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The South African Rock Encyclopedia

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SA RECORD COMPANIES
David Gresham Records, EMI, Fresh Music, Gallo, M.E.L.T 2000, Musketeer
Primedia Music, Sheer Sound, SonyBMG, Street Level, Third Ear Music, Rhythm, Universal, and USM
SOUND SOLUTIONS
Looking for an album, song or musician? Got a question? Ask Sugar!

www.sugarman.org - the Official Rodriguez website
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Contents

This week's contents:

Editorial: The week in brief
News: Springbok Nude Girls, freshlyground, VNV Nation, 'Going Nowhere Slowly'.
Charts: SA Rock Digest MP3 and Album Charts
New Releases: New SA MP3's and CD's, Amanda Strydom, Bored, Luna, Celtic Rumour, Roger Lucey, Paul Riekert, RetroFresh, Hex, Southern Gypsy Queen, Swim Club, Sunways, Duane Haylett's 'Edentia'.
Classic SA Rock: USA For Africa - Kobus1 - '!00% Skuldgevoelvry'; A Naartjie In The UK - Syd Kitchen - 'Quintessentially'; Vinyl Junkies; South African Rock Lists
Sound Solutions: A reader's forum - letters, info, questions and answers
Live Music: Events round-up, SA Punk*Ska*Metal*Hardcore, Half Price, Karen Zoid, Kallitz, Steve Newman, 'The Burlesque Supergroup', RP Studios Emerging Sounds, Johnny Clegg, Kobus!, Righard Kapp and Polstar.
SA Music Links And Resources: Contact Details

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Editorial

THE WEEK IN BRIEF

The Springbok Nude Girls are set to commemorate their 10th anniversary with a nationwide SA tour ... Freshlyground are heading up to Johannesburg to record their second album followed by a gig in Rome in July ... If you bummed out at missing the cancelled VNV Nation gig in Cape Town, then catch the special screening of their DVD film at Mercury this week.

The 'Going Nowhere Slowly' crew are still looking for new SA songs for possible inclusion on the TV series soundtrack ... There are new mp3 downloads from Amanda Strydom ('Verspreide Donderbuie') Bored ('Tame'), Luna ('All You'll Need'), Celtic Rumour ('Africa In Motion'), and Roger Lucey ('Thabang') ... This week's Celeb:Select choice is from Paul Riekert.

We have some fresh news from Benjy Mudie's RetroFresh label ... We look at Hex's new album called 'Mensgemaak' .... Southern Gypsy Queen have developed a strong following in Pretoria and Johannesburg and are doing this quick one-week tour ... Swim Club have spent the last two months finishing their debut album in Cape Town ... Wicked Mike interviews Sunways, who are still overseas.

We hear from SA artist Duane Haylett who has just released his first comic novel called 'Edentia'.... John Samson reviews Syd Kitchen's new collection called 'Quintessentially' ... Kurt Shoemaker has been falling in lief with the new Kobus! album, '100% Skuldgevoelvry' and tells us all about it.

Karen Zoid will be playing unplugged at Back 2 Basix on Fri 25 June ... Kallitz will be promoting their album, 'Die Ding Ruk Mal', with a string of dates around Cape Town over the next few weeks... Steve Newman is doing a short tour in the Western Cape with friends Dave Goldblum from Port Elizabeth and Jane Gaisford ...

June 26 sees the big-band, hard swing, deep blues & rock group 'The Burlesque Supergroup' headlining an evening of music titled... "Now Play Some Real Music, Dammit!" ... Villa Pascal presents 'El Tango en Africa' - an evening of this erotic and passionate music of Argentina featuring accordion virtuoso Stanislav Anguelov with The Cape Town Tango Ensemble ... Emerging Sounds still has three record deals courtesy of Sheer Music to give to three bands or groups over the next ten months.

Lots of live reviews this week .... Daniel Neville was at the Half Price CD fund raiser at the Purple Turtle ... John Samson was at Johnny Clegg's London concert at The Hammersmith Carling Apollo and sent us a great review .... Ernie Pap saw Kobus! at The Mercury and tells us all about it ...and Chris Hill reviews the recent Righard Kapp and Polstar gig which took place at the Indie Armchair Theatre in Observatory.

There's also the usual weekly mp3 and album charts, recommended SA gigs, letters to Sound Solutions, Digest Classifieds, old SA and LM charts, and what's new on the shelves at Mabu Vinyl and CD and Vibes Vinyl.

And that is some of SA music, this week ...

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to
mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=Digest

Thanks!
Ed.

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[]   SA TOP SELLING CDS AT ONE WORLD
    []
1. Rodriguez - Cold Fact
2. Ipi Tombi - Original Cast Recording
3. Freshlyground - Jika Jika
4. Blomkrag - Boerecountry
5. Cashless Society - African Raw Material Vol 1
6. The Thula Project - SA Lullabies
7. Saron Gas - - Fragile
8. Rodriguez - After The Fact
9. Moses Molelekwa - Finding One's Self
10. Chris de Burgh - Live In SA
[]
   

Springbok Top 10 songs
15/20/25/30 Years Ago

    []
Supplied by John Samson

35 YEARS AGO (20 June 1969)

1 [1] Proud Mary - Credence Clearwater Revival
2 [3] My Sentimental Friend - Herman's Hermits
3 [2] Hair - The Cowsills
4 [5] First Of May - Bee Gees
5 [8] Hello World - The Tremeloes

30 YEARS AGO (21 June 1974)

1 [1] Solitaire - Andy Williams
2 [4] The Air That I Breathe - The Hollies
3 [2] Seasons In The Sun - Terry Jacks
4 [8] Waterloo - Abba
5 [3] Loving Arms - Dobie Gray

25 YEARS AGO (22 June 1979)

1 [1] Michael Row The Boat Ashore - Richard Jon Smith
2 [2] I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
3 [3] Baby It's You - Promises
4 [5] Chiquitita - Abba
5 [8] What A Fool Believes - Doobie Brothers

20 YEARS AGO (22 June 1984)

1 [1] Clap Clap Sound - Klaxons
2 [2] Footloose - Kenny Loggins
3 [7] I Want To Break Free - Queen
4 [5] 99 Red Balloons - Nena
5 [3] Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

* See 'Chart Chat' in 'Classic SA Rock' section below.

[]
   

Top 50 New SA Music Titles

    []
Available at One World

1. Kobus - '100% Skuldgevoelvry'
2. The Tripps - '20/20 Vision Volume 1'
3. David Abbate - 'All The Best'
4. Colin Shamley - 'Born Guilty & Other Stories'
5. Various Artists - 'Going Nowhere Slowly' (2CD)
6. Ezra - 'Funk 'n Roll'
7. Muse String Quartet - 'My Dance'
8. Tree63 - 'The Answer To The Question'
9. Various Artists - 'North Sea Jazz Festival 2000 - 2004'
10. Hugh Masekela - 'The Collection'
11. Rus Nerwich - 'Beyond The Walls'
12. Sakhile - 'Togetherness'
13. Mahube - 'Qhubeka'
14. Louis Mhalanga - 'Tinganekwane ....'
15. Anke - 'By Heart'
16. Off The Edge - 'Site Under Construction'
17. Hawk - 'Africa She Too Can Cry'
18. The Dollyrockers - 'The Heat'
19. Mean Mr Mustard - 'Best Of'
20. Justin Bergh - 'Out Of My Hands'
21. Nianell - 'Angel Tongue'
22. Fuzigish & Frenzal Rhomb - 'The Unwanted Traveller'
23. Mzwake Mbuli - 'Mbulism'
24. Mbongeni Ngema - 'Libuyile (Songs Of Freedom)'
25. Thandiswa - 'Zabalaza'
26. Xolisa - 'Times'
27. Lusanda Spiritual Group - 'Bathi Bayamazi'
28. Various Artists - 'Tales Of Gospel SA - Choral & Contemporary'
29. Ntando - 'Kwantu'
30. Joyous Celebration - 'Joyous Celebration 8 - To Be Free'
31. Lundi - 'Ngiyabonga'
32. Rebecca & Tsepo - 'The Queen Of Gospel And The Village Pope'
33. ANC - 'Uyamemeza uJesu Uthi ANC'
34. Tribute To Tebza (Mafikizolo) - 'Tebza Wa Rock'
35. Various Artists - 'Yizo Yizo 3'
36. Mandoza - 'Mandoza' Various Artists - 'Moyo - Sophisticated African Music'
37. MacAngel - 'Summer In Berlin'
38. Adam Tas - 'My Memories In 'n Menthol'
39. Leon Schuster - '2 in 1 Special Edition'
40. Arno Carstens - 'Another Universe'
41. Oliver Mtukudzi - 'Tsivo'
42. Mzekezeke - 'Storotoro'
43. Freshlyground - 'Jika Jika'
44. Benguela - 'SUI'
45. Tait - 'Back Seat Driver'
46. Rodriguez - 'Coming From Reality'
47. Piet Botha - 'Die Mamba'
48. Mike Ratu Makhalamele - 'The Very Best Of'
49. Bushmen Of The Kalahari - '!Ngubi Tietie'
50. Tumi And The Volume - 'At The Bassline'

  []
   

WORTH BUYING

    []
The 5 Sugar currently recommends...

1 Various - 'Big Red (Songs From 'Going Nowhere Slowly')'
A double-CD set of original SA songs from the new bunch of SA artists – including Seven Day Story, Wayne Pauli, The Dollyrockers, Stevan Band, Jo Day - as featured on the soundtrack of the very popular TV travel series.


2 Benguela - 'Sui'
A trippy and quite unique double-CD from Benguela, the Cape Town trio who improvised and recorded this album in front of a live audience, and then got some top producers to remix the tracks for the extra CD. Essential!.

3 Rus Nerwich - 'Beyond The Walls '
An emotional collection of songs from the Ghettos and concentration camps of Europe, given sensitive, contemporary jazz arrangements by Rus Nerwich, a new, highly-rated saxophonist on the Cape Town scene.

4 Fokofpolisiekar - 'As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand'
Great name for a great new Afrikaans punk band from Bellville featuring the lads who were previously New World Inside. Currently building a following nationwide with this fresh blast of take-no-prisoners SA punk.

5 Colin Shamley - ' Born Guilty & Other Stories'
A very welcome reissue from David Marks' 3RD Ear label featuring lots of previously unavailable material from Colin Shamley, one of SA's finest singer-songwriters ever - a mixture of Dylan and Lenny Bruce.



SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA

From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Deddy' to 'ZX Dan'... visit the online archive for the history (and future) of South African Rock at:

http://www.rock.co.za

The SA Rock Encyclopedia is an archive of South African pop and rock music - past, present and future - and includes sections on classic albums, rock legends, rock lists, charts, trivia, family trees, a hall of fame, weblinks and more...

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SAKLANK.COM

Sluit aan by http://www.SAKlank.com deur e-pos te stuur aan intekenaar@saklank.com

Alle rasionele idees, gedagtes, bydraes, briewe en konsert-/CD-resensies is altyd welkom!

----------------------------

THE OFFICIAL RODRIGUEZ WEBSITE

'Cold Fact', the classic album from the 70s, as well as 'After The Fact', the second Rodriguez album, have been re-issued and both are now available at Sugar Music.

All Rodriguez Info at:
http://www.sugarman.org

----------------------------

SA ROCK DIGEST
http://www.sarockdigest.com

If you would like to receive all the SA music news on this page, as a free weekly Monday morning email newsletter with no attachments, then please enter your email address in the SA Rock Digest banner on the left.

News

THE SPRINGBOK NUDE GIRLS 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR

The Springbok Nude Girls are set to commemorate their 10th anniversary with a nationwide SA tour. The band did officially announce their retirement a few years back, but have been popping up at various festivals, gigs and events since then.

During the solo years, guitarist Theo Crous has worked with and produced a number of new SA acts and is currently receiving more plaudits for his second Kobus! album with Francois Blom. The band's vocalist, Arno Carstens, picked up the 'Best Rock Album' SAMA Award for his 'Another Universe' solo album and is enjoying a high profile solo career on stage, CD and screen. The Nude Girls' drummer, Francious Kruger, is currently performing and recording with new Cape songstress, Luna.

The Nude Girls won the SAMA award for 'Best Rock Album' for 'Surpass the Powers', and headlined all the major SA festivals and the Amabala Music Festival in London, where the band have always enjoyed some very strong support.

The Nude Girls toured SA and performed alongside acts like INXS, Lenny Kravitz, The Cult, and the Goo Goo Dolls in all major cities including Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town, and are now set to headline their own 10th Anniversary SA Tour. Dates to follow. It is not yet confirmed whether Arno Blumer (bass) and Adriaan Brand (trumpet) will also be part of the reunion gigs line-up.

---------------

FRESHLYGROUND

Freshlyground played their final gig at the Armchair Theatre in Cape Town last week before heading up to Johannesburg, where they will be recording their second album with Instinct Africaine.

>From Johannesburg, the group will move on to Rome to play the Villa Celimontana Festival in July.

