Category Archives: SA Nostalgia
South African Nostalgia
Music From Mick Jade
Deborah from Wallstone Publishing has very kindly given permission to make these Mick Jade songs available for our listening pleasure.
Memories
“Memories” written by Mick Jade and performed by Mick and his band “The Jade Brothers Band” late 1970′s one of the very few bands performing only original music at the time.
This album was recorded at RPM but was never released. When the band fired their manager, RPM held back the album’s release. Such a shame as it was a really good album.
The other members of the band were: Gordon MacKay on keyboards (brother of Duncan MacKay), Sean Fourie also on keyboards (son of Johnny Fourie and Mick’s brother in law), Mark Wallis on drums (brother of Mick), Trevor Cranfield on Bass.
The very tasteful sax on this recording was played by Dan Hill.
- Deborah
Give Me More
Single 1971
Burning In The Night
“Burning in the night” composed and performed by Mick Jade was recorded at the SABC in 1986 as a track on a Transcription Album titled “Dragonbreath”.
Arrangements by Mike Campbell with studio muso’s like Jethro Butow on additional guitar, Richard Pickett on Drums, Mike Campbell on Bass.
A great rocker!
- Deborah
Die Vloek Van Die Kitaar: 18 Afrikaanse Rockers 1979-2001
Die Vloek Van Die Kitaar 1979-2001
This CD compiled by Dirk Uys in March 2002, and released by EMI in May 2002, is now long out-of-print, but inspired by Marq Vas I have linked to the songs that are available to download on Rhythm Music Store.
This album collected the A to Z of Afrikaans Rock (from Akkedis to Karen Zoid) at the time, as well as most of its genres like blues, boogie, industrial, punk, hip hop, rap, reggae, metal and more.
I seem to remember Dirk telling me at the time that he would have liked to include a David Kramer song but wasn’t able to get permission. Not sure what song it was, but I have included David Kramer’s Bokkie Bokkie as a digital bonus track.
Artists – Tracks
- Anton Goosen – Blommetjie gedenk aan my
- Spinnekop – Tiger en Louise
- Akkedis – Cybersurferraver
- Koos Kombuis – Kaalvoet
- Karen Zoid – Afrikaners is plesierig
- Springbok Nude Girls – Pappa ek wil ‘n popster word
- Beeskraal – Strate van Pretoria
- Bernoldus Niemand – Boksburg bommer
- Valiant Swart – Gange van Babylon
- Piet Botha – Goeienag generaal
- Koos Kombuis – Bomskok babelaas
- Raaskopleef – Elektrisiteit
- Bernoldus Niemand – Reggae vibes is cool
- Spinnekop – Maanskyn
- Valiant Swart – Vloek van die kitaar
- Akkedis – Anderkant die berg
- Brasse van die Kaap – Cape flats
- Battery 9 - Twyfelaar
Digital Bonus Track
David Kramer – Bokkie Bokkie
This song has English verses and an Afrikaans chorus. The original version was released on the Original Mountain Rockers compilation in 1980. David re-recorded it in 1981 for his Bakgat! album.
