SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #216 http://www.sarockdigest.com Established 27th January 1999 8th September 2003 ---------------- EDITOR'S NOTE ---------------- If you miss any issues of the Digest, then you can still read each week's Edition, in full colour, online at http://rock.co.za (updated Tuesdays). You can also find all the previous editions of the Digest archived at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives The deadline for Digest submissions and SA gig info is Friday 12 noon. If you would like to contact us, please do not reply to this newsletter! Rather send an email to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=Digest Thanks! Ed. -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- Sharon Katz returns to SA ... Sepultura in Cape Town ... Steve Louw and Big Sky Live ... Awesome Africa 2003 ... The Idiots win the CT Battle Of The Bands ... Arno Carstens' new album ... Jo Day's 'The Truth' ... September releases from One World ... Spotlight on Scarlet Host ... Kurt goes searching for SA CDs on eBay ... John listens to Semisane ... False Pretence ... Wild nights in Pretoria ... The Collection ... Readers' letters to Sound Solutions ... Charts ... Recommended Live Events ... with a full list of those concerts and all the details at http://www.SAgigs.com ------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ------------------------------------- For a full-colour and clickable HTML version of the SA Rock Digest with images, please visit http://rock.co.za where the online version of the SA Rock Digest can be found. Updated every Tuesday. -------------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ON THE RADIO -------------------------------------------- Digest co-editor Stephen Segerman presents his SA music slot on the Bruce Millar Show on SAfm (103-106fm) on Monday evenings between 9 and 9.30pm. ----------------------------------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA ----------------------------------------- http://www.rock.co.za From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Daddy' to 'ZX Dan'... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.rock.co.za ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of Recommended Gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com ----------------------------- ONE WORLD ONLINE CD STORE ----------------------------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Sharon Katz returns, Garth Taylor gets Simply Red support, Steve Louw and Big Sky, Mike de Jager, Awesome Africa 2003 2.CHARTS: Top 30 SA mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: SA mp3s & CDs: Arno Carstens, Zen Arcade, Sept. Releases 4.USA FOR AFRICA: SA CDs on eBay 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: Semisane - 'Room 2 Breathe' 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok Radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: A Readers' Forum 8.LIVE MUSIC: Events round-up, SA Punk, Rock in PTA, The Collection and Friends 9.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- SHARON KATZ RETURNS TO SA South African Grammy-nominee and international performer, Sharon Katz, will be returning home to South Africa with her world-class band, and special guest, Dolly Rathebe, for performances at Manenberg's Jazz Café in the V&A Waterfront on Friday and Saturday nights, 3 & 4 October, at 9:30pm. The Manenberg shows are part of Sharon Katz's countrywide tour that also includes concerts at the Awesome Africa Festival in Durban, and Kippies in Johannesburg. The tour marks the 10-year anniversary of Katz's 1993 musical extravaganza, 'When Voices Meet', which showcased a 500-voice multicultural choir and 10-piece band to herald in the coming of our non-racial democracy. Later that year, Ladysmith Black Mambazo also joined Katz's touring group as the performers travelled around the country onboard The "Peace Train". In addition to The Peace Train's `90's hit songs 'Gabi Gabi', 'We Are The Children of South Africa', and 'Siyajabula', the SA concerts will also feature tracks from their new Grammy-nominated CD, 'Imbizo', and other new tunes that Katz and Rathebe are currently recording. Travelling back to South Africa with Sharon on this tour are 35 American fans who have come to provide their support for the country's economic development. In addition to Katz on guitar, the band features Durban's Nhlanhla Brian Thusi and George Mari on trumpets, Roland Moses on keyboards, America's Junius Pop Wilson on bass, Eric Roberts on drums, Lynn Riley on saxophone, and the Congo's Elie Kihonia on percussion. -------------- GARTH TAYLOR TO SUPPORT SIMPLY RED Durban's Garth Taylor will be supporting British superstars Simply Red on their weeklong South African tour beginning this week. Garth Taylor has enjoyed massive success with his song, 'Why...?', which has been play-listed nationally on many radio stations. Together with gigging all over Cape Town and Durban, this has built him a solid and expanding fan base and instant success. This also secured him one of the opening slots for Shaggy's concert in Durban in 2001. Garth also performs the title track for the official Natal Sharks album, and his latest album, 'Who Am I', was produced, recorded and arranged by himself. Taylor has just released a single with Idols finalist Melanie Lowe called 'Islands In The Stream' {a cover of the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton hit - ed}. The Simply Red tour is brought to you by Big Concerts International, in association with Kfm 94.5 in Cape Town on the 13th; in association with AlgoaFM in Port Elizabeth on the 15th; in association with East Coast Radio in Durban on the 18th; and in association with 94.7 Highveld Stereo in Johannesburg on the 20th of September 2003. Tour Dates: Saturday 13th September - Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town Monday 15th September - Vodacom UPE Indoor Sports Arena, Port Elizabeth Wednesday 18th September - Westridge Park Stadium, Durban Saturday 20th September - Dome @ Northgate, Johannesburg Booking at Computicket www.computicket.com 083 915 8000 For more information on upcoming shows: www.bigconcerts.co.za -------------- MEET AND GREET SEPULTURA AT CDW-CT Wed 10 Sept (4pm) at CD Wherehouse Cape Town Cape Town hard-rock fans are invited to the CD Wherehouse on Wednesday at 4pm to "get up close and personal" with Sepultura, the Brazilian music legends who are finishing off their tour of SA with a final gig in Parow that same evening. This is a great opportunity for metal fans to meet and greet these auspicious rock visitors. The band's latest CD will be available and the band will answer questions, sign autographs, and whatever else you can think of. Don't miss out. -------------- THE RESULTS OF THE CT BATTLE OF THE BANDS Seventeen Cape Town bands participated in the Cape Town 'Battle Of The Bands' competition over the past weeks. The competition was presented as a "revival" of the famous Battles of the Bands of the '60's, with most bands dating back to that era. A capacity crowd of 2 500 packed the main arena at Dockside in Century City on Sunday night (August 31), to witness the finals and applaud the players, with Derek Gordon in the middle of things as compére and fill-in comedian. The winners of the 2003 Cape Town 'Battle of the Bands' were The Idiots, who took home the R10 000 first prize. The second place went to Metallic Sunn, with Nu Trend third. The other placings were Jam Rockers fourth, Gayan fifth and Shelac Proof sixth. Some "Best musicianship" awards were also presented to: Lead guitar - Patrick Canovi (Metallic Sunn); bass guitar - Reggie Edwards (The Idiots); keyboards - Henry Barenblatt (The Idiots); drums - Denver Furness (Jam Rockers), and vocals - Dave Ornellas (The Idiots). Dave Ornellas is better known as the singer from Hawk, the legendary '70's SA Afro-rock band. The judges for the competition were Mynie Grové, Stavro Michel, Al Etto, Derek Marks and Jerry Barnard. Due to the huge success of the event, Dockside has announced that the 'Battle Of The Bands' will be staged annually from now on. -------------- MIKE DE JAGER SIGNS TO BEHRINGER UK guitarist, Mike de Jager from Stourbridge in the Black Country, has signed a sponsorship deal with Behringer, one of the largest manufacturers of professional audio and MI equipment in the world. Behringer Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH was founded by Uli Behringer some 13 years ago. Today, the Behringer group of companies has a global presence across 5 continents and more than 1,500 employees in 20 countries. During the past year, Mike has used Behringer's state of the art V-AMP2 for his entire studio and live work with great success. The new deal will see Mike using new Behringer V-AMP PRO Professional Guitar Amp Modeling and Multi-Effects Processor with Additional 24-Bit/96 kHz Digital Output and ULTRA-G Cabinet Simulation in conjunction with the MIDI FOOT CONTROLLER FCB1010 Midi Foot Controller with two Expression Pedals. Visit Behringer for more details. The South