Freshlyground plan to launch the new album in September this year.

Upcoming gigs:
Wednesday 30 June- 21.00hrs - Color Bar, Mill Park, Johannesburg
Saturday 10 July- 21.00hrs - Villa Celimontana Festival, Rome, Italy
Friday 30 July - 07/08/04 - 21.00hrs - National Theatre of Namibia, Windhoek

---------------

'IN CASE YOU WEREN'T THERE - THE VNV NATION DVD EXPERIENCE'

In June this year South African electro fans were treated to a landmark performance in Pretoria by world-renowned UK EBM outfit VNV Nation.

People came for many reasons -the music, the show, to sing, to think, to remember, to forget, to feel alive, to know that there is still meaning and something worth believing in or even just to dance. The band blew our minds and also released an incredible DVD called 'Pastperfect', which captures the band's immense energy and awesome stage persona, both onstage and off.

There will be a special screening of this DVD film on Thursday June 24 at Mercury Lounge (43 De Villiers Street, Zonnebloem) courtesy of Alter-Ego Productions and Comunik.

Fans of the band will also get the opportunity to order the DVD as well as get some other limited edition band merchandise at the same time. The Comunik DJs will be on hand to relate their experiences of DJ War and VNV Nation Live in Pretoria! The first 50 people in also get a free, collector's item tour poster, commemorating the SA tour.
v It is the songs that were sung together and the feelings and the moments shared. It is the sound and feeling that we believe in. It is our past, our present and what we are to become - VNV Nation. Victory Not Vengeance.

For more info, please contact
Jon Monsoon
Al t e r E g o Productions
(+27) 82 928-7450
www.alter-ego.co.za

---------------

AND FINALLY....

YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT YOUR SONGS TO 'GOING NOWHERE SLOWLY'

The 'Going Nowhere Slowly' crew are still looking for new SA songs for possible inclusion on the TV series soundtrack.

So while there's still time you can send your CD and a short biog to:
Aidan Harper
Ripchord
PO Box 12540
Mill Street Cape Town
8010

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CHARTS

SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK
http://www.SAmp3.com
(Based on downloads from SAmp3.com and MWeb Entertainment)

1. [2] (1) Hemel Op Die Platteland- Fokofpolisiekar ('As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand'/Rhythm)
2. [1] (1) Charlie Kaufman - Fallen ('Last Chance For The Forgotten'/Indie)
3. [10] (3) Noh TV - The Rudimentals ('More Fire'/Indie)
4. [7] (4) What It Takes To Breathe - Bored (Indie)
5. [8] (5) One Moment - Antipathy (Maiden League)
6. [13] (13) FFF - Tonight We Die (Demo/Indie)
7. [3] (3) Multiple Oblivion - Jo Day ('The Truth'/Indie)
8. [14] (8) Change Your Face - David Foster ('Flat To Round'/Rhythm/Bowline)
9. [17] (9) Porn (acoustic) - Jo Day ('The Truth'/Indie)
10. [19] (10) Kultuurfeestent - Kobus! ('100% Skuldgevoelvry'/ENT)
11. [22] (11) Suburbia - Mitsoo (Indie)
12. [20] (12) Download - Phringe ('Mellow Drama'/USM)
13. [4] (1) Love Is The Hunter - MacAngel ('Summer In Berlin'/Sonique)
14. [5] (2) Revolution - Swim Club (Indie)
15. [23] (15) Silverfish - Dollyrockers ('The Heat'/Indie)
16. [6] (4) Break Down - Believable Addiction (Indie)
17. [25] (17) Naked - Hog Hoggidy Hog ('OINK!'/Indie)
18. [24] (18) Festival Song (live) - Fly Paper Jet ('Live'/Indie)
19. [21] (19) Somewhere - Celtic Rumours (SAmp3.com Exclusive)
20. [29] (20) Nguwe - Godessa ('Spillage'/High Voltage)
21. [9] (6) Jou Ma - Thys Nywerheid (Indie)
22. [26] (22) Oppie Yaat - Kallitz ('Die Ding Ruk Mal'/Mothermix)
23. [27] (23) Window Shopping Lover - chiaroscuro ('A Definition'/Indie)
24. [28] (24) My Baby - Plush ('All That Is Should Be'/Indie)
25. [-] (25) Midnight - 340ml ('Moving'/Indie)
26. [-] (26) What You Doing? - HappyFourTwenty (Single/Indie)
27. [30] (27) Ravens - Six Of Nine (Indie)
28. [-] (28) Site Under Construction - Off The Edge ('Site Under Construction/Indie)
29. [-] (29) Sky Is Falling - Serving Suggestion ('Try Whistling This'/Indie)
30. [-] (30) Sonskynkind - Hex ('Mensgemaak'/Afrimusiek)

(Based on downloads from SAmp3.com and MWeb Entertainment)

Download South African MP3s at http://www.SAmp3.com

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SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 20 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK
http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts

This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label)

1. [9] (1) Spillage - Godessa (High Voltage)
2. [1] (1) All That Is Should Be - Plush (Indie)
3. [8] (3) Live - Fly Paper Jet (Indie)
4. [3] (4) Angel Tongue - Nianell (Fresh)
5. [7] (5) Site Under Construction - Off The Edge (Indie)
6. [2] (2) Born Guilty & Other Stories - Colin Shamley (3rd Ear Music)
7. [6] (1) Moving - 340ml (Indie)
8. [5] (1) A Definition - chiaroscuro (Indie)
9. [4] (4) Summer In Berlin - MacAngel (Sonique)
10. [12] (10) My Dance - Muse String Quartet (Indie)
11. [13] (11) Quintessentially - Syd Kitchen (No Budget Records)
12. [11] (1) Big Red (Songs From 'Going Nowhere Slowly') - Various (Ripchord/Bowline)
13. [14] (13) Vol 1: 20/20 Vision - The Tripps (Indie)
14. [23] (14) 100% Skuldgevoelvry - Kobus! (ENT)
15. [18] (15) The Realisation Of Purpose - Sedwick (Indie)
16. [10] (5) Dissolve In The Sun - Wendy New (Indie)
17. [16] (13) Beyond The Walls - Rus Nerwich (Indie)
18. [24] (18) Lick The Lion - ISLA (Indie)
19. [20] (1) The Heat - Dollyrockers (Indie)
20. [22] (1) More Fire - The Rudimentals (Indie)
21. [26] (1) As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand - Fokofpolisiekar (Rhythm/Bowline)
22. [-] (22) Die Ding Ruk Mal - Kallitz (Mothermix)
23. [30] (23) Met Die Maan Gepla - Gian Groen (Bowline)
24. [25] (24) Try Whistling This - Serving Suggestion (Indie)
25. [-] (25) OINK! - Hog Hoggidy Hog (Indie)
26. [27] (26) Funk 'N Roll - Ezra (BMG)
27. [28] (27) Live - Die Naaimasjiene (Rhythm/Bowline)
28. [21] (1) Boerecountry - Blomkrag (Indie)
29. [17] (1) Muti Media - Kalahari Surfers (African Dope)
30. [29] (2) Sui - Benguela (Open Record)

READ http://www.rock.co.za/files
LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com
BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/default.asp?AffiliateID=4321

The hosting of MP3s on the SA Rock Digest website is thanks to the Future Perfect Corporation http://www.futureperfectcorporation.com
Building online communities to make the future perfect

Chart statistics at:
http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts


 
New Releases


MP3's:

-------
MWEB
-------

http://www.mweb.co.za/hubs/entertainment/music/download.aspx

SAmp3.com is now the official and exclusive supplier of South African mp3's to MWeb's new SA Music Download section. Every week 5 new songs are available for exclusive download for MWeb subscribers. These tracks have never been released on mp3 before.

Non-MWeb subscribers can still listen to these tracks, but you will not be able to save them onto your hard-drive. However in about two weeks' time all 5 of these songs will be available for everyone to download at http://www.SAmp3.com

This week's 5 New and Exclusive mp3 titles at MWeb:
----------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Amanda Strydom - 'Verspreide Donderbuie'
This is the title track off Amanda's SAMA Award-winning album.

2. Bored - 'Tame'
Be warned! This is the new metal track from Bored...!

3. Luna - 'All You'll Need'
A superb taster for Gauteng audiences who will be seeing Luna live shortly.

4. Celtic Rumour - 'Africa In Motion'
The second previously unreleased track from the SA band of the '80's.

5. Roger Lucey - 'Thabang'
A recent track from one of SA's finest folkies

Last week's 5 New and Exclusive mp3 titles at MWeb:
----------------------------------------------------------------------

340ML - 'Midnight'
A typically innovative and cool track off 340ml's acclaimed new album, 'Moving'.

Serving Suggestion - 'Sky Is Falling'
A back to basics tuneful rock song from the Cape Town band's album, 'Try Whistling This'.

Hex - 'Sonskynkind'

Hex is a young female trio, comprising three related and very talented Cape musicians, whose songs and harmonies have been compared to The Roches.

Happy 420 - 'What You Doing?'
Some contemporary political pop from one of Cape Town's most sussed bands.

Off The Edge - 'Site Under Construction'
Title track taken from Off The Edge's fifth album.

Visit the South African Music Download section of MWeb at:
http://www.mweb.co.za/hubs/entertainment/music/download.aspx

If you would like your song, picture and website link on the MWeb website
please go to: http://www.SAmp3.com/faq.html to find out how.

------------
SAmp3.com
------------

This week's SAmp3.com recommended downloads:

Kallitz - 'Oppie Yaat'
First single from the Cape Town hip hop trio's new album, 'Die Ding Ruk Mal', which is being launched next week.

Bed On Bricks - 'City'
Second mp3 release, and more urban funk from the very tasty 'Humanarium' CD.

Mitsoo - 'Suburbia'
The new single from Cape Town's finest all female punk trio.

Plush - 'My Baby'
These boys are building a very large and loyal following with their stripped-down acoustic folk-pop tunes.

Thys Nywerheid - 'Vir Funk En Vaderland'
What a great title, makes you want to hear what the hell it sounds like! Kobus! - 'Kultuurfeestent'
A great first track to be released as an mp3 off Kobus!' new album, '100%Skuldgevoelvry'.

Godessa - 'Nguwe'
This is the opening song off the Cape Town all-female hip hop trio's debut album, 'Spillage'.

Hog Hoggidy Hog - 'Naked'
The Hogs have just released their third album, 'Oink!'

Dollyrockers - 'Silverfish'
You may have heard the live version of this track, but this is the studio version off the Dollyrockers' third album, 'The Heat'.

Six Of Nine - 'Ravens'
The Cape Town band's second single to follow the major success of first single, 'Close To Me'.

http://www.SAmp3.com

--------------

All the mp3s listed above are available to download at http://www.SAmp3.com - the biggest South African mp3 website in the world.

---------------

SEARCH FOR MP3's
Use the SAmp3.com onboard search engine, powered by Google, to search for mp3s on SAmp3.com.

-----------------

All the full-length mp3s are available for free download at http://www.SAmp3.com by kind permission of the artists and/or their labels.

----------------------------

CELEB-SELECT: PAUL RIEKERT

Every week we ask a well-known SA music personality to give us a list of their top 10 South African songs: This week it is the turn of Paul Riekert, the man behind the unique Battery 9. Over to Paul...