South African 90s metal trio ROYD reissue back catalogue on 7 May
ROYD Discography
“Royd can churn out the noise in admirable fashion, setting it up with sparse sections that allow the music to breathe, then pulling out all the stops and going for the down-tuned riffs with abandon.” Metal Maniacs magazine
PDF Press Release: South African 90s metal trio ROYD reissue back catalogue on 7 May
Africa is not known for it’s rock scene, yet in 1995, South African teenage brothers Ray Holroyd (vocals & guitar) and Tony Holroyd (drums), together with best friend Rob Krammer (bass), began writing music that would grow into the band Royd and see the trio play a vital role in establishing the modern rock/metal scene in their country. Having received international record deal offers as well as coverage in both US and UK magazines, Royd helped place South Africa firmly on the global rock map. In 1996, the band’s first single ‘Impression X’ from their debut EP ‘Preludes’ reached Number 1 on the rock chart of 5FM (South Africa’s largest national radio station at the time), beating bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden, and even being awarded the ‘Best Single of 1996′ by 5FM DJ Barney Simon. Throughout Royd’s active years (1995-1999), they performed countless sold-out shows along with good friends and fellow Cape Town rockers Lithium, who supported Iron Maiden on the South African leg of their X Factour in 1995. Among other chart success and continual heavy rotation on 5FM, Royd once again took the Number 1 position on the rock chart in 1999, with their single ‘Stalefate’ from their third release ‘Opus 3′. Before disbanding in late 1999, due to Ray’s relocation to Los Angeles in order to pursue his studies at the world-famous Musicians Institute, Royd released one last EP titled ‘American African’ as a Thank You to their fans for half a decade of loyal support. Now, 17 years after the formation of this classic South African modern rock band, non-profit record label Revolution Harmony is honoured to be reviving a piece of African rock history by reissuing the entire Royd back catalogue, with profits being donated to Buskaid, a charity that provides free music lessons and instruments to children in the townships of South Africa.
Please contact Revolution Harmony for more information, promotional copies, or to book an interview with the band.
Revolution Harmony is a non-profit record label. All label and artist profits are donated to affiliated charities.
Vancouver, Canada | www.revolutionharmony.org | info@revolutionharmony.org
The Villagers Theme - Mick Jade
The Villagers Theme – Mick Jade (A gold nugget this one)
Those of us old enough to remember the early days of television in South Africa will well remember the locally produced drama, The Villagers. Names like Ted Dixon, Hilton McCrae, Buller Wilmot and Chesa Labuschange were part of our lives back then. As was the theme song with its distinctive harmonica intro followed swiftly by Mick’s gruff vocals telling us that ‘The Village Reef is their home, built on a pile of gold, and for the young and the old life and work just carry on.’
Latest Free South African Music on Channel 24
SAmp3.com (part of Sugar Music) has been the official supplier of free mp3s to Channel24 since 2004.
Pop
Red City
A new single off the album, Fireflies In The Rain, the debut solo album from one of South Africa’s leading electric cellists who is best known for her work with the Cape Town group CODA as well as with the groups Electro-Muse and Sterling Electric Quartet.
Dance/House/Electro
Once Upon A Dream
This hot new track is for all those who love deep house music and showcases the endless tricks and skills of Prolurv Charm’s house music production.
Rock
Die Heks Is Dood
One of the eleven new tracks specially recorded by this veteran SA artist inspired by his appearance in the recent spooky KykNET TV series Wie Lê Waar? off the album Spookpsalms.
Jazz/Blues
Blues With A Capital C
Terry Dean writes and plays his own brand of blues, rock and folk music on his latest album Blues with a Capital C , which was recorded live at a local festival and features guest musicians Dave Smith on keyboard, Davie Namonde on bass and Thapelo Monareng on drums.
Rock
Surrender
The brand new single from this dynamic rock band from Johannesburg.
Afrikaans
Donderwolke
The production of her debut solo album Secret Surprise saw Elzahn collaborating talents with acclaimed South African musicians such as Schalk Joubert, Kevin Gibson, Jesse Jordon, Louis Esterhuizen, Ramon Alexander and award winning mixing engineer David Langemann.
Jazz/Blues
Boom Straat
A song from the compilation Jazzing and Jiving – The Cape Town Sessions an eclectic trip through the traditional and modern landscape of Cape Jazz with the city’s finest musicians.
R&B/Soul/Hip Hop
Green Eyes
On her album, Wonderful Life , this Cape-based songstress sings about the light and dark side of life, the undeniable relationship between these two opposites, and how we cannot exist without either of them.
Country/Folk
Beautiful Loser
A track from the highly rated Johannesburg Nu-Folk’ singer-songwriter off her third album Six Winters released through Rhythm Records.
