SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #234 http://www.sarockdigest.com Established 27th January 1999 26 January 2004 ------------- IMPORTANT! ------------- If you would like to send off an email to the Digest about anything, you are always very welcome to do so ... but please resist the urge to simply "reply-to" this newsletter. If you would like to contact us, please rather send an email to: mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=Digest ---------------------- IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE ---------------------- The SA Rock Digest will be 5 years old tomorrow (Tuesday 27 January), so this Edition (number #234) is our 5th Birthday issue ... We've got the usual candles and kykweer, and we will take a short pause to reflect ..................... okay, let's move on ... As reported last week, so confirmed this week, Limp Bizkit are coming to SA for a few live concerts ... Vusi Mahlasela's love affair with the US continues with the SA singer returning to SA after another very successful US tour (his sixth!) that saw him performing at venues in Washington, Chicago and New York City over a two-week period! ... and 'Capetown Sound' is the name of a new, state-of-the-art recording facility that has just opened its doors down Lansdowne Road in Cape Town with Patric van Blerk at the helm. The Paul Bothner Music branch in Plumstead, Cape Town has announced the first free music workshops in its 2004 series - the first featuring Digest co-editor, Brian Currin discussing the internet, and the second being an on-the-spot workshop run by Street Level at their studios in Cape Town ... TUKS Rag and OppiKoppi Productions are combining forces to bring us a bumper show and line-up - more than 20 artists, will feature at this year's celebrations from 12 - 14th February at the TUKS Rag Farm and the Sin Bin Café ... 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 RP Studios Emerging Sounds competition of 2004 began last weekend at Tempos in Johannesburg ... The 2004 Tuks Rag Debutante's charity drive is proudly presenting Koos Kombuis and Piet Botha performing together in concert at two shows at the Blue Crane Restaurant in New Muckleneuk in February ... Hal Shaper, one of South Africa's most successful songwriters, passed away recently - Patric van Blerk pays tribute to his long-time friend and associate ... Barney Simon will be profiling Soulja and their new album, '21 Gunslut'. There's a new MP3 from the Blood Island Raiders, and you can find out all about this tough, new SA band came to be ... Hilton Schilder, who has been seen in the line-up of The Genuines and Iconoclast, has just taken his 'Rock Art' ensemble to the Standard Bank Jazzathon 2004 bandstand ... And we look back at Hog Hoggidy Hog's debut album, 'Fishpaste And Vibe'. Following on from the announcement of the release of a Sharon Tandy collection, Shiloh Noone sent us an extract about Sharon and her various musical associations from his forthcoming rock history book ... LAD flashes his powerful zaZone.co.za torch on The Parlotones ... John Samson reviews Tribe After Tribe's 'Love Under Will' album ... Kurt Shoemaker takes off with The Aeroplanes ... and we look back at the Digest's best albums and songs of the past few years. We have directions to the upcoming Up The Creek Festival ... Albert Frost has a gig lined up Café Barcelona on Friday 30 January, and will be performing with Lani van der Walt, and Jorik (the Rasta Viking) Pienaar from Not My Dog ... Find out about the new Cape Town group, Fraustration ... and Daniel Neville is back from his trip with some SA punk gig news. 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 ... ---------------- EDITOR'S NOTE ---------------- If you miss any issues of the Digest, then you can still read each week's Edition, in full colour, online at http://www.cd.co.za (updated Wednesdays). You can also find all the Previous Editions of the Digest archived at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives The deadline for Digest submissions and SA gig info is Friday 12 noon. If you would like to contact us, please do not reply to this newsletter! Rather send an email to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=Digest Thanks! Ed. ------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ------------------------------------- For a full-colour and clickable HTML version of the SA Rock Digest with images, please visit http://www.cd.co.za where the online version of the SA Rock Digest can be found. Updated every Tuesday. -------------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ON THE RADIO -------------------------------------------- Digest co-editor Stephen Segerman presents his SA music slot on the Bruce Millar Show on SAFM (104-107FM) on Monday evenings between 9 and 9.30pm. ----------------------------------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA ----------------------------------------- From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Daddy' to 'ZX Dan' ... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.rock.co.za ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of Recommended Gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com ----------------------------------- ONE WORLD - ONLINE SA CD STORE ----------------------------------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ------ GEMM ------ GEMM is your best source for those otherwise impossible-to-find music titles on Record or CD! http://sugarmusic.gemm.com ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Limp Bizkit, Capetown Sound, Paul Bothner Music Workshops, Vusi Mahlasela, TUKS Rag 2004, Southern Cross Festival, RP Studios Emerging Sounds 2004, Hal Shaper, Soulja. 2.CHARTS: Top 30 SA mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: SA mp3s & CDs: Blood Island Raiders, Rock Art, Hog Hoggidy Hog, The Parlotones. 4. USA FOR AFRICA: The Aeroplanes 'Greatest Hits' 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Tribe After Tribe - 'Love Under Will' 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok Radio charts, birthdays, Les Fleur De Lys, Year-end Charts 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: Letters and requests, a Readers' Forum 8. DIGEST CLASSIFIEDS: Mabu Vinyl, Vibes Vinyl. 9.LIVE MUSIC: Events round-up, SA Punk, Shotgun Sessions, Fraustration 10.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions ___________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- LIMP BIZKIT TOUR CONFIRMED Edgars and 5fm Music Present the Limp Bizkit 'Back 2 Basics' SA Tour Edgars and 5FM Music in association with Big Concerts are proud to announce the upcoming South African tour by Limp Bizkit, who will be kicking off their tour in Cape Town on the 2nd, before heading to Durban on the 4th and then Johannesburg on the 6th of April. The band is Fred Durst, DJ Lethal, John Otto, Sam Rivers, and Mike Smith and together they create a distinctive mix of metal and hip-hop. The band offends cheerfully and wilfully, and is capable of an onstage spectacle second to none. Since emerging from Jacksonville, Florida in 1994, Limp Bizkit, brought together by frontman Fred Durst, have become one of the most influential bands on the heavy music scene and have sold close to 30 million records worldwide. In 1995 when Durst (who is also an accomplished tattoo artist) decorated the members of the funk-metal band Korn, the acquaintance turned into a friendship, and the following year after Durst slipped them a Limp Bizkit demo tape, they landed a spot touring with House Of Pain and The Deftones. Their 1997 debut album, 'Three Dollar Bill, Y'all' ushered Limp Bizkit in to the platinum house, thanks to a cheeky remake of George Michael's 'Faith', and a spot on the 1998 OZZ Fest bill, with its famous giant toilet stage prop. Their breakthrough 1999 disc 'Significant Other', debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Top 200, and featured the hits 'Nookie', 'Break Stuff' and 'Re-Arranged'. The album sold almost 7.5 million copies in the U.S. alone, and that year the band received two MTV Video Music Award nominations. In 2000 Limp Bizkit was nominated for two Grammy Awards, and won Best Rock Video for 'Break Stuff' at the MTV Video Music Awards; their song 'N 2 Gether Now' was nominated as well. 'Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavoured Water', the band's 2000 follow-up came a year later featuring the hits 'My Generation', 'Take a Look Around', the theme song to 'Mission Impossible 2', and 'Rollin''. The album broke previous rock sales records by selling over one million copies during the first week of its release, and the band received two MTV Video Music Award nominations and took home the award for Best Rock Video. In addition, they won three MTV Europe Music Awards. Having just released their latest album, 'Results May Vary' late in 2003, Limp Bizkit promises to turn the rock world on its head and spin it round and round. Their performances in South Africa will be bigger, badder, harder, heavier, phatter, and funkier than anyone before. Bring it on...! Tour Itinerary: Friday 2nd April - The Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town Sunday 4th April - ABSA Park, Outer Fields, Durban Tuesday 6th April - The Dome @ Northgate, Johannesburg Book at Computicket Computicket - www.computicket.com Computicket Call Centre - 083 915 8000 For more information on upcoming shows: www.bigconcerts.co.za or www.5fm.co.za Limp Bizkit's official website: www.limpbizkit.com For further media information, please contact Mailto: michael@bigconcerts.co.za -------------- VUSI 'THE VOICE' MAHLASELA WOWS US AUDIENCES…AGAIN South African singing star Vusi Mahlasela this week returned to his hometown of Mamelodi, after another successful US tour that saw him performing at venues in Washington, Chicago and New York City over a two -week period. This latest sojourn was the humble star's sixth trip to North America in the past year. In November last year Vusi toured all along the US East Coast, including several gigs alongside up-and-coming jam rockers the Derek Trucks Band. Clocking up some serious air miles, Vusi appeared in big cities like Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore, as well as a number of venues in smaller towns - winning over scores of new fans along the way. Gemma Hooley, of the huge National Public Radio network had this to say about Vusi's gig in Boston: "He came out on stage and gave 200 percent, a stunning range of emotion and vocals. He read the mood of the crowd so well and had them eating out of his hand from the beginning. When he came back onstage halfway through the Derek Trucks' Band set to sing one of their songs with them, the audience went crazy again for him. One guy behind me was just standing there talking to himself, saying 'I've never heard a vocalist like this, never, I can't believe what I'm hearing, just can't believe it... he is off the hook.' People were stunned, and so was I... what an amazing performance." Derek Trucks speaking of Vusi to The Chicago Tribune newspaper recently: "Even Vusi's protest music, it's still positive, it's still hopeful. Its not just condemning things, which seems to happen here a lot. People get on their pedestal and don't offer any hope. With him, you'd hear the saddest song, but at the end of it, you'd still feel better." Vusi's frequent visits are all geared to support of the late-2003 release of his debut US album, 'The Voice', on SA born Dave Matthews' ATO Records label. 