Hi,

Here are my SA Top10 songs, in no particular order:

1. 'Toasted Take-aways' - Cherry Faced Lurchers
2. 'Josie Josie' - Anton Goosen
3. 'Hillbrow' - Kerkorrel
4. 'Swart September' - Koos Kombuis
5. 'Durban Poison' - Trans Sky
6. 'Delilah' - Koos
7. 'Liefling' - Gé Korsten
8. 'Luislang' - Trike
9. 'Jou Ma Se Poes' - VOD
10. 'Koue Vuur' - Koos du Plessis

Take care
Paul

--------------

THE CELEB:SELECT WEBSITE

All the weekly Celeb: Select selections can now be found at their new website which is at:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/celeb_select_index.html

--------------

SOME FRESH NEWS FROM THE RETROFRESH LABEL
By Benjy Mudie

Upcoming RetroFresh Releases:

We are in the final stages of the Abstract Truth release (FreshCD 144), this will be 'Silver Trees' and 'Totum' on one album and will be released around late July 2004. http://www.rock.co.za/files/at_index.html

Likewise, `80`s pop-rockers The Spectres' retrospective, 'Vox Populi' (FreshCD 141), is nearing completion. This will include 'Teddy Bear', 'Be Bop Pop', 'Ancient', and a batch of bonus in-studio unreleased songs, and will be out in early August. http://www.rock.co.za/files/spectres.html

Freedom`s Children - We are busy on a new revised version of the classic 'Astra' album which will include all the original tracks, digitally remastered along with 2 bonus tracks never before on CD - the band`s first double-sided single, 'The Coffee Song' b/w 'Satisfaction' (yes! the Stones song!) (due July 2004). http://www.rock.co.za/files/fc_index.html

National Wake -this seminal skanking ska-punk album is a legend among collectors of great SA music and has been digitally remastered by the band`s Ivan Kadey, who is now resident in LA. It will include all the songs from their 1981debut plus unreleased bonus tracks and a new Kalahari Surfers remix of 'Bolina' (Due August 2004)

Neill Solomon - South Africa`s lauded singer-songwriter`s debut album with the classic hits 'Junk Foods And Disposable Ladies' ,'Roxy Lady', plus bonus tracks and revised artwork. (Due August 2004). http://www.rock.co.za/files/neill_solomon.html

Asylum Kids - The band`s two albums ('Fight It With Your Mind' and 'Solid Principles') on one album with bonus tracks and rare pics supplied by bassist/vocalist Dino Archon. (Due July 2004). http://www.rock.co.za/files/asylum_kids.html

Via Afrika - .their second and final album, 'Scent Of Scandal', will include a live version of 'Hey Boy' recorded at the famous Concert in the Park in 1985. (Due September 2004). http://www.rock.co.za/files/via_afrika.html

Petit Cheval - Arguably one of the finest pop-rock bands of the `80`s: the "little horse" will ride again with a re-mastered release of their two albums ('The Voice Of Reason' and 'The Perfect Gift') plus bonus live and in-studio tracks. (Due September 2004). http://www.rock.co.za/files/petit_cheval_index.html

Some Queries:

Over the past few months we have been inundated with queries about various artists and albums that you have been looking for so we would like to take this opportunity to try and address them:

John Ireland -The evergreen songs 'I Like' and 'Living Imside Your Head' are among the most requested tracks here at Retro HQ. We have made contact with the notoriously reclusive and media-shy Dr. John and efforts are underway to release a best-of album with some brand new songs sometime this year. http://www.rock.co.za/files/john_ireland_index.html

Julian Laxton - South Africa`s greatest guitarist (and among the best in the world!) has cleared the release of a `Best of` which will include the JLB hits 'Johannesburg', 'Blue Waters', and 'Celebrate' plus some unreleased material. http://www.rock.co.za/files/jl_index.html

McCully Workshop - a `Best of` is in the planning stages, this will feature material drawn from the band`s many albums and will include 'Why can't it rain' and the obvious 'Buccaneer' plus some great bonus tracks. http://www.rock.co.za/files/mc_index.html

The A Cads - Thanks to rock aficionado Leon Economides, we have come across an Italian bootleg CD of an A Cads compilation which once we have cleared the legal rights we will look at for a Retro release. http://www.rock.co.za/files/acads.html

Retro Rarities - This will be a compilation of all those rare lost classics like Niki Daly`s 'Is it an ism or is it art' ; Crocodile Harris' 'Give me the good news' (and how relevant is that message these days), Ramsay McKay`s 'Silent Water', the fabulous trashy Insisters gem 'If that`s what you want', '80`s rockers October`s 'The Child', ex-Ballyhoo vocalist Stewart Irving`s 'Superstar', psychedelic Band of Gypsys' 'She`s a mermaid', plus many more....We would love to hear your suggestions for other tunes .

CD Pricing:

We tend to agree with many music fans out there that buying CD`s has become a very expensive exercise. So in keeping with our overall philosophy to keep our prices down we have planned a radical price reduction on all Retro titles for the period May-July 2004.

We will reduce our dealer price to R50 which in turn will sell for between R89.99 - R99.99 which I`m sure you agree is a bargain for such high quality releases. If you encounter a higher store price during this period please drop a mail to Retro and we`ll take radical action...like making the dealer listen to Ge Korsten's Greatest Hits at double speed (That`ll teach them!).

Desperately Seeking:

We are looking for photos of the following artists for future releases - credit will be given in the respective album artwork: Abstract Truth, Freedom's Children, (the 'Astra' line-up), Lesley Rae Dowling, Flat Harry.

Please mail me at mailto:Fresh@icon.co.za if you are able to help

Retro Fresh highly recommends the following stockists of the series:
CD Wherehouse: Rosebank (The Zone); Sandton City; V&A Cape Town; Gateway Durban .
Look & Listen: Hyde Park, Century City, Westville, Cavendish, Benoni, Fourways
Phase 2: Cresta, Eastgate
Music Obsession: Krugersdorp
Rhythmic Beat: Durban
Selected Musica stores

Internet sales: http://www.oneworld.co.za

And many other fine stores around the country...........if you are having a problem finding the Retro series please let us know at (011) 467-3051 or email Fresh Music. mailto:Fresh@icon.co.za

Fresh Music
http://www.freshmusic.co.za

RetroFresh
http://www.freshmusic.co.za/retrofresh.htm

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HEX - 'MENSGEMAAK' [AFRIMUSIEK]

'Mensegemaak' is the debut album from Hex and is a surprisingly mature work crammed with excellent songs of refreshing musicality. Hex, a trio of Stellenbosch girls, have revived the age-old and timeless beauty of folk music without sounding retro or trying to be hippie-like. A touch of edgy, alternative djembe rhythms and lyrics that speak of the world of today's young adults ensure that the songs never become merely sentimental. Hex offers listening pleasure to a wide and varied audience without becoming mediocre or overly commercial.

Most of Hex's material consists of wonderful harmonies, with acoustic guitars and a fresh violin sound which consistently supports the distinctive singing style. The djembe drums and touches of mouth organ and recorder offer welcome variety and a subtle, integral contribution to the well-rounded sound.

The movement between languages of the material on the album (English and Afrikaans - more or less 50-50) is hardly noticeable and never bothers. The songs on 'Mensgemaak' are about everyday happiness and sadness and sometimes deliver sharp social commentary.

The 20-year-old Ilze Hugo, currently a 3rd-year student in social sciences, wrote all the music and lyrics on the album. She has been writing songs since 15 years of age and has been singing "forever" with her 22-year old sister, Jodi, a 4th-year student in fine arts, and their cousin, Ilana Cilliers, a 19-year old, 1st-year drama student.

The arrangements of the songs are done by all the members of Hex. Violin riffs are by Ilana, while guitar riffs are done by Ilze and Ilana. The harmonies come naturally after singing and harmonising together since the girls' primary school days.

In 1999 the trio played together in a successful, self-written cabaret, for which Ilze wrote the songs. Although the girls spend a good deal of time together, it wasn't until December 2002 that they formally got together to make music and record a demo CD. A few gigs in Stellenbosch resulted which led to the recording of 'Mensgemaak' on a proverbial shoestring budget. The local music company, Afrimusik, were so impressed with the album that they decided to distribute it.

Hex's music is as magical and unpredictable as the word itself, chosen because of the many meanings appropriate to the trio. The name is short and draws attention, which is well suited to this bilingual group of young women who do offer no less than their name promises.

Listen to 'Sonskynkind' by Hex at MWeb SA's Music Download section
http://www.mweb.co.za/hubs/entertainment/music/download.aspx

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SOUTHERN GYPSY QUEEN - TOUR AND NEW ALBUM

The last six weeks have been a real high point for Southern Gypsy Queen, travelling over 6000km, encompassing KKNK, Splashy Fen and an amazing Western Cape Tour. They put on an awesome live show, complete with lead guitar solos that boast flashy riffs and inspiring blues and a drum solo that leaves crowds spell-bound! With packed out venues, the Gypseys have really started attracting passionate fans and musos that can't get enough

The band has developed a strong following in Pretoria and Johannesburg and are very excited about doing this quick one-week tour and will be playing some of their new material that they will be recording on their new album towards the end of July.

Lanie van der Walt will be recording the new album and Piet Botha of Jack Hammer will be producing it.

For a full biography and all the latest info, check out their website on www.sgq.co.za.

Upcoming dates:

Wed 23rd June - Song Writers Club, Newtown
Thursday 24th June - Back to Basix, Melville
Friday 25th June -Game Cock Inn, Bethlehem
Fri & Sat 2 and 3rd July - Oyster Festival Knysna, Al s Place
4th to 10th July - Grahamstown festival

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SWIM CLUB NEWS

Enigmatic post neu-rock outfit Swim Club have spent the last two months finishing their much-anticipated debut album at a secret facility in Milnerton, Cape Town. The band have been getting a lot of attention following the success of their 'Revolution' single on the SAmp3.com/Mweb charts

The album contains twelve arresting tracks and demonstrates a large musical palette. Included is a live track and three tracks that were used in the critically acclaimed documentaries 'Very Fast Guys' and 'Four Rent Boys and a Sangoma'. Nick Hauser (ex Mud Ensemble) also puts in an appearance, putting the now infamous sonic blue Tele to good use.

The album is currently being mastered by Paul Riekert at his brand new One F mastering plant and is scheduled for release in early August. The band has yet to decide who to release their material with and are carefully studying the fine print on the offers that they have received so far.

Listen to 'Revolution' by Swim Club at MWeb SA's Music Download section
http://www.mweb.co.za/hubs/entertainment/music/download.aspx

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MAY NEW RELEASES FROM ONE WORLD


The online SA CD store, delivering SA Music to the world!

3 CD Box Sets:
At the bargain price of R119.99 each!

Bobby Hendricks - Contains the albums: 'Magic Moments', 'Come What May' and 'Golden Gospel'
Various Artists - 'Street Bash' - Get the Street Bash series, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 included.
Movers - Contains the albums: 'Best Of The Best Vol 1 and 2' and 'The Hits'
Chimora - Contains the albums: 'Intandane', 'Abafazi Ababili' and 'Chimora'
Chicco - Contains the albums: 'We Don't Need War', 'I Need Some Money' and 'We Miss You Manelow'.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka - Contains the albums: 'Motherland', 'I'm Burning Up' and 'Thank You Mr DJ'
Elite Swingsters - Contains the albums: 'Now Or Never', 'Siya Gida - We Dance' and 'Ama Elite - Di Elite'
Bayete - Contains the albums: 'Mmalo-We', 'Umathimula' and 'Umkhaya-Lo'

Jazz:

The Trio (Nina, Kekana & Coyote) - 'My Pride My Joy'
The best of the current township pop stars, this is a mixture of the old and the new. With some of the tracks featuring Hugh Masekela and Tshepo Tshola.

Pop & Rock:

Band O' Gypsys - 'I Want You To Know'
A welcome return for the best Hendrix-inspired heavy metal SA band ever. There is lots of interest in this album by the band's old and faithful fans.

Syd Kitchen - 'Quintessentially'
A wonderful "Best Of" collection from Syd's albums over the past 20 years including 'Africa's Not For Sissies', 'City Child', and 'Waiting For The Heave'.

Wickhead - 'If It Hurts, It's Healing'
Debut album from one of the new crop of Johannesburg rock bands, contains their massive hit 'Anthem'

Various Artists - 'Authenticated Volume 2'
A collection of tracks from some of the bands signed to the Authentic Ideas label includes Jo Day, Wickhead, Tweak, BOO! 16 Stitch and others.

Isla - 'Lick The Lion'
A rough, tough, rude and lewd debut featuring punky female folk songs in English and Afrikaans.

Nemesis - 'A Lover's Guide To The End Of The World'
Another new SA band attracting a lot of interest with their intriguingly titled new album. Highly rated.

Prime Circle - 'Hello Crazy World'
Still one of the best-selling SA pop-rock albums with the massive hit 'Hello'

Arbor - 'Tower Ape'
Newcomers to the Cape music scene with an album that is fresh and a lot of fun, as their growing fanbase will testify

Bridgitte - 'I've Been Waiting'
'I've Been Waiting' has spent five weeks at No 1 on P4 in Cape Town, and is already on Algoa - this is destined to be the biggest local hit since 'U Touch Me' a song also written by Dr Victor, who co-wrote most of the songs with Bridgitte, and who also produced the album.

The Bats - 'Good Times'

Are they still around?? Yip and they are as popular as ever - here with a new album of old favourites revisited.

Township Pop:

Various Artists - 'Kaya FM - Reflections'
A true "reflection" of the songs that have shaped the SA music industry in the past ten years and a musical celebration of SA's ten years of democracy. Features - Miriam Makeba, Oliver Mtukudzi and many more big names

Gospel:

St Thomas YMG Choir - 'Best Of'
A collection of some of their greatest hits which, to date, were never available on CD, a total of fifteen great tracks on one album.

Lusanda Spiritual Group - 'Ungababek' Ityala'
The sultry voice of Lusanda is still remarkable as ever -once again this is a spiritual fulfilment/journey

Kwaito:

Trompies - 'Respect (Toasted Gona'Ganati)'
Even though critics thought they were down and out for the count, take the sounds of 'Spikiri', 'Ma-hoota', 'Jakaruumba' and 'Eugene' and you have the return of Trompies, as hot as ever

Rap/Hip Hop:

Pitch Black Afro - 'Styling Gel'
A revelation to say the least! This young lad from Meadowlands in Soweto has captured the hearts and ears of SA youth with his amazing Afro hairstyle, and witty character which defies everything theree is to defy in the current Rap music scene.

