This week's Best Selling CDs at Mabu Vinyl & CD are: 1. 'The Heat' - The Dollyrockers 2. 'Sui' - Benguela 3. 'More Fire' - The Rudimentals 4. 'African Dope Sound System' - Various 5. 'As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand' (EP) - Fokofpolisiekar We buy and sell LP's and CD's Please contact: Jacques or Stephen (Ph): 021 423 7635 (Cell): 082 534 6006 mailto:mabu@sugarmusic.co.za Mabu Vinyl & CD Shop 2 Buitenkloof Centre 8 Kloof Street, Gardens. ------------------------------------------ VIBES VINYL Stadium-on-Main, Main Road, Claremont Our catalogue is now listed on the UK's No.1 Music Marketplace Netsounds and can be accessed directly at http://www.netsounds.com/vibesvinyl This week's specials: African Jazz Pioneers - 'African Jazz Pioneers' (LP) Bayete - 'Hare Yeng Hae' (LP) Brickhill - Burke - 'Minstrel Scandals' (LP) Gary & Spider - 'The Bare Facts' (LP) Kalahari Surfers - 'Living in the Heart of the Beast' (LP) Spike Milligan & Jeremy Taylor - 'Live at Cambridge University' (2LP) Richard Jon Smith - 'Michael Row the Boat' (LP) Tananas - 'Tananas' (LP) Tananas - 'Spiral' (LP) "Cowboy" Kobus van der Vyver - 'Aanstap Vlooie' (LP) We pay top prices for top quality. Want Lists Welcome! Call us at: 021-683 5676 Postal address: PO Box 24045, Claremont, 7735. mailto:claus@vibesvinyl.com Website catalogue now also at Gemm and Netsounds: http://www.vibesvinyl.gemm.com and http://www.netsounds.com/vibesvinyl ----------------- ONE WORLD - ONLINE SA CD STORE Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ---------------------- DEEP PURPLE FANS The very popular Deep Purple Web Index - the ultimate Deep Purple resource on the web - now has a new home at http://www.deeppurple.co.za -------------- VAGABOND MUSIC & WEB (now part of the Sugar Music Group) Get your band or business online. We design from scratch or take over the maintenance when your hotshot designer gets bored with updating. Our design philosophy is to create sites that pull people in and keep them coming back, through user-friendly designs, good web architecture and cost-effective web-marketing. If you want a quick, friendly and fun website, then Vagabond Music Web is your answer. Vagabond Clients include: Green Party Of South Africa, Jam Alley Music Shop, Joint State, Duncan Mackay, Bluescream, Street Level, Fresh Music, Rhythm Records, Entertainment Industry Services, Piet Botha, Off The Edge, 25 Hour Studio, Gregs Golf Tours, 4 Sure Golf Tours, James Stewart, Tait, Bright Blue, Jack Hammer, Janie Jones, Brian Finch, Soil 7t7, Rodriguez, Steve Louw and Big Sky, Lorraine Shannon, Joe Public. Please contact Brian on 082-567-8779 or visit http://www.sugarmusic.co.za for more info. ------------------------------ SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC QUOTA COALITION Support the SAMQC, as this SA musicians' initiative, looking to greatly increase the amounts of SA music played on the nation's radio stations. Join the movement, sign up, or read more at http://www.samqc.org.za --------------- RODRIGUEZ One of the most frequently Asked Questions on the Sugarman.org Forum is where to buy Rodriguez CDs. Well, you can buy Rodriguez CDs online at http://www.oneworld.co.za ---------------------------- DIGEST CLASSIFIEDS DETAILS * To have your advert featured in the Digest Classifieds, and to find out the prices to do so, contact mailto:sugar@cd.co.za The Sound Solutions and Digest Classified sections are sponsored by: SUGAR MUSIC http://www.sugarmusic.co.za Contact: Stephen Segerman - sugar@cd.co.za LIVE MUSIC
RECOMMENDED SA GIGS See http://www.sagigs.com EVENTS: Full details at http://www.sagigs.com Watch out for: BED ON BRICKS - The Cape Town group's program for March 2004 is jam-packed with a variety of venues, both indoor and outdoor. HOMEGROWN - It's Homegrown time again on Saturday 6 March at Mercury Live as the biggest regular drum 'n bass night in South Africa is back with a phat line-up. DANIELE PASCAL - Villa Pascal recently opened at no 28 van der Westhuizen Street, Durbanville as an entertainment venue where they present monthly soirees. Danièle is celebrating 20 years of love with South Africa with highlights from all her productions since her arrival in South Africa. Ranging from blues, soul, pop and jazz, the program includes favourite evergreen standards from Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Leonard Cohen, Marianne Faithfull, Cole Porter - Sunday 21 March 2004 THE BLUE HEADS AT SPIER - The Digest has arranged for a number of double sets of tickets to be made available to its subscribers for the upcoming Blue