Lastly, there's the soundtracks from the film 'Elizabeth' and (the soon to be shown on M-Net, although at a latish hour) animated cartoon series, 'South Park'. This has the hit single 'Chocolate Salty Balls' by 'Chef', played in the series by soul great Isaac Hayes.

Cheeseburger of the Century
22 March 1999 It really was nice of the ANC government to allow the SA National Anthem to begin with Nkosi Sikelel i'Africa and end with a bilingual version of 'Die Stem', but it was still an unwieldy tune and bored the pants off those overseas test match spectators. So now it has been reworked into a more fluid (and shorter) version and this exciting, emotional and cool new anthem can be purchased on CD for your listening and learning pleasure.

MELT 2000 have agreed to a distribution deal with Nebula BOS and the first release from these labels is 'Urbanzulu', the latest set of songs from the legendary Zulu/Maskanda vocalist, Busi Mhlongo. This album has already topped the World Music Charts for two consecutive months and will hopefully find similar acclaim back home. Other new albums on the Nebula BOS release sheet include Nine's new album 'Entropy', Boo!'s debut album and the second album from harpist Merle Thompson, who covers some sweet tunes by Paul Hanmer and Abdullah Ibrahim.
 
Sony music are expected to begin a renewed marketing campaign for the Lauryn Hill album which grabbed a handful of Grammys due firstly to its multi-nominations and secondly because it's a bloody marvelous album in the first place!

Not many new SA albums out at the moment. Lots of international stuff though. There's the hot new album from the angelic little British songbird, Charlotte Church, whose saccharine versions of songs like 'Pie Jesu' saw her shoot to stardom in the UK. Also released through Sony are the soundtracks from 'The Faculty' (with its version of Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick In The Wall') and 'South Park', the crazy cartoon series which will be opening its SA TV run in April. Shawn Mullins has been grabbing plenty of radio play with his 'Lullaby (Rock-a-bye)' soft-rock single and the full album 'Soul's Core' is now on SA shelves. Further back in the "I" section of the CD store is a cool little album by Ivy called 'Apartment Life', which is going to attract many listeners as the months go by.

BMG have decided that Elvis someone or other is definitely the "Artist Of The Century" and will be releasing plenty of Presley product as the year progresses to put the issue completely beyond doubt. They've also released the new Whitney Houston collection and the current US chart-topping album from Jay-Z, 'Volume 2...Hard Knock Life'. But their biggest new release is the "16 years late/later" album from Blondie titled 'No Exit'. The first single from this album, 'Maria' went straight to the top of the UK charts, displacing the similar Cher 'Believe' single. Debbie (Deborah?) Harry may be a little older and er, wider, but she still has more sex appeal in her pinkie then Celine Dion has in her gigantic (titanic?) ego.

Virgin has a new Fetish
22 February 1999 MELT 2000 have agreed a distribution deal with Nebula BOS and the first release from these labels is the latest set of songs from the legendary Zulu/Maskanda vocalist, Busi Mhlongo. 'Urbanzulu' is reviewed below in our reviews section.

Other new albums on the Nebula BOS release sheet include Nine's new album 'Entropy', Boo!'s debut album and the new South African National Anthem.

Fetish have signed to Virgin SA and will be releasing their first EP on that label in the next few weeks. A quick listen to an unmarked cassette reveals a departure from the sound of their acclaimed first album to a more "Portishead on downers" approach with vocalist Michelle Breeze using the opportunity to exorcise her assorted demons in some slow, wordy ballads. The new Fetish album, 'Shade of a Ghost', was launched in Johannesburg after the band's impressive WOMAD performance.

Sony music are expecting to begin a new marketing campaign for the Lauren Hill album which should grab a handful of Grammys due firstly to its multi-nominations and secondly because it's a bloody marvelous album in the first place!

Paul Weller, ex of the Jam and the Style Council, has released his greatest (solo) hits compilation, titled 'Modern Classics'. After four solo albums, Weller has put together a strong and eclectic group of songs, spearheaded by his best known recent song, 'Wildwood'. Metallica have a double CD in our stores featuring some new and some old material.

Abba have a new compilation out now titled 'Love Stories', which is simply some of their classic ballads remastered from their original master tapes. Like they still need the money!

PolyGram has also released 'Soweto: South African Township Music', a collection of the finest songs by those artists who have contributed to this sprawling Gauteng township's musical legacy. Artists include Chicco, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Kamazu and Senyaka.

And finally, Steve Hofmeyr has just released his 11th CD, enigmatically titled 'Southern Cross', on the EMI label. Now an established author, poet, actor and husband, Steve has refocused on his musiek career and will promoting this CD on a national tour. So now you know!