Fortune - 'Abom'rapper'
More proof that the SA Hip Hop scene is still a fertile ground, free-stylin' at its best from the very credible Ready Rolled stable that also brought you Tumi And The Volume

Traditional:

African Calabash - 'Journey Of Drums'
Featuring the sounds of the siqgubu, meropa, congas, bongos, djembes, tarbuka, shakers, cowbells, agogo and whistles, masterfully performed by African Calabash, the group who did the ever-popular 'African Drums'. Here accompanied by beautiful vocal melodies, African violin, Venda pipes, tablas and mbira. The sleeve, with its lovely African artwork, includes comprehensive album notes in six languages, as well as a colourful catalogue of the whole series. The CD also contains a video playable on computer.

House:

Oneeyedmonkey - 'Presents Peter Teanet Remixed'
The king of Shangaan remixed in true SA house music fashion.

Afrikaans:

Laurika Rauch - 'My Ou Tante Koba'
The latest in a long line of emotional and beautiful albums from one of Afrikaans music's best and most enduring performers

Gian Groen - "Met Die Maan Gepla"
Gian Groen is the new marketing name for the early band, Spinnekop, although the line-up is the same. The album contains Gian Groen's best work to date, including a surprise for the English fans.

Klopjag - "15de Laan"
This album covers a variety of genres and themes and contains ten new originals by Klopjag, as well as a new version of the Lucas Maree song, "N1 Roete". Klopjag have made a big impact on the Afrikaans music market since their debut album, "13/02", which was nominated for best new artist at the Geraas Music Awards.

Various Artists - "Skittersterre Van Gister En Vandag"
30 tracks from the biggest names in Afrikaans music ever. And at a bargain price of R74.99!!

Elzabi - "Mooiplaas"
Elzabi gets her inspiration for this, her debut album, from the musical styles of Jacques de Coning, Theuns Jordaan and Laurika Rauch, and writes and composes her own songs and music. Nine of the mostly Afrikaans songs tracks on the album "Mooiplaas" are originals.

A2Zee - 'Outjie.... '
A2Zee is Abby and Zina, a two-piece girl group from Eersterivier. There are ten original songs on their debut CD - with a little jazz, kwaito, disco, and also something for the lovers.

Instrumental:

Vincent Van Rooyen - 'Harmonica Spectacular'
The legendary Vincent brings versatility and creativity to the sound of the harmonica on an album that contains classical and Afrikaans instrumental music.

Classical:

Diva In Africa - 'Classically Zulu'
Supported by ClassicFM and uniting the European Classical sound with the colours of Africa Features the Umoja Choir, Khanyo and more.

Kiddies:

This Is Me - 'Kids Singing Kids' Songs'
A great collection of songs that kids will love to sing along to.

Order any of these titles at:
http://www.oneworld.co.za/default.asp?affiliateID=4321

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ARTISTS
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SPOTLIGHT ON: SUNWAYS

Last month, Wicked Mike caught up with Robbie Boake, frontman for the SA group Sunways, and some of the other members of the band, who are currently gigging overseas. Here is the full interview:

SUNWAYS: THE INTERVIEW

WM: How was the whole London Trip for you? You enjoyed it?
S: Absolutely. It was the second show in England. We sold a whole chunk of CDs so I'm very happy about that as well ... and they've invited us back again.

WM: What is the most exciting thing that has happened to you since you arrived (in the U.K.)?
S: We've played some really big shows in Belfast at the Mandela Hall and I guess we've been building up a substantial fan base in Northern Ireland. I think the best thing about being here really is being so central. We've made regular trips down to the south, to the Republic, and we've come over to Scotland. And every time we come back from one of these surrounding territories we get asked back so our touring schedule is definitely going to be quite huge at some stage. But it's basically been pretty much chalking up a brand new fan base from scratch here (even though we had done two tours while still being based in South Africa. Now we're pretty much an Irish band. So that's been the most significant interesting shift for us.

WM: Interesting that. Are you recognised as an Irish or South African band?
S: [unsure laugh]. It's kind of halfway ... sort of in-between. We have a full time Irish drummer in the band now as a permanent member and Sarah has her UK passport ... and I've now become a permanent resident. In terms of where we are staying, we're definitely an Irish band but a lot of our history is as a South African band so some people call us 'ex-South African band'; they sort of see us as a foreign band touring here (permanently), and other people are now calling us a Belfast-based band. So we're quite easy with both, you know ... it's kind of easy with us. Whichever way it settles down, it'll be the right way for us.

WM: You guys achieved a lot in South Africa. You had a good fan base and won the SAMA award for 'Best Rock Album' in 2002. But you guys got up and left. Can you explain that decision?
S: Yeah, I suppose the sort of break between us as a South African band and ending up in Northern Ireland was because we toured the UK while still being based in South Africa and kind of the timing worked out. We were starting to get interest on this side as well. We didn't want to end up one of those bands that just toured South African festivals and went on for the next six, seven years and eventually crumbled out because there was no next step. So we decided to build up things here while we could, being based in South Africa and then we would evaluate how it would feel to come over here more often ... and then it was a natural progression, really. It was that it was so expensive, in terms of paying Rands, to come out here, fly people out every time and fly back home. It made economic sense to be based over here where we were getting record industry interest.

WM: Tell us more about the industry interest.
S: Well, our label back in South Africa, Sheer Music, has been very supportive and they've been incredibly cool with us sampling a number of labels. They had been instrumental in terms of setting up industry contacts for us over here. We pretty much came over here to showcase and establish ourselves. They have been very, very cool. They put out the last album. We still have very regular contact with them, and in terms of sampling CD's and talking to other labels they've really been fantastic.

WM: So, then, what is your opinion of the S.A. music scene?
S: The reason why we ended up here is because we are very much an indie sort of do-it-yourself band. Our final chapter in South Africa was Sheer. When it comes to the South African, we're really not that in touch with it anymore. It's been probably fourteen to fifteen months since we've actually been there. We are going to have to expand our own possibilities as a career otherwise we would have been stuck in a smaller scale industry. It's a great industry, obviously growing from very small roots but there are problems in terms of (and am sure people are still talking about it) radio and TV quota systems ... and the same bands getting the same festivals ... and the same people running the same events ... and it pretty much does start to become quite stagnant. We had already been on two successful tours of the U.K. and come over here knowing that we had played hundreds of gigs in South Africa with some really cool people but that we wanted to take the message to other places in the world as well.

WM: Any plans in the far distant future to go back and do some gigs in South Africa? Treat the fans?
S: Um, I don't know. We had discussed this but it really wouldn't make sense on a financial level ... and we really are getting busier here. Unless it was a really fantastic opportunity, we wouldn't be turning down UK gigs to go and do that.

WM: It's good that you've got a lot going on here.
S: Ja, breaking new ground everyday. We play and then get asked to play a gig next door or something. To break Sunways in over the next few years is absolutely crucial. Head to the grindstone.

WM: How does it feel to have it happen so fast as opposed South Africa's slower process?
S: Ja, I think in South Africa we were really working our arses off but definitely the ratio of rewards (compared to hard work and distances to travel) is one of the biggest differences. We can pop over to the UK, be in London for the evening, do a gig, and the next evening go back to a farmhouse. Where, in South Africa, you might spend two days driving to get from Cape Town to Johannesburg. It's only one country whereas over here there are a whole lot of countries stuck together. The rewards and potential for getting interest over here is much higher.

WM: Do you want to get signed or be the indie band?
S: Well, at the moment we're not in a rush as these things take their course quite naturally and we're getting busier. We have been getting A & R. Some companies have started giving us calls. We don't really want to fast forward. It's about getting the right set together and deciding on the three albums, which are the most relevant songs we want to keep playing ... and we've got buckets of new ideas. So we're still deciding which of the new ideas we're sticking to the set and what the new chapter is going to be. Taking our time and getting it right.

WM: So, that's your plan of action?
S: Absolutely, we will be as hard working here as we were in South Africa. We will be playing as many gigs but probably in many more countries and many more cities … but there's no rush to get signed to anybody. We need to get our own sound absolutely perfect.

WM: And the next city you are going to pop over to is?
S: Definitely France. We've got an agent over there who's looking at gigs for next year.

WM: Have you had time to compose new songs?
S: Definitely, definitely. There is a whole lot of stuff that we've been working on which we're really happy with … we can feel it, the flavour of the band, and there are literally going to be another thirty ideas that we are going through and we have them in rehearsal. We put them into a gig somewhere… if it needs work, we put them back into rehearsal … so it's all a process of trying them out….. Songs are going in and coming out as much as possible.

WM: Have you recorded any?
S: No, only for demo purposes …

WM: That's what I mean.
S: Ja, no, we haven't considered doing another album. We're trying to get our first few albums out over here. As soon as we know what is going on, we will let you know.

WM: How have reactions been, playing to South Africans over here and playing to a foreign audience who don't know your music? What are the differences?
S: It is quite interesting because this is the first South African major gig we've played and we deliberately got hold of all of our friends and used all the South African advertising channels and the contacts that we have in London. It's the first time, pretty much, with a South African audience. Our gigs up to now have been to brand new fresh UK audiences and I would say the reactions were absolutely incredible. The "South African" gig reaction was also fantastic but it was more of a warm, kind of, 'South African band' see 'South African audience' moment.

WM: Your new drummer, Tim Rooney, how did he join?
S: When we decided to come over here, our then drummer, Shireen, had a number of business commitments and things going on in South Africa. When she joined Sunways there wasn't real talk of Sunways emigrating at all. So we did the tour and it went down fantastically with her. We really had a good time but then at end of the day, I think, when the reality hit that we were going to be based over here, she made the decision [to leave}.
We started auditions. That was about eight to ten months of going through a number of drummers who applied. We did auditions in Belfast and kinda narrowed it down to the final five, final three … and then we decided. We spoke to him about the profession he wanted to be in, gave him an idea of what we got going in South Africa already (he had done his own private little web search so he knew more about us than we did!).

WM: What clicked? What is it about him?
S: Partially, the criterion was someone who could learn three albums' worth of material quite quickly. So when we did the auditions, we noticed that Tim had picked up a lot of the subtleties. That was a big plus. He had a similar interest in music as we did. On an aesthetic level it was going to be an interesting combination because there were some similarities, some interesting differences. We kinda looked at him as a sheer leap of faith! [Laugh}

WM: I'm impressed he knew about you guys. That's really cool!
S: He had a whole lot of general knowledge, like he knew facts about the South African Music Awards and a whole lot of stuff.

WM: What is your opinion on the South African Music Awards?
S: It was fun to win [Laugh]!

WM: I'm sure it was! Rock Star moment!
S: Ja! It was fun to win. We weren't really expecting it. It was great because we got fantastic attention. Album sales did increase and it kind of put us on the map. In terms of long term sort of music career, it was just another chapter for us and definitely not a record breaking moment.

WM: So basically what you are saying it was a bit of TV fun and the SAMA wouldn't really change a band in terms of "well, now we're set"?
S: Ja, I don't think it made any difference…. Ja, you know it…. In South Africa it's more temporary. Whereas, over here it does make a really big difference to people. One premiere rock album could mean doors open.

WM: What bands are your influences?
S: Tim likes Soundgarden. We're into Smashing Pumpkins. He likes the more heavy power metal side of things and there's also a punk flavour to him. He was a member of a ska band before. That's an extra for us because we have that punk aesthetic for a band that started off doing wacky and weird arrangements.

WM: You've moved over to that?
S: Ja, we still have quite avante garde sound. By the next album we'll know exactly where we are. The band's evolving to the next stage.

WM: So on a more relaxed level, how are you all dealing with the cold?
S: God! We've had some pretty cold winter weather. We live on a farm outside Belfast. It's been like full on fireplace and heaters on! And sometimes going to bed fully clothed with a beanie on and your mouth is still steaming in the room. Like it's never going to warm up! We're walking outside and we say, 'Geez, it's really hot!' and it's like only twelve degrees.

WM: Stock up on your Milo hey!
S: Ja! [All laugh]

WM: Anything you guys miss about South Africa; biltong, milk tart?
S: The most things we miss is our family and a number of close friends. But that's pretty much it for now. Ireland's a beautiful country. We get really excited when we see a black person walking in the street! [laugh] Its like, 'Hey!…'

WM: 'Howzit going man!'
[All laugh]
S: Standing in Belfast the other day, a black woman walked into a card shop and her cell phone rang and she answered it in Zulu! I was so f*cking chuffed that I leaned over to her and said come to the Mandela Hall gigs! And she's coming and bringing a whole lot of her friends as well.

WM: Where is the farm you're staying on? What's it like?
S: At the moment we are living fifteen miles north of Belfast on a tiny little island called Island Magee [spelling?]. It's quite close to a little place called Whitehead. We are actually thinking of moving to Belfast 'cos we do regular rehearsals there. It's getting busier and busier and the whole idea of living on a farm is becoming a bit less practical.

WM: Have you guys checked out bands here?
S: We saw PJ Harvey and Morcheeba. And we've seen a band called Mogwai over here in the Mandela Hall as well. They are a really cool Scottish band. Apart from that, we've been pretty much busy. We haven't really had weekends off to go and see other stuff. We are planning to get to see some of the festivals.