'The Voice' is a compilation of songs culled from Vusi's body of work, which were carefully selected and then re-mastered for the US market. Matthews is a long time Vusi fan, and himself - alongside his Dave Matthews Band - an iconic figure in US music. During the December trip Vusi appeared solo to great acclaim in Matthews' hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia and whilst in New York last week, Vusi met up and spent time with Matthews, who was in town promoting his debut solo album 'Some Devil'. Further US trips are planned throughout 2004 with Vusi scheduled to appear alongside Oliver Mtukudzi in April, and in June with Ladysmith Black Mambazo - two of the biggest names in contemporary African music. Whilst in New York, Vusi appeared in front a sold out crowds at 'WorldFest', an important 'world music' showcase event. Noted music critic Jon Pareles wrote of Vusi's gig in The New York Times: "The music reflected an interconnected world in which ethnographic purity is giving way to multicultural fusions, though a cultural heritage often shines through the international trappings. Yet some of the strongest performances were those that stayed closest to home. Vusi Mahlasela, a South African singer who was active in the movement against Apartheid, played alone with an acoustic guitar in songs that gathered a kindly and overwhelming power. He explained some of his lyrics: memories of his country's brutal past and cautious hopes for the future. As he picked delicate syncopated counterpoint, his voice crooned, growled, bounced in quick syllables and rose to a benevolent falsetto, with musical delights as abundant as good intentions." With his South African career already spanning ten years and six acclaimed albums, it's already been and will continue be a long journey to now "crack" the world's biggest music market, but Vusi is off to a great start. Renee Graham, writing in The Boston Globe: "Musicians often speak of how music has been their salvation, but for Vusi Mahlasela, such claims have a far deeper resonance... American audiences are beginning to discover Mahlasela's beguiling singing and passionate lyrics." He may travel the globe spreading his glorious sounds, yet Vusi - who started his career as poet - remains a humble man of the people who still lives in his beloved Mamelodi. Further good news for fans of the singer, who also runs the Mahlasela Music Development Foundation in Pretoria, is planning a new solo album for mid 2004. Vusi will also continue to appear alongside his backing outfit 'Proud People's Band', with whom he recorded and released the SAMA nominated 'Jungle Of Questions' album in 2002. * Local fans will be able to catch Vusi when he performs on Friday 12th March as part of the annual Spier Summer Festival in Stellenbosch near Cape Town - alongside sensational BMG Africa label mate Judith Sephuma. -------------- KOOS KOMBUIS AND PIET BOTHA IN CONCERT! Through the initiative of the 2004 Tuks Rag Debutante's charity drive, Koos Kombuis and Piet Botha will perform together at two shows at the Blue Crane Restaurant in New Muckleneuk on the 9th and 11th of February. Last year Koos Kombuis performed alone at one show and it was so successful that it was decided to add another evening and another huge name to the line-up this time around. Koos Kombuis and Piet Botha hardly need any introduction. It can safely be said that people who have not heard of these two enigmatic artists are not from South Africa. Through their music they have opened up many minds and touch countless hearts, and in doing so contributed hugely to the South African music industry and general social consciousness of Afrikaans speaking South Africans. Both these artists are worthy of lifetime achievement awards. {Well, both are inductees of the South African Rock Hall Of Fame http://www.rock.co.za/halloffame - ed.} The atmosphere at the Blue Crane Restaurant combined with the artists makes for a very intimate and very memorable evening under the African sky. Tickets are limited to roughly 180 per evening and will sell at R160, including a buffet dinner and drinks. The contact number for Blue Crane is: 012 460 7615 The Debutants will sell the tickets, but they are also available from the Blue Crane. PS: Koos Kombuis will also have one or two other gigs: At the Tuks Rag farm on Thursday the 12th of February. Contact for info: 012 3462011 At the Centurion theatre on 13 and 14 February. Contact number for info 012 664 8794 For more information visit www.oppikoppi.co.za or call Annelie Hoffmann at 012 346 2011/ Cell: 083 308 1251/ Fax: (012) 460 7431 Mailto:annelie@oppikoppi.co.za -------------- CAPETOWN SOUND FOR AFRICA ...... AND THE WORLD 'Capetown Sound' is the name of a new, state-of-the-art-recording facility that has just opened its doors down Lansdowne Road in Cape Town. The studio is a result of a the "getting-together" of ex-Spirits Rejoice player Paul Petersen (who returned from Nashville and Kentucky with the studio), Patric van Blerk (who Paul had worked with on Joy's 'Paradise Road') - and new-kid-on-the-block, Nic Hazell (ex-Colourfields). Capetown Sound offers an vast array of the finest in recording gear (both digital and analog) in a really great setting, in it's very own building - now painted a rich, deep 'fynbos-green! (also featuring great freshlyground coffee!). Expect hits for Africa from Capetown Sound, which is situated at 395 Lansdowne Road, Cape Town. For the Magic, call: Paul Petersen 082 597 6069 Nic Hazell 084 510 5005 Patric van Blerk 082 899 2525 -------------- UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AT PAUL BOTHNER MUSIC The Paul Bothner Music branch in Plumstead, Cape Town has announced the first in its 2004 free music workshop series. The first workshop is called: "Communicating with Your Fan Base via the Internet" and will be presented by Digest co-editor, Brian Currin. This free workshop looks at the Internet as an affordable way for musicians to build an online community through the use of email newsletters, gig and tour announcements, news of album launches and gig photos. This event is a must for any band or musician wanting to increase their visibility and improve on their public image. This workshop will be held on Monday 9 February 2004 - from 6:30 to 7:30pm At Paul Bothner Music, Plumstead. Please note: Seating is limited, so arrive early. Call (021) 674 4030 for more details. The second workshop is called "Studio Recording" and is a free workshop, brought to you by Paul Bothner Music, and hosted and presented by Street Level Music Productions, one of the country's most creative and productive recording studios. This intensive, one-day workshop will cover the process of recording a song performed by a live band in a studio. Attendees will gain valuable insights as the Street Level team, using some of the latest studio technology, and be shown the procedures of setting up equipment, recording the multi-track parts and doing the final mix down. This workshop will be held on Saturday 14 February 2004 at 9 for 9:30am to 5:00pm at the Street Level Studios at Unit 12B, 3rd floor New Market Junction, Cape Town. As space for this free workshop is limited to 20 persons, booking is essential. Contact Newton Wetter on (021) 674 4030 or email Mailto:info@bothner.co.za to book your place. -------------- TUKS RAG 2004 - LET THE FUN BEGIN! Hoeeeesit! It's that time of year again, as TUKS Rag and OppiKoppi Productions combine forces to present a bumper show and line-up. More than 20 artists will feature at this year's celebrations from 12 - 14th February at the TUKS Rag Farm and the Sin Bin Café. As the Friday evening has traditionally been the main night of the Rag Celebrations it was decided to reserve the main stage for that night alone. Not that this will take anything from the Thursday night show. For only R20 you will get to see artists such as Koos Kombuis, MXO, Soil 7t7, Slugs of War and many more perform on the Beer Garden Stage and the "unplugged" comedy stage. On Friday the ticket prices are R40 and the night promises to be jam-packed with entertainment on all three stages. The line-up for Friday includes Cutting Jade, the Finkelstiens, Prime Circle, Bongo Maffin, Rude Boy Paul and One Azania, Tumi and the Volume, Arno Carstens' New Porn, The Narrow, BVK, Cashless Society, DJ's Positive K, Lil' Khuze, Skeelo and many more. Many of you will remember the buckets of rain that came down on the Friday night last year. This year however there should be no worries as the Rag committee will be completely geared up for any rain by erecting huge tents over large parts of the entertainment area. So come rain or shine, it will be a party to remember. On Saturday 15th the Rag procession takes place. The official Rag after-party will be held at the Sin Bin Café, situated next to Loftus. A bumper line-up of some of the best and most well known DJ's in SA will entertain the crowd. Proceedings will kick off at 5pm. Some of the DJ's you will get to see at Sin Bin includes DJ Fresh from YFm and Oskido from Brothers of Peace. Add to this DJ Bob, Shaun Duvet, Jazzanova from Germany and a few others and you have another evening of entertainment that should not be missed. Last year there were roughly 10 000 people on Hatfield Square, but the Sin Bin is gearing up to cater for even more by utilizing the adjacent field that would be covered by a huge tent with a sound system and gigantic screens that would enable one to enjoy the entertainment from any angle imaginable. Entrance to the Sin Bin is a mere R10, but if you walked in the procession you can enter for free in one of two ways: The first is by handing in your money collection can at the gate. The other is if you are dressed in Rag dress, i.e. float building overalls or fancy dress. As in the past no own alcohol would be allowed into any of the venues, but rest assured, the bars will be stocked to the brim, both with drinks and bar men and ladies to ensure fast service. Food and snacks will also be available from various stalls. Tuks Rag has firmly established itself as the biggest and most professionally run student concert in the country (Despite the rain last year the Tuks Rag had a record attendance of over 20 000 people over the three days). 