Heads' Cape concert at Spier on Thursday March 11th 2004. THE 'SCHOOL OF ROCK' TOUR - A nationwide SA tour in March, to coincide with the movie's release in South Africa, will take place with the likes of The Finks, Prime Circle, Marlowe, The Parlotones, Nemesis and Waverley STEFAN JOUBERT - An explosive evening of "touch" guitar, performed by one of South Africa's top guitarists. - Friday 5 March 2004 THE KLIPPIES AND COLA STUDENT SESSIONS - These Sessions are aimed at establishing a campus centred live music circuit, primarily at UCT and Stellenbosch University and their surrounding areas. Regional bands, including Afrotone, Andy & Stef, Arbor, Fly Paper Jet, Nick Turner & Dave vd Linden, Fokofpolisiekar, Superfine, and the The Buckfever Undergroundare paired and perform together on consecutive Tuesdays at Die Mystic Boer and The Independent Armchair Theatre. THE RUDIMENTALS - Cape Town's ska-punk sensations have lined up a string of gigs over the next few weeks. VUSI MAHLASELA AND JUDITH SEPHUMA - Vusi Mahlasela and Judith Sephuma, two of BMG Africa's biggest names, will be headlining gigs at the Giant Steps Music Festival at Spier in Stellenbosch in March 2004. SUNWAYS IN LONDON - The next Sunways tour begins on 5 March and will include dates in March, April, May & June. The band's first London date is on Friday 30 April at the Halfmoon Putney. BOO! IN EUROPE - All those dates for BOO!'s current European Tour UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS IN SA: ENRIQUE IGLESIAS - Vodacom, 5fm Music and Big Concerts have announced the forthcoming tour of music sensation Enrique Iglesias to South Africa. Kicking off on the 27th of April in Cape Town, he will then be heading to Durban on the 29th, Sun City on the 1st, and finally Johannesburg on the 2nd of May. COUNTING CROWS - The popular US band, fronted by Adam Duritz, will be returning to SA in March to promote their new, greatest hits album, 'Films About Ghosts', with Just Jinger as support WITCHDOCTOR RECORDS ANNOUNCES SA TOURS BY ENTOMBED, AND KATAKLYSM - Entombed, those Swedish masters of metal return to our shores for two exclusive shows in April, and Kataklysm, the Swedish masters of metal return, to our shores for two exclusive shows in May SMOKIE - This successful '70's/'80's pop group is still "firing on all five cylinders" and will be touring South Africa in 2004 on 'The Hit Box Tour '04' from 25 February onwards. NEW MODEL ARMY - Alter-Ego Productions is proud to announce the tour to South Africa of this "legendary" band in March 2004 LORD OF THE DANCE - The dance spectacular, which has played to over 50 million people in 36 different countries, returns to South Africa by this March, for a whopping two-month tour. SA MUSIC FESTIVALS SOUTHERN CROSS MUSIC FESTIVAL - The three-day Southern Cross Music Festival is known as "The Friendly Festival" and takes place from 19-22 March 2004 in the Hidden Valley in KwaZulu Natal THE CAPE TOWN FESTIVAL - The Cape Town Festival is the Mother City's premiere arts and cultural showcase, bringing together the best in local and international dance, visual arts, music, film, photography, spoken word, theatre and nightlife - 14 to 22 March 2004 NORTH SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL - CAPE TOWN 2004 - "Africa's Grandest Gathering is about to celebrate its 5th anniversary in April 2004, and it will be doing so in style in its new home at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on the Mother City's Foreshore. With Angie Stone, Femi Kuti, Stanley Clarke, freshlyground, Abdullah Ibrahim, Cassandra Wilson and Miriam Makeba. SPLASHY FEN 2004 - One of our country's best loved open-air lifestyle celebration promises the freshest ever delights for body and mind on the Easter weekend, April 8 - 12 -------------- OTHER ITEMS -------------- BED ON BRICKS - GIGS IN MARCH After a quick break to allow Schalk van der Merwe, the BOB bassist, to get married, the guys from Bed On Bricks are ready to rumble. The band's program for March 2004 is jam-packed with a variety of venues, both indoor and outdoor. Bed On Bricks' album, 'Humanarium', is currently topping the Digest's Top 30 SA Albums of the Week charts and the title-track of the CD was also voted 'Song of the Year 2003' in our end of year lists. The band has been rehearsing new material and will be performing these songs during their upcoming performances. Fans of the Dorpstreet Theatre Café in Stellenbosch will be pleased to hear that one of the town's most energetic live music outfits will be performing there on Friday 6 March. This will be the first