R&B/Soul/Hip Hop
Fallin
Mingus is a well respected figure in SA Hip Hop who gathered all his friends from Germany,Sweden, the U.S. and South America to contribute to Beneath The Underdog his highly jazz influenced debut album.
Rock
Valkenberg Shuffle
Prime rat instigator Jonathan Handley wrote the tracks for this album, Spooky Obsession inspired by a real incident. Handley can be heard on bass, drums, vocals, spoken monologue and harmonica.
R&B/Soul/Hip Hop
Trust Me Girl
Some stirring and melodic R&B rap pop on the title track off the new debut album from emerging South Artist artist Sylvester.
Free Basin’ Fridays – RODRIGUEZ! « Light in the Attic Records
It’s been a crazy year for Rodriguez. The documentary Searching For Sugar Man was one of the first films to be purchased (by Sony Pictures Classics) at Sundance and picked up two awards on the way (World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary and World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Prize for its Celebration of the Artistic Spirit). Be sure there is some cool Rodriguez news in the coming months! After being out of print for the last year, Rodriguez Cold Fact (LITA 036) is finally available again on vinyl and to celebrate, we’re giving away a copy of Cold Fact for this week’s Free Basin’ Fridays. - Light In The Attic
via Free Basin’ Fridays – RODRIGUEZ! « Light in the Attic Records.
Rodriguez Cold Fact Vinyl Re-issue
Ons praat met… > Onderhoud met Piet Botha van Jack Hammer (AKA: Sledge van Lyzyrd Kyngs) — Hy-Se-Sy-Se (HSSS)
Piet Botha maak al 33 jaar lank musiek. Julle ken hom dalk as die man agter Jack Hammer. Hy is ook deel van die Lyzyrd Kyngs wat onlangs by die Big Blues Festival op Kleinmond gespeel het. Ons het Piet oor die Blues fees en sy lang pad saam met musiek (en nogwat) uitgevra. - Elsibe Loubser
Falling Mirror Live at Alma Cafe on 31st March
Sat 31st March – South Africa’s legendary band, Falling Mirror perform at The Alma Cafe. We all remember their iconic and unforgettable “Johnny Calls the Chemist” but with an original repertoire of over 100 songs, you are in for an evening of truly quirky, fascinating and powerful songs. The evening of original music is also interspersed with storied, anecdotes and songs from other musicians who inspired and influenced the band. Book earliest to secure your seat.
“Thru The Mirror”
“A nostalgic trip down memory lane…. the story behind the influences that wrote the songs.”
Alan Faull…guitar and backing vocals
Nielen Marais …vocals
Tim Faull …Drums
Selwyn Schneider…Bass
Alma Cafe Rosebank
Saturday 31st March 7pm for 7.30pm.
Bookings on 021 685 7377.
R130 including 1 course meal
Fully licensed R20 corkage.
Please specify dietary requirements upon placing your booking Desserts and drinks optional extras Fully licensed NO PLASTIC, cash only
http://facebook.com/fallingmirror
Billy Forrest: A Selection Of My Favourite Songs
From Billy Forrest
Billy Forrest - A special selection of my favourite songs
It was a difficult one this. To remember my favourites over a span of 55 years was no mean feat, who do you leave out? I’ve chosen the songs that moved me the most, with just that “something” that makes a song reach into your soul. I’ve got two lists, International and “Local”. On the S.A. side it was more a case of appreciating the song, the performance and the production. Enjoy! – Billy Forrest
Artist/Song (International)
Cliff Richard & The Shadows (Live) – Miss you nights
Dobie Gray – Loving arms
Moody Blues – Nights in white satin
Dolly Parton – I will always love you
Kenny Rogers – Ruby don’t take your love to town
The Righteous Brothers – Unchained melody
The Walker Brothers – Make it easy on yourself
The Beatles – Yesterday
The Rolling Stones – Satisfaction
Matt Monroe – Born free
Dion Warwick – Valley of the dolls
Mike & The Mechanics – The living years
Elvis Presley – Are you lonesome tonight
Tom Jones – What’s new pussycat
Richard Harris – McArthur park
Abba – Fernando
K.D.Lang – Hallelujah
Elton John – Sacrifice
Mamas & Papas – California dreaming
Josh Grobin – You raise me up
Artist/Song (Local)
June Dyer – Whirlpool of love