2004 promises another bumper year with the friendly carnival atmosphere looking set to transform the fibre of the Jacaranda city for a few days. With the added tents, cheap ticket prices, a bigger venue for the after party and some of the best South African artists, there is no reason that this record should not be broken in 2004. So drag yourself over to the show and help make this the biggest Tuks Rag ever, whilst supporting a really worthwhile cause! For more information visit www.oppikoppi.co.za or call Annelie Hoffmann at 012 346 2011/ Cell: 083 308 1251/ Fax: (012) 460 7431 Mailto:annelie@oppikoppi.co.za -------------- SOUTHERN CROSS MUSIC FESTIVAL "The Friendly Festival" - 19-22 March 2004 The Southern Cross Music Festival is an incredible three-day music event, featuring South African bands, musicians and performers. Going into its sixth year, the March festival at Southern Cross is fast becoming renowned as one of the best music festival experiences in South Africa. Nestled in the Hidden Valley in KwaZulu Natal, stretching alongside the magnificent Mooi River, Southern Cross Farm has been hailed as the "perfect music festival venue". The venue attracts a quality festival going audience - music and nature lovers across the age and race spectrum who are loyal and supportive of the unique burgeoning musical talent emerging in South Africa. The Festival is yet another fundraising opportunity for the KZN Conservation Trust - 20% of the profit is donated to the Trust to further its aims and objectives. As Dave Falconer, Managing Director of the Southern Cross Music Festival says, "until we tune into fact that we are but a member of the animal kingdom inhabiting our globe who has the future in his hands, everything else becomes inconsequential". After years of talking to the festivalgoers, a common cause of major concern has become apparent: the fragility of our planet. Removed from the relentless consumerism of city life for a few days, people start to become conscious of the fundamental cornerstones that support life on the planet. Awareness that things have to change, starting with themselves, begins to take hold. Musicians, being the icons they are, are in powerful position to bring to the fore, through their music, the issues we all face. And they do, with increasing regularity. As a result, a ground-swell movement is becoming notable, where people are realising that they need to, and indeed can, play an active role in the restoration and healing of the environment. This has given birth to the concept of using the Southern Cross Music Festival as a fund-raising and awareness platform that will focus attention on the plight of other life forms on the planet. Similarly, festivalgoers know that any event hosted by Southern Cross is an unparalleled experience. Apart from the incredible musical journeys, daytime activities are diverse and varied: fishing, swimming, white water rafting, hiking, walking, mountain-biking and 4x4 course. The farm caters for the comfort of a maximum of 6000 festival-goers, with beautiful campsites (with modern ablution blocks), which stretch along the 4km river frontage of the Mooi River. The festival is now known as the "friendly festival" among the musical fraternity and as the "prettiest" among the "festinos". The bands line-up for 2004 includes: Wonderboom, Tweak, Jo Day, 16 Stitch, Redhouse, Interritmo Drummers and Dan Patlansky. For more information: www.southerncrossfestival.co.za, mailto:dave@southerncrossmusic.co.za or phone 033 266 6423. -------------- RP STUDIOS EMERGING SOUNDS 2004 The RP Studios Emerging Sounds competition of 2004 got underway last Saturday, January 24, at Tempos in Johannesburg. In action were Bloodsweat (first African jazz band to compete), Candy Fly, Higher Ground and C-No. Also in action was Surreal, winners of the November regional finals in 2003, who continue their residency. Two bands from this leg will get chosen to perform in the monthly Johannesburg finals taking place at Tempos on Saturday, January 31. Groups in the Vaal Triangle and Pretoria can enter the RP Studios Emerging Sounds competition by contacting Simon "Squire" Foulds. The next regional finals being held at the Coliseum Show Bar at Caesars, Gauteng, takes place on Sunday, February 7. For further information contact Simon "Squire" Foulds on 082 770 7524. -------------- OBITUARY: A REALLY SWELL GUY HAS MOVED ON UP By Patric van Blerk, Green Point Hal Shaper, one of South Africa's most successful songwriters, passed away peacefully on 6 Jan 2004 at his home, Waterlane House, in the quiet and beautiful suburb of Wynberg Park. He was born on the 18 July 1931, in the 'village' of Muizenberg - by his own words -'a boykie from Muisenberg'. His life really does deserve a book. In the interim, suffice to say that he left at the pinnacle of a very small band of South Africans who truly cracked the international music scene. He departed Cape Town for London in 1955, having qualified as a lawyer - but it was a as a hungry young songwriter that he arrived in London. By 1959 he had won an Ivor Novello Award. By 1962 he had launched Sparta Florida Music Group, one of the most successful independent music publishing companies in the UK - having scored a massive worldwide million-selling smash hit with 'Softly As I Leave You' - originally sung by Matt Munro, but eventually covered by superstars from Sinatra to Presley - the song actually was on one side of Elvis's last single at the time of his death. Hal worked with an enormous array of stars - Bowie, Elton, Streisand, Bing Crosby, Engelbert, Shirley Bassey, Mario Lanza, Elaine Paige, Astrud Gilberto, Paul Anka, Lena Horne, Dusty Springfield - the list is stellar. The hits, other than 'Softly ...', included 'My Friend The Sea' by Petula Clark and Nana Mouskouri and the Gold Disc-award-winning disco smash, 'El Bimbo'. Film scores were another area of success - with collaborations with the likes of Michel Legrand, John Williams, Maurice Jarre, Francis Lai and Jerry Goldsmith. Titles included Stallone's 'First Blood', 'Papillon' and most recently a title on 'Moulin Rouge'. Hal and his UK company also pioneered the earliest days of Jamaican reggae - before it became a global phenomenon - and enjoyed huge hits with a vast array of songs from 'The Israelites' through to Blondie's 'The Tide Is High' (penned by John Holt, and recently also a hit for Atomic Kitten) and 'Kingston Town' by UB40. In theatre he collaborated on some major hits such as 'Treasure Island' and 'Great Expectations' - most notably with Cyril Ornadel. Significantly, when Hal returned to South Africa to retire in the early 90's, he researched the history of 'Nkosi Sikelel 'iAfrika' - and played a critical role in identifying Enoch Sontonga as the long-lost composer - who was subsequently appropriately honoured. Hal's last work, done in South Africa, was co-composing 'Life Is Beautiful' with Johannesburg songwriter and producer Robert Schroder - and recorded by rising star, tenor Jannie Moolman - for his debut album, recently released. Hal had also written a sequel 'The Last Waltz' with original composer Les Reed. A few months ago this was translated into Afrikaans by 'Tussen Treine' composer Richard van der Westhuizen, and due to be recorded by Afrikaans pop star Guillaume. Lastly, a poem of Hal's, 'Spirit Candles' - from his book 'A Prince Of Liars' - had been set to music in Cape Town by Nic Hazell, Tina Harsant and myself. It became the theme song last year for young addicts and alcoholics climbing 'Kilamanjaro-for-Recovery'. Hal also became the 39th Lord of the Manor of Stoke Bruerne. He didn't have a manor house (it was destroyed in 1302) and the title did not allow him to sit in the House of Lords. What he did have was ownership of a beautiful village with a couple of hundred inhabitants, and the incorporeal rights to 1,350 acres of Northamptonshire. Previous owners were Richard the Lion Heart, Henry VIII and Charles II. I met Hal in 1972 in London. Then, I too was a young songwriter from South Africa - dreaming of success and hungry for action. Hal didn't have a clue who I was - but he gave me his time, listened to my songs, and took me to lunch. I loved his incredible storytelling of this magical business that he so loved, and we became friends. He taught me much and inspired me greatly. He was a 'spirit candle, burning in the night'. Go softly, dear Hal. (Patric van Blerk) (Courtesy Independent Newspapers and Jazznews Rendezvous) -------------- BARNEY VS SOULJA! Barney Simon will be profiling new Cape Town rock warriors, Soulja, on 5FM on Saturday 31st January between 10am and 1pm on the World Chart Show. Soulja have just released their debut album, '21 Gunslut', and are gearing up to make 2004 another successful one. The band's lead singer, Warren, has recovered from a serious car accident and is ready to gig again, which is wonderful news! Soulja are back on the march.... LISTEN to 'Plan My Attack' at http://www.SAmp3.com ---------------------------------------------------- 2. CHARTS ---------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [1] (1) Fokofpolisiekar - Fokofpolisiekar (SAmp3.com/Rhythm/Bowline) 2. [2] (2) Sobriety Friend - Old Mol ('Rock The Bedsprings'/Legend) 3. [6] (3) Mowgli - Zero Tolerance ('A Perfect Life'/Indie) 4. [8] (4) Duiwel Kom Ons Haal - Springcan ('Are You Confuzed?'/Indie) 5. [9] (5) Life Away - My Shade ('Bedtime Musick'/Indie) 6. [13] (6) Rise - Sonar (' Bitterwaste' EP/Indie) 7. [3] (1) Hands Down - Track 4 ('Demo'/Indie) 8. [14] (8) Lovesong - The Dolly Rockers ('The Heat'/Indie) 9. [4] (1) All The World - Zen Arcade ('Release'/Indie) 10. [12] (10) My Favourite Song On The Radio - What Now?! ('Let Us Be Heard'/Wicked Rock) 11. [15] (11) Met My Stukkende Kitaar - Koos Kombuis & Valiant Swart (''n Jaar In Die Son'/Rhythm/Bowline) 12. [7] (4) Twisted - Believable Addiction (Indie) 13. [5] (3) Face - Ystervark ('Living It Up'/Indie) 14. [19] (14) The Countdown - Bluescream ('Bluescream'/Indie) 15. [20] (15) Step Outside - Luna ('Luna'/Indie) 16. [22] (16) Blah Di Blah - Drop Dead Gorgeous ('Melt with Me'/Indie) 17. [23] (17) To Confide In - Lazarus ('Parallax View'/Indie) 18. [11] (8) Anything - Mike de Jager and Adrian Clark ('With These Hands'/Indie) 19. [16] (1) Above My Room - Jo Day ('The Truth'/Indie) 20. [10] (2) Time To Change - Grant Nuss ('Diversity'/Bowline) 21. [24] (21) Antipodean Dirge - Tim Wells ('Elephant'/Indie) 22. [26] (22) Afrikaner Surfer Boy - Vanessa Van ('Leef Die Droom'/Bowline) 23. [17] (5) Trash Like You - Martin Rocka And The Sick Shop ('Trailer Rash'/Gosatango) 24. [18] (4) Vi@gra La Buena - Nukular Stompers ('Can Of Worms'/Street Level) 25. [21] (1) Things 2 Consider - Skwirmish ('The EP'/Indie) 26. [25] (6) Scream (demo) - Velve (Street Level) 27. [27] (22) Seether Sampler - Seether ('Disclaimer'/Musketeer) 28. [-] (28) Take You Down - Glow (Witchdoctor Records) 29. [28] (4) Woman - Soil 7t7 ('Soil 7t7'/Indie) 30. [29] (5) Meisie Van Die Ooste - Alta Joubert ('Warrelwinde'/Hoezit) -------------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [1] (1) More Fire - The Rudimentals (Indie) 2. [2] (2) Melt With Me - Drop Dead Gorgeous (Indie/Bowline) 3. [5] (3) 'n Jaar In Die Son - Koos Kombuis & Valiant Swart (Rhythm/Bowline) 4. [8] (4) The Heat - Dollyrockers (Indie) 5. [3] (3) Power - Tribe After Tribe (RetroFresh) 6. [4] (4) Luna - Luna (Indie) 7. [10] (7) Flat To Round - David Foster (Rhythm/Bowline) 8. [7] (1) Rock The Bedsprings - Old Mol (Legend) 9. [6] (2) Perelsvoordieswyne - Best Of - Johannes Kerkorrel (Gallo) 10. [15] (10) African Dope Sound System - Various (African Dope) 11. [25] (11) Humanarium - Bed On Bricks (Bowline) 12. [18] (12) Muti Media - Kalahari Surfers (African Dope) 13. [19] (13) 21 Gunslut - Soulja (Indie) 14. [9] (1) The Truth - Jo Day (Indie) 15. [14] (1) Jika Jika - freshlyground (Freeground) 16. [27] (16) With Every Breath - Toyland (Witchdoctor) 17. [11] (3) Breathe Sunshine - Various (Amabala) 18. [12] (3) Diversity - Grant Nuss (Indie/Bowline) 19. [17] (12) Can Of Worms - Nukular Stompers (Street Level) 20. [16] (2) Hello Crazy World - Prime Circle (David Gresham Records) 21. [26] (21) Blomdoorns - Derek Gripper (Open Record) 22. [20] (1) Another Universe - Arno Carstens (Epic) 23. [RE] (1) Die Mamba - Piet Botha (Rhythm) 24. [22] (4) Sagtevlei - Alex Van Heerden and Derek Gripper (OpenRecord/Bowline) 25. [RE] (1) Steady On - Moodphase 5ive (African Dope) 26. [-] (26) As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand - Fokofpolisiekar (Rhythm) 27. [23] (5) Tassenberg All*Stars Volume 4 - Vari-ous (Trippy Grape/Bowline) 28. [-] (28) Naked EP - Hog Hoggidy Hog (3 Chord Records) 29. [28] (1) Chasing The Sun - Karen Zoid (EMI) 30. [RE] (2) Sui - Benguela (Open Record) READ http://www.rock.co.za/files LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 _____________________________________________ 3. NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES ------ MP3s ------ All the mp3s listed here are available to download at http://www.SAmp3.com - the biggest South African mp3 website in the world. --------------- BLOOD ISLAND RAIDERS - 'THE MASTER PLAN' (WITCHDOCTOR) Metal for metalheads and all other fans of classic rock. And despite the efforts of bands like Linkin Park, guitar solos are definitely back {did they ever actually go away? - ed}. This song has nothing in common with a similarly titled song by Oasis, but does have a lot to do with early Black Sabbath, Budgie and "black album"-era Metallica. Taken off their stunning debut 'For The Sake Of Clarity'. -------------- DROP DEAD GORGEOUS - 'EK'S VERLIEF' One of the Afrikaans tracks off the bilingual 'Melt With Me' CD by Drop Dead Gorgeous. This is a slow-ish, powerful and intriguing love song featuring the soaring vocals of Michelle Steynberg. --------------- ABEL KRAAMSAAL - 'SAAD VAN 'n PSIGOPAAT' If ZZ Top could sing in Afrikaans, they might sound something like this. Boogie down with this track taken off Kraamsaal's debut CD 'Woorde Op 'n Wynboks'. --------------- TOP 50 SONGS OF 2003 The full list of the Top 50 songs of 2003 is at: http://www.SAamp3.com/top50_2003.html -------------- SEARCH FOR MP3's Use the SAmp3.com onboard search engine, powered by Google, to search for mp3s on http://www.SAmp3.com by artist or song title. ----- CDs ----- LUNA - NEW ALBUM AND GIGS IN 2004 Following on from her debut release last year, Cape singer, Luna, is also making her next album this year. It will be a full-length album with all of the crowds' favourites, like 'Superman', 'Revolution' and 'Thunderstorm' as well as new material. Luna and her band are very excited about this project since they will be experimenting with new sounds and effects. Once again this CD will be put out on Luna Records, a self-financed project. Luna will also be featured on Kyknet as part of a series ('Die liedjies wat ons ken II') about old traditional Afrikaans songs. Luna will be performing her first Afrikaans song. This song is about the Karoo, describing the dry country, the beautiful landscapes and the tremendous thunderstorms after long periods of almost unbearable heat. She will be accompanied by Anjulie Vos on cello, Jan-Hendrik Harley on viola, Schalk Joubert on double bass and Francious Kruger on drums, while playing the piano herself. Luna will also be performing with her band at the KKNK as part of a rock festival organised by Albert du Plessis, as well as at the Cederberg Festival in Clanwilliam. There she will be doing a solo show as well as a performance with the band. Luna will also make a turn at the Lambertsbaai Festival with her band. See http://www.sagigs.com for Luna's Feb gigs. -------------- SPOTLIGHT ON: BLOOD ISLAND RAIDERS Below is a very, very, very shortened actual account of how the Blood Island Raiders came about, from humble beginnings, to a slightly less humble future. Space does not permit us to let you have the full story of this exciting new rock band, so we'll just pick up the story with Warren.... Warren played in his first real band in early 1992. He was the bassist/vocalist for 'Big Siff', which was all about shock punk, and their gigs were always eventful, and packed. Warren even electrocuted himself on stage at the beginning of one show, and even though he snapped two strings in the process, borrowed another guitar, and still played a full 50-minute set. The band pretty much got bored, with prospects for a hard core punk band in South Africa being non existent, and disbanded after headlining a huge college party at the end of 1992. Warren then joined a grunge band, 'Freeloader', as a drummer. Consisting of some friends he knew from the club scene, the guys quickly got some gigs. The vocalist was poached, and Warren stepped in to replace him. Things seemed to be going well, but with the usual South African music industry apathy, Warren decided to take a year out and travel abroad. Warren spent a year travelling in the UK, Canada and the US, and did pretty much nothing but watch live music. This greatly influenced Warren into wanting to perform again. On his return, he met up with two of his old 'Freeloader' band mates, who had found a drummer, formed a power trio, and were looking for a vocalist. This all happened the day Warren arrived in the country, and that night, 'Blind' was born. Influenced heavily by the post grunge underground movement, 'Blind' gigged around for 4 years. They were voted best unsigned band in 1998 by an SA music industry mag, and even won a battle of the bands. They won 20 grand worth of studio time, and Warren won best vocalist. Things were looking up for the lads, but before long frustration set in, and they decided to disband. Warren and 2 of the other guys decided to head for the UK in 1999. The boys regrouped about 2 years later, and played a few gigs with a new drummer in and around London. Which brings us, eventually, to the Blood Island Raiders. Warren decided to try something new and started looking for other avenues. Hanging out at the legendary 'Crobar', he was introduced by one of the owners to Al and Seamus. Over time he bonded with Al, on their shared love of all things seventies rock orientated. Hearing, some time later, that they were looking for a vocalist, he offered to come down for an audition. As they had just found someone, an unnamed female vocalist, he was turned down at the time. About 6 months later, at a 'Sloth' gig, he bumped into the guys again, and found out that they were still without a vocalist. This time however, his proposal was not turned down. Another meeting was set up at the 'Crobar' where he met Paul, and dates were set for auditions. On the 28th of September 2002 the 'Blood Island Raiders' were born. And the rest as they say is history................ So now you know.....!! The Blood Island Raiders have released an album called 'For The Sake Of Clarity' on Witchdoctor Records. Listen to the song 'The Master Plan' off the album at http://www.SAmp3.com -------------- WHAT IS "ROCK ART" By Jane Mayne Keyboardist extraordinaire, Hilton Schilder, is one of the few local musicians who delivers some innovative solo work in his playing. This free spirit, who has been seen in the line-up of The Genuines and Iconoclast, has just taken his Rock Art ensemble to the Standard Bank Jazzathon 2004 bandstand. The new outfit features young singer Emily Bruce on vocals; Alex van Heerden on trumpet; Andre Manuel from Dala Flat Records as DJ; Jonathan Rubain and Aldrin Schilder on bass; and Hilton's daughter Duende on vocals and piano. A multi-talented jazzman, Hilton's role is on piano, mouth bow, guitar, and of course, in the conductor's seat. His description of the sound is "landscape music". "I use a lot of Khoi chants and the music is very open. The music is not cluttered and there's a lot of space, but there's a message with the words. It's airy music, but it's heavy at the same time." Besides sitting on a show at the Two Oceans Craft & Culture Centre's Kraal Theatre with Nic le Roux's Reenboog, Hilton is totally dedicated to Rock Art. "This is my pet project and my stamp is still there. I would describe the music as crossover electronic. The DJ recorded people in Namibia, clapping and on rattles. It's very important to me to take this into the 21st century, and the fact that the bow and piano is the lead instrumentation. "It's a bit more urban-Khoi, but the message of bringing people together is much stronger. It's not anti-American, but it's against the Americanisation of everything, from music to clothes right through Africa, which is another kind of terrorism." Rock Art sees him experimenting on a Khoi-San mouth bow, an instrument which dates back at least 40 000 years, and on piano, playing a blend of klopse goema and indigenous music. Look out for the band's concert line-up for February. (Courtesy Cape Times and Jazznews Rendezvous) -------------- CLASSIC SA ALBUM REVIEW: HOG HOGGIDY HOG - 'FISHPASTE AND VIBE' Formed over seven years ago, Hog Hoggidy Hog are finally breaking strongly into the SA rock mainstream as the spearhead of the Cape Town Ska-punk movement. The band has just released its new EP, 'Naked', which is the band's first release since their second album, 'Driving Over Miss Davie'. But this week we look back at the band's debut album, 'Fishpaste And Vibe'. This big, loud and brash surf-punk combo burst onto the Cape scene in 1996. With speed-ska-punk making a strong comeback in the US, it couldn't be too long before the SA version emerged and the "Hogs" were an integral part of the Cape movement. Described as " The Asylum Kids meet The Offspring in the mosh pit"(!), these manic funsters' energy and sense of humour in their live performances translated easily to their recorded songs and their 1997 album, 'Fishpaste & Vibe' was just under a half hour of fast grunge with a ska twist. Two of the singles off 'F & V' - 'Popstar Explosion' and 'Nine And A Half' - appeared on a pre-release cassette that is now highly sought after by latter-day fans of this band. There is also a six-track remix cassette called 'Time Bomb', that features mixes by Charlie Hamilton who is the original and legendary Cape Town surf punk! 'Fishpaste And Vibe' featured Eleven electric tracks from these Cape "pork-rockers" that sizzle with the energy of their live mosh-feasts. Ska and surf and all types of fast noises in-between imbue this album with a happy headbanging quality while the "Hogs" black humour sneaks through the cracks. 'Jim' is a bold opening gambit with 'Getting Wasted' surging in behind it. 'Nkosi Concertina' is some twisted comic relief with our national anthem given a solid beating but emerging with an undefeated smile. Pig jokes abound with 'Hogmosh' - the rallying cry for "Rock Against Fishpaste" - and the closing track, 'Porky's Song'. 'Paradise' is an emotional existential lament (sort of!) and 'Popstar Explosion' is precisely that with its alternating between ska and thrash. 