Oh! there's also a new Roxette CD out now....hello, hello!!! where's everybody gone?

Boo! to you too
8 February 1999 Paul Weller, ex of the Jam and the Style Council, has released his greatest (solo) hits compilation, titled 'Modern Classics' After four solo albums, Weller has put together a strong and eclectic group of songs, spearheaded by his best known recent song, 'Wildwood'.

PolyGram has also released 'Soweto; South African Township Music', a collection of the finest songs by those artists who have contributed to this sprawling Gauteng townships musical legacy. Artists include Chicco, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Kamazu and Senyaka.

If you walk into your local music store and see a CD cover with the words "Boo!" on it, don't catch a skrik, just ask the shop assistant to play you this debut offering from this mad SA trio of manic groovers. For more info, please see the review below.

A "New Dawn" for SA Music
1 February 1999 Sheer Sound have released the ensemble live album 'Mahube' and will be promoting this album with a series of concerts featuring this twelve-piece group. The Cardigans latest album 'Gran Turissmo', with its successful first single 'My Favourite Game' currently moving up the charts, is now on a local CD release and is very recommended. As is the 1998 offering from the Manic Street Preachers called 'This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours'. This Manics' album has been described as their best to date and has a more complete and thought-through feel than their last few.

On the SA front, TKZee's 'Halloween' is still way out in front in the sales charts but is being closely tracked by Brenda Fassie's latest album 'Memeza'. Fassie has been written off many times but always seems to pop up again with top-quality material and this new album is no exception.

Mahube (Who dey?) and the Hounds
18 January 1999 "Hullo, is that the ACME  SA Music company? Can I please speak to your MD? He's still on holiday?? OK, please can you ask him to release some new albums already as all we can find in the CD stores are those hundreds of compilation CDs?"

The usual January story, not much new in the market, except for the Jazz Hounds new CD 'Dogma' which is reviewed in our "CD of the Week" section below. There is also a new CD by the (super)group Mahube which is being released on the Sheer Sound label.The director of this ensemble project is Steve Dyer and the musicians include some of the bigger names in contemporary SA jazz like Oliver Mtukudzis, George Piri, Phinda Mtya and Sean Fourie among others.

So maybe catch up on the better CDs you may have overlooked last year. Like the latest Black Noise album 'Hip Hop Won't Stop', Paul Hanmer's 'Trains To Taung' masterpiece that is still gaining more and more of a crossover cult following, and the exciting and eclectic 'Incidents' album by Colorfields.

All those Christmas and Hannukah albums
21 December 1998 Fresh Records have released the excellent debut EP CD by Anti Gravity called 'Disaster' to add to their already bulging roster of new SA acts. The EP includes three mixes of 'Disaster' and two of 'Lust'. Sony Records have released the double best of George Michael, the new Mariah Carey hits collection titled '#1's' ('All The Hits') and the very-welcome Oasis collection of B-sides titled 'The Masterplan'. There is also a new, live Pearl Jam CD, 'On Two Legs', which promises to be a big seller in 1999.

Sony has released Meatloaf's double (natch!) 'Greatest Hits' CD, Offspring's newie 'Americana' and two dance compilations, 'Crash' and 'Dance Pool'. EMI have responded with Duran Duran's greatest hits collection, the last Last Poets album 'The Love Movement', Robbie Williams' smash album 'I've Been Expecting You', a double R. Kelly album and two new SA female vocalists, Carole Leigh's debut single 'Whatever It Takes' and Amor's 'Wild Cherry Kisses'. There's also the goofy soundtrack from the new Cameron Diaz comedy, 'Something About Mary' and the new 'Hits 98' big singles compilation.


New Nude Girl's EP leads SA Xmas-shopping invasion
30 November 1998 The new Springbok Nude Girls EP, 'Opti Mum', is almost upon us and the first single 'Again', and its accompanying video has been receiving much media exposure. Sheer Sound has released the sensational new Zim Ngqawana album 'Zimology' and Tic Tic Bang have the new Battery 9 album 'Wrok' out now.

On the kwaito scene there's new albums from Arthur ('Chomi'). TKZee ('Halloween'), DJs At Work (with DJ Christos and Da Vinci), as well as EPs from Skeem ('Can't Get') and O'Da Meester ('Fosholo'). Nebula BOS have released the Colorfields, Swarm and Trans.Sky albums and will have many new and exciting SA indie albums in their Musica racks shortly.