WM: What haven't I asked you that you think should be mentioned, not just as musicians, but as people as well?
S: We are really ambitious. We knew what we were doing, I guess. There was a sense of enormity … of how big the decision was once we got here … but once we got here we've been really busy and gotten on with it. We've really found our scene and I am absolutely convinced that it was the only thing we could have done to get to the next level. We're now starting to get established. Its weird, like South Africa feels like quite a past memory even though it's not that long ago that we were playing all the festivals and everything. It's more like a brand new thing unfolding. So we're rally happy about that.

WM: That's excellent, so I'm talking to the next White Stripes!
S: [Burst of great laughter]

WM: Excellent man Robbie! Listen, thanks for your time.
S: Thanks for doing the interview and I hope the whole Wicked Rock takes off because it's really a great thing what you guys are doing!

WICKED MIKE
www.WickedRock.co.za

Listen to Sunways mp3s at http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html

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SPOTLIGHT ON: DUANE HAYLETT

Duane is the Cape Town artist and illustrator of the new animated comic book called 'Edentia'. Duane explains the background to the release of his new work:

When I was about 6 years old I saw Star Wars for the first time. I was absolutely amazed. The way George Lucas was able to depict an imaginary universe in such cool detail was incredible.

I was also very intrigued with Tintin and Asterix. I liked other comics but those two were definitely my favourites. When I was 8 years old I remember copying some Smurf toys and I then began creating my own characters. Over the years I wrote and illustrated many very short comics. The longest one was Heavily Armed Amigos but only in rough.

When I was 17 years old I began a comic called Dark World. It was a story about lizard creatures that rode on the shoulders of humanoid beings. In the background of one picture I drew this little blue creature hanging on a vine. Occy was born. Occy soon became the main character in Dark World. Many years later Dark World was sitting in a drawer and my interests, due to my Star Wars obsession, had turned towards filmmaking.

I began conceptualising a story called Edentia. One day I drew a picture of a human character along with Occy running away from a huge creature. The picture really appealed to me. Corgan and Occy were a pair. I went away on a camp and while away I excitedly sketched the first chapter of Edentia as a comic with Corgan and Occy, his guardian, as the two main characters.

When I got home I spent a month creating a 20-page A5 black and white Edentia comic. It took a few more months to do the next one. I began selling these comics and everyone seemed to love them. One person said to me that the books seemed too short. Also, there were a few story and character changes that I wanted to make.

I then decided to stop the A5 comics and began work on what turned out to be a 3-year project. I created a 60-page full colour A4 graphic novel. Technicalities forced me to publish the book in 2 parts.

Part One is Edentia - 'Other Forces' and is on sale now. Watch out for part two....coming soon

'Edentia' is available at Mabu Vinyl and other select graphic novel stores around Cape Town

Contact: Duane Haylett at Occy Design
mailto: occy@telkomsa.net

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MORE REVIEWS

More reviews can be found at:
Open Record Open Record
Amuzine Reviews

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CLASSIC SA ROCK:


Kurt Shoemaker (Texas), John Samson (London), Tertius Louw, and Brian Currin browse through the best of SA rock - its history, its people, and its music, past, and present.

USA FOR AFRICA - Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music.

KOBUS! - '100% SKULDGEVOELVRY' - [CDENT 002]

"If you could order dreams what would you buy?" That's the opening question on the new CD from Kobus!, and with this song we enter a world of 16 dreams, with a few nightmares, in four parts. But this world never forgets to be musical, and frequently rocks hard enough to lift one high.

'100% Skuldgevoelvry' is quite a ride (and cutely self-referential), hot at times, or sweet and homey, and bizarre once or twice (okay, a few times), and all 'round satisfying, meaningful, self-aware Afrikaans rock.

When the lyrics suit the music perfectly one hears excellent songs expertly performed. The lyrics are a major part of 'Skuldgevoelvry'. 'Roulied' is as powerful an anti-drug song as I have ever heard, the imagery is graphic, yet poetic, and set amid sinister hard rock, Kobus! style. 'Karel Void' is darkly prophetic in tone, and one of the bizarre ones.

When the lyrics and music combine in a song suited for performance volume, hard, loud, and aggressive, then you're listening to 'Kultuurfeestent', a funny-serious satire on many modern performers. Or you're hearing the hot number, 'Ek Wil Jou Soen', about a guy off to see his girl and, according to the song's train and tunnel sort of imagery, he desires more than a kiss and a cuddle. Or 'Story van die Duiweltjie en die Engeltjie', a parable set somewhere where fire and paradise meet; a hell of a good song.

Except when character voices sing, we have the manly vocals of Francois Blom and the inspired guitar playing of Theo Crous. Both men are rock veterans, Francois of Voice of Destruction and Theo of SNG, making this no usual sophomore work but a major work by creative talents in their prime.

These guys rock as hard as the hardest, and create pretty songs that contrast against the Big Rock numbers rolling us along. These guys can even take chances, like sing in funny voices, and it works!

The sum of the album is a CD like no other I know of, except the first Kobus! CD. The parts of 'Skuldgevoelvry' are many, ranging from the gentle and lovely melody of 'Bonny Brae' (such a nice place to live, and pretty mental music to wake up hearing--not at all a song to remove with a power drill), to 'Volk van Main' (an anthem with a message we should all heed). Music for all die volk van main!

And in the great tent full of room for all of us, though there's no skoppie music here on 'Skuldgevoelvry', and though I mamba better than Steve, I agree there's room for all of us in the tent, and we should enjoy what we like.

One song makes me feel uncomfortable, but succeeds because it makes me feel uncomfortable--as intended. So I skip "Oom Kobus" sometimes. It's a good song, and a fave of some, but my skin creeps when poor Oom Kobus screams: "Eyna! Eyna!" and the drill goes into his head. See what I mean?

'Skuldgevoelvry' by Kobus! is a CD full of dreams, and a couple of nightmares. It has a range of image and song so we can know the valleys from the mountains, the brights from the dark, the hard from the gentle--with more than hints of the bizarre.

Driving rock, melodic rock, exultant powerful rock. Lyrical strength. It all adds up to more than a well-rounded CD. 'Skuldgevoelvry' is a musical color wheel of dreams and vision that add up to an Important Afrikaans Rock CD.

(With thanks to Irene for more than a little help with the Afrikaans!)

Listen to 'Kultuurfeestent' by Kobus! at MWeb SA's Music Download section
http://www.mweb.co.za/hubs/entertainment/music/download.aspx

Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas
mailto:kurt@sarockdigest.com

----------------------------

A NAARTJIE IN THE UK - London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music:

SYD KITCHEN - 'QUINTESSENTIALLY' [NO BUDGET]

Something's been cooking in a Kitchen somewhere in Zululand for a while. There's been a pot (or lots of pot perhaps) quietly bubbling away with delicious catchy tunes wafting off the stewing intelligent lyrics and quite exquisite guitar playing. Until recently, this mixture has only reached the ears of the aurally sensitive, however things are threatening to boil over, and what better way to go over the top than with a collection of your best ingredients.

'Quintessentially' is not Syd's greatest hits package, mainly because he has been denied having hits by the SA media failing to recognise his talent, so I would rather describe this as Syd's Cream of The Crop package.

There are songs here from all 3 of his albums, some from his 'Amakoologik' e.p. and other previously unreleased tracks, like the haunting 'Midnight' which was recorded with his brother Pete. Having all these songs together in one place does give one a chance to experience the diverse nature of Syd's musical skills.

'Waiting For The Heave' is an album that exudes peace while at the same time being lyrically spot on. Those of you who are familiar with the UK artist Martin Stephenson will hear similarities, especially to the latter's 'Boat To Bolivia' album. The lilting beats of 'Perfect Conditioning' will have you tapping your foot along and nodding your head merrily in no time, as will 'Wastelands'.

'City Child' boasts 3 songs on the collection. This is Syd's jazzy period and he carries it off expertly. 1999's 'Amakoologik' saw Syd's African roots coming to the fore and this was developed further for the stunning 'Africa's Not For Sissies' in 2001. I guess the latter 2 could be described as African Folk with its ethnic sounds playfully living alongside folk sensibilities.

We've recently bought a new rubbish bin for items for recycling. The sticker on it says it is part of the Kitchen Collection, a fact I realised while 'Quintessentially' was playing. However, these 2 Kitchen Collections are quite different as one involves old things needing recycling while the other involves things old and new, but always fresh and definitely not in need of recycling.

Listen to Syd Kitchen mp3s at http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_e_k.html

John Samson, London
mailto:john@sarockdigest.com

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* CHART CHAT:

John Samson takes a weekly look at the the SA pop charts from 20, 25, 30 and 35 years ago this week.

'Proud Mary' stood firm at the top of the charts in 1969 for a second week. The Tremeloes' second top 20 hit for the year made top 5 this week 'Hello World' had made number 14 in the UK and was one of over 30 charting hits they had there. All 4 of the Tremeloes' SA hits made the charts in the UK, but none made it in the US. {More on the Tremeloes SA discography is at: http://www.cd.co.za/legends/africashakes/tremeloes_index.htm - Ed.}

This week in 1974 Paul Anka was into his 3rd week at the top with 'Solitaire', although there was a strong challenge from the Hollies. 'Waterloo' could well have been entitled 'Watershed' as this Eurovision Song Competition winner really put the Swedes on the map and was their first UK hit (and chart topper). However in SA we were a bit ahead of the game as Abba had already charted in 1973 with 'Ring Ring'.

Five years later and Abba were still charting with regularity. 'Chiquitita' was their 13th top 20 hit in SA, but it was Richard Jon Smith who clocked up his 7th week at the top. The Doobie Brothers featured the vocal talent of Michael McDonald and the song he co-penned with Kenny Loggins. 'What A Fool Believes' followed up its chart topping success in the US by entering the SA top 5.

Three weeks at the top in 1984 and South Africa had still not tired of 'The Clap Clap Sound'. From the week before 'I Want To Break Free' entered the top 20, the songs comprising top 5 songs had remained the same (albeit in different positions). 5 weeks on and this run was broken by Queen who were enjoying a bit of a comeback after 'Hot Space' and 'Flash' had not really produced the chart topping hits of previous albums.

South Africans at number 1 this week:

One Day At A Time - Marie Gibson (1976)
Michael Row The Boat Ashore - Richard Jon Smith (1979)

South African New Entries this week:

22-Jun-73 Sunday Girl - Peter Lotis
23-Jun-78 Heidi - Herbie & Spence (from the Cartoon television series)
24-Jun-83 Voices - Bobby Angel & Barbara Ray
25-Jun-71 Tomorrow Is Over - Dave Mills
27-Jun-81 Nightmare - Peach

John Samson

----------------------------

LM RADIO CHARTS
From this week we will be taking a look back at the LM Radio charts from 35 years ago:

LM Top 20 from 23 June 1968

1 Man Without Love - Engelbert Humperdinck
2 Honey - Peter Lotis
3 What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
4 If I Only Had Time - John Rowles
5 Jennifer Eccles - Hollies
6 Simon Says - 1910 Fruitgum Company
7 Cry Like A Baby - Box Tops
8 Something Here In My Heart - Paper Dolls
9 Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
10 Captain Of Your Ship - Reparata And The Delrons
11 Little Girl - Troggs
12 The Good, The Bad And The Ugly - Hugo Montenegro
13 White Horses - Jacky
14 Lazy Life - Quentin E Klopjeager
15 Congratulations - Cliff Richard
16 Lazy Sunday - Small Faces
17 Delilah - Tom Jones
18 Jennifer Juniper - Donovan
19 Lady Madonna - Beatles
20 Bottle Of Wine - Fireballs

LM Top 20 from 22 June 1969

1 [3] Proud Mary - Creedance Clearwater Revival
2 [2] My Sentimental Friend - Herman's Hermits
3 [8] In The Ghetto - Elvis Presley
4 [1] Hair - The Cowsills
5 [5] Love Me Tonight - Tom Jones
6 [6] Guitarzan - Ray Stevens
7 [9] The Boxer - Simon & Garfunkel
8 [4] Get Back - The Beatles
9 [7] Hawai Five O - The Ventures
10 [13] Happy Heart - Andy Williams
11 [11] Think It All Over - Sandie Shaw
12 [14] Come Back And Shake Me - Clodagh Rodgers
13 [18] Oh Happy Day - Edwin Hawkins Singers
14 [20] Grazing In The Grass - The Friends Of Distinction
15 [10] Goodbye - Mary Hopkin
16 [-] Big Ship - Cliff Richard
17 [12] 1st Of May - The Bee Gees
18 [-] Gimme Gimme Good Lovin' - Crazy Elephant
19 [16] My Way - Frank Sinatra
20 [-] Heather Honey - Tommy Roe

Comments:

Engelbert was at the top in 1968 while all-time classics like Louis Armstrong's 'What A Wonderful World' and Otis Redding's 'Dock Of The Bay' were also riding high in the charts. A local classic, 'Lazy Life', by Billy Forrest (this time using the pseudonym Quentin E Klopjaeger) was at 14. In 1969 Creedence knocked the Cowsills off the top spot while Elvis was making good headway. Also climbing sharply was the cover of Hugh Masakela's 'Grazing In The Grass' by The Friends Of Distinction.