'Blue Moon Tune' is the "Hogs" doo-wop/thrash tribute that perfectly sums up their eclectic muse. Truly "Makin' bacon" music on the Way-Cool label! (SS) Tracklisting: Jim, Getting Wasted, The Popstar Explosion, Nkosi Concertina, Timebomb, Sorry No Chix, Hogmosh, Paradise, Blue Moon Tune, Nine And A Half, Porky's Song. CD Number: WCR / 003 --------------- THE ZAZONE.COM SA BAND SPOTLIGHT http://www.zaZone.com LAD, the dedicated webmaster of zaZone.com, usually throws his regular spotlight on one of the many SA bands currently affiliated to his SA music site. THE PARLOTONES Johannesburg based The Parlotones were formed in 1998 and is made up of singer/songwriter Kahn Morbee, guitarist Paul Hodgson, bass guitarist and backup vocalist Glenn Hodgson, Neil Pauw on drums and John Boyd who provides sound effects using a Roland 303 keyboard. They released an EP 'Ladies' back in 2000 and The Parlotones new album 'Episoda' is instore already and will be having official album launch gigs @ the end of Feb 2004 When you get your hands on the new CD listen to 'Swallow This' with headphones to hear strange noises in the background; shouting and weird whispers... This year the band hopes to gain more recognition for their work and to get onto playlists. They feel that South Africa is a great platform for bands at present as the market is growing and getting stronger as the audience matures. The band started off as Crayon (which boasted a digeridoo and an oboe player), then Soap Box Derby which then evolved into The Parlotones. In addition to a hectic band schedule Kahn, John and Neil all play indoor soccer and Paul (who is going to be a father in August) plays alongside Glen in a church band. Glen, incidentally also plays piano, guitar and drums. The band can be seen playing at the Sting Club on 30/01; St Andrews on the 31st on Jan; the Tin Cup on 6 Feb; Roxy Rhythm Bar on 7 Feb; Wits Campus (Rag event) on 7 Feb; The World Famous Blues Room on 12 Feb; The Blue Moon on 14 Feb; The World Famous Blues Room again on 26 Feb; and at Roxy Rhythm Bar on the 27th of Feb. As you can see, a very dedicated and very busy band. If you're in a SA Band or are a SA artist and would like to appear in this slot please mail mailto:tony@zazone.com Note: zaZone.com information: zaZone.com is now WAP enabled! You can now see the gigs per area or by artist/band by visiting http://www.zazone.com/wap on your cellphone. Watch out for more announcements of interesting things happening at zaZone.com! Sponsored by zaZone.com Promoting SA Music... http://www.zazone.com -------------- Email your mp3 reviews to mailto: editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=mp3reviews Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com South African Music: Loud 'n Proud -------------- 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 ______________________________________ 4.USA FOR AFRICA ------------------- Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music. THE AEROPLANES - 'GREATEST HITS' [CDCJIM 001] I know what one gets when a plain-speaking lead singer or two, an uncomplicated drummer, and straight-forward guitarists get together to sing melodically of social issues and love. One gets the punky, spunky laid-back fun of The Aeroplanes. One can't really call the drummer, Gary Rathbone, a rhythm section and be honest. For the most part, he keeps time without any fancy work. Guitars by Michael Rudolph, Carl Becker, and Robert Muirhead are also not fancy - though there are some flashy solos. For the most part, the lead and rhythm guitars are strummed in time to the song while the bass adds a nice rock-solid bottom. And it all works. Don't get me wrong, this is all nicely done, plain and simple rock music with a lead singer (actually, Michael and Carl both sing) who sounds like he went to the James Phillips' School of Rock Singing. He has a melodic sense, but three-quarters sings and one-quarter sounds like he's talk-singing. But how complicated does rock have to be? The easygoing instrumental style is a breeze to listen, the lyrics actually say something, by God, and the singer's melodic sense has the pleasant trick of lodging in memory. I've been walking around for a couple of days humming, "National madness..." (also on the fine compilation album, 'Forces Favourites'), "Living in Yeoville..." and, here I laugh, "Hey Where's the Jol". But you don't have to be like me (a student of South Africa) to revel in The Aeroplanes substantive songs such as 'Living in Yeoville', 'National Madness', 'Zurich by the Goldmines', 'South African Male', and the fun and funny, 'Hey Where's the Jol'. So don't expect a dense wall o' sound prog band, but expect competent playing and clever lyrics that don't grow old with repeated applications to the mind. Expect an (dare I say the cliché?) intelligent rock band with political social consciousness (how many other bands use the word "proles" in a song?) without being depressing. The element of fun fills their music. Jeff Zerbst's liner notes tell us that the message of The Aeroplanes is "Beer without violence." Where's the jol? Where these ous are playing! Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas mailto:kurt@sarockdigest.com THE AEROPLANES http://www.rock.co.za/files/aeroplanes_gh.htm -------------- 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music: TRIBE AFTER TRIBE - 'LOVE UNDER WILL' Anyone stepping in this album could be forgiven for thinking that had accidentally stumbled into a Johnny Clegg album that had just been given a testosterone jab. Opening track 'Hold On' has that African rock sound that Johnny made famous, but with a bit more bite. The jangling Zulu guitar is partnered by some Joshua Tree U2's guitars while the chorus echoes the harmonies of 'Impi'. Robb's vocals soar over the African landscape as Johnny's do. However, after this tipping of the hat to their roots, the Tribe head into more serious rock territory. The atmosphere becomes dense and dark. 'Ice Below' has a sinister chorus, wailing guitar and desperate vocal that tears at the sides of your speakers as it gyrates trance like around the deepest recess of your mind. There's venom in 'I Spit' and Gregorian Chants in 'The Spell', pounding beats abound and guitars growl and cuss in this charged and highly emotive collection of songs. Even in the quieter moments like 'Congo Sky' which summons up the spirit of Africa again, there's an uneasy feeling in the War drumbeat. The album culminates in an epic trilogy entitled 'The Lovers'. This consists of a classic rock opening movement called 'In The Face OF The Sun' which features a rousing chorus. This is followed by the quieter 'In The Dark' which floats eerily on a bed of atmospheric guitars. The closing movement 'Babalon' feels like it belongs at the end of a moving movie where the hero walks off into an African sunset in search of a better life. It's even quieter than 'In The Dark' and features some African chants that again show off the Tribes roots. Yes, Robbi has left SA's shores and plies his trade in the US, but this is one member of the SA Rock Alumni that we can certainly be proud of. He has had great critical acclaim in his new home, but has not been afraid to carry some of his homeland with him in the music. This is a powerful album that needs to be heard. John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com TRIBE AFTER TRIBE http://www.rock.co.za/files/tribe_after_tribe.html --------------------- SHILOH'S CORNER [With all the current interest in Sharon Tandy, and today being the official release date of her long-awaited CD collection, 'You Gotta Believe It's ... Sharon Tandy', Shiloh Noone fills us in on Sharon's early musical genesis. Shiloh is the Digest's resident rock historian, and is about to release his new rock history book titled 'Seeker's Guide to the Rhythm Of Yesteryear', from which this piece is taken. Listen to Shiloh's radio show, 'Blues And Variations', on FMR (101.3fm) on Wednesday evenings from 10 till midnight] LES FLEUR DE LYS - SEARING RIFFS In 1965 the group Les Fleur De Lys moved from Southampton to London to become one part of the rising rainbow revolution. The original R&B quartet comprised of Alex Chamberlain (keyboards), Gary Churchill (bass), Keith Guster (drums), and Frank Smith (guitar & vocals). Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham signed them and released two singles on his Immediate label. After a bleary version of Buddy Holly's 'Moondreams' failed to make any headway, Chamberlain and Churchill dropped out leaving Frank Smith to assemble a new Fleur De Lys. Keith Guster remained recruiting guitarist Bryn Haworth, bassist Gordon Haskell (ex-Ravens), keyboardist Pete Sears, drummer Keith Guster and ex-Shotgun Express guitarist Phil Sawyer. The groups second single, the swirling 'Circles', originally released by The Who, displayed an elaborate guitar solo by Jimmy Page, producer of their debut single 'Moondreams'. "I have been listening to Jimmy Page for many years and with all honesty am totally convinced that this is not the Page dexterity. It can only be the vibrant guitar work of Phil Sawyer". The one to reel in is the B-side, 'So Come On', with a groove and kick that could have cleaned up George Best. The monkey wrench guitar solo is high-energy cut-throat and quite emphatically Sawyer's. The group's follow-up single 'Mud In Your Eye', delivered some of the most grinding and throbbing guitar to soak their repertoire. The single showcases a staggering guitar solo by Bryn Haworth and a wonderful heavy toned vox. Unbeknown to most, the group had jammed with Jimi Hendrix at London's night-spot the Speakeasy. The three recordings done with Hendrix were never released, namely Curtis Mayfield's 'Amen' and the remaining mystery two locked up by Pete Sears. Guitarist Bryn had sliced guitar with the "Axe Confederate" of the UK, namely The Mustangs, The Railroaders and the Mike Taylor Combo. He also did a few gigs with friend Mick Weaver who was trying to re-gather his group Wynder K Frog aka Grease Band. By the time 'Mud In Your Eye' splattered the UK, Pete Sears had left to join Sam Gopal. The Mark 2 stage of Les Fleur developed when Polydor introduced producer Frank Venter to the band. Frank persuaded the band to back his wife to be, South African Sharon Tandy, who was gigging at the Speakeasy and Scotch of St James. At this stage Les Fleur were supporting John Bromley, if I got that right. Les Fleur went on to back Sharon Tandy on her national tour with the Beach Boys and as support for Aretha Franklin in Holland. At this stage two bands co-existed under the same name. Things got really weird when Frank tried to hone the group as a Stax house band with Sharon covering soul numbers. They did actually back Isaac Hayes, who was persuaded to tour South Africa, and jazzman Barney Kessel, which really wasn't their thing. "I mean shit man these guys could kick-start silverdiscs to Mars with their Icelandic riffs". Then Venter saw the light with the rise of psyche and recorded two great little numbers, a refreshed version of their guitar grappling 'Hold On', and a whiter shade of the 'Reflections Of Charlie Brown', under the auspices of Rupert's People. (Call it legal protection from Procol Harum's legal eagles). The Bachward irony that hovered around this single is that the organist Peter Solly later became a member of Procol Harum. The real sizzling acid burners that ignited Sharon Tandy was an earlier guitar entangled version of 'Hold On' and the psychedelic sapped 'Daughter Of The Sun' that beams you straight to Alpha Centauri. Les Fleur De Lys had clearly opened their third eye and that vital force was charging up like a static acid trip on the wah wah ripping 'One City Girl', that pulsed with an infectious palpitation. Vanilla Fudge demanded they support them on their UK tour, even recording sessions with them at Hot Spot Studios. This is also where The Rupert's People sessions were burnt and the clear shining 'I Can See The Light' found its first translucent reflection. John Peel gasped in amazement as they took to the stage and pulverised their guitars to 'Cross Cut Saw' and 'Neighbour'. The groups last single, 'Liar', carried a stirring tremble that broke into a range of mid tempo vox and guitar carnage. What fervour for an epitaph to beam them into their next incarnation. Pete Sears eventually crossed the waters and joined Jefferson Starship and