Dickie Loader & The Blue Jeans – Exclusively yours
The Flames – For your precious love
The Dream Merchants – Time and the river
The Staccatos – Cry to me
Clout – Substitute
Bright Blue – Weeping
McCully Workshop – The Buccaneer
Copperfield – So you win again
Ballyhoo – Man on the moon
Rabbitt – Charlie
Joanna Field – Don’t fly too high
Maria – Clap your hands and stamp your feet
Gene Rockwell – Heart
Ken.J.Larkin – Turn around
Johnny Clegg – Scatterlings of Africa
Margaret Singana – Mama Tembu’s wedding
Steve Hofmeyr – Pampoen
Laurika Rauch – Kinders van die wind
Sias Reinecke – Sproetjies
Off The Edge – Debut Album Released on CD
Twenty Nine years after the first Off the Edge album was produced, it has now officially been re-released. Originally produced on vinyl, it is now available on CD featuring 8 bonus tracks that were recorded between 1982 and 1984.
“It feels like a lifetime ago that we ventured into a recording studio to put this first album together. That was in 1983! The additional tracks are mostly the original rough raw demos which we thought would be rather nostalgic to include.” Peter Hanmer and Tony Groenewald.
At that time it was to some extent unheard of for a band to record and fund its own album as an independent release. There was no record company involvement, just a group of guys who wanted to record and release their own songs. They got together, paid for studio time and ultimately 300 LP’s were produced. After it’s release and extensive radio play by 5FM (Radio Five), this is Chris Prior’s review in The Sunday Times at the time…
“….. Basically its straight down-the-line rock – no punk, no new wave, no cross-over and especially no disco. It’s guitars, keyboards, bass, drums and vocals – and it’s got a pretty sharp edge. Guitarist Peter Hanmer and bassist/vocalist Tony Groenewald are the main men behind this band; they formed it and do all the writing – and they probably did all the hassling to get themselves onto vinyl………… their debut album is an amazing effort – polished, professional and definitely promising. To have achieved this quality on a first outing demonstrates considerable talent. There’s no reason at all why that talent shouldn’t prosper and grow.” Chris Prior, The Sunday Times, 1983
When the album was first released, due to time and money constraints, the band was forced to go for a very plain cover design. It was some 15 years later that there was talk of re-releasing the album on CD and new artwork was commissioned. The new and quite spectacular ‘retro’ artwork was created by Mark Raats. He was asked to produce something in the style of Roger Dean which he achieved masterfully but at the same time, staying true to his own style. Mark Raats is a talented artist who works on a limited number of private commissions and provides illustrations for Lucasfilm and other Hollywood based companies. Mark went on to create and design all the future Off the Edge album covers.
For one reason and another, the CD release kept getting shelved and it was only after a huge amount of interest shown over the past 2 years, especially abroad, that the project finally came to fruition.
Five albums later, Off the Edge is still funding its own products with no record company involvement. For all of those who have supported and bought Off the Edge albums over the years, you can now finally complete your collection. Should you wish to purchase a copy of this CD, please email kerin@foxglovestudios.co.za for further information.
Kerin Sinton-Hewitt
Foxglove Studios
Tel: +27 11 867 5026
Mobile: +27 79 642 5211
kerin@foxglovestudios.co.za
www.foxglovestudios.co.za
Radio Rats – The Last of the Bohemians [for Syd - RIP 22 March 2011]
Syd Kitchen
Radio Rats - The Last of the Bohemians (for Syd - RIP 22 March 2011)
From Radium Wreckords
Like this:
Sixto Rodriguez at SXSW Film 2012 – Searching for Sugar Man Q & A at the Paramount Theater
Joseph Poirier wrote:
I was at SXSW Film where they screened Searching for Sugar Man last night (Wednesday night). I took a video of the Q&A after the movie with Sixto Rodriguez and director Malik Bendjelloul.