time that Bed On Bricks are performing in the Dorpstreet Theatre where patrons can even order a meal while bopping to the beats of the band. Listeners are in for a real rock treat; up close and personal! For bookings, please phone 021-886 6107. BOB Gigs: Saturday 6 March - Dorpstreet Theatre, Stellenbosch Wednesday 10 March - Mystic Boer (as part of the Woordfees), Stellenbosch Sunday 14 March - Kirstenbosch, Cape Town Sunday 21 March - Joburg Bar, Cape Town Thursday 25 March - Stones, Longstreet, Cape Town Friday 26 March - Hidden Cellar, Stellenbosch -------------- BRIAN FINCH & KEN E HENSON IN DURBAN Brian Finch and Ken E. Henson, with Namibian master bassist Swartzie, are flying in to entertain their flock at the Catalina for another set of shows. This is not only for those who couldn't get in to see them last year (at the same venue - sold out remember?) but for the many who email and call and ask - when are the Finch & Henson in town again. Don't say we didn't tell you! The Finch is taking off with his 3 latest albums - the recently recorded 'Never Look Back', the 2001 Alan Judd recording of 'Hero Of Heroes' and the re-mastered classic (his 1974 debut) - 'Bringing Back The Good Times'... but as always, nothing quite replaces the magic of the man in concert. (What's this we hear about improving with age?). Come in and check this out and see for yourself. The master elder statesman of the electric guitar, Ken E, continues to mesmerize. Besides doing his own thing - he now has a monthly Soiree at his home in Durban North - he often flies north with Brian. The Finch & Henson sound may be firmly rooted in local country rock tradition and for ever stored in the elders' hard-drive memory banks, but the pair are winning new young hearts and minds wherever their unique sound is heard. Catalina Theatre: (031) 305-6889 Wednesday 3rd to Saturday 6th March @ 8:00pm Sunday 7th @ 6.00pm Book early. Be advised! Or Be left out! 3rd Ear Music Tel +(27) (31) 207-5314 David's Cell (083) 359-5610 Mailto:thirdear@iafrica.com BRIAN FINCH http://www.rock.co.za/brianfinch -------------- DANIELE PASCAL OPENS VILLA PASCAL - NEW VENUE IN DURBANVILLE Villa Pascal recently opened at no 28 van der Westhuizen Street, Durbanville as an entertainment venue where we present monthly soirees. It is also the residence of French chanteuse Danièle Pascal and currently the only cabaret venue in the Northern Suburbs, especially the Durbanville area. The soirees are managed by Eugene Lebreton, who has 18 years of hands-on experience in all facets of the entertainment & music industry. Villa Pascal is a Leo Productions and Crazee Records initiative. Villa Pascal has a relaxed, upmarket Provençal setting and can seat up to 100 patrons. With its inviting pool and serene garden, we can seat up to 120 patrons for our outdoor summer concerts. Since the launch of our soirees on 31 August 2003, all of our shows have been a huge success. We have realised the growing demand for soirees in the Durbanville area, and with our diverse music evenings in store, we can definitely offer top entertainment to all age groups. We are planning to feature a full range of entertainment ranging from jazz, tango, opera, and cabaret this year. We are looking at booking entertainers for this year. Anyone interested can contact: Eugene on Tel: 0825694147 / 021-9752566 or mailto:leoproductions@intekom.co.za March Events at Villa Pascal: Date: Sunday 21 March 2004 Time: 19h00 Daniele Pascal - 20 Years of Love with South Africa Danièle Pascal is celebrating 20 years of love with South Africa. Danièle will present highlights from all her productions since her arrival in South Africa. Ranging from blues, soul, pop and jazz, the program includes favourite evergreen standards from Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Leonard Cohen, Marianne Faithfull, Cole Porter, just to mention a few. All presented with new and often dramatic arrangements under the direction of pianist Rika Vermeulen. ------------- RP STUDIOS EMERGING SOUNDS The atmosphere was electrifying during Saturday's round of the Johannesburg leg of the RP Studios Emerging Sounds at Tempos. The venue was the fullest it has ever been during a first round heat at Tempos - which bodes well not only for the monthly Johannesburg final taking place this weekend but also all future heats of the RP Studios Emerging Sounds. Pity though the electricity kept cutting out last Saturday due to the council working on cables in the area. A power cut led to last Saturday's Johannesburg event starting slightly later then usual and then just as the