African-born guitarist is busy recording his third album 'With These Hands' which is due for release in 2004. The album features duets with guitarists from the USA & the UK, including duets with world class musician and 'Guitarist' magazine music editor, Adrian Clark. The album also features a new genre in music which De Jager calls "Zulu Rock" as De Jager is the first guitarist/musician in the world to add some serious hard rocking metal guitar to traditional South African Zulu music. De Jager recently joined up with Pete Emms to form a funky new metal band called The Vaseline Rats. Emms has many album credits and world tours to his name including work with Al Atkins, the original Judas Priest front man. The two are hard at work writing and rehearsing the new band and begin recording the material in the autumn. Besides the 2004 release of De Jager's solo album 'With These Hands', the V-Rats new album, yet to be named, is also due to be released at the same time. Both albums will be supported with concert tours to Europe, the USA and South Africa. For more information check out the following websites: www.mikedejager.co.uk www.mp3.com/mikedejager www.behringer.com Check out Pete MZ Emms at Ashdown Music where he has a sponsorship deal along with Spector Basses www.spectorbass.com or www.ashdownmusic.com LISTEN to Mike de Jager mp3s at http://www.SAmp3.com/artists.html -------------- STEVE LOUW & BIG SKY - LIVE DATES Steve Louw and Big Sky have announced three live dates in the Cape, beginning with a concert at Kirstenbosch on Wed 10 Sept. Steve Louw and Big Sky are a phenomenal South African live rock act and their stunning show has played to sell-out audiences around South Africa over the past few years. The group, who won a FNB Music Award for 'Best SA Rock Act' in 1996, will be performing some of their classic hits as well as new songs from their latest album release, 'Beyond the Blue'. Rock guitarist and singer songwriter, Steve Louw, will be joined on stage by Willem Möller (guitar), Peter Cohen (drums), Schalk Joubert (bass) and Simon Orange (keyboards). Steve Louw has been prominent on the South African rock scene for the last 15 years and has played with members of The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Springsteen's E Street Band, Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, and The Pretenders. He has produced records with the producers and engineers of Aerosmith, U2 and Led Zeppelin. Big Sky also backed Rodriguez on his first sold-out tour of South Africa in 1999, performing to capacity crowds at the Velodrome and Johannesburg's Standard Bank Arena. Steve Louw and Big Sky will also be performing at the Dorp Street Theatre, in Stellenbosch (Thursday 11 Sept), and at the High Street Theatre in Durbanville (Saturday 13 Sept). READ, LISTEN & BUY http://www.stevelouw.com -------------- AWESOME AFRICA 2003 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz presents the fifth Awesome Africa Music Festival, which will be held during September this year in Durban's inner city district as part of the Inner Thekwini Urban Renewal Management Programme (iTRUMP). The choice of venue is an integral part of the drive to bring visitors and tourists back into the increasingly cosmopolitan CBD by creating an exciting point of focus to link the bustling Albert Park district with Wilson's Wharf and other places of interest in the harbour. The Festival is the anchor event of the city's "Celebrate Durban" week. "The festival features 300 artists from 24 different countries. Over the years it has developed a unique multi-cultural musical identity which includes unusual marriages of different genres and styles, and musicianship of the highest order. It is well on its way to establishing Durban as a nucleus of excellence in the African arts and highlights its 'Gateway to Africa' status", say festival directors Dan Chiorboli and Prof. Pitika Ntuli. A veritable "who's who" of international and local musicians will be featured on the 3 Main Stages - the Joy of Jazz Stage, the Celebrate Durban Marquee and the Musiques-Metisses stage. Headlining is Jonathan Butler with his all-star USA-based band. The international contingent includes: Moussa Diallo (Mali), Basiru Suso (Gambia), Saintrick (Senegal), Achieng Aburu (Kenya), Nicholas Kotei Djanie & Yao Atsu (Ghana), an 11 strong troupe of Aboriginals featuring Kerrianne Cox, Richard Walley and the Pigram Brothers (Australia), Deepak Ram (India), Companyia Electrica Dharma (Spain), Diamond Musica (Dem Rep of Congo), Boi Akih feat. Sandip Bhattacharya & Ernst Reiseger (Indonesia/India/Holland), Guy Villerd Ayler Project (France), Carlton Rara (Haiti), Wax (Cameroon). Also Gito Baloi (Mozambique), Zanzibaris and Makua (Tanzania/Mozambique), Nharo Bushmen (Botswana), Shawn Phillips (USA), Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes (New Orleans, USA), Phil Manzanera (UK), Chunky Butt Funky (UK), Sacred Drummers (Reunion), Grillig (Holland), Royal Dutch Piano Trio (Holland), Cedric Vandenschrik (Italy), Philipp Maier (Germany), Sunduza Dance Theatre (Zimbabwe) and The Siphon Hip Hop Project including Constructus (SA), Interlope (France) & Zong (Reunion). The South African artists include: Rebecca Malope, Brenda Fassie, Tananas, Arno Carstens & New Porn, Zola, The Gateway Philharmonic Orchestra, Zweed, Roger Lucey, Brendan Jury, Vusi Mkhize, Phuzekhemisi, Sharon Katz & the Peace Train, Nibs van der Spuy, Free & the Meditators, Umgidi WamaNazaretha, Lamontville Gumboot Dancers, Bafo Bafo (Syd Kitchen & Madala Kunene). There's also the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band - Director Darius Brubeck, Ellis Pearson & Bheki Mkwane, Nightscapes - a multi-cultural dance piece directed by Jay Pather, Sbu Dube & Pride of the Zulu, Freedom Extravaganza, Cynosure, Malkia, Melvin Peters Quartet and Brian Thusi & the Durban Jazz All Stars featuring Sandile Shange, Paul Kok, Milt Johnson, Gerald Sloane, Theo Bophela & Philani Ngidi. The indigenous theme which the festival has established is continued this year with the "Trancing in Dreamtime" collaboration between Australian Aboriginals and San Bushmen. This unique event is to be filmed and released internationally. As in previous years The Fringe will include a rich selection of satellite events leading up to the festival with "Awesome on the Water" at Wilson's Wharf in the harbour, Gateway Mall and in historic Courtyards within the Albert Park district itself. Some of the most boundary-breaking collaborations are established in these events where knowledge is shared between established and up-and-coming artists. A feast of international hip-hop at the BAT Centre on Friday 26 September features the Siphon 2003 Hip Hop Project where top acts from SA, France and Reunion share the stage - Constructus and Blakfist of Garvey (SA); Interlope (France) and Zong (Reunion). A comprehensive and enlightening series of Educational Jazz Workshops is to be held at the Durban Music School. These free workshops are aimed at beginners and experienced artists as well as musical connoisseurs and teachers. Twin Festivals. Awesome Africa is proud to be associated in twinning and cultural exchanges with Kongsberg Jazz Festival (Kongsberg, Norway), Musiques-Metisses (Angouleme, France) & MOYA (Maputo, Mozambique). The lower part of St Andrews Street will be closed off for the festival. There will be a flea-market of eclectic, carefully-chosen craft and food stalls as well as a Healing Village, Children's Activities, Street Theatre and Magicians. Main: 27 & 28 Sept Fringe & Courtyard Events: 19 to 28 Sept Educational Jazz Workshops: 22 to 26 Sept Booking is open through Computicket. Credit card booking on 011 340 8000/083 915 8000. Tickets - R50 a day, children under 12, R25. Full programmes available at all Computicket outlets through KZN and can be emailed to you on request. For more detailed information visit the website on www.awesomeafricafestival.co.za ----------------------------------- 2.CHARTS ---------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [2] (1) Summer Sun - Zen Arcade ('Release'/Indie) 2. [4] (2) Fallacy - Not My Dog (Wolmer) 3. [5] (3) Affliction - Scarlet Host ('Do It Yourself Volume 1' EP/Indie) 4. [1] (1) Make It Your System - Lazarus ('Parallax View'/Indie) 5. [7] (5) The Meaning Of Goodbye - James Stewart (Street Level) 6. [8] (6) Springbok Sampler - Springbok Nude Girls (Sony) 7. [3] (2) Geek - Jakkie Louw en Daai Band ('Klein Karoo Cowboy'/Afrimusik) 8. [10] (8) House (mix) Of The Rising Sun - Hot RS ('I Get So Excited'/EMI) 9. [16] (9) Humanarium - Bed On Bricks (Indie) 10. [14] (10) Milk Cow Blues - Delta Blue ('Inbluesstation/Merchant Records) 11. [21] (11) Cosmo Girl - The Fallen (Indie) 12. [11] (1) Madiba 1990 - Bright Blue (SAmp3.com/Bright Productions) 13. [25] (13) Jaded Mind - Morning Haze (Indie) 14. [17] (14) Makweru - Tananas ('Splashy Fen'/3eM) 15. [20] (15) Master Jack - David Marks ('The Hidden Years'/3eM) 16. [9] (1) Fallen - Velve (Single/Street Level) 17. [6] (2) Hillary - Mitsoo (Indie) 18. [15] (5) Race