Rodriguez at SXSW 2012 | Light In The Attic
Searching for Sugar Man
Searching For Sugar Man (film screening)
Wednesday, March 14 @ 9:30 PM – 10:55 PM
@ Paramount Theatre – 713 Congress
Tix are $10 at the theater unless you have a FILM BADGE
Rodriguez (live solo performance) – this is sure to be packed so get there early
Wednesday, March 14 @ 12 AM (yup, MIDNIGHT!)
@ Mohawk – 912 Red River
From Light In The Attic
‘Searching For Sugar Man’ Wins Two Awards At Sundance Film Festival | PT Music
Press release for PT Music
Searching For Sugarman
In 2006 Swedish film producer Malik Bendjelloul visited Cape Town, South Africa as part of a world-spanning journey searching for inspiration for a new film. What he found was a story that was so unbelievable that if a scriptwriter had written it as a piece of fiction, it would have been rejected as being too far-fetched.
‘Searching For Sugar Man’ took three years to complete and was filmed in Cape Town and Detroit, and other South African and US locations. The film had its international premiere on Thursday 19th January 2012, at the Sundance Film Festival held in Park City, Utah, USA as a representative of the World Documentary section.
Synopsis from Sundance Filmguide:
“Rodriguez was the greatest ’70s U.S. rock icon who never was. His albums [Cold Fact and Coming From Reality] were critically well-received, but sales bombed, and he faded away into obscurity among rumors of a gruesome death. However, as fate would have it, a bootleg copy of his record made its way to South Africa, where his music became a phenomenal success. In a country suppressed by apartheid, his anti-establishment message connected with the people.
When his second album finally gets released on CD in South Africa, two fans take it as a sign, deciding to look into the mystery of how Rodriguez died and what happened to all of the profits from his album sales. Since very little information about the singer exists, they meet many obstacles until they uncover a shocking revelation that sets off a wild chain of events that has to be seen to be believed. ‘Searching For Sugar Man’ is a story of hope, inspiration, and the resonating power of music”.
After the initial screening, Chris Lee from the Daily Beast wrote: “Following the rise, seeming demise, and re-emergence of an obscure but influential Mexican-American folk singer named Rodriguez, the movie premiered Thursday to tears, cheers, and a standing ovation from festival attendees”.
‘Searching For Sugar Man’ garnered two awards, The ‘World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary’ and ‘World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Prize for its Celebration of the Artistic Spirit’. To receive both an audience award and a critics award is a very rare occurrence indeed and had only happened once before since Sundance was founded in 1981 by Robert Redford. It was also one the first films sold at the Festival, being snapped up by Sony Pictures Classics.
Rodriguez (who turns 70 this year in July) attended the festival and appeared with Malik Bendjelloul and Sugarman.org’s Stephen “Sugar” Segerman, after every screening. He also performed at the packed-out Sundance ASCAP Music Café. (see video below)
The Sundance Film Festival success of ‘Searching For Sugarman’ is another milestone in the strange and wonderful story of the man known, to his ever increasing fan base around the world, simply as Rodriguez.
Brian Currin
Sugarman.org
Sundance Press Release
http://press.sundance.org/38362?format=pdf&press=1
Sundance Filmguide
http://filmguide.sundance.org/film/120073/searching_for_sugar_man
Sundance ASCAP Music Café
Kwela For Mandela – Randy Rambo En Die Rough Riders (aka Die Naaimasjiene)
From 1001 South African Songs You Must Hear Before You Go Deaf
Kwela For Mandela – Randy Rambo En Die Rough Riders (aka Die Naaimasjiene) (Prisoner 46664 probably never heard this on its release)
Die Saai Lewe by Die Naaimasjiene
Randy Rambo sounds like a promiscuous machine gun toting all American hero, but he wasn’t, he was Theuns Engelbrecht, a disaffected Afrikaaner growing up during apartheid’s death throes. He and his Rough Riders recorded an album called ‘Die Saai Lewe’ which achieved the unique feat of being the only Afrikaans album to ever be banned in its entirety by the apartheid government. The album was re-released in 1997 but under the guise of Die Naaimasjiene, the group’s new name.