third group of the day started their second song the power cut out again. After waiting for over an hour for the power to resume the organisers decided to send all four bands through to this month's Johannesburg finals taking place at Tempos on Saturday, February 28. See http://www.sagigs for a full list of all the upcoming RP Studios Emerging Sounds Competiton events. For further information contact Simon "Squire" Foulds on 082 770 7524. --------------- SA PUNK By Daniel Neville NITRO, BLOOD, A LIGHTER, AND A KNIFE - DURANGO 95 SA TOUR Come February 23rd, and mayhem will strike South Africa with an explosive nationwide tour with German Punk Rock troopers Durango 95... The South African tour will take Durango 95 to all accessible venues across the country, here are the dates: 1 March - Taphuis, Grahamstown. R30 cover charge 2 March - The Yacht Club. Port Elizabeth. R30 cover charge 5 March - The Mercury Live, Cape Town. R50 cover charge 6 March - The Lemon Connection, Cape Town. R50 cover charge Visit their homepage for info, MP3's. Pics, Gossip, Garbage, Merch and tour dates. http://www.durango95.de/ "Take me away" their latest album is available is South Africa through Give & Take Records. give&take@global.co.za Please note than unless it says that the show is all ages then it is strictly over 18's only. You will be asked for ID and if you can not produce any you will get turned away. This is not a decision made on the organisers' part, but a rule made by all club owners. --------------- SA Punk Gig Guide There are plenty of punk gigs happening all round the country this week. Here's a list of some of them... Mon 1 March - Grahamstown - Taphuis - R30, 8pm Durango 95 South African Tour Bubbahoonks Durango 95 Tue 2 March - Port Elizabeth - The Yacht club - R30, 8pm Durango 95 South African Tour B.G.F F.F.D Durango 95 Tue 2 March - Hatfield Pretoria - Tings and Times - R20, 8pm FOKOFPOLISIEKAR IN PRETORIA! Fokofpolisiekar Thur 4 March - Joburg - Zeplins - R20, 9pm BGF (Best Go Fight) Origin: Port Elizabeth Style: Rap Core( for lack of better genre) Fri 5 March - Cape Town - Mercury Live - R50, 8pm Durango 95 South African Tour Hog Hoggidy Hog Half Price Durango 95 Fri 5 March - Cape Town - All Nations Obs - R40, 9pm The Rudimentals Vivian Jones (reggae artist from the UK) Azania Band Black Dilinger Sat 6 March - Durban - Outer Feilds Absa Stadium - 7pm Check it out!!! Sibling Rivalry Never Me Fictional Characters There is also going to be a D.J and a bar. The gig is all ages and it will start at around 7pm - all the bands are playing 2 sets. Sat 6 March - Cape Town - Drum Cafe - R30, 9pm Zinzis Bomb Party! The Rudimentals 7th Son Spindle Sect Soulja Sat 6 March - Joburg - The Bohemian - R20, 8pm Wrench Productions Presents the BGF tour BGF (PE) ATFN (PTA) The Stevie Wonderfuls (JHB) Sick Boy (JHB) Sat 6 March - Cape Town - The Lemon Connection - R50, 8pm Durango 95 South African Tour Tonight We Die Carea Doppler Effect My Shade Durango 95 This show is at The Lemon Connection but it might be moved to Muizenburg Junior school due to problems that the Lemon Connection are having, so please check the venue of this show and let everyone know what's happening. If the show is in Muizenburg it will be an All Ages show. Sat 6 March - Nelspruit - Oewersig - R40, 3pm Riverfest Ska Tissue Ten Cents Short, Induo C4 Misled Youth Maltese Crabs NOS, No Ones Ark and more.... Sat 6 March - Worcester - Star Gazer Cinema - R20, 8pm Antipathy Fokofpolisiekar Soulja Neshamah Sat 6 March - Joburg - The Bohemians - R20, 9pm BGF (Best Go Fight) Origin: Port Elizabeth Style: Rap Core (for lack of better genre) ---------------------------- LIVE IN SA -------------- CAPE TOWN FESTIVAL LAUNCHES IN STYLE The Cape Town Festival hosted a glittering premiere event at the Cape Town International Convention Centre last week, to signify the launch of this year's festival celebrations. In celebration of our 10th year of democracy, prominent business and city leaders turned out for this groundbreaking occasion. Chairperson of the Cape Town Festival, Ryland Fisher, extended a warm welcome to all present and opened the evening's program with an appeal to all Capetonians to celebrate the fifth year of the festival's existence with him. He reinforced the festival's focal aim, which is to overcome cultural, religious and racial intolerance, through a celebration of culture and creativity. He reminded the audience that the current festival had grown out of the One City Many Cultures initiative launched during his tenure as editor of the Cape Times. He said that he was glad