Previous week's top 5 hits on LM

1 [1] Get Back - The Beatles
2 [3] Hair - The Cowsills
3 [4] My Sentimental Friend - Herman's Hermits
4 [7] Proud Mary - Creedance Clearwater Revival
5 [2] Goodbye - Mary Hopkin

(Courtesy of Marius Terblanche from Ladysmith in KZN)

------------------------

BIRTHDAYS

JUNE:

21 Edwin Starr
21 Ray Davies [The Kinks]
22 Alan Osmond
22 Kris Kristofferson
22 Joe Loss
22 Peter Asher
23 Adam Faith
24 Colin Blunstone
24 Jeff Beck (1944)
25 Carly Simon (1945)
26 Georgie Fame
30 Andy Scott [Sweet]





SOUND SOLUTIONS
A Reader's Forum: This is a selection of the email requests, questions, searches, and other pieces of random info we receive each week at the Digest. Sometimes we can assist, other times we look to you, our collectively well-informed readers to contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks if you do....!

Send all letters, short contributions, small band-ads, musical questions and other snippets to: soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com

----------------------------

'70'S TUNES

Hi.

I wonder if you can help me.

I am trying to get hold of the following songs from the 70's:

1) How do you do by The Rising Suns - about 1972
2) Ding a Dong by Teachin ( a eurosong vision song) -about 1973
3) Dancing in the Sun by John Holmes- also about 72/73
4) Brown Eyes- I think Tony Christie about 68

Where can I try obtaining these songs?

Thank you
Ashley Grupel
Mailto: Grupeaj@unisa.ac.za
---------------

BUY A DONKEY

Hi,

I just want to know where can I buy the CD or tape or even record of 'Little Red Donkey' as sung by the Troggs from 1967.

Thanks
Rina
Mailto:rina@786.co.za

This song, which was very popular in SA in 1968, appeared on the Troggs album 'Cellophane' released in 1967. It has been re-issued on CD as a "two-for-one" along with 'Mixed Bag'. Try www.Amazon.com.

Some info on the SA single release is at:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/fontana_index.htm - Ed.}

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FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

Hi,

Please help me to get a copy of the song 'Weeping' by Bright Blue. We have been trying ever since we heard it the first time on 94.7 to get one and I see that it is not on CD.

Can you not let us download from here?
Thanks,
Thys
Mailto:tpurchase@mweb.co.za

Ed. - 'Weeping' is available on Bright Blue's 'Every Now and Then', a Universal release: {cdsrbl (286) (146)}

You can buy it online at: http://www.oneworld.co.za/default.asp?affiliateID=4321

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GOING BATTY

Hi,

Can you please give me some advice as to where I can try to get a copy of the Bats' LP 'Weltevrede', I visit S.A. ever year and have looked all over the place even placed an ad in the Cape Argus.

Can you PLEASE help me?
Regards,
Joe McCue.
Mailto: joe.mccue@tiscali.co.uk

---------------

IT'S ZEN!

Hi,

Thanks for the mention in your "Wild Warriors" article (Digest # 253) - I reckon Andrew will be most chuffed to be compared to the great Bonzo!

As keen trainspotters, I thought you might be interested to know that the singer from the Durban band Nevermore was none other than Iain McKenzie - our current vocalist.

Keep rockin'
Alistair/Zen Arcade

---------------

NEW VENUE?

Hi guys
v We are trying to find a sponsor-partner interested in getting involved in a music venue to promote S.A. music, here in Melville, Jhb.

Anyone interested?

Thanks
Peter Taylor (Copperfield)
Mailto: petert@worldonline.co.za

---------------

AG PLEEZ MAN!

Dear All,

As the expat father of an English-born daughter who is now in love with Jeremy Taylor's greatest hit (with the possible exception of the brilliant 'Jobsworth'), I wonder if any of your subscribers might be in the position to let me have the chords to 'Ag Pleez Deddy'.

Look at it this way - you let us have the chords and before you know it there will be at least one person in leafy Suffolk able to carry the torch of a great moment in South African music.

I thank you.
Chris Campling
Mailto: Camplings@aol.com

Try Jeremy Taylor himself at http://www.jeremytaylor.info

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IT'S CALLED LONELY EYES? YOU THINK?

Hi,

I am trying to find a copy of a song I heard in SA around about 1978-82.

I think it was called 'Lonely Eyes', sung by a man, something like this:
"lonely eyes, says its thrilling,
lonely eyes, says she's willing
there's been too many night, too many lovers
maybe tonight wont be like all the others.


All I can remember, hope u can advise

Regards
Keith
Mailto:keithgriffin10@hotmail.com

---------------

GIVE THIS OU SOME CREDITS

Hey Okes

I've just worked out what to do with the stuff at the bottom of the Digest. Youse must put some paces between each oakes name and then skroll down slowly while playing some kool SA choons. It's then like watching the kreditts in a moovee.

Johnny from Boksburg

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GOT A QUESTION?
Please email any musical questions to editor@sarockdigest.com

-----------------------------

SPONSORED BY SOUND SOLUTIONS

Sound Solutions is a private music library in Cape Town that offers music searches, and the sourcing and recommending of songs and music soundtracks for television, film, and radio productions and commercials.

Contact:
Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541/423-7635
mailto:soundsolutions@sugarmusic.co.za

-----------------
MUSIC SHOPPING
-----------------

MABU VINYL & CD

Cape Town's finest Record and CD store is now located opposite the Long Street Baths, at the intersection "Where the four streets - Long, Buitensingel, Kloof, and Orange - meet"

Mabu is now open 6 days a week and 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:

Stallion - 'Stallion' (LP)
Harari - 'Bad Boys' (LP)
Miriam Makeba - 'A Promise' (LP)
Winston Mankunku - 'Jika' (LP)
Letta Mbulu - 'Not Yet Uhuru' (LP)
Wendy Oldfield - 'Beautiful World' (LP)

Latest independent SA CD additions:

Hog Hoggidy Hog - 'Oink!'

Top Sellers (in alphabetical order):

340ml - 'Moving' (Indie)
Arbor - 'Tower Ape' (Indie)
Bed On Bricks - 'Humanarium' (Bowline)
Benguela - 'Sui' (Open Record)
Chiaroscuro - 'A Definition' (Independent)
Dollyrockers - 'The Heat' (Independent)
Ezra - 'Funk 'n Roll' (BMG)
Fly Paper Jet - 'Live' (Indie)
freshlyground - 'Jika Jika' (Independent)
Fokofpolisiekar -'As Jy Met Vuur Speel sal Jy Brand' (Rhythm)
Godessa - 'Spillage' (Indie)
Goema Captains Of Cape Town - 'Healing Destination' (Mountain)
Derek Gripper - 'Blomdoorns' (Open Record)
Hog Hoggidy Hog - 'OINK!' (Indie)
ISLA - 'Lick The Lion' (Independent)
Kalahari Surfers - 'Muti Media' (African Dope)
Kallitz - 'Die Ding Ruk Mal' (Mothermix)
Syd Kitchen - 'Quintessentially Syd Kitchen' (No Budget)
Mitsoo - 'Afterglow' EP (Indie)
Not The Midnight Mass - 'Live At The Planetarium' (Independent)
Russ Nerwich - 'Beyond The Walls' (Independent)
Off The Edge - 'Site Under Construction' (Independent)
Plush - 'All That Is Should Be' (Indie)
Rodriguez - 'Cold Fact' (PT Music)
Rodriguez - 'After The Fact' (PT Music)
Rodriguez - 'Live Fact' (Sony)
The Rudimentals - 'More Fire' (Independent)
Sedwick - 'The Realisation Of Purpose' (Indie)
Serving Suggestion - 'Try Whistling This...' (Indie)
Colin Shamley - 'Born Guilty & Other Stories' (2CD set) (3rd Ear Music)
Tumi and the Volume - 'At The Bassline' (Sheer)
Various - 'Silvertab Harambe Dope Sessions' (African Dope)
Various - 'African Dope Sound System' (African Dope)
Various - 'African Dope Volume 1' (Sony)
Various - 'Cape Of Good Dope' (African Dope)
Various SA Artists - 'Big Red' - From the TV series 'Going Nowhere Slowly' (Ripchord)
Zinkplaat - 'Karoo Poison' EP (Indie)

This week's best-selling CDs at Mabu Vinyl & CD are:

1. 'Spillage' - Godessa
2. 'Moving' - 340ml
3. 'As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand' - Fokofpolisiekar
4. 'Live At The Bassline' - Tumi And The Volume
5. 'Big Red' - Songs from the TV series 'Going Nowhere Slowly'

All these South African CD titles are available to customers not in Cape Town:
Online at: http://sugarmusic.gemm.com
By Email Order from: mailto:mabu@sugarmusic.co.za

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
8001

Mabu buys and sells LP's, CD's, DVD's, videos, cassettes, and books.
Open Monday to Friday (10-6) and Saturday (10-1)

--------------

VIBES VINYL
Stadium-on-Main, Main Road, Claremont

This week's specials:

Yvonne Chaka Chaka - 'Motherland' (LP)
Coleskes - 'Die / The Coleskes' (LP)
Niki Daly - 'Living in the Suburbs' (LP)
Niki Daly - 'Whitey's in love' (LP)
Dealians - 'The Dealians Greatest Hits' (LP)
Lesley Rae Dowling - 'Lesley Rae Dowling' (LP)
eVoid - 'eVoid' (LP)
eVoid - '...here comes the Rot!' (LP)
Face to Face - 'Face to Face' (LP)
Falling Mirror - 'Fantasy Kid' (LP)

New record accessories, now in stock at Vibes Vinyl:-
- Turntable replacement needles available from us.
- We have a wide range of 12" Maxi Singles in stock.
- Now available: soft plastic sleeves for 7" Singles.

We are continuously in search of more stock and pay top prices for top quality LP's, Singles, CD's & DVD's

Want Lists Welcome!

Call us at: 021-683 5676
Postal address: PO Box 24045, Claremont, 7735.
mailto:vibesvinyl@mweb.co.za

Website catalogue now also at Gemm and Netsounds:
http://www.vibesvinyl.gemm.com and
http://www.netsoundsmusic.com/vibesvinyl

--------------------

GEMM

GEMM is your best online source for those otherwise impossible-to-find music titles on Record or CD! http://sugarmusic.gemm.com

--------------------

THE DIGEST CLASSIFIED ADS
-----------------------------

To advertise in this section please email:
editor@sarockdigest.com

--------------

NEW GOTH SITE
www.undergroundpress.co.za/

This site is dedicated to supplying the Goth Scene with a service and providing them with a reliable source of news, reviews, views on related topics, and allowing artists to display their art, and to sell their art, also to display their poetry and advertise their clothing designs.

All at a cost....

See www.undergroundpress.co.za/

---------------

GET YOUR SONGS UP TO STREET LEVEL!

If you have a song that should be heard by the world, Street Level Music Productions and Smack!songs Publishing want to hear it.

If it's up to it, we'll pay up to 50% of your demo costs, and pitch it to our list of international labels, artists and managers.

Email Chris on info@streetlevel.co.za

http://www.streetlevel.co.za

---------------

METAL JUNTO

Cape Town-based old school punk & hardcore band, Mental Junto, are looking for a second guitarist/vocalist.

Preferably between the ages of 18 and 23, with a minimum of 1 year's playing experience.

We play a mixture of old school punk rock and hardcore, with a lot of influences, ranging from Slime and Conflict, to Pennywise.

We're looking for someone who can play rhythm or lead guitar, as we do already have a guitarist in the band, but we're looking to expand our sound.

There is also already a lead vocalist, so vocal duties will be shared. We are already gigging, and have played a few shows in the Cape Town area. For any other info on the band, you can visit our website:

www.mentaljunto.za.net/

There is an MP3 on the site, so you can give us a listen and see if you like our sound before auditioning. We want someone who is daring to be different and demanding to be heard!

Contact us at:
Mailto:theband@mentaljunto.za.net or call Mike at: 082 738 4073

Rock on
Mental Junto

---------------------------

MUSOLIST ONLINE

Hi,

There is now a Musolist for SA Musicians, by SA Musicians....!

You can find it at: http://johannesburg.musolist.com/

--------------

SUBMIT YOUR SONGS TO 'GOING NOWHERE SLOWLY'

The 'Going Nowhere Slowly' crew are still looking for new SA songs for possible inclusion on the TV series soundtrack.

So while there's still time you can send your CD and a short biog to:
Aidan Harper
Ripchord
PO Box 12540
Mill Street Cape Town
8010

--------------

RIPCHORD STUDIOS

Ripchord is offering some special recording deals.
For the month of May only we will be charging only R900.00 per day.