Hot Tuna, while Gordon Haskell ended up singing and playing bass with King Crimson in 1970. Gordon Haskell's entry into King Crimson was largely due to an old school friendship with Robert Fripp and his acute jamming with the League of Gentlemen. He replaced Greg Lake as singer and bassist in two of King Crimson's finest albums, the anguishing 'Wake of the Poseidon', and the jazz-drifting 'Lizard', with vocal assistance by Yes man Jon Anderson. This progressive venture was a far-off cry from his early days, when he stood in as a session guitarist for Cliff Richard and formed one part of a bouquet that made up the Flowerpot Men alongside Jon Lord (Deep Purple). Haskell's scribe ability has been undoubtedly overlooked in the helter and skelter of the supergroup era. Thirty years later Gordon climbed back into the charts with an album entitled 'Shadows on the Wall'. This arbitrary return gave the polls a freshness and reality long forgotten in the techno soaked crap that spicy Britain had to endure. A worthy search for collectors is the Haskell penned 'Lazy Life', which charted by Quentin E Klopjaeger aka Billy Forest in the Southern lands of Africa. The single could have rightfully taken the charts easily with its free ranging lyrics. Methinks South African Sharon Tandy passed this gem on, which could well be one of the most prolific finds of the century. Shiloh Noone Ed - according to Kenny Henson, 'Mud In Your Eye' was also recorded by Freedom's Children in 1967, and released on the b-side of a single under the name Fleadom's Children, because the word "freedom" was considered too revolutionary by the government of the day! _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA -------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST YEAR-END CHARTS 2000-2002 - A RETROSPECTIVE We have received a lot of letters requesting our previous end-of-year best-of lists following on from our recent 'Best of 2003' edition. We ran these lists in our first Digest edition of 2004 but some subscribers did not receive that edition, so here are those charts again. These best-of lists began at the end of 2000 and can be viewed in full at http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts But for those who just want a quick recap of the Top 10 SA albums and songs of the past 3 years, here they are... SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2000 1. TajMahala - SharkBrother (Indie) 2. Blk Sonshine - Blk Sonshine (Fresh) 3. Iron In The Sky - Robin Auld (SAFm) 4. A Life Less Strange - Semisane (BMG) 5. Torn And Tattered - Henry Ate (EMI) 6. Fragile - Saron Gas (Musketeer) 7. Delenta - Delenta (Indie) 8. Lungiswa - Lungiswa (MELT) 9. In The Meantime - Watershed (EMI) 10. Physiognomy Of The Soul - Bernard Binns (Indie) SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 SONGS OF THE YEAR 2000 1. Born In A Taxi - Blk Sonshine ('Blk Sonshine'/Fresh) 2. Your Song - Just Jinger ('Strange World'/BMG) 3. Nkalakatha - Mandoza ('Nkalakatha'/CCP) 4. All Roads - Liesl Graham ('Something To Believe'/Gallo) 5. Shine On Me - Watershed ('In The Meantime'/EMI) 6. 69 Tea - Saron Gas ('Fragile'/Musketeer) 7. Right Here - Semisane ('A Life Less Strange'/BMG) 8. Endless - Even Flow ('Almost Human'/Indie) 9. Hunting - Ashton Nyte ('The Slender N*des'/Intervention Arts) 10. Which Way To Go - Robin Auld ('Iron In The Sky'/EMI) ----- SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 SA ALBUMS OF 2001 1. Poles Apart - Karen Zoid [EMI] 2. Steady On - Moodphase5ive [African Dope] 3. Snowflake - Zen Arcade [Indie] 4. Africa's Not For Sissies - Syd Kitchen [No Budget] 5. Burn - Venessa Nolan [Rhythm] 6. Songs From The Mall - Max Normal [Chameleon] 7. Farewell Station Road - Wayne Pauli [Indie] 8. Thin Shoes In June - Felix Laband [African Dope] 9. 8 Days - The Led [Rhythm] 10. Rising Above The Madness - Lionel Bastos [SAFM] SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 SONGS OF 2001 1. Set Of Wheels (Karoo Anthem) - Karen Zoid ['Poles Apart'/EMI] 2. Crazy Over You - Zen Arcade ['Snowflake'/Indie] 3. Dimmer - Springbok N*de Girls ['Fat Lady Sings'/Sony] 4. Praha Paradise - Ernie ['African Dope Vol. 1'/African Dope] 5. Real - Kaolin ['All I Am'/Sheer] 6. Miles - Moodphase 5ive ['Steady On'/African Dope] 7. Hurts So Bad - Danny K ['Danny K'/Gallo] 8. Life (Theme from Big Brother) - Semisane [BMG] 9. Home - Just Jinger ['Greatest Hits'/BMG] 10. Long Holiday - The Sunshines ['Long Holiday' EP/Tel Michael] ---- SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2002 1. Kobus! - Kobus! (ENT) 2. Picture Perfect - Perez (Sovereign) 3. Disclaimer - Seether (Wind Up) 4. Maanhare - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 5. Beautiful Life - Ian Henderson (N3) 6. Communate - Starskii (Indie) 7. Between The Lines - Cutting Jade (DGR) 8. Bignity - Van der Want & Letcher (Sheer) 9. Odd Times - Sons Of Trout (SAFM) 10. Glory Glory - Dolly Rockers (Indie) SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 SONGS OF 2002 1. Gasoline - Seether (BMG) 2. 10 Seconds - Cutting Jade (DGR) 3. Sestien Jaar Met 'n Vals Kitaar - Koos Kombuis (Rhythm) 4. (I Think I Can) Relate - Tait (Fresh) 5. Hoenderman - Kobus! (Indie) 6. Believe - Mauri Moncada (Indie) 7. Diep In Die Bos - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 8. Tripping - Curious George (Indie) 9. Beautiful Life - Ian Henderson (Indie) 10. Ugly - Natalia (Indie) See all these full end-of-year charts at http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts -------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://www.cd.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://www.cd.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (25 January 1974) 1 [2] The Peacemaker - Albert Hammond 2 [4] Photograph - Ringo Starr 3 [1] Sorrow - David Bowie 4 [3] Angie - Rolling Stones 5 [5] The Wonder Of Your Love - Jody Wayne 25 YEARS AGO (26 January 1979) 1 [2] Kiss You All Over - Exile 2 [1] Mary's Boy Child - Boney M 3 [3] Place In Your Heart - Nazareth 4 [6] Hello I Love You - Crystal Gayle 5 [4] Y.M.C.A. - Village People 20 YEARS AGO (27 January 1984) 1 [1] All Night Long - Lionel Richie 2 [2] Karma Chameleon - Culture Club 3 [3] Say Say Say - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson 4 [6] Tonight I Celebrate My Love - Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack 5 [5] Cruel Summer - Bananarama 15 YEARS AGO (28 January 1989) 1 [1] The Locomotion - Kylie Minogue 2 [2] She Wants To Dance With Me - Rick Astley 3 [3] Domino Dancing - Pet Shop Boys 4 [5] Don't Worry Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin 5 [4] I Want Your Love - Transvision Vamp http://www.cd.co.za/charts ------------- CHART CHAT ------------- Albert Hammond topped the charts in 1974 with 'The Peacemaker'. 3 years earlier, he had been in Family Dogg who had had a 1969 hit with 'Way Of Life'. Family Dogg went on to record an album called 'View From Rowland's Head' which features a number of covers of Rodriguez songs. The main reason for this was that fellow Family Dogger Chris Spedding had played guitar on 'Coming From Reality/After The Fact'. The Rowland in question is Steve Rowland who produced that Rodriguez album. Crystal Gayle's 1979 hit 'Hello I Love You' was not a cover the Doors track. It was credited to Cochran/Cook. 'Kiss You All Over' would be Exile's only SA number 1. The song also topped the US charts and would be their only UK top 20 hit. Lionel Richie extended his run at the top to 3 weeks in 1984, while the top 5 featured 2 duets. 'Tonight I Celebrate My Love' would be the only time that Peabo Bryson would feature in the SA top 20, while for Roberta Flack this would be her 3rd top 10 appearance. The song just missed the top spot in the UK, peaking at number 2. 'The Locomotion' became the 10th song to spend 10 weeks or more at the top of the charts in 1989 and would unsurprisingly end up as the top hit of the year. In fact as the charts only ran for 2 months of the year, the top 5 would this week end up as the top 5 of the year with only Bobby McFerrin and Transvision Vamp swapping places. South African's at number 1 this week: Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow - The Dealians (1971) She's A Woman - Neil Herbert (1975) Substitute - Clout (1978) South African New Entries this week 24-Jan-69 Cry To Me - Staccatos 25-Jan-74 Little Jimmy - Gwynneth Ashley Robin (Tribute to Little Jimmy Osmond) 26-Jan-80 Ain't Gonna Stop 'Till I Get To The Top - Joy 29-Jan-71 There's A Light, There's A Way - Invaders 30-Jan-82 Grips Of Emotion - Lesley Rae Dowling 31-Jan-81 Hold On - Lastique 31-Jan-81 A Lot Of Things - Peach 01-Feb-74 Charly - Sean Rennie John Samson ----------- BIRTHDAYS ----------- Jan. 30 - Allan Faull (1949), Falling Mirror Jan. 31 - Johnny Rotten (1956), Sex Pistols; PiL _____________________________________________ 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS --------------------- A Readers' Forum featuring 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 and erudite readers to please contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks if you do! -------------- ITS NO JOCK! Hi, To confuse us all there were two versions of 'Jock of the Bushveld' that Johnny Clegg provided the music for. I've got the first LP although I would prefer it on CD, and I'm looking for the second version, which has the song 'Sacred Ground' either on vinyl or CD preferably on CD though. Is anybody able to help, as I can't find anything over the web? If anyone has a copy of the album with 'Sacred Ground' that they wish to sell, please call me. Thanks very much, Don Compton Mailto:don.compton@daiwasmbc.co.uk -------------- LIMITED OMEGA Hi, Where can I find MP3 downloads of The Flames and Omega Ltd? The latter did 'Tchaikovsky One', the best instrumental ever. I think Louis Greef was on lead guitar. Thanks, William MacLean Mailto:wpshark@onetel.net.uk -------------- RIP OFF ARTIST WANTED Hi, Who in Johannesburg can make vinyl-to-CD copies? Thanks, Andre Ed. - Please try Ian Samson Sound Studio on (011) 8823085 or visit http://www.sarockdigest.com/vinyl/ Also please see the ad from Terence in Cape Town in the Digest Classifieds below. -------------- HEY! IT'S THE STACCATOS! Hi, I've discovered a "New [Old] S.A. Band" ..... the Staccatos!!!! The only problem is that there's too much difficulty in getting some stuff of theirs through web. The only few things I could get was just a song ('Butchers and Bakers') and some other six sounds of a homonimous Canadian band through Soulseek. (Huh? - Ed.) Does some knows if there's their discography available on CD, or some collector that would like to trade some sounds for some Brazilian rare "Nuggets"?! Cheerz, Max Merege Mailto:mmerege@yahoo.com -------------- RORY REPLIES Dear everybody at the digest, Thanks a bunch for helping me buy some of my old records from the 60's, I managed to buy two 7" singles, with your help, (still looking for more). I so look forward to reading the Digest when it comes up on my PC, it makes me feel like I'm back in SA 'at home'. If any of my old pals out there would like to contact me, it would be nice, such as... the Bats, Barbara Ray, Billy Forrest, Jody Wayne, Gene Rockwell, the Flames, the Sasons, etc, etc. Thanks again! yours in music, Rory Blackwell Mailto:roryblackwell@aol.com -------------- THIS WEEK'S "SURELY THE WRONG PUBLICATION" LETTER! Good day, I am a Miss South Africa collector who collects pictures of