Past The Sun - Dolly Rockers ('Glory Glory'/Indie) 19. [24] (19) Fabulous Day (Kwaito Mix) - Redd-Angel (Sexy Records) 20. [12] (6) War - 12th Avenue (Demo/Indie) 21. [29] (21) Let Me Know - Ystervark ('Living It Up'/Indie) 22. [28] (28) Crystal Clear - Seven Day Story (Indie) 23. [19] (1) Donkey Rattle - Felix Laband ('4/4 Down The Stairs'/African Dope) 24. [18] (17) Save Your Love For Me - Grant Nuss ('Diversity'/Indie) 25. [13] (2) Ugly - Springcan ('Wicked Demos'/WickedRock) 26. [22] (3) Paralyzer - Ghetto Muffin ('Paralyzer'/Milestone) 27. [23] (12) Die Mamba - Piet Botha ('Die Mamba'/Rhythm Records) 28. [26] (3) Let's Get Naked - Evolver (Demo/Indie) 29. [-] (29) 4X4 - Steve Hofmeyr ('Toeka'/EMI) 30. [30] (2) Drop 'n Roll - Track 4 (Demo/Indie) -------------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [1] (1) No Warning - Jo Day (Legend) 2. [3] (2) Release - Zen Arcade (Indie) 3. [2] (2) Rocking Against The System Vol 2 - Various (RetroFresh) 4. [6] (4) Back Seat Driver - Tait (Fresh) 5. [7] (5) Klein Karoo Cowboy - Jakkie Louw (Afrimusik) 6. [8] (6) Inbluesstation - Delta Blue (Merchant) 7. [5] (1) Chasing The Sun - Karen Zoid (EMI) 8. [4] (4) Kicking and Screaming - Toxic Shame (Legend) 9. [13] (9) Drop The Debt - Various (Sheer) 10. [18] (10) Sui - Benguela (Open Record) 11. [9] (9) The First Lady And The Boys - Tamara Dey (Gallo) 12. [15] (12) The Remix Collection - Brenda Fassie (EMI) 13 [12] (1) TNTLC - BOO! (BMG) 14. [11] (2) Homegrown Vol 2 - Various (EMI) 15. [10] (7) The Present Is Passed (The Best Of) - No Friends of Harry (RetroFresh) 16. [21] (16) Slow Rain (The Complete Celtic Rumours) - Celtic Rumours 17. [16] (2) Healing Destination - Mac McKenzie and The Goema Captains Of Cape Town (Afribeat) 18. [14] (9) Roger Lucey - 21 Years Down The Road (3eM) (Retro Fresh) 19. [24] (19) Johnny Clegg - A South African Story - Live (Value) 20. [17] (1) Die Mamba - Piet Botha (Rhythm) 21. [19] (6) Amandla! - OST (BMGSA) 22. [20] (1) Wrapped In Stone - Watershed (EMI) 23. [-] (23) Our World - Soweto String Quartet (BMG) 24. [23] (3) Paralyzer - Ghetto Muffin (Milestone) 25. [22] (1) Mellow Drama - Phringe (USM) 26. [-] (26) Sagtevlei - Alex Van Heerden and Derek Gripper (Open Record) 27. [25] (2) Ceremony - Cofield Mundi (Fresh) 28. [27] (2) Soil 7t7 - Soil 7t7 (Indie) 29. [-] (29) Rough Cuts - Janie Jones (Sugar Music) 30. [26] (3) Uit Ons Koppe Uit - Ekstra Dik (Indie) READ http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarock_legends_2000.html LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 _____________________________________________ 3. NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES ------ MP3s ------ RECOMMENDED LISTENING: VALIANT SWART The latest issue (23rd edition) of Stage Magazine (in newsagents now), has an excellent interview with Valiant Swart, written in Afrikaans, and covering various aspects of his career including the recent successful 'Song Vir Katryn' TV-series. We have included a list of Valiant's mp3's that are available for download at SAmp3.com as well as a complete album discography, all of which have been re-released by Rhythm Records and are available at One World, with the exception of 'Voetstoots', a solo unplugged live cassette recorded in September 1997, which circulates among collectors in both cassette and CDR form. Time for a proper release, maybe Valiant? Valiant and Koos Kombuis have recorded an album together, titled ''n Jaar In Die Son' which is scheduled for release in October on Rhythm Records. Texan Kurt Shoemaker wrote in Digest Issue #201; "A good-lookin' happy fella, and now an actor--a double threat of talent. Valiant Golden better describes his career. Anyway, ek en jy, check this guy out if you haven't and it will be 'Ware Liefde'." Read the full article at http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives/issue_201.txt DISCOGRAPHY: Grading: ***** essential, genre-defining **** great, recommended *** good, for fans and collectors ** ok, proceed with caution * sommer kak, avoid MP3's: Almal Maak Haar Mal (acoustic version) ***** Almal Maak Haar Mal (album version) **** Die Bom Kom *** Diep in Die Bos (#1 on SAmp3 charts) **** Ek en Jy en die Highway (#17)**** Eyeshadow (edit) (#2) **** How Can You Tune Me Nooit When I Tune You It's Cool **** Jy Is Opium (edit) (#1) from 'Song Vir Katryn' TV Series ***** Die Mystic Boer ***** ALBUMS: Dorpstraat Revisited [1996] *** Die Mystic Boer [1997] **** Kopskoot [1997] **** Voetstoots (live) [1998, cassette only] **** Roekeloos EP [1998, re-issued 2002] ***** Deur Die Donker Vallei [1999] (SA Rock Digest #12) **** Boland Punk 1988-2001 (compilation) [2001] (#1) **** Maanhare [2002](#1) **** Song Vir Katryn [2003](#1) **** 'n Jaar In Die Son (with Koos Kombuis) [October 2003] VARIOUS ARTISTS COMPILATIONS (SELECTED): Sonvanger (1999) *** High On Blues [live] (December 2000) **** Tassenberg All*Stars 1 [live] (August 2000) **** Tassenberg All*Stars 2 [live] (August 2001) ***** Tassenberg All*Stars 3 [live] (July 2002) *** READ http://www.valiant.co.za http://www.rhythmrecords.co.za/valiant_swart.html LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html http://www.SAmp3.com/rhythm.html http://www.rhythmrecords.co.za/valiant.html BUY http://www.rhythmrecords.co.za/valiant_swart.html http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=valiant ----- CDs ----- JO DAY RELEASES 'THE TRUTH' ALBUM, INDEPENDENTLY! Gauteng's favourite female Rock star will be officially launching her new album, 'The Truth', at the upcoming Woodstock 5 festival in September. The new CD will be an independent release by Jo Day in contrast to her recent 'No Warning' album (currently No 1 on the SA Rock Digest Album charts), which was released on the Legend Music label. 'The Truth' has been described as "The Definitive Jo Day album", and features a mixture of some new songs alongside the pick of the tracks off her two previous albums, 'Icon' and 'No Warning', which have been re-recorded. There are also acoustic and live versions of other popular JD songs. 'The Truth' was produced by the rockin' Jon Buckley (from Toxic Shame) and will be initially sold at Woodstock 5 at the "never to be repeated price" of R50. -------------- ARNO CARSTENS - 'ANOTHER UNIVERSE' [EPIC] This is an important announcement for all of you who have been going into your local CD stores and getting very strange looks when you innocently ask for New Porn. The New Porn debut album is now available, but 'Another Universe' has been released under Arno Carsten's own name. Carstens, the former (current?) Springbok Nude Girls vocalist, has been performing alongside Albert Frost (guitar) and Brendan Jury (viola) as the group "New Porn" for some months now, but here the band's name has been relegated to the liner notes where it is firstly described as "a project name for 'Another Universe'". Further on in the same illegible cover notes, Carstens explains: "...our challenge was to come up with a band name that was relevant both locally and internationally. 'New Porn' screamed AIDS awareness which for all purposes of pleasure could not be ignored". But ignored it has been, and the reasons for not using the band's name on the cover are not clear. Was it possibly to avoid confusion with the well-known international band already called The New Pornographers, or maybe Sony SA decided the name was a bit too risque for local tastes. To add to the mystery, the ornate cover decor, with its profusion of scanty negligee-clad flying lovelies, looks to have originally been suggestively designed around a "new porn" title. But if you have caught one of those recent New Porn live concerts, rest assured, all those great songs are among the 12 on display here. The album's tracklisting is: 'Something We Started', 'Another Universe', 'Boy', 'Tonight's Dragons', 'Neon Girl', 'Cooler Lifestyles', 'Life Is A Bitch', 'Hiroshimama', 'Viva La Liberty', 'African Sunrise', 'Woman' & 'Sleep With Tigers'. We will have more on 'Another Universe' in a while, but this is just to ensure that you ask for the correct thing when ordering this eagerly anticipated album! LISTEN Arno Carstens http://www.SAmp3.com/artists.html Albert Frost http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_e_k.html Springbok Nude Girls http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html#sng -------------- ZEN ARCADE - 'RELEASE' (INDIE) You have to understand that Zen Arcade is a band who make and take their music very seriously. How seriously you may ask? Well, who but this four-piece Johannesburg rock outfit could be described on their press release (for their recent unplugged Bassline farewell set) as "a band that has become renowned for its intense, impassioned unplugged sets - and this one promises to be a scorcher". An unplugged "scorcher"? That sounds more like something from our favourite US heavy metal acoustic duo, Tenacious D. But Zen Arcade are a serious bunch, and work hard to sound the way they do, and the songs on their second full album 'Release' clearly reflect this. As with all the songs on 