Wozani
Dancing in the Moonlight
Tracks:
- Dancing in the Moonlight [3:48] (G.L. van Dyk)
- Tired [3:50] G.L. van Dyk)
- Gone Gone [3:38] (G.L. van Dyk)
- Township Jive [3:49] (G. Clifford)
- Stormy Seas [4:02] (G. Clifford)
- Loved by You [4:05] (G.L. van Dyk)
- Working for Changes [3:25] (G. Clifford)
- Lonely People [4:20] (G.L. van Dyk)
- Feeling of Love [3:55] (G.L. van Dyk)
- All Eyes [4:14] (G. Clifford)
- Changes are Coming [4:50] (G. Clifford)
Produced by George van Dyk, Mike Stobbie, Graham Clifford
Engineered by Lee Short (Johannesburg), Steve Lee (Leeds)
Recorded at RPM Studios, Johannesburg
Mixed at Studio 2, Leeds, United Kingdom
Additional engineering by Rob Price
Musicians:
- George van Dyk: Lead Vocals, backing vocals, bass
- Graham Clifford: Guitars, backing vocals
- Steve Lee: Guitar solo on 'Working for Changes', backing vocals
- Abraham Sibiya: Keyboards, backing vocals
- Mike Stobbie: Keyboards
- Mike Faure: Sax
- Rob Price: Backing vocals
- Mark Rimmington: Backing vocals
- Choir on 'Changes are Coming': Bheki Gumbi, Cecil Zinyuky, Jayne Oddy, Tim Delaney, Bangani Dladla, Ronnie Mkhabela, Pretty Gumbi, Zodwa Nxumalo, Robert "Deep Voice" Sithole
Release information:
1990, RPM Records, RPM 7135 (cassette CCRPM 7135)
Review:
Firstly, Wozani's 'Dancing in the Moonlight' has got nothing to do with the recent Toploader hit. Now that we've cleared that up we can get down to the nitty gritty of the album. From the first beat, you are made aware that the word 'dancing' has earned its place in the album title. Opening with the title track, the songs fairly bounce along and if they don't lure you into jumping up and dancing round your living room, they will at least cause heads to be bobbed in time or feet to be tapped.
There is some of Michael Jackson's voice in George van Dyk's vocals (other offcuts from Jackson were used to make Destiny's Child). This strong voice is set against some great African rhythms and sounds, reminiscent of Johnny Clegg and Hotline. Songs like 'Loved by You' are bright and brassy with SA's Mr Sax, Mike Faure, providing the warmth.
Like Clegg, Wozani mix the African sound with rock, although Wozani tend to be more rock oriented and less rootsy than Clegg so you have more raunchy guitar, particularly evident on 'Working for Changes'. There is a thread of reggae flowing through some of the songs and is most prominent in 'Tired', while 'Lonely People' has hints of the Police's 'Every Little Thing She does is Magic'.
If you listen to 'Feeling of Love' you may hear some of what influenced Blk. Sonshine with the simple guitar strumming, handclaps and beautiful vocal harmonies. It's the small gem of the album.
The second side of the record lyrically concentrates on the changes that had started occurring in South Africa in the early 90's with song titles like 'Working for Changes', 'Changes are Coming' and 'All Eyes (are on us)'. There is a great sense of hope for the future in the words as wells as in the tunes.
A good solid Afrorock album that will brighten up your day with its uplifting and upbeat tunes as well as its positive lyrics.
John Samson
SA Rock Digest Issue #129, November 2001
All info supplied by John Samson, November 2001.
South Africa's Rock Classics
South Africa's Rock Legends
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