Miss SA's and my collection dates back from 1952. Kerishnie has appeared in Issue 84 - Could I possibly get this issue. Kind Regards Louis Pretoria louis@nrf.ac.za -------------- TANDY IS DANDY Hi, I live in San Diego, California and used to play in the 70's and 80's in various groups with Sharon Tandy as lead vocalist. I always felt she was underrated and had "soul" like few other white singers. I am thrilled to hear she is releasing a CD. Long overdue!! If possible, please pass on my e-mail address to her. Also, I'd love to be able to buy the CD when it is released. Keep well and thanks for the SA Rock info. Howard Schachat Mailto:HSchachat@aol.com Ed. We will pass on your good wishes to Sharon and will have details of her album when it is available. -------------- EXPECT THE SPECTRES SOON (In last week's Sound Solutions, Alistair asked about the possibility of getting the Spectres album on CD. Benjy Mudie of Fresh Music sent us, and Alistair, this reply) Hi Alistair, The Spectres album 'Be Bop Pop' will be released in June this year with a new title, 'Vox Populi' (The best of...). It will have all the original tracks plus 5-6 bonus tracks in the form of live, in-studio and demo songs. Plus brand new artwork. For more info on this and other great SA pop and rock classics check out the Retro section of the Fresh website at: http://www.freshmusic.co.za best regards BenjyMudie @ Fresh Music The Spectres http://www.rock.co.za/files/spectres.html -------------- WAAR'S DAARDIE TROOPIES? Hi, I hope you can help me - I heard the song 'Plan My Attack' by a band called Soulja - and I want to track down their website or a contact e-mail address. Do you know of either or where I could fine them? If you could let me know asap that would be wonderful Best Regards; Liam Thomson. liamthomson@stateofemergency.net Ed. - Contact Soulja at mailto:soulja@icon.co.za -------------- OK, BUT WHAT'S A DIRGE?? Hi, I was listening to the mp3 on SAmp3.com site by Tim Wells called 'Antipodean Dirge' and I was wondering what the background for that song was. Any ideas?? Thanks, June Ed. - Thanks to Tim Wells for the following explanation, Tim told us: "The song 'Antipodean Dirge' was written in my brother's loft room on a smallholding 2 hrs drive south from Auckland while on a trip to Australia and New Zealand at the end of 1998. Hence the great plateau (Oz) and tattooed face (NZ Maori) - it is about the sense of feeling some strange colonial familiarity with the Antipodes but also a feeling of "un-belonging" and the profound sense of distance away from home. It is a dirge (although not slow) because both Oz and NZ house some very close family and friends and we can only see them once in a while because of the distance issue. -------------- FROM ONE WORLD OF COURSE, IT'S THE ONE STOP SA CD SHOP!!! Hi, Could you please tell me how I might be able to purchase music from South Africa seen I am living in the United States? Regards, Russell Fig russellfig@yahoo.com Hey, Fig-itaboudit, no problem at all... just go to http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 and browse to your heart's content... credit card at the ready of course! -------------- WHERE'S ALL THE SA MUSIC ON DVD???? Hi there, I contacted a leading music outlet yesterday to enquire what was available on DVD with regard to the SA music/artist industry only to be told that all that is in store is Mango Groove and Juluka. Apparently, according to the salesman there is little to nothing on local artists...? Surely this can't be the case and baring in mind that DVD is the way music is going? Lets not lag behind as always. I've seen plenty and have plenty local footage on VHS, which has been taped from TV, surely this can be converted and distributed with good effect. Cheers and rock on, Chris Botes. Mailto:chrisb@alnet.co.za Ed. - Good point - there is very little in the way of SA music on DVD. There is, however, also Madiba DVD, a SA DVD company that has already released two SA music DVD compilations, 'Madiba Jazz' and 'Madiba World', both of which are being released overseas. And Gallo have released their 'Sound Offering' collections. But nothing much else.... but you can get 'Apocalypse Now Redux' and Led Zeppelin on DVD, so things could be worse. -------------- STRONG THE FARCE IS WITH THIS ONE High, I checked a Seedy by Weezer the other day. Is this that Oke Jah Jah Binks and some of his Gunga Din chommies what is in that 'Lord of the Ringtones' fillum? Also with a name like what he got is he really like one of them Rastacrustacean ous because he never wore none Dead Logs in his hair in that flick. Johnny from Boksburg -------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=soundsolutions ----------------------------- THE DIGEST CLASSIFIED ADS ----------------------------- To advertise in this section please email: mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=classifieds -------------- 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 -------------- 'ON THE GO' - JANUARY UPDATE The media launch of the 'Legends of On the Go' CD and the subsequent meeting with the musicians at the Boardwalk Casino in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday the 13th of January was a great success. We would like first and foremost to thank Maureen Dalzell and all the other people at the Boardwalk Casino for their assistance as well as Bob Eveleigh from 'The Herald' and Jill Stewart from 'Algoa FM' for their support. Finally, thanks to Ken J. Larkin and all the guys who attended the meeting. Now that registration has closed we can start working on the running order for the 3 nights. We are glad to say that as you will soon see on the website, both Tank and The Cavaliers as well as The Hazy Shades managed to register in time for the concert. We want to re-iterate that, though we would dearly love for all of you to get a chance to play, preference will be given to On the Go winners and participants. We would also like to ask you to consider whether you are really willing and able to do this and that it is not a 'rush of blood' decision. For those who do not end up participating, please understand that this is more about getting everybody together and thus recreating an era. So, please attend the concert, meet old friends and have some fun. With that thought in mind, we are glad to tell you that we have managed to track down all the members of the "Zeroes" and they will be attending even though it is not possible for them to play. Duncan Mackay, Gene Smith, Alistair Coakley, Reno Ionnides, Barry van Zyl, 'Smelly' Fellows, Paul Mattisson, Anton van Rooyen, Tony Yoko, Tienie & Gaynor Smith as well as Melvern Wong & Geoffrey Carter from the Jets and Brendan Ross will travel to P.E. for this occasion which will be compere'd by Ken J. Larkin and Jill Stewart from Algoa FM. We have recently engaged the services of Wren Mast-Ingle from MI5 (a public relations company) to deal with the media and handle advertising and sponsorships. You can contact him via our email address onthego@audio-trax.com or his own email, mi5pro@icon.co.za or 011 8885592. Once again we want to request that you send current and past photos and info for use on the website, Bob Eveleigh's column in 'The Herald' and eventually the 'On the Go 2004' programme and the photographic exhibition at the concert. You can email it to onthego@audio-trax.com. As this concert is a fundraising event in the Eastern Cape we are looking for sponsors, helpers and advertisers, so if you have any ideas please contact us. 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" -------------- C.A.N. (Coastal Artist Network) We are having our 1st 2004 meeting on Monday 2nd Feb - and would like as many attendees as possible. It is of course only relevant to the muso's of the coastal and coastal inland areas. Best wishes for 2004 Mynie Grové Mother Groove Music PO Box 423 Milnerton 7435 Cape Town telefax: 021-552-9640 mailto:amagroove@mweb.co.za -------------- LOOKING FOR SOME "LOUNGE" ACTS The Lounge is a very popular cigar bar in The Piazza, Parklands, Table View (in the Parklands SuperSpar Centre). Tony, the manager of The Lounge, is looking for blues / jazz musicians to entertain patrons on Saturday nights. Due to the small stage area, only solo artists or duos can be accomodated. Contact: Tony 021 556-4922 -------------- SWAMP FUNK WEBSITE Well, now they've done it ... the Swamp Funk Quartet, Cape Town's primo soul funk combo, has launched their own website at http://www.swampfunk.net. It includes: * Upcoming gigs * Song downloads * CD purchase * History * Member biographies * Press-suitable photos * Equipment (with pictures!) * Great pix of chickens Catch SFQ next at the Acoustic Café, Muizenberg, Friday January 30th at 9.30 PM! Swamp Funk Quartet http://www.swampfunk.net mailto:swampfunk@iafrica.com +27 21 788-2311 +27 82 602-4330 --------------- GEMM Your best source for any impossible-to-find music 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 Meteors - 'I Should Have Danced All Night With The Meteors' (LP) Harari - 'Home Brew' (LP) Bright Blue - 'The Rising Tide' (LP) Pocket Lips - 'The Rhythm Of Life' (featuring 'It's Amazing') (LP) Trevor Rabin - 'Face To Face' (LP) Koos Du Plessis - 'Huldeblyk Aan Koos Du Plessis' (LP) Falling Mirror - 'Shattered' (LP) Latest independent SA CD additions: Bed On Bricks - 'Humanarium' (Bowline) Bluescream - 'Bluescream' (Independent) Daniel Friedman - High Society presents: 14 Steps towards Self Actualisation' (Independent) 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) MoodPhase5ive - 'Steady On' (African Dope) 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. 'More Fire' - The Rudimentals 2. 'Jika Jika' - freshlyground 3. 'Steady On' - Moodphase5ive 4. 'As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand' (EP) - Fokofpolisiekar 5. 