'Snowflake' (the band's seven-song debut album), here the compositions on 'Release' are all simply credited to Zen Arcade, which indicates a strong band democracy, but which is not always a good thing. The stronger songs on 'Release' like 'All The World', 'Queen Of Make Do', 'Bend', and 'Summer Sun' combine the band's tight rock flair with punchy tunes. But elsewhere, as on 'Steady', 'Simple Things', and 'Tease', the band's sheer emotion and effort isn't enough to make these plain songs more attractive. Vocalist Iain McKenzie dives in head first from the opening track, 'Rest Day', and growls, breathes, sweats, and groans all the way to the closing title track. The band stays with him, as taut and steady as we have come to know them. For 'Beat Grinder', Alistair Mathie (bass) and Andrew Cleland (drums) cook up a mid-album Zeppelin-esque SA blues stomp, with James Donaldson's guitar histrionics doing a "Page" to Mckenzie's Plant-like vocals. The album's main cover pic (of an angler holding up his catch ... very ironic!), was the one chosen from the many submitted in a competition for the band's more creative fans. The best of the other entries are all used in the fold-out sleeve as backdrops to the album's lyrics, giving 'Release' a collaborative and very eclectic feel. Not all the songs on 'Release' stand up on their own, and the inclusion of two closing bonus tracks (the band's two previous singles, 'Letter To Friend' and 'Crazy Over You') seems unneccesary. But overall 'Release' builds on 'Snowflake''s strengths, and clearly illustrates that this important SA rock band is just getting better. (SS) READ http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/zen_arcade.html LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_t_z.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=zen%20arcade -------------- SEPTEMBER RELEASES FROM ONE WORLD http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 DVD: ---- Rebecca - 'Live At The State Theatre' [DVD] A memorable performance from Rebecca Malope, South Africa's favourite female Gospel star, recorded live at the State Theatre. IPCC - 'Best Of' [DVD] One of South Africa's most popular Gospel groups release their finest moments on DVD. Video: ------ Ringo - 'Live - Greatest Hits' [VHS] The video released to accompany Ringo Madlingozi's new double-CD collection of his best songs recorded with a host of guest stars - including Mandoza, Busi Mhlongo and McCoy Mrubata - at the State Theatre. Jazz: ----- Nana Coyote - 'Majaja' This excellent solo album from the Stimela frontman was produced by Joe Nina, and was also selected as the KayaFM 'CD of the week'! Various Artists - 'Music With No Name' Afro beat with a high tech feel, features Madala Kunene, Amampondo and Pops Mohamed. Kunle - 'Beyond The Borders' More magic from this impressive jazzman on his second album, featuring guest artists Marcus Wyatt and Jabu Khanyile. Pop & Rock: ----------- Johnny Clegg - 'A South African Story - Live @ The Nelson Mandela Theatre' Johnny Clegg's remarkable one-man musical retrospective live showcase, featuring stirring versions of his most popular songs from his extensive back catalogue, recorded live in Johannesburg. MXO - 'Another Day' EP MXO's songs have a warm Afro-soul feel that is similar to Blk Sonshine - produced by DJ Blaze. Benguela - 'Sui' (2CD) Cape Town's hottest ambient jazz trio improvised the six tracks on 'Sui' live in front of a small audience, and then handed those tracks over to some of SA's finest remixers to populate the second CD in this excellent and absorbing two-CD release, the first on the new Open Record label. Marlowe - 'Lines From The Broken Telephone' New SA rock outfit currently picking up a lot of interest and airplay with their first single, 'Baby's Breath', which is just one of the excellent tracks included here. Township Pop: ------------- Various Artists - 'KayaFM - The Heart And Soul Of Jozi 3' Third strong collection from this popular Gauteng urban radio station, showcasing the year's biggest hits to date from names like Joe Nina, Shaluza Max, Allou April and Prince Kupi. Various Artists - 'Waar Was Jy? Vol. 3' The next in this popular series of older Township Pop hits from Brenda & The Big Dudes, Chimora, Chicco and many more. Ringo - 'Greatest Hits Live' A double CD of the music from this acclaimed concert recorded at the State Theatre and jointly released on video. Expected to be another massive hit for SA's own Ringo "Star". With Mandoza, Busi Mhlongo and McCoy Mrubata. Kwaito: ------- Andy - 'Magazz' The eagerly anticipated debut album from this promising new artist. The hit single samples the Imagination track 'It's An Illusion', and it sounds wicked! Choppa - 'Omunye Nomunye' New album from this Mozambican pop musician, now hugely popular in SA following his 'Margarida' hit, featuring his unique and winning mixture of the Kwaito and Kwasa sounds, a rocking release. Thembi - 'S'matsatsa' A solo album from this ex-member of the successful group, BoomShaka, produced by D-Rex and featuring Skwatta Kamp, Gabi Le Roux and Madala Kunene. Gunpowda - 'Paycheque' The debut release from this hot, new Kwaito act, takes a fresh approach to the genre. Skemshan - 'Alpha' There's a lot of interest in this emerging Kwaito foursome's debut album. DJ Casper - 'African Queen' An equally groove-filled sequel to his 'Pietersburg' album. Kamazu - 'Rhythm & Kwaito' Kamazu was the artist behind the mega-hit, 'Korobela', and here releases a powerful new Kwaito collection. KB - 'Rock Lefatshe' The title of this fresh album, by this recent SAMA Award winner, means, "rock the world", and that just about sums it up. Hip Hop: -------- Tumi And The Volume - 'Live At The Bassline' This amazing live recording from the Bassline, by one of SA's top new hip hop groups, includes violins and horns for a fresh approach, and has the critics comparing it to the finest work in this newly-emerging SA musical genre. Dance/Electronica: ------------------ Enkeleen - 'Ek Is Legio' Enkeleen is part mad scientist, part introspective songsmith, who spent two years sampling, looping and coaxing various instruments and friends on instruments in studio to bring you this slice of "orgaanika". Niklas Zimmer & James Webb - 'Infinite Coastline' Niklas Zimmer & Adam Lieber - 'Die Wahl Der Fantastichen Moglichkeit' Two new releases from the enigmatic Nicholas Zimmer and his collaborators. 'Infinite Coastline' is a random creation - there's chiming percussion and dense keyboard pads filtered through effects pedals, mixed with short-wave radio and dictaphone samples. There's a definite ambient beauty here, which is constantly being interrupted by shards of electronic sound and/or cymbals of various calibre. Traditional: ------------ Earthheart - 'Mothertongue' An innovative new album release that features acoustic rhythm-scapes that document some wondrous African drum expertise. Instrumental: ------------- Cape Town Tango Ensemble - 'El Tango En Africa' This dynamic Cape-based group has fused the sounds of Africa with the sultry, South American rhythms of the Tango to create a fresh and danceable combination of the two styles. Classical: --------- Brendon Bussy - 'Diesel Geiger' Described as "a kind of classical electronica - part volans, part balanescu, part Africa, part turkey. urban field recordings, cello, oboe, violin, recorder, mandolin and computer. 'Diesel Geiger' was created between Durban and Cape Town during 2001 and 2002, a cross country trip with glitches along the way. Afrikaans: ---------- Alex Van Heerden & Derek Gripper - 'Sagtevlei' Composer, guitarist and viola player Derek Gripper, and composer, trumpeter and accordion player Alex van Heerden came together at the 2002 Wonder Gigs to record this unique composition titled 'Sagtevlei', featuring their classically styled "avante goema". SkallaBrak - 'Musiek Vir My SpaceShip' Independent release of Afrikaans blues/rock. Includes the tracks 'Kytie' and 'Verslaaf', with lyrics by Koos Kombuis. Abel Kraamsaal - 'Woorde Op 'n Wynboks' Latest release from the Cape Town-based Afrimusic label, has an acoustic blues/rock feel (Valiant Swart style) and features eight tracks which include: 'Horison', 'Kaalgat In Die Reen' and 'Anderkant Die Hel'. Gospel: ------- African Hill - 'Faith Sharers' A new Gospel collection that features a mixture of South African languages all on one lovely album. Alexandra Brass Band - 'Diphalala Vol. 2' This emotional album features covers of well-known Gospel hits performed by the Alexandra Brass Band! Buy any of these titles online at: http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 -------------- THE ZAZONE.COM SA BAND SPOTLIGHT ---------------------------------- http://www.zaZone.com LAD, the dedicated webmaster of ZaZone.com, will be throwing a regular spotlight on one of the many SA bands currently affiliated to his SA music site. This week: SCARLET HOST Scarlet Host is a very hard, progressive four-piece rock metal band with a powerful onstage presence. The members are Lindsey (vocals), Kevin (guitar and backing vocals), Nathan (bass and backing vocals), and Dino (drums). Scarlet Host feel that being a Hard Prog Rock/Prog Metal Band already counts against them in South Africa. While there are many loyal supporters of the genre, their numbers aren't exactly overwhelming. In spite of this, the band members appreciate all the support they have received and always put on their best shows possible for fans of the genre who come to see them play live. In order for Scarlet Host to make it big, the band has been forced to re-evaluate their outlook: "What we have done, and are striving to do now and in the future, will be to write songs which appeal both to the "Metallers" as well as to people who listen to the more commercial brands of music. Basically keeping the verses heavy, progressive and loyal to our roots but making the choruses catchy so that even an adamant Non-Metaller can't help finding the tune caught in his/her head". The band is also going to push to try and make the rock/metal gigs/shows in Cape Town, and the rest of SA, something that people will feel compelled, excited and down right proud to attend! The Cape Town band's e-newsletters are packed with Scarlet Host information and news and provide a good platform for the band to keep their fans informed and "hot". In selecting an MP3 for Scarlet Host's review I picked 'Tired', one of their more commercial tracks -. It has a heavy feel, but also those catchy lyrics that the band refers to. The song starts off very gently but quickly builds into a powerful melody. The tune itself is catchy and the lyrics are good and tight, showing off Lindsey's vocal ability. On the 13th of September Scarlet Host will be participating in the 'Rolling Party'. This is a novel concept in which attendees will be taken to three different venues on a bus to watch a total of six bands. For more information about the Rolling Party you can e-mail Scarlet Host via zaZone.com at http://www.zazone.com/bandnfo.asp?id=33 (The other bands appearing are Cruel April, Death By Chocolate, Hog Hoggidy Hog, Rudimentals and Soulja) On the 26th of September you can catch Scarlet Host, unplugged, at Mercury Live with other artists. Ripchord has spare copies of a limited edition CD EP, with tracks by Scarlet Host, Seven Day Story and Kelvin Declined, that was pressed specially for the 'Going Nowhere Slowly' gig at the Mercury Live in August. Copies of the CD EP, at an extremely low price, are still available. Please contact Aidan at: mailto:info@ripchord.co.za Sponsored by zaZone.com Promoting SA Music... http://www.zazone.com LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/artists_l_s.html -------------- Email your MP3 reviews to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=mp3reviews Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com South African Music: Loud 'n Proud -------------- ONE WORLD http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 Selling South African Music To The World --------------- MORE REVIEWS --------------- More reviews can be found at: Open Record http://www.openrecord.co.za Amuzine http://rock.co.za/reviews.htm ______________________________________ 4.USA FOR AFRICA ------------------- Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music. SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC CDS ON EBAY By the time y'all read this I'll know if I have won the eBay bidding for a Mango Groove CD, if I'm not sniped. And while searching CDs for "Afrikaans", up popped one by Tolla van der Merwe. Which made me wonder about the CDs that aren't promos for industry people (like Bongo Maffin), or artists with worldwide markets. How did this Van der Merwe CD get to the States and eBay? Probably a bit of a long strange trip. Sometimes I get rock-lucky at eBay, like when finding Squeal's 'Long Pig' for a buck (that made a swell gift). But most of the time the SA CDs are by artists with worldwide audiences: Dollar Brand, Miriam Makeba, Johnny Clegg, Ladysmith Black Mombazo, and others in the too-general term "world music". Township pop collections also pop up frequently. There are the pleasant surprises, such as three 45 rpm singles by Otis Waygood Band, currently offered by a seller in Sweden: "...released on UK Decca... all in Exc-Nm cond... - 'Get it Started/Red Hot Passion' 1977), 'Sweet Soul Synchopation/Who's Your Friend' (1977), (and) 'Everything I Am/Then You Could Tell Me Goodbye' (1978). I guess it's the same psych/blues guy who made some awesome albums in South Africa, on these he has changed to funk-bordering disco though." I'm not bidding on this, just watching. I buy the Retro Fresh re-releases for my Otis Waygood needs ... whoever that guy Otis is, right? {Read Bas Möllenkramer's impressions of these singles at http://www.rock.co.za/files/otis_waygood_band.html - ed.} I'm not an eBay stockholder, only talking about the SA presence. but if it weren't for eBay I wouldn't have my rock-solid Tribe After Tribe CDs, Ella Mental's stateside release, and an autographed Four Jacks and a Jill LP. eBay isn't a rich lode, but nuggets do appear. So I keep looking. That's what drives fans, aficionados, collectors, and connoisseurs: the search, the finding, and the lasting joy of the music. I support SA music, I buy new stuff all the time, but I also cruise the electrons of eBay seeking those pleasant surprises. Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas mailto:kurt@sarockdigest.com _________________________________ 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK ------------------------ London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music: SEMISANE - 'ROOM2BREATHE' [BMG] Semisane never quite went as far as the Aussie group Mental as Anything, but hey, if you want to make good music, you have to keep some of your wits about you. Following up the success of their debut 'A Life Less Strange' and the single 'Life (Theme From Big Brother)', Tikara and Co returned with 'Room2Breathe', a worthy follow-up. Full of catchy rock pop songs, this album is pleasing on the ear from the moment the laser hits the disc. To paraphrase the Smiths, some tracks rock harder than others. 'Anonymous' and 'Gone' are two of the harder rockers although the latter has elements of early '80's hip hop, but once the chorus kicks in it moves much more into rock territory. On the quieter side, there's the dreamy 'Now That I Found You' that features a more hushed vocal from Tikara and laid-back guitars from Chris Acker. Solid rhythms make most songs danceable to, but none more so than the pounding, floor-filling, funk-edged 'Girlfriend (Of Mine)'. And hiding in amongst the original tracks is a cover of the old Thompson Twins hit, 'Hold Me Now', where the song is brought up to date without losing the pop magic of the original. Like nearly every SA record of quality, the name Tully McCully appears on the sleeve notes. This time, he's involved in mixing. Production credits go to another big name on the SA music scene - Brian O'Shea. It's hard not to like 'Room2Breathe'. It's a polished pop rock album that doesn't have a weak track. With all the catchy, well-executed songs on offer here, you are unlikely to be driven mad, at best you may be driven Semisane. John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com READ http://www.semisane.com LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com/samplers.html BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=semisane _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA -------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://rock.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (31 August 1973) 1 [2] Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet - Maria 2 [1] Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree - Dawn & Tony Orlando 3 [10] Take Me To The Mardi Gras - Paul Simon 4 [4] That's Why I Love You - Richard Jon Smith 5 [3] Kentucky Blues - Lauren Copley 25 YEARS AGO (01 September 1978) 1 [1] Rivers Of Babylon - Boney M 2 [2] Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty 3 [4] You're The One That I Want - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John 4 [7] You're My Best Friend - Don Williams 5 [3] Love Is In The Air - John Paul Young 20 YEARS AGO (02 September 1983) 1 [3] Baby Jane - Rod Stewart 2 [1] Buffalo Soldier - Bob Marley 3 [2] Flashdance (What A Feeling) - Irene Cara 4 [4] Every Breath You Take - The Police 5 [5] Johnny B Goode - Peter Tosh 15 YEARS AGO (01 September 1988) 1 [1] Rise To The Occasion - Climie Fisher 2 [4] I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Minogue 3 [2] Dreaming - OMD 4 [3] Love Changes Everything - Climie Fisher 5 [5] Underneath The Radar - Underworld ------------- CHART CHAT ------------- Maria who was born Maria Lopez in the then Lourenco Marques was discovered by Dickie Loader. She quickly established herself as a chart act, and with her second top 20 hit 'Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet' she hit the top in 1973. Paul Simon was enjoying his second top 5 solo hit although interestingly 'Take Me To The Mardi Gras' did not chart in the US. Don Williams was one of the most successful country singers in the '70's, not only conquering the US, but also finding popularity in the UK, Europe and of course South Africa. 