‘Kwela For Mandela’ was one of the tracks on this album and was performed live at the Houtstok Rokfees and sounds like The Aeroplanes recording in a township in the 80’s. It’s got that township bass that I have always imagined is what actually powers the minibus taxis, and the 80’s synthesizers and slightly off key vocals that give it a home cooked feel. There is also a lovely jazzy trumpet interlude.
Of course the lyrics were controversial at the time. No one with a white skin was allowed to give Mandela the time of day, let alone a whole kwela (despite the song not really being kwela), but Randy was prepared to break with tradition and the result was this little gem which, although it got zero attention from the mainstream, was an important building block in the growth of Afrikaans rock music.
by John Samson
Where to find it:
Houtstok Rockfees – Various Artists (LP, 1990), Gallo, HOUT1
Houtstok Rockfees – Various Artists (CD, 1998) Wildebeest, WILD013
Die Saai Lewe – Die Naaimasjiene (1997)
Like this:
Rodriguez In Weekend Argus, 26 February 2012
The Man Who Was Big In SA by Bianca Coleman, Weekend Argus, 26 February 2012
Rodriguez: The Man Who Was Big In SA
Drumming Up Applause – Southern Sun Magazine, February / March 2012
Drumming Up Applause - Southern Sun Magazine, February / March 2012
Latest Free South African Music Downloads at Channel 24
SAmp3.com (part of Sugar Music) has been the official supplier of free mp3s to Channel24 since 2004.
Rock
Open
A track off Guitar Tunes the recent album from this acclaimed musician and composer accompanied by Prof Andrew Tracey of The Andrew Tracey Steelband.
Rock
Drive All Day
The new single from Summer Shade’s latest EP features a mixture of rock, tribal, African, folk and a whole lot more.
Afrikaans
Die Meisie Van De Aar
More Afrikaans Rock ‘N Tjank sounds from this singer-songwriter who is building a strong reputation for his incisive lyrics. This track is off his debut album My Hond Fanie.
Country/Folk
Coffee In The Rain
The new single from this five-piece folky group off their recent album Rhymes In The Attic.
Rock
Fire Still Burns
A track off this Johannesburg based singer-songwriter’s debut pop-rock solo album No Apologies .
Rock
Crossroads
This Storm Rekordz artist is a Malawian by origin, grew up in Zimbabwe and Mozambique and was selected to represented South Africa in Sweden at the Ethno Music Festival. This song is from the album Never Walk Alone .
Rock
Wage Your Wars
A new single off the Painting With Sound album from this Cape rock trio featuring Nelius Nortje, Jade Abbott and her booming bass, with Morné (Mojo) Barnardt on drums.
R&B/Soul/Hip Hop
Hold Me Close
The first single from Ben Caesar, who will soon be launching his debut solo albumLe Tigra, an original and modern mix with insightful lyrics to express the theme of “the dynamic contrast between the grace and fierceness of the tiger”.
Rock
Raging Girl
This newly-released self-titled album by Pretoria-based rock outfit shows why they ruled the country’s rock stages for almost a decade with their progressive nu-metal live performances.
Country/Folk
Billboard Lights
A new single, and the title track off this emerging Cape-based female indie artist’s brilliant lo-fi album, Billboard Lights .
R&B/Soul/Hip Hop
Blow My Mind
A song off the EP Now That I’ve Got A Girl by this emerging artist and independent singer-songwriter.
Mockingbird
A track off the Stellenbosch band’s latest album, Shed You Skin, inspired by bands like The Dead Weather, The Black Keys and The Kills.