On the international scene there's new albums from Mariah Carey, Cher, Whitney Houston and Hanson. Mariah Carey releases a compilation of her 13 big singles and four new recordings titled '#1s'. Cher's new album 'Believe' has been doing big sales since the first single from this album, also called 'Believe', topped the UK charts ahead of newies from George Michael and U2. Hanson has a Christmas album 'Snowed In' on the shelves and Whitney Houston has released her greatest hits collection with all new songs on it. Sorry, that should read some old hits and some new songs. Alanis Morrisette's new album 'Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie', is sitting on top of the US album charts and the U2 limited edition double "best of" CD is being snapped up quickly so try and get that before you can only get the single version without the B-sides CD.

Dire Straits have their 'Greatest Hits' collection on general release with an accompanying video. PJ Harvey's new album, 'Is This Desire?' is another feather in her rather full cap and is recommended.

Finally, keep a look out for the debut album from the rated new SA artist, Louise Carver titled 'Mirrors And Windows' on the newly formed Silver Tulip Music label.

REM, RE Rooted and Kwality Kwaito
16 November 1998 It's kwaito month with some hot new albums heading for your stores. TKZee are releasing their debut album to follow up on the major success of their two previous CD EPs, 'Palafala' and 'Shibobo'. Titled 'Halloween', this eagerly anticipated CD was officially launched on Halloween, natch, and is expected to sell well.

It will have some competition from upcoming new albums from Arthur, Trompies, Penny Penny and Brenda Fassie. There is also the posthumous release of the final Basil "Mannenberg" Coetzee album to honour this great SA jazz musician's sad passing earlier this year.

The 'Re Rooted' mixed SA artist trip-hop collection is also highly recommended. Released by Fresh Records, this album has a jaw-dropping and innovative series of collaborations between an assortment of South African artists, DJs and producers. Tananas, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Colorfields, Sugardrive, and the Original Evergreens, they're all here and serving up some very stimulating concoctions.

Watch out too for the latest Barenaked Ladies album 'Stunt' featuring the smash hit 'One Week' and an intriguing debut from the exciting new female artist Imogen Heap. Titled 'I Megaphone' (an anagram of her name, crossword fans), this is going to be one of the big albums of 1998.

Also out now is the new Ladysmith Black Mambazo greatest hits collection titled 'The Star And The Wiseman'. Battery 9 add to their "cannon" of recorded sound with the full length and all new-songed, 'Wrok'.

Among the more interesting titles on the "Indie Music Explosion" are the promising CD EPs by One Large Banana ('Don't Feed The Animals') and Shooflys ('To Fly') and the recent album by Scooters Union ('Vivid Memories Of Static'). Also look out for the excellent new SA dance-trance-pop album by Cape Town singer Ayala ('Satellite Café') and the buzz album of the month, 'Incidents' by Colorfields, Tim Parr and his choms' new band.

PolyGram have released the new album by the Senegalese artist Wasis Diop ('Toxu') and the new U2 single 'Sweetest Thing' which is a 'Joshua Tree' B-side and the leader single for the upcoming 'Best Of' collection. Following on the success of her 'Looking For Love' single, Karen Ramirez has her full album 'Distant Dreams' now on sale.

Keep a look out for the debut album from Louise Carver titled 'Mirrors And Windows' on the newly formed Silver Tulip Music label and the first album by Karma (ex-Henry Ate) on Primedia Records.

On the international front there are also new albums on the way from Alanis Morissette ('Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie') and Beck ('Mutations'). Also causing great excitement among Dylan fans is the release of the 'Bootleg Series Part 4' which is actually a full and remastered version of the legendary acoustic/electric concert at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in 1966.

UB40, the pop-reggae collective, have their new 'Labour Of Love Part 3' now on general release with the odd Neil Diamond cover thrown in. You know what to expect from these ous so do what you feel is right.

We receive many queries about upcoming releases from the Cape Town rockers The Usual. The good news is that they have recorded 13 new tracks in demo form and will be showcasing these songs in a series of December gigs. Thereafter they will head back to the studio to record the follow-up to their two excellent EPs. Expect a new album around March next year.

Watch out too for 'Jamza', the hot new kwaito album by Kyllex and remember to try and get a copy of E'Smile's debut album 'Mi House' which is causing a big buzz up in Gauteng.

All the new SA and international CDs
8 November 1998 'Bosch-rockers Dorp have released the follow up to their spiky 'Five Steps Off The Pacemaker'. Titled 'Danger, Gevaar, Ingozi' (cool title!). These funsters are known for their ska-ish repertoire and this album is chock-full of more of the same energetic and funny material.

On the local scene we have new albums from Sons Of Trout ('Ticks On George'), Battery 9 ('Wrok') and E'Smile ('Mi House'). SA power-poppers Amersham have also launched their latest opus titled 'Upside Downside' which tends more to the noisy uptempo then the quiet and satirical. E'Smile (pronounced Ishmael) has been building a reputation for himself after his acclaimed first single 'Joburg City'. His new album 'Mi House' features that song as well as his new single, 'Mi House'.