'You're My Best Friend' was his 3rd top 20 hit. Strangely, none of the 4 hits he had in SA ever charted in the US. In 1983 Bob Marley relinquished the top spot for a second time. This time to Rod Stewart whose 'Baby Jane' would finish up 7th biggest hit of the year, one place behind Bob's 'Buffalo Soldier'. 'Flashdance' and 'Every Breath You Take' would also both be in the top 20 hits of the year. For the 4th week running in 1988, the same songs made up the top 5. Kylie was bouncing back after having dropped to 4. Already having had a 7-week run at number 1 it seemed quite incredible that she was back challenging Climie Fisher. Underworld spent their 4th consecutive week at 5. South Africans at number 1 this week: Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet - Maria (1973) Ramaja - Glenys Lynne (1976) Paradise Road - Joy (1980) Woodpecker From Space - Café Society (1985) South African New Entries this week: 02-Sep-77 Morning Light - Rabbitt 03-Sep-76 Don't Worry About Me - Tommy Dell 04-Sep-70 Both Sides Now - Steve Lonsdale 06-Sep-68 Butchers And Bakers - Staccatos 07-Sep-73 I Wanna Live - Tommy Oliver John Samson --------------- VINYL JUNKIES --------------- This section is for collectors of vinyl, both South African and International. -------------- MABU VINYL ****Cape Town's finest vinyl store has moved**** New premises at: 1st Floor, Mermaid Building; Buiten Str (between Long and Loop Strs) "Purveyors of bespoke quality vinyl - large selections of dance/ hip hop/ house/ techno/ rock/ pop/ jazz/ funk and much more...!" Cash paid for records in saleable condition. Jacques Vosloo (+27 21) 423 7635/082 534 6006 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com -------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium-on-Main, Main Road, Claremont This week's specials: Elvis Presley & Janis Martin - 'Janis and Elvis' (10" LP, Original 1958 SA only pressing) Johnny Pearson & his Orchestra - 'Sleepy Shores' (LP White Label Zimbabwean pressing) Jim Reeves, Floyd Cramer & Chet Atkins - 'In Suid-Afrika' (LP) Frankie Laine - 'Frankie Laine in South Africa' (LP) Percy Sledge - 'Percy Sledge in South Africa' (LP) Charles G. & John T. - 'Standing Room Only' (LP) We pay top prices for top quality. Want Lists Welcome! Call us at: 021-683 5676 mailto:claus@vibesvinyl.com Visit our website at http://www.vibesvinyl.com ----------- BIRTHDAYS ----------- September 17 - David Scobie (1964) 30 - Brian Davidson (Freedom's Children, 1948 - died 4 December 2002) If you have info on any South African artists' dates of birth, please send them to mailto:brian@rock.co.za?subject=birthdays ______________________________________________ 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS --------------------- A Readers' Forum featuring a selection of the email requests, questions, searches, and other pieces of random info we receive each week at the Digest. Sometimes we can assist, other times we look to you, our collectively well-informed readers to contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks! -------------- ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT TITLE? Have you ever heard of the song 'Die land is in sy moer'? If so, could you please tell me who sings it, what band sings it, and if they have any other songs available. I have been just eager to find out who that guy is. Thank you for your troubles Brian Burgess mailto:baiemooiseun16@hotmail.com -------------- NZ FAN SEEKS BLONDE SA ANTHEM SINGER Hi Would anyone have in their South African music video archives any clips, interviews or live footage of Mango Groove or Claire Johnston. I am particularly looking for the "Fearless" and "If you go Away" promo videos. I have the wonderful Mango Groove DVD and wish to augment my collection. Will pay all expenses to borrow or have tapes copied. Have large New Zealand Music video collection for trade if interested. Thanks Neil Gill New Zealand mailto:ngill@tcl.net.nz -------------- MORE GROOVY MUSIC In 1990 I lived in London for a year. A few of my co-workers went to SA and brought back some CD's. One of them they kept playing at the nightclub where I worked - and it was just brilliant! I managed to get a copy on tape of two of the songs. Thing is the quality is quite poor - and I would love to get hold of the CD's. My problem is I have no clue what the band is called - or what the songs are called. So I thought you might be able to help me??? The music is very rhythmical - a lot of percussion and flutes - and I would think that it probably was released around 1990. One song could be called "Your love burns me like a hell fire", And the other is... "Lullaby" or "There's a special star that shines". I can mail you some clips of the music if you think that might help! Thanks! Michael Sweden Mailto:mxpdk@yahoo.se Ed. - Hi Michael - You are looking for Mango Groove... those songs are 'Hellfire' and 'Special Star'... Both these and many other cool songs are on their greatest hits CD available at: http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&ID=CDRED667 -------------- NAGUAL Hello, I met people from Nagual in '98 in the Getafix in Cape Town and after that in the Rustler festival. At the time I couldn't buy their first CD because it was not ready. I come from Switzerland and I want to buy both the CD's, I hope u will have a solution for me. South Africa is my second country and u don't know how I love it... Thanks! olive Mailto:olive@70s.ch -------------- A DEAD LOSS Hi there, I dont know if i am just blind, but i cannot find Live Jimmy Presley on your pages, c'mon they rocked :>) Bianca mailto:bianca@emme.co.za Ed - the SA Rock Encyclopedia group of websites http://www.rock.co.za relies on input from fans and collectors, so if Live Jimmy Presley isn't there, it means either we've never received any of their CDs or no fan has ever sent us any information. -------------- HUH??? i'm looking fore guitar fraks how will change instrumental music from the aerly sixties i'm very intrested in south african instrumental groups. regards gerrit mailto:g.kruythoff@chello.nl -------------- THE PEANUT GALLERY My late brother-in-law, Peter Lynch, was a member of the Peanut Butter Conspiracy as well as the Rising Suns (Sons?). Are you able to direct me to any info on them and do you know if any of their music is available on CD or not. Any info you have will be passed on to my sister and Pete's children. Many thanks and best regards David Thornton mailto:tablemountain@hotmail.com Ed - No PBC CD's have ever been released, but their songs can be found as follows: 'Amen', 'Part of Someone' & 'Respect' (with Una Valli) - 'Soul Meeting' (Gallo, CDRED617) 'Understanding' - 'The Best Of SA Pop Volume 2' (Gallo, CDGMPD40486) http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=CDGMPD40486 and 'Top 40 Hits Of Alltime Volume 6' (Sting, STIDFCD 037) http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/top40_6.html And the South African Peanut Butter Conspiracy is not to be confused with the American band of the same name who formed in Los Angeles in 1966. -------------- UM, THERE'S STAGE MAGAZINE AND.....? I represent a UK record company. We are looking for contact details for Rock Music Magazines all over the world. Can you help with any in SA??? Many Thanks, Chris mailto:chris.tudor-jones@ntlworld.com -------------- IT'S PRONOUNCED "DE SHAM-WAH"! I would like any information on an '80's artist Pierre de Charmoy. I would like to get hold of his album called 'Reaching Out! Please help. Morne mailto:Morneva@discoveryhealth.co.za -------------- BOKKE ON CD Hi, Re: the Springbok Hit Parade series on MFP - any chance of the above series being released on CD one day? Regards, Robbert mailto:robbert_auer@hotmail.com Ed. - the current series of Springbok Selection CD's (featuring Teazers' girls on the covers) released by Gallo are not re-issues of the originals. Nice to look at, but hardly essential. http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=springbok -------------- THAT NARROWS IT DOWN....! Hi I recently heard a very mellow and beautiful song on Washington, DC's 96.3 station, but I don't have any information about the song. The host of the show did say that the singer was originally from S. Africa or her parents. The hook goes: "Higher and Higher." Eugenia mailto:EHowell@towson.edu -------------- TELL KOBUS YOU'VE GOT IT! Hi there. I am looking for the song by Tommy Oliver "Just tell her that I love her" (not to be confused by the song by Jody Wayne "Tell Laura I love her". Is there no one who has this song somewhere? I have asked before and got no answer. Tommy Oliver is looking for the song and we cannot find it anywhere. It only came out on a seven single. No album. If you do have it please contact me. Kobus mailto:jgb1900@yahoo.co.uk -------------- A FLAT BATTERY HERE! Howzit Whatever happened to Battery 8? Johnny from Boksburg -------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=soundsolutions ----------------------------- THE DIGEST CLASSIFIED ADS ----------------------------- To advertise in this section please email: mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=classifieds -------------- YOUNG CAPE DRUMMER WANTED Cape Town-based punk/hardcore band seeks drummer. Minimum of 1 year experience, and preferably between the ages of 17 and 23. We plan to put together something unique and creative, so make the most of this opportunity and get in touch with us! E-mail mailto:weezal_juice@hotmail.com or contact us on 082 7384073. -------------- VAGABOND MUSIC & WEB http://www.vagabond.za.net Get your band or business online. We design from scratch or take over the maintenance when your hotshot designer gets bored with updating. Clients include: www.freshmusic.co.za, www.rhythmrecords.co.za, www.eiservices.co.za, www.pietbotha.com, www.gregsgolftours.co.za, www.25hourstudio.com, www.jamesonline.co.za (James Stewart), www.4suregolftours.com and www.tait.co.za Contact Brian on 0825678779 or use the form at http://www.vagabond.za.net/contact --------------- SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC QUOTA COALITION Support 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 -------------- GET YOURSELF A NEW REDIRECTABLE EMAIL ADDRESS Are you tired of complicated hotmail or yahoo email addresses, or is your corporate address very uncool? Or is your favourite nickname already taken? For only R150 per year we will supply you an email address such as mailto:yourchoiceofname@rock.co.za which will redirect to your current address. Choose from the list below: sarockdigest.com rock.co.za samp3.com saklank.com sagigs.com sugarman.org Email: mailto:CanIgetAnewEmailAddressPlease@rock.co.za for details. -------------- The Sound Solutions and Digest Classified sections are sponsored by: SOUND SOLUTIONS - 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 mailto:sugar@rock.co.za ______________________________________________ 8.LIVE MUSIC --------------- ------------------- UPCOMING EVENTS ------------------- Full details at http://www.sagigs.com Watch out for: AWESOME AFRICA 2003 - Standard Bank Joy of Jazz presents the fifth Awesome Africa Music Festival, which will be held this year in Durban's inner city district as part of the Inner Thekwini Urban Renewal Management Programme (iTRUMP) - Main festival: 27 & 28 Sept KAREN ZOID - 4 Oktober 2003 - MFM 92.6 bied aan in samewerking met Levi's & Mystic Boer - Mystic Teater Show - HB Thom Teater, Stellenbosch - R50 TAIT - The only Cape Town gig before Tait embark on a nationwide tour, with their good mate Justin Bergh, will be at the Armchair Theatre on Friday 26th September. Support will be from Steve Van and Rust. Details at http://www.tait.co.za LIVING MUSIC WORKSHOPS IN CAPE TOWN - The CD Wherehouse Living Music Workshops boasts a star-studded line-up of national and local musicians, who will present workshops in September including Gugulethu homeboy Ringo Madlingozi, local Kwaito act, Inadiflo and SAfm personality, Richard Nwamba. All workshops are free and all are welcome. GUY BUTTERY - After wowing the audiences in July this year at various venues on his Cape Tour, Guy Buttery will be in town again for a one-off solo performance at the Independent Armchair Theatre on September 22 STEVE LOUW & BIG SKY - Steve Louw and Big Sky have announced three live dates in the Cape, beginning with a concert at Kirstenbosch on Wed 10 Sept. MICHAEL BUBLE IN SA - The 25 year-old Canadian vocalist will be kicking off his tour in Cape Town, on Wednesday the 8th at His People Centre; he will then be heading to Johannesburg for two performances at Carnival City, on Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th of October. TUKS SPRING DAY CELEBRATIONS - Spring Day takes place at the Tuks Rag farm on Friday 19 September. The event will boast two stages and the line-up includes, amongst others, Cutting Jade, Soil 7t7, Tidal Waves, Walt (Tuks FM rock idol winners), Little Oblivion, Positive K, Little Khuze, and Bubble. THE KLIPPIES AND COLA STUDENT SESSIONS - A venture by Bastard Media along with SL Magazine, MFM, UCT Radio, The Independent Armchair Theatre and Die Mystic Boer, establishing a campus-centred live music circuit, Bands based on or around UCT and Stellenbosch University are grouped in pairs (one from each university area) and perform together on consecutive Tuesdays at Die Mystic Boer and The Independent Armchair Theatre. SPRINGCAN - Emo rockers SpringCan are to share a stage with Karen Zoid, Springbok Nude Girls, Boo, American band Rainshine, the popular Disselblom from Bloemfontein, plus 6 other SA bands big names at the Macufe Rock Concert to be held at the Free State University in Bloemfontein on Saturday Oct 11. SOWETO STRING QUARTET - SSQ will be celebrating their illustrious musical career spanning 25 years with friends and guest artists Vusi Mahlasela, Pops Mohamed, Ballet Theatre Afrikan and many others on Saturday, 13 September at the Big Top Arena in Carnival City THE ROLLIN' PARTY IN CAPE TOWN - Urge Media is hosting The Rollin' Party on September 13 2003. This involves three venues and six of Cape Town's finest original bands - Scarlet Host and Soulja (Mercury Live); The Rudimentals and Hog Hoggidy Hog (Independent Armchair Theatre); Cruel April and Death By Chocolate (The Whammy Bar) - a bus with loads of free stuff on it, all for just R100 (if you get your tickets early). MBIRA DZAVADZIMU - Voice of the Ancestors' Workshop - With Mbira masters, Dingiswayo Juma and Zivai Pondamari from Zimbabwe - Wed 24th - Sun 28th September 2003 @ Marimba House. POWERZONE ROAD SHOW - September national tour with The Finkelstiens, Marlowe, Prime Circle, and The Parlotones. SEPULTURA - WitchdoctorRecords.com, deliverers of The Haunted and Entombed to SA stages, will be bringing Sepultura to South Africa in September. WOODSTOCK 5 - The 2003 version begins on Thursday 25th and runs until Sunday 28th September at its new home at Roodeplaat Dam, just north of Pretoria. Confirmed bands include Tweak, Wonderboom, Mean Mr Mustard, Pink Noise, Cutting Jade, The Narrow, Zen Arcade, Jo Day, Soil 7t7, El Camino, and Thirteen. X TOUR 2003 - The extreme music tour that is currently taking Cape Town by storm is officially up and running! With two shows down and three to go those who have had the privilege to attend will tell you... This Tour Rocks!! Featuring Six Of Nine, Flint, Neshamah, 5 Star Society, Sidearm 66, Flint, Serving Suggestion, Sidearm 66, and Not Guilty. Details of all these events at http://www.SAgigs.com -------- SA PUNK -------- By Daniel Neville CD review FALSE PRETENCE - 'STAND TOGETHER' [INDIE] The continually-growing number of bands in South Africa is, as most people will agree, a good thing. But when the bands popping up are young (and by that I mean below the age of 20) that is a completely awesome thing. False Pretence are exactly that...awesome! The band is made up of ex-members of bands like War-On-Salt, Fail To Lose (RIP) and Blank Label (again RIP). They play very energetic live shows (anybody who has seen them live will agree) and what makes them so different to other bands is their attitude. Their first full-length release is a very DIY effort, and sometimes lacks in the whole production area, but otherwise it is an amazing CD. The Rancid 2000/Anti-Flag-influenced songs are very well put together and extremely well played. The lyrics are very thought provoking and once you read them (they are all nicely included in the CD cover) you will know why I said their attitude separates them from the rest of the pack. There are 10 tracks on 'Stand Together', and the album opens with the song 'Selfishness And Greed', which sets the tone for the rest of the time you will spend listening to the boys ripping through their songs. About one minute into 'Selfishness And Greed', Neil (their bassist) goes into a ripping bass solo - very much akin to the ones pulled off by Rancid's Matt Freeman. Some of my favourite tracks are 'Leader of the Pack', 'Cradle of Democracy' and 'Monday Morning', which is about the many people who live and sleep on our streets. The CD was recorded at Kreef Records in Cape Town and it will only cost you R10 to get your hands on a copy - you will have to pay a bit of postage if you don't live in CT. Overall this is one kick ass CD and anybody (even if you don't like punk) should give it a listen. [DN] To order a copy of 'Stand Together', contact Neil Samsonite on 0827335647. See http://www.SAgigs.com for details and other SA Punk gigs. ----------- LIVE IN SA ROCK PARTY WEEKEND IN PRETORIA By Moonshine Lee No, the tremors that were felt in the Pretoria area a few weekends ago weren't earthquakes, it was the Capital City rocking to about 9 on the Richter scale! Kicked off on Friday evening (22/8/03) at Cafe Barcelona in Elardus Park, hosting the solid rocking Piet Botha & Jack Hammer. It was festival time at a jam-packed Cafe Barcelona, as the crowd from Ocean Ecstasy held their reunion of the previous weekend's