'African Dope Sound System' - Various 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. Cape Town -------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium-on-Main, Main Road, Claremont This week's specials: Rod Bolin - 'Rod Bolin' (LP) Geli & Billy and Friends - 'Do you love me?' (LP) Charles G. & John T. - 'Standing room only' (LP) Geraldine - 'Geraldine' (LP) Marie Gibson - 'Nobody's perfect' (LP) Mynie Grove - 'Love Thief' (LP) Neil Herbert - 'Neil Herbert' (LP) V/A - 'Flying Circus - La Freak du Sud Rock Nouveau' (LP) V/A - 'Folk 66' (LP) V/A - 'Treffers van Toeka tot Nou...Die T.V. Reeks' (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 Visit our website at http://www.vibesvinyl.com Website catalogue now also at Gemm and Netsounds: http://www.vibesvinyl.gemm.com and http://www.netsounds.com/vibesvinyl -------------- 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: 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 -------------- DIGEST CLASSIFIEDS DETAILS * To have your advert featured in the Digest Classifieds, and to find out the prices to do so, please contact mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=classifieds The Sound Solutions and Digest Classified sections are sponsored by Sugar Music: Sugar Music promotes, publishes, markets, informs, exposes and spreads the good word about SA Music in all forms and genres through its various web and media channels including the SA Rock Digest, Amuzine, SAmp3.com, SA Gigs, SA Klank, the SA Rock Encyclopedia, the SA Rock Hall of Fame, the One World online CD store, Sound Solutions, SAfm, and Mabu Vinyl & CD. Contact: Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541 mailto:sugar@cd.co.za ______________________________________________ 8.LIVE MUSIC --------------- ------------------- UPCOMING EVENTS ------------------- Full details at http://www.sagigs.com Watch out for: THE HOG HOGGIDY HOG JOZI MINI TOUR - Wrench Productions Presents Cape Town's favourite ska-punks, Hog Hoggidy, at the Horror Café in Newtown, Johannesburg with Fuzigish, Misled, Humphrey the Teacup and The Kiddie Fiddlers. Fri 30th January TUKS RAG 2004 - Tuks Rag and OppiKoppi Productions combine forces to bring us a bumper show and lineup. More than 20 artists will feature at this year's celebrations from 12 - 14th February at the TUKS Rag Farm and the Sin Bin Café. BED ON BRICKS & DELTA BLUE - Stellenbosch's two favourites groups will perform together live at Bohemia in Stellenbosch on Sunday 1 February 2004 TUKS RAG PRESENTS: KOOS KOMBUIS AND PIET BOTHA IN CONCERT - These artist will perform together at two shows at the Blue Crane Restaurant in New Muckleneuk on the 9th and 11th of February. KOOS KOMBUIS SOLOU - At the Tuks Rag farm on Thursday the 12th of February, and at the Centurion theatre on 13 and 14 February DIESELBOY AND MC MESSINIAN - SA Tour 2004: Cape Town - 31 Jan @ Mercury Live and Johannesburg - 7 Feb @ Carfax THE RUDIMENTALS - Cape Town's ska-punk sensations have lined up a string of gigs over the next few weeks to promote their album, 'More Fire'. SAHARADJA - Indonesia's top World Music Band is making its South African debut and will be performing at The Showcase, at Banbury Cross Johannesburg, in January and February 2004. LIQUID SKY - Weds 28 January - At The Mercury Lounge - with guest band Niche HAPPY FOUR TWENTY - This Cape Town band is sporting a new line-up and have announced their gigs for early-2004 including the Up The Creek Festival 2004 (Friday 6th February) DAN PATLANSKY & THE MISSISSIPPI MOTHERS - "The Mutha's" announce a string of dates around Johannesburg for the rest of January. 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. BOO! IN LONDON AND EUROPE - BOO! are back in London for one show only on Friday the 6th of February at the Halfmoon in Putney as part of their current European Tour THE WORLD IN A GUITAR - This acclaimed musical show has been touring nationally over the past few months and is now heading towards Durban (Sneddon Theatre - 20 January - 8 February) and East London (Guild Theatre -13 - 14 February) FOKOFPOLISIEKAR - New Cape Town Afrikaans punk band promoting their debut EP, 'As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand', around the Peninsula with some Gauteng gigs in the pipeline. JULIANS - Julian Laxton's very popular music venue has moved to 120 Republic Rd, Malanshof, Randburg, and is re-opening again. --------------- UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS IN SA: 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' LIMP BIZKIT - Edgars and 5FM Music in association with Big Concerts are proud to announce the upcoming South African tour by Limp Bizkit, who will be kicking off their tour in Cape Town on the 2nd, before heading to Durban on the 4th and then Johannesburg on the 6th of April. 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 forthcoming tour to South Africa of this "legendary" band in March 2004 --------------- 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. 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 SAVANNA UP THE CREEK 2004 - The popular Savanna Up The Creek Music Festival will again take place from the 6th to the 8th February on the banks of the beautiful Breede River, near Swellendam. --------------- UPCOMING WORKSHOPS PAUL BOTHNER MUSIC WORKSHOPS - The Paul Bothner Music branch in Plumstead, Cape Town has announced the first in its 2004 music free workshop series featuring Brian Currin and Street Level Studios. -------------- ALBERT FROST LIVE Albert Frost needs no introduction, but for those of you who have not been around for the past 10 years - Albert is probably the leading blues guitarist in South Africa. From an early age, Albert started touring the country with the Blues Broers and in subsequent years he as performed on just about every stage in the country with the likes of Koos Kombuis, Vusi Mahlasela, and any one else you can think of inbetween. He is currently involved in Arno Carstens' band, New Porn, as well as concentrating on his own career. His solo album, 'Catfish', was recorded live at various venues and released in 2003. Should you find yourself in Café Barcelona on Friday 30 January, and you should, you would be witness to the unleashing of a wild and wonderful collaboration between Albert Frost and two of the foremost rhythm dogs the universe, and anywhere else for that matter, have seen and heard. They are none other that Lani van der Walt and Jorik "the Rasta Viking" Pienaar from Not My Dog. These two cats had clearly marked their territory with an unmistakable brand of drum and bass playing that is as tight as the life long relationship they have shared up to date. The trio will be performing songs from Albert's album and a few surprises and impromptu improvisations would probably also find their way into the mix. For bookings contact: Café Barcelona 012 345 3602 -------------- FRAUSTRATED? This is the question new Cape Town group, Fraustration, has been asking, and has come up with the solution. The creation of a spectacular show, making use of conceptual art and fashion to showcase a brand new genre in South African music, a mixture of 80's style pop rock revamped to fit into the noughties. Groups such as Blondie and Transvision Vamp primarily influence the music. The band itself consists of vivacious blond, vocalist, Hannah, who by day, an actress and business woman transforms into a trash-glam diva, with killer heels), serious style driven drummer, Ronnie, and leather pants fundi, rhythm guitarist Braam, (who have both worked with Gramlich and Motion), bass guitarist, Woody, (who has worked with both Karen Zoid and Springbok Nude Girls), and lead guitarist, Damien Le Sar. An interesting guest performance, which is merely one of the surprises Fraustration offers, is the unique incorporation of a classically trained cellist, Carl Kingsley. On the 3rd of February this band will showcase their ability to entertain at Mercury Live in Cape Town. The event promises lots of eye-candy, boys and girls alike, in the form of a fashion show and the lithe bodies of dancers moving to the sounds of Fraustration. Don't be Fraustrated, be part of the experience! Tuesday 3 February 2004 - 8:30 for 9:00 PM Venue: Mercury Live (43 De Villiers street, Zonnebloem, 8001) More info: Antonia Fick 083 564 1864 -------------- FINDING YOUR WAY UP THE CREEK Your Savanna Up The Creek 2004 tickets are safely hidden in your wallet, cupboard or underwear drawer. Good for you! February 6 to 8 are marked as the most important days of the musical year. Word has spread across this beautiful nation. Even sleepy Knysna has caught a wake up and tourists have extended their stay to witness South African talent at its best. Now you'll be wondering how to find South Africa's funkiest music festival. You wouldn't want to end up in Grahamstown or Oudsthoorn, now would you? From Cape Town, take the N2 out of town and drive out past Somerset West. Just before Swellendam, you will see signposts indicating a road to Infanta. Turn right onto this dirt road. After a while, you'll see a signpost indicating the way to Infanta and Malgas. Turn left here and behold! the Savanna Up The Creek entrance. Another left turn takes you into the driveway - head down to the gates and enter for a weekend of music, comedy, food, pampering and fun. Note: It's advisable to play good music on the drive down to keep you company. We recommend bands like Wonderboom, Moodphase5ive, Arno Carstens' New Porn, Delta Blue and Jack Hammer. They're just some of the great acts you can catch at this year's festival, so get yourself in the mood early. The other question asked by wise festival-goers across this fine land is "What should I bring?" Since we're being helpful, let's answer that question, too. It's the height of summer now, so bring water-resistant sunblock, swimming kit and a towel. There's a beautiful river at the campsite, and it's a great place to spend time between all those live performances. Nights can get chilly, so be wise and bring jackets and jerseys for when the sun goes down. Sleeping under the stars can be fun, but bring along your tent, tent pegs, sleeping bags and pillows to make the great outdoors a little more like home. With so many good looking, crazy and brilliant musicians and comedians wandering around, it's a good idea to bring a camera so that your memories last a little longer. Video cameras and tape recorders are not allowed - let's keep South African music honest. Stow some extra cash in your wallet because CDs and other goodies will be on sale during the weekend. Haven't got your tickets yet? It's not too late! Mark February 6 to 8 as the most important weekend on your musical calender, and book your tickets now. Contact Claudia (021) 671 4360 or mailto:claudia@felix.co.za; or Sandra on mailto:upthecreek@felix.co.za. -------- SA PUNK -------- By Daniel Neville Thurs 29 Jan - CAPE TOWN - MERCURY LOUNGE - (R20, 9pm) Natalies Farewell The Rudimentals Half Price Fri 30 Jan - CAPE TOWN - DF MALAN HIGH SCHOOL - (R20, 7pm) hardcore.punk night NESHAMAH MY SHADE RELATED THE RUDIMENTALS INCORRUPTUS Fri 30 Jan - JOHANNESBURG - THE HORROR CAFE - (R40, 8pm) Hog Hoggidy Hog Mini Tour Wrench Productions Presents: *Hog Hoggiddy Hog *Fuzigish *Kiddie Fiddlers (RIP) *Humphrey The Teacup *Misled PLUS *DJ/Selector: King SkaSA Free Violent Screams zine issue#2 (first 100 people in) Daniel Neville Mailto:daniel@neville.za.net See http://www.SAgigs.com for details and other SA Punk gigs. ----------- GIG GUIDE ----------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com Please send all gig info, in a plain text e-mail by Friday 12noon, to: mailto:sugar@sagigs.com?subject=gigs ___________________________________________ 9. INFO ------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links ---------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS ---------------- To subscribe - please send e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=SubcriberAddressChange To unsubscribe - please send e-mail to: mailto:unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=Unsubscribe ------------ BACK ISSUES ------------- http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable ----------------------------------- PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS ----------------------------------- Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, gig & festival dates, requests, searches and comments to: mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest ---------------------- EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS ---------------------- Brian Currin & Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest --------------- CONTRIBUTORS --------------- BC - Brian Currin SS - Stephen Segerman JS - John Samson KS - Kurt Shoemaker CL - Carina Laubscher (Katvrou) TL - Tertius Louw SN - Shiloh Noone DN - Daniel Neville ML - Moonshine Lee LR - Lindsay Ravenscroft 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! 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