Please phone Aidan on 424 3810 or 083 730 5549 to book recording space in our 16-track digital studio.

The rehearsal rooms are also cooking! - Fully air-conditioned, vocal PA etc Check the website - www.ripchord.co.za - from R40.00 per hour.

To book rehearsal rooms - please phone Steve on 424 3810 (o/h) or 072 519 0601

Call for music teachers:

Ripchord Studios have not only a digital 16-track recording studio but also have three air-conditioned PA-equipped practice rooms. These rooms normally operate from 5pm to 11pm, although we do have facilities for bands that wish to rehearse during the day.

We are looking for anyone who wishes to use our rooms for music tuition when bands are not rehearsing. We are situated in the middle of town on the corner of Long and Longmarket Streets (2nd Floor 157 Longmarket Street to be exact!).

Any interested parties can phone Steve or Aidan on 424 3810 o/h.

Call for songwriters:

Ripchord Studios also has a post-production facility for film work... features, commercials, music videos etc. We have two sister companies: Sting Models (who provide models, cast & characters for the film industry) and Crewsaders Film and TV Crewing Agency (who provide crew for the film sets).

We are looking for budding songwriters who are interested in writing music for commercials, soundtracks etc. and are currently putting together a showreel to market to the industry. We are looking for all genres of music.

Please call Aidan on either +27 21 424 3810 o/h or 083 730 5549 for more info. Any bands interested in making music videos can also call us on the above numbers.

Ripchord's sister company, STING MODELS, is looking for rock and pop star look-alikes! Sting supplies characters and cast to feature films, commercials and music videos.

So if you reckon you look like Robbie Williams, Britney or even Mozart - then give Heidi a call on 424 3810 for a screen test!

-----------------------

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

--------------

SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC QUOTA COALITION

Support the SAMQC, as this SA musicians' initiative, looking to greatly increase the amounts of SA music played on the nation's radio stations.

Join the movement, sign up, or read more at http://www.samqc.org.za

---------------

RODRIGUEZ

One of the most frequently Asked Questions on the Sugarman.org Forum is where to buy Rodriguez CDs. Well, you can buy Rodriguez CDs online at One World

----------------------------

DIGEST CLASSIFIEDS DETAILS

* To have your advert featured in the Digest Classifieds, and to find out the prices to do so, contact mailto:sugar@cd.co.za

The Digest Classified sections are sponsored by:

SUGAR MUSIC
http://www.sugarmusic.co.za

Contact:
Stephen Segerman - sugar@cd.co.za


 
LIVE MUSIC

RECOMMENDED SA GIGS
See http://www.sagigs.com

UPCOMING EVENTS
-------------------

Full details at http://www.SAgigs.com

KALLITZ - The Cape Town hip hop trio will be promoting their new 'Die Ding Ruk Mal' CD with a string of dates around Cape Town over the next few weeks.

STEVE NEWMAN - The Tananas' guitarist is doing a short tour in the Western Cape with friends Dave Goldblum from Port Elizabeth and Jane Gaisford.

DAVID KRAMER - The SA music star will be touring Bloemfontein and Pretoria in July 2004 and will be accompanied by his band and some of the Karoo musicians who play on the new album, 'Huistoe'

LUNA - One of the most exciting vocalists to emerge from South Africa this decade will be performing in Gauteng and Pretoria in July this year, to promote her self-titled CD, 'Luna'.

GOTH INDUSTRIAL GATHERING 2004 - Introducing Cape Town's first Goth Supergroup, "Revelus". The show will be something to see, complete with intelligent lighting and pyros. 26 June 2004 - Mercury Live Cape Town

FUZIGISH - The 'Exploited and Distorted Tour '04' now heads off across the country.

PIET BOTHA - Back from his Mozambique jaunt, Piet has a string of dates lined up in June in Gauteng

THE INDEPENDENT ARMCHAIR THEATRE - This week's line-up includes Dino Miranda, The Rudimentals, Verity, Plush, Izit, and Australian Kerrianne Cox - In Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town.

THE RUDIMENTALS - Cape Town's ska-punk sensations have lined up a national tour from Saturday 26 June - Saturday 3 July - Look out for posters and flyers in your area!

----------------------

UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS IN SA:

LORD OF THE DANCE - The Irish dance spectacular, 'Lord of the Dance', has achieved record-breaking sales for its current South African run, so additional dates have been added to the Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town legs of the SA Tour

--------------------------

SA ARTISTS OVERSEAS

SYD KITCHEN - Durban-based cultural guerrilla Syd Kitchen is currently touring overseas. The 'Empire Strikes Back' tour is timed to coincide with the release of his latest album, 'Quintessentially Syd Kitchen', and will see the guitarist, singer/songwriter performing in England, Wales, Norway, Denmark and the USA, including an appearance at the prestigious Glastonbury Festival in late June.

VUSI MAHLASELA - Vusi now has several European visits lined up for the rest of 2004 and is currently in the US for another tour through June/July and will appear at selected dates alongside SA music superstars Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Then it's over to Holland for shows on 27 & 28 August at the Luxor Theatre in Rotterdam. These latter shows will also feature Johnny Clegg and will raise funds for the Cotlands care centre in Johannesburg. This will then be followed by a huge 27-date UK tour, opening for none other than Ladysmith Black Mambazo

--------------------------

MUSIC WORKSHOPS

LIVING MUSIC WORKSHOP SERIES: JUNE 2004 - The Living Music Workshop Series is back! After a month's break, the series is back with another month of informative and FREE workshops catering for all aspects of the music industry. Sponsored by the New Clicks Foundation, the June series is set to sparkle with newcomers, Thandi Swartbooi, Michael Horne, Clement Benny and Daniel Bloom, as well as an old favourite, Shane Mahoney.

--------------------------

SA MUSIC FESTIVALS

OPPIKOPPI 10 - It`s all systems go for this great SA music festival's 10th birthday celebrations with updates on the line-up, stages, stalls and tickets.

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GIG FOCUS
------------

KAREN ZOID

Karen Zoid will be playing unplugged at Back 2 Basix on Fri 25 June.

This is a show not to be missed. Back 2 Basix is ready for a Party!! and we are going to Rock with Karen. If you haven't been to Back 2 Basix before it's time you get there to experience the best up-close-and-personal show!

Back 2 Basix, C/O Kingsway & Lancaster, Westdene, Johannesburg.
Bookings essential because only a limited number of tickets are available!
Call Mariska for reservations and tickets on 011-7266857!!
Ticket price R85.00 per person

---------------

KALLITZ

Last week the new Cape Town hip hop trio, Kallitz, launched their debut album, 'Die Ding Ruk Mal', at a zoosh do at the Long Street Cafe. That launch party will be featured on SABC 2's 'Pitstop' on Wednesday, 23 June 2004, as well as on www.musica.co.za

Kallitz will be promoting their album with a string of dates around Cape Town over the next few weeks. Here are those dates:

Saturday, 26 June 2004 @ Tygervalley Shopping Center, 11 a.m.
Thursday, 1 July 2004 @ The Armchair Theatre, 9 p.m.
Saturday, 3 July 2004 @ the Grahamstown Festival, 3 p.m.
Sunday, 4 July 2004 @ the Grahamstown Festival, 3 p.m.
Thursday, 8 July 2004 @ The Armchair Theatre, 9 p.m.
Sunday, 11 July 2004 @ the Waterfront Amphitheatre, 3 p.m.
Thursday, 15 July 2004 @ The Armchair Theatre, 9 p.m.

Listen to Kallitz on MWeb SA's Music Download section
http://www.mweb.co.za/hubs/entertainment/music/download.aspx

---------------

STEVE NEWMAN

Steve Newman is doing a short tour in the Western Cape with friends Dave Goldblum from Port Elizabeth and Jane Gaisford.

These are the dates:

Barleycorn Folk Club
Monday 21 June - Steve Newman, Dave Goldblum and Jane Gaisford

Dorp Street Theatre, Stellenbosch. Tel 886 6107
Tuesday 22 June - Steve Newman, Dave Goldblum and Jane Gaisford

Obz Cafe, 115 Lower Main Road, Observatory. Tel 448 5555
Thursday 24 June - Steve Newman, Dave Goldblum and Jane Gaisford

Blowhole Bar, Southern Right Hotel, Glencairn 782 0314
Friday 25 June 7pm - Steve Newman

Acoustic Café, 120 -124 Main Rd, Muizenberg. Tel: 788 1900
Sunday 27 June 8pm - Steve Newman, Dave Goldblum and Jane Gaisford

Listen to 'Makweru' by Tananas (featuring Steve Newman) at
http://www.samp3.com/songs_l_s.html

---------------

"NOW PLAY SOME REAL MUSIC, DAMMIT!"

Set in the ornate splendour of the Durban Manor - the old Durban Club on the Esplanade - June the 26th, starting at 7pm, sees the big-band, hard swing, deep blues & rock group 'The Burlesque Supergroup" headlining an evening of music titled... "Now Play Some Real Music, Dammit!".

Fronted by Richard Walne whose songs get the 11-piece band treatment, digging into bad-land territory and good-time rock 'n roll.

With a 4-piece horn section, the Durban Diva's Carol Trench, Karen van Pletsen and Donnagh Roberts, guitarist supremo Jochen Zeller, Roly Struckmeyer on bass, Grant Emmerich on drums and jazzman John Edwards on piano, they will play after The Interitmo Drummers, The LoveChic Jazz Ensemble and GroofMeister Brandon McGugan who will complement the evening with their own subversities.

---------------

TANGO AT THE VILLA

Sun 27 June - Villa Pascal [28 van der Westhuizen Str Durbanville], will present 'El Tango en Africa' - an evening of this erotic and passionate music of Argentina featuring accordion virtuoso Stanislav Anguelov with The Cape Town Tango Ensemble.

The Cape Town Tango Ensemble was started by Stanislav Anguelov in 1996 as an Accordion and Piano Duo with intention to perform this music at concerts. They specialize in Argentinean Tango ranging from the old fashioned Classical Tango style from the first half of 20th century up to the Tango "Nuevo", started and developed by the famous Argentinean composer and Bandoneón virtuoso Astor Piazzolla.

Their latest ideas explore the mixing between African Rhythms and sounds with the "Tango Nuevo" style. Hence is the name of their CD "El Tango en Africa" (Tango in Africa), released last year.

Stanislav Anguelov (accordion) received a degree in Accordion from Academy of Music and Dance in Plovdiv-Bulgaria. He has performed at concerts in Bulgaria, France and Poland. In 1992 he moved to Cape Town where he teaches and performs. Stanislav has done recordings for SABC, and has been featured on the CD's of many local artists and in 1998 he released his solo album called 'Stanislav'.

In 1999 he performed together with Cape Town Symphonieta at Sun City Super Bowl accompanying the British singer Elaine Paige. On 29 November 2003 Stanislav was invited to perform at the "Nelson Mandela 46664 Concert" at Green Point Stadium-Cape Town, where he performed 2 songs 'Say it is not true' with Queen and 'Great song of Indifference' with Sir Bob Geldof.

In February 2004 he was invited by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra to perform the Concerto for Bandoneón (or Accordion) and orchestra by Astor Piazzolla.

Tickets: R60.00 Not to be missed! Limited Seating!!
Time: 19h00
Bookings: Eugene on Tel: 021-975 2566/082 5694147
Email: pascal@intekom.co.za

Issued on behalf of Villa Pascal
Eugene Lebreton
email: pascal@intekom.co.za

Listen to 'Made In Africa' by The Cape Town Tango Ensemble at Rhythm Records
http://www.rhythmrecords.co.za/el_tango.html

---------------

RP STUDIOS EMERGING SOUNDS COMPETITION

Emerging Sounds still has three record deals courtesy of Sheer Music to give to three bands or groups over the next ten months - Swallow 15, our first band to receive this record deal will be releasing their album in July this year. We still have an opening for this Saturday at Tempos for the Johannesburg leg and then openings for the Pretoria leg at Nile Crocodile on Thursday, June 24. (See listings below).

The next Durban regional final takes place on Friday, June 25 - see listings below. Bookings are now open for bands and groups for the July weekly Johannesburg legs as well as the monthly Pretoria and Durban legs. The next Nelspruit and Vaal legs take place during July and the Bloemfontein leg during August.

The next regional final of the RP Studios Emerging Sounds takes place at the Coliseum Show Bar, Caesars Gauteng on Sunday, July 4 and the next Quarterly final takes place at Circus Maximus, Caesars, Gauteng on Sunday, August 15 where a second record deal is awarded to the winning band or group on the day. So if your group or band is based in one of the aforementioned regions then here is the perfect opportunity for you to kick-start your musical career.

If your group or band has five original songs and aged 18 and over then phone the Squire on 082 770 7524 to enter or for further information. (Remember should your group or band get through to the Quarterly Final then you must have ten songs ready to record with Darryl Torr).

This event is open to all groups and bands irrespective of musical style including pop, rock, kwaito, hip-hop, punk, metal, r 'n b in fact all forms of music are welcome as long as the group or band comprises of a minimum of three members and a maximum of seven.