to report that the festival now had a proper board of directors in place, a new dynamic chief executive and a vision of establishing an international cultural festival in our beautiful city over the next three years. Invited guests were drawn into a multi-sensory experience illustrating the journey that the festival has travelled from its humble beginnings up until today, and were catapulted into a future vision which will see its transformation into a truly African festival. A riveting combination of audio-visual presentations and live entertainment vividly projected this grand vision. Master of ceremonies, Kurt Schoonraad, better known as Cape Town's "king of comedy" (I thought that title belonged to Pieter Marais?? - Political Ed.) effortlessly eased the star-studded audience into the evening, amid peals of laughter, with a flow of witty banter and funny jokes. In true Cape style, the acclaimed Ghoema Captains had feet tapping and heads swaying to familiar tunes, followed by a vivacious dance performance by the Vadhni Dance Academy, portraying freedom of movement and transformation. As the all-male Manyanani dancers took to the stage in their traditional Zulu outfits, the pulsating energy of Africa reverberated through the venue. The evening's activities built up to a resounding crescendo as the La Rosa Spanish dancers burst onto the stage in a glorious fusion of contemporary flamenco and African dance to the stirring melody of our national anthem. Evoking a reciprocal wave of national pride, mirrored in the shining eyes of all present, this portrayal filled one with a sense of unexplored possibilities. A truly grand vision - an African fusion. The evening culminated in a tongue-in-cheek invitation by newly-appointed CEO, Yusuf Ganief, to all Capetonians to make their way to the Company's Garden on Sunday 21 March when the South African Chefs Association and local koe(k)sister "tannies" and "tieties" combine their gastronomic talents to construct the World's Longest Koe(k)sister - all 30 metres of it! And the question remains - is it a koeksister or is it a koe'sieste? The Cape Town Festival kicks off on 14 March and runs up until 22 March, offering a myriad creative experiences for all. It's your festival - come and enjoy! For festival information, visit www.capetownfestival.co.za or buy the March edition of The Big Issue for your full festival program. ----------------------- SA GIG GUIDE The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can now be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. If you cannot access SAgigs.com then e-mail gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. Please send all gig info to sugar@sagigs.com in a plain text e-mail. SA Music Links And Resources
SA MUSIC LINKS: THE SA ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA WEBLINKS PAGE: Links to the world of SA Rock - artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links ---------------------------- SA MUSIC RESOURCES: THE SA ROCK DIGEST ON SAFM (104-107KHz) THE BRUCE MILLAR SHOW - MONDAY EVENINGS @ 9.15PM Stephen Segerman, Digest co-editor, talks to Bruce Millar about SA music news, new releases, and charts from each week's Digest. ---------------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST CONTACT DETAILS: SUBSCRIPTIONS: To subscribe to The SA Rock Digest - please send an e-mail to: subscribe@sarockdigest.com Address changes - please send an e-mail to: subscribe@sarockdigest.com To unsubscribe - please send a blank e-mail to: unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com ---------------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST BACK ISSUES http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable ---------------------------- PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, requests, searches and comments to sugar@sarockdigest.com ---------------------------- EDITORS Any thoughts, requests, problems, complaints, praise or interesting and relevant SA music news, CDs, or mp3s... please contact: Stephen Segerman sugar@sarockdigest.com Brian Currin http://www.vagabond.za.net/contact ---------------------------- MAIN CONTRIBUTORS BC - Brian Currin SS - Stephen Segerman JS - John Samson KS - Kurt Shoemaker CL - Carina Laubscher (Katvrou) TL - Tertius Louw DN - Daniel Neville NN - Nadia Neophytou WM - Wicked Mike DM - David Marks DS - Don Sweeto LAD - LAD MC - Michael Currin (Curmic) JFB - Johnny From Boksburg And others too numerous to mention, but gratefully acknowledged! Proofed by Ronx A SUGAR MUSIC PRODUCTION |
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