Malongane Mamba, when they had the pleasure of hosting Piet & Jack Hammer in the beautiful tropical paradise of Ponta Malongane in Mozambique for 4 fantastic days. The party continued where it left off in Mozambique and from the very first number everyone was rocking to their favourites like 'Goeienag Generaal', 'Sarajevo', 'Die Mamba', 'Liberty', 'Headlines', 'G8' and so on. Jack Hammer's music is like a habit-forming substance, the more you hear, the more you want until eventually you can't do without it. Piet just seems to get better and better with time and I wouldn't be far off if I rated him as one of SA's finest, backed by the incredible Jonathan Martin (The Kid) also one of SA's top guitarists at present (what else can one expect if you have a mentor like 'The Hammer') the solid Tertius du Plessis (Bean) on base guitar and the magical Paul van der Waal (Duke) on drums. This line-up has been together for seven good years now and the audiences can feel and experience that they are enjoying their music now more than ever. No wonder so many critics rated them the best act at Oppikoppi this year. Saturday the festivities moved to the The Nile Crocodile, one of my favourite venues in the Capital and hosted probably one of the hottest music line-ups in the country at present, all in the space of one incredible mind-blowing evening. First up was Southern Gypsy Queen, all the way from Molteno in the Cape. And man oh man, if you love good old solid rock 'n roll then don't miss these guys (and gal) when they're in town. A tight, solid young foursome who play all those old favourites from Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, etc. It is a heart warming experience to see our youth keep rock 'n roll alive and these guys do it so well. Definitely a band that will be going places soon. Next was Delta Blue and being a total 'blues junkie' I found myself in 'total euphoria' for the next two hours. These guys play the blues with so much passion you get goose bumps and shivers up and down your spine when listening to them. At one stage when I closed my eyes I could've sworn I was cruising on the Robert E Lee somewhere down in Southern Mississippi. Delta Blue is a truly class act filled with tremendous talent and if you love the blues then get to see these guys when they play at their next venue. Last but by no means the least, Peepshow. The find of the decade! Wow, this new outfit has really got something going. A Progressive Funky Rock sound which has you boogying from the first note. And, if you love the sound of a saxophone then this makes it so much better. Good raunchy female vocals, backed by a solid rhythm section and vibrant lead guitar. Watch these guys & gals for the future. Peepshow had the house rocking until well past 2 am and if it was left up to the crowd they would've jammed until sunrise. Mike & Ricci, you guys get 13 out of 10 for providing us with one of the best night's entertainment in the Capital, that I can remember. And of course, if you have the best seat in the house (in the corner of the 'L' shape bar as I did) then you can rock until the sun comes up, which we damn well did and eventually left at 5:30 am wishing this night would last just a little bit longer... If you're looking for a rockin' good night out in the Capital City then Nile Crocodile in Menlyn Pretoria is definitely the place to be. In the next month they will entertain you with the likes of Cutting Jade, Peepshow, Blow, Scicoustic, Southern Gypsy Queen, Zen Arcade and many, many more great local bands. The venue is warm and vibrant and conducive to a fantastic party. And as a bonus the food is good, so be sure to get down to Nile Crocodile on any weekend - it's an experience you won't forget! Moonshine Lee -------------- THE COLLECTION (AND FRIENDS) ROCK 'N ROLL BACK THE YEARS By Pete Shout The Collection are something of a phenomenon in that, although they were essentially part-timers during their heyday and cannot boast any recording successes, they were hugely influential in shaping the Rhodesian rock and pop scenes of the late '60's. As individually talented as many of their contemporaries who went on to achieve significantly greater heights - notably Otis Waygood, Holy Black and the Silhouettes (who became Lincoln) - the Collection never achieved much fame outside their Bulawayo home base. Having said this, two key members of the highly successful Lincoln line-up emerged from the Collection's ranks in Rudi Gouma and Jock Cameron. Despite this lack of success on a regional or international scale, the Collection have a history of "packing them in" and the support they enjoy amongst erstwhile Bulawayans - both then and now - borders on cult status. Just how extensive this support continues to be was demonstrated recently when the band reunited in Kloof outside Durban for a reunion concert some 35 years after their formation in 1967. Whilst the ageing process was evident in the gray and receding hairlines and presence of "middle aged spreads" amongst, both the band's members and the estimated crowd of 600 attendees, they say that class - in the case of the band - is permanent and so it proved to be. Fronted by charismatic and talented lead vocalist, Colin Payne, all but one of the band's original members were present on the night. Rudi Gouma on keyboards and Jock Cameron on bass are still residing and plying their musical trade in Bulawayo. Adrian King, on guitar, had travelled from England to participate and local Durban drummer, Malie Sewell, sat in for Ronnie Robshaw, the only absent original member. For the occasion a selection of additional musicians had been added to the line-up including a very competent lead guitarist in Bulawayo's Jimmy Brandt (ex Purple Zincstones/Society & Hobos), vocalist Martin Patrick (formerly of the Tall Boys) who had winged in from Australia where he now resides, guitarist Jack Thain (ex-Silhouettes), Bernie Allen-Brown on vocals and horn and young, budding, Stellenbosch University music saxophone student, Simon Lolliot. The band launched into two lengthy sets comprising much of the material they covered from the late '60's opening with Dylan's My Back Pages and moving on through their covers songbook with material such as Black Is Black, Cathy's Clown, Jumpin' Jack Flash and the Hollies' Bus Stop which earned them many accolades in their prime. During their second set the band were joined by another Bulawayo musical luminary of the past in the shape of vocalist, Pete "Bones" Milner (ex front man of the Short Circuit Guavas), who strutted his stuff on the Stones' Satisfaction and Bee Gees' Words. With 21 songs in their first set and 22 in the second, the Collection also gave a reminder of what "value for money" used to mean! The band, who had spent the best part of a week rehearsing for this performance, excelled with their tightness and outstanding harmonies. Whilst some of the voices may not be as strong today as they were "way back when", the quality was still evident and none of them had lost their tunefulness. It is highly unlikely that, given other distractions and the difficulty of logistics, The Collection will have a similar event in the future and so, for those who were there, this will remembered as the swan-song of, arguably, Rhodesia's greatest covers band of that era. The good news is that there are plans afoot to release both a "memento" CD and DVD of the night's gig so that Collection adherents can relive this joyous occasion for many years to come. Pete Shout For more information on Rhodesian and Zimbabwean bands, musicians and music events visit the Rhodie Music Website at: http://www.bedrockband.com/rhodiemusic/ ----------- GIG GUIDE ----------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com Please send all gig info to mailto:sugar@sagigs.com?subject=gigs in a plain text e-mail by Friday 12noon. ___________________________________________ 9.INFO ------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links ---------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS ---------------- To subscribe - please send e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=SubscriberAddressChange To unsubscribe - please send a blank e-mail to: mailto:unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=Unsubscribe ------------ BACK ISSUES ------------- http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable ----------------------------------- PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS ----------------------------------- Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, gig & festival dates, requests, searches and comments to mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest -------- EDITORS -------- Brian Currin & Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest --------------- CONTRIBUTORS --------------- John Samson Kurt Shoemaker Carina Laubscher Tertius Louw Daniel Neville Moonshine Lee Wicked Mike Gabi Muller Don Bryce LAD Proofed by Ronx A SUGAR MUSIC PRODUCTION http://www.sugarmusic.co.za <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>