Besides the new Paul Hanmer CD, Sheer Sound have also released the new Sipho Gumede album 'Blues For My Mother', the follow-up to his recent 'Ubuntu' and 'Best Of' releases.

With other new contributions by Seed ('Seed') and Plum ('Jump Back') in the stores, October is looking like a bumper month for SA music.

On the international front, new 'Best of' compilations are expected soon from U2 and Depeche Mode (The Singles 86-98'). Low-key Irish outfit U2 will be releasing a three CD series beginning with a straight greatest hits collection. This will be followed by a B-sides and unreleased tracks anthology. The new Hootie and the Blowfish album 'Musical Chairs' is now on local release through Gallo and should repeat the success of their first two monster sellers.

Courtney Love's band Hole have their new album 'Celebrity Skin' in SA stores as we speak. For all those Nirvana fans, this is the opportunity to decide whether Mrs Cobain leeched her songs off her much-missed, genius hubby or is, in fact, a major talent in her own right. Billy Corgan was involved in the production of this album for a while before he and Love clashed and she carried on without him. Besides the Hole album, BMG Records have released the exciting new live Mary J Blige CD 'The Tour'.

The new Sheryl Crow album 'The Globe Sesions' is also now out and features the first single off the album, 'My Favourite Mistake', as well as a great cover of the Dylan track 'Mississippi' which was left off his latest 'Time Out Of Mind' album . David Gresham Records have also released a stunning industrial rock-type compilation called 'Euphoria' which includes a remix of the Battery 9 track 'Kiss The Machine'.

Sweet September for SA Rockers
October 1998
The much-missed and gothy No Friends Of Harry are back, only to be leaving again soon. They will be touring to promote their career retrospective 'Fly By night' album before switching off their amps permanently after hitting their heads against the SA music rockface for many years. Valiant Swart, Stellenbosch's favourite rock son, has his latest 'Roekeloos' CD in the stores and Amersham's new album, 'Upside Downside', is also due for a September release. Fellow 'Bosch maniacs Dorp have their second album, 'Danger, Gevaar, Ingozi' (great title!) coming at you just when you'd figured out their Dylan-does-ska 'Five Steps Off The Pacemaker' EP.

Tic Tic Bang, purveyors of all that is spot-on in SA music, have released new material from Trans Sky, Plum and Seed. "Killing Floor" is Warrick Sony and Brendan Jury's shot to the heart of the crossover market and the brain of the serious SA music listener. Sony's mastery of the eclectic and acoustic sound-byte coupled with Jury's viola additions and vocal shadings, give Trans Sky a real shot at being SA's ground-breaking lynchpins.

Plum's 'Jump Back' EP features 'Jump Back' and a remix of this single, with 'Milton's Party' and 'Jump Up'. Seed's debut album is imaginatively titled, er, 'Seed' and has six tracks including the new singles, 'Trying To Be' and 'Shattered'. All seven members of Plum and Seed have joined forces in Sofa-loafing, the "machine-gun rap" collective offshoot.

On the international releases in SA front, David Gresham records have released the two recent Heather Nova CDs, 'Oyster' and 'Siren'. Polygram have the new Tom Waits collection 'Beautiful Maladies', the James Brown classic 'The Payback' and the seminal Hugh Masekela album 'The Boys Doing It' on the local shelves. Seek out the very chilled José Padilla album 'Souvenir', the solo album by Café Del Mar's major DJ.

BMG have released Tony Rich's second album, 'Birdseye', hoping it will achieve the same mega-success as his 1996 Grammy-award winning debut 'Words'. They have also put their faith behind Brian Wilson's latest Californian pop epic 'Imagination' with a deserved local release.

Moses and Dr Doolittle
10 September  1998
The big new SA release this week is 'Genes And Spirits' by Moses Taiwa Molelekwa (see CD Of The Week below). The soundtrack from the new Eddie Murphy movie 'Dr. Dolittle' is now out and features the cream of the current US rhythm 'n blues artists. Another soundtrack to watch out for is 'The Big Lebowski' featuring Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello and a cool version of the Eagle's hit 'Hotel California' as performed by the Gypsy Kings!

There's a new album by the British band Semisonic and the eagerly awaited CD by Ultra Nate featuring the hit singles 'Free' and 'Found A Cure' with its 'Sunshine Of Your Love' sample. If African music is your bag then search out the new CD by Samite called 'Silina Musango', so far the African CD of the Year, no contest.

Copyright © 1996-99 Amuzine . All rights reserved.