If you are serious about your music then call the Squire on 082 770 7524 and book your place in what could become musical history.

JOHANNESBURG - RP STUDIOS EMERGING SOUNDS
Saturday, June 26 - Johannesburg final
Event starts at 15:00 and there is a R30 cover charge
· Re-Play
· Left Hand drive
· Winner of June 19
· Plus a wild card entry (one of the groups that entered during June will be given the opportunity of also performing in this final) ·

PRETORIA - RP STUDIOS EMERGING SOUNDS
THURSDAY, June 24 - NILE CROCODILE - R10 cover charge
· In-Dreams

DURBAN - RP STUDIOS EMERGING SOUNDS
REGIONAL FINALS
Friday, June 25 - Winston Hotel - R10
· 12 Gauge
· Saturnine
· Sibling Rivalry
· Deathstar Preview
One of these bands will go through to the next Quarterly Final at Circus Maximus, Caesars Gauteng.

For further information contact Mike on 083 742 5145.

NELSPRUIT - RP STUDIOS EMERGING SOUNDS
Saturday, July 10
For further information contact Simon "Squire" Foulds on 082 770 7524
VEREENIGING - RP STUDIOS EMERGING SOUNDS
Friday, July 23
· Whiplash
· Plus others

For further information contact Simon "Squire" Foulds on 082 770 7524.

--------------

SA PUNK*SKA*METAL*HARDCORE
By Daniel Neville

THE HALF PRICE CD FUND RAISER
At the Purple Turtle

It was just starting to rain as I stepped out of my car and through the purple arches of the all-too-familiar building.

"Back at the Turtle", I thought to myself and made a beeline through the regular punters surrounding the bar. First up was Dingus, these guys have been around for about a year now and never seem to play many shows. But when they do, they always impress me. With a very Afro ska/reggae sound, they seem like a very chilled-out band. But if you take a closer listen to their lyrics you will discover a very angst-ridden band.

After a good tight set, and a couple of silly covers like the 'Oros Song' and 'Head Shoulder Knees And Toes', Dingus handed the stage over to a band that is fast becoming a favourite amongst the local crew. With an increasing air of professionalism, 3 Chord Theory proceeded to give the crowd something to listen to. 3 Chord Theory now have played enough shows to have a crowd that knows all the words to their songs which makes their shows even better.

Joe, the front man with his signature hair style and rolling eyes, really got the crowd going and had to eventually tell the crowd that there was no more from them and to stop chanting for them to keep on going.

Half Price then plugged in and played hard, which is what I expected them to do since they were trying to raise money for their new CD (which they are going to record at B# studios in Joburg next week). Look out for this new CD because, judging by their set, they are going to produce a real beauty.

The final act to take to the stage was the almighty Hog Hoggidy Hog, who just seemed to carry on from where they left off after their amazing performance two weeks ago at their own CD launch. The Hogs played most of their new songs which were way better than when they played them at the CD launch, but that was probably because the crowd all knew the words and almost drowned out George.

Even though the new songs are brilliant, the old ones will never die and 'John And Phillip's Song' still got its usual response, and the crowd almost broke the stage for the millionth time when they all tried to climb up and sing the "Oh a Oh's".

All in all it was a good show and I give my best to Half Price as they head off to record their new CD far away from home.

[DN]

--------------
SA Punk Gig Guide:
-------------

Fri 25 June - Schivas Rock - Pretoria - 9pm, R10
The Terrorists
Legion of Fire
Light Brigade

Sat 26 June - The Independent Armchair Theatre in Observatory - Cape Town - 9pm, R30
THE RUDIMENTALS MORE FIRE TOUR 2004 www.punk.co.za/html726/www.rudimentals.co.za
The Rudimentals
Hog Hoggidy Hog

Tue 29 June - Die Mystic Boer - Bloemfontein - 9pm, R15
THE RUDIMENTALS MORE FIRE TOUR 2004
www.punk.co.za/html726/www.rudimentals.co.za
The Rudimentals

Wed 30 June - The Mishi Jones Baseball Park - Durban - 8pm, R20
THE RUDIMENTALS MORE FIRE TOUR 2004 www.rudimentals.co.za/
The Rudimentals
Sibling Rivalry
Low Profile
Mr Smug

Daniel Neville
mailto:daniel@neville.za.net

-----------
LIVE IN LONDON
-----------

THE GATHERING OF THE SCATTERLINGS
Johnny Clegg @ The Hammersmith Carling Apollo, London, 7 June 2004

'Johnny! Johnny! Johnny!'. It's hot. Savuka - Sweat. 'Johnny! Johnny! Johnny!'. Asimbonanga, we have not seen him. 'Johnny! Johnny! Johnny!'. Don't touch the atmosphere - Danger! Gevaar! Ingozi! 'Johnny! Johnny! Johnny!' It's louder, it's growing till the light momentarily fades and a deafening wave engulfs the faithful. 'JOHNNY! JOHNNY! JOHNNY!'. Bodies press close in the heat, necks crane for glimpses. 'Hello? I'm at a Johnny Clegg Concert. I SAID I'M AT A JOHNNY CLEGG CONCERT!!!'. Hold the phone for all to hear, can't hear me, only 'Johnny! Johnny! Johnny!'.

I'm no longer searching for the spirit of the Great Heart, it's here (and hear) in the heat in the heart of London. A pulsating throng cajoling 'Asimbonanga', pleading 'Scatterlings!!!' DEMANDING 'IMPI!!!'. I think I know why the dog howls at the moon. Do I? Do I care? I know why we howl at the man, howl with the man. Karaoke never felt so good. 'Dela'. We wave in time, mass aerobics. Words, rhythms, sounds cascade over us. We hear Africa, we see brightness, we breathe sunshine. We are sitting on the top of Kilimanjaro (but don't hear it).

'Steven Biko' - a roar, at last a hero to the pale. The white black's back and white backs black. 'All Along the River' - a flood of emotion and voices. We are Impi, we are warriors of the beat. We are dance warriors as we jostle with each other for our allotted space.

'Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Johnny! Johnny! Johnny!' Two score years and ten (plus one for the road, on the road) today. White Zulu 51 years young. He's moved, we're moved, we move. Hambile - The Dance, you know…THE dance. A frenzy as the drum speaks and the dancers move menacingly.

Well did you evah? No, not like this, not quite so intense, so together, the crowd, the band the music, the rhythms as one. One heaving, dancing, singing, shouting peaceful militants mass. The rainbow man reigns supreme.

[John Samson]

-------------------
LIVE IN SA
-----------

KOBUS!
WithThe Uninvited - live at The Mercury Live, Cape Town, Saturday 12 June

The Uninvited are a competent new band on the Cape Town live music scene and one which are really hard to categorise. Modern Rock with elements of punk, grunge and hard rock were well received by the packed Mercury Live crowd. Of course everyone was there to see Kobus! but the Uninvited did a good job of warming up the crowd.

When Kobus! did finally take the stage it really was a sight to behold. All members wore Alice Cooper type eye-paint and Francois and Theo spat out classic Afrikaans Glam Metal through Gene Simmons-like fake blood, dripping on to their shirts.

Their set was a mix of numbers off both CD's and all numbers sound heavier live. On "Jou Oe" Francois sang to a skull and on ''Ek Wil Jou Soen" he cavorted and caressed a blow-up doll. On everyone's favourite, 'Hoenderman', The Hoenderman himself appeared, dancing between Theo and Francois. Theo and Francois also did two numbers with backing tracks just to show how it all started and of course how "main" they are!

What sets Kobus! apart from other live bands in South Africa is that Kobus! don't just play the songs, they perform them and each time they sound fresh and new. As musicians all are the best at what they play and Francois has to be the best vocalist/performer in South Africa today. His vocal range is just incredible, and that much better because it is in Afrikaans. As a live band Kobus! has set the standard and they will be a really hard act to follow - even for international bands. This was and probably will remain my gig of the year and I'm sure most of the Mercury Live crowd would agree.

Ernie Pap

P.S. Speaking to Francois after the gig he told me of a limited edition CD of his previous Afrikaans Gothic project, Die Kruis, followed next year by a V.O.D. retrospective CD including a few new numbers. Wow!

Listen to 'Kultuurfeestent' by Kobus! at MWeb SA's Music Download section
http://www.mweb.co.za/hubs/entertainment/music/download.aspx

---------------

RIGHARD KAPP AND POLSTAR
Live at the Indie Armchair, Observatory, 9 June 2004

Always watch out for a left-hander playing their guitar upside down. Think of the '60s when Paul McCartney or Jimi Hendrix were pushing the envelope in their own way. Righard Kapp is another such leftie, but rather than searching for the perfect pop, or the Dionysian high of the ultimate guitar solo freak-out, Kapp explores an ambient world of billowing parabolas of sound. Forget rock music, this is Rothko music, with swathes and washes of luminous sound.

Righard Kapp cuts a solitary figure, seated and hunched over his guitar, tuned into every loop, note, buzz, crackle, and wave of feedback made from a single guitar, a dodgy cable, and a collection of effects pedals. Reminiscent of the UK shoegazing scene of a decade ago, he rarely looks up, as if unaware of the audience around him. In fact, this could be Suid Afrikaanse shoegazing, as Kapp has his takkies off to gently coax the sound from his foot pedals.

His music is sparse, hypnotic, introspective, and otherworldly, inhabiting the same sonic landscape as Benguela and Brendan Bussey, as well as the warped ambience and the uneasy listening of Oval, Labradford, the Aphex Twin's second volume of ambient works, and Kiwi post rocker Roy Montgomery.

Juxtaposed against Kapp were Polstar.

If I'm on the lookout for guitar wielding southpaws, admittedly I am wary of power trios in retro Nike trainers, the latest trendy clothes, and - unless you are the Velvet Underground - sunglasses after dark. Their "moody piano songs and retro instrumentals" are sort of Funk-tinged pop, sort-of-Tortoise-ish, but not quite as out there.

Polstar are the antithesis of Righard Kapp.

While Polstar set was about bold statements and quick thrills, Kapp's was about delayed climaxes, and restraint. Where Polstar are into traditional pop song structure and three-minute slices of pop, Kapp's set evolves, with his pieces (I daren't call them songs) evolving, slipping, and sliding into each other until the final cathartic wall of noise.

Where Polstar merely use their effects boxes to fill out their sound, Kapp uses his as an instrument in itself. While Polstar have spent too much time immersed in pop culture and being cool, Kapp's music is the product of too much time noodling on his guitar in the bedroom absorbed in the music, and although Kapp is prepared to plough his own furrow, it is Polstar who come across far more self-absorbed. Polstar are a celebration of trend savvy pop consumerism, Kapp is a complete rejection of it.

Unfortunately, Righard Kapp's Post Rock will not draw many fans, and will sell too few "product" and be too FM unfriendly for all but Open Records, but if you do see his name on the bill for a gig, do yourself a favour: Go see him.

[Chris Hill]

---------------------

SA GIG GUIDE

The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can now be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com.

If you cannot access SAgigs.com then e-mail gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week.

Please send all gig info to sugar@sagigs.com in a plain text e-mail.

 
SA Music Links And Resources


SA MUSIC LINKS:

THE SA ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA WEBLINKS PAGE:

Links to the world of SA Rock - artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links

----------------------------

SA MUSIC RESOURCES:

THE SA ROCK DIGEST ON SAFM (104-107KHz)

THE BRUCE MILLAR SHOW - MONDAY EVENINGS @ 9.15PM
Stephen Segerman, Digest co-editor, talks to Bruce Millar about SA music news, new releases, and charts from each week's Digest.

----------------------------

SA ROCK DIGEST CONTACT DETAILS:

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

To subscribe to The SA Rock Digest - please send an e-mail to:
subscribe@sarockdigest.com

Address changes - please send an e-mail to:
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To unsubscribe - please send a blank e-mail to:
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----------------------------

SA ROCK DIGEST BACK ISSUES
http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives
Online and keyword searchable

----------------------------

PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS
Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, requests, searches and comments to sugar@sarockdigest.com

----------------------------

EDITORS

Any thoughts, requests, problems, complaints, praise or interesting and relevant SA music news, CDs, or mp3s... please contact:

Stephen Segerman
sugar@sarockdigest.com

Brian Currin
http://www.vagabond.za.net/contact

----------------------------

MAIN CONTRIBUTORS

BC - Brian Currin
SS - Stephen Segerman
JS - John Samson
KS - Kurt Shoemaker
CL - Carina Laubscher (Katvrou)
TL - Tertius Louw
DN - Daniel Neville
NN - Nadia Neophytou
WM - Wicked Mike
DM - David Marks
LR - Lindsay Ravenscroft
DS - Don Sweeto
LAD - LAD
EP - Ernie Pap
MC - Michael Currin (Curmic)
FB - Francis Bryan
JFB - Johnny From Boksburg

And others too numerous to mention, but gratefully acknowledged!

Proofed by Ronx

A SUGAR MUSIC PRODUCTION

 

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