SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #230 http://www.sarockdigest.com Established 27th January 1999 29 December 2003 ------------- IMPORTANT! ------------- If you would like to send off an email to the Digest about anything, you are always very welcome to do so ... but please resist the urge to simply "reply-to" this newsletter as publisher@rock.co.za is a "sending" address only and not a "receiving" one! So, if you would like to contact us, please rather send an email to: mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=Digest ---------------------- IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE ---------------------- We are back from our short festive break during which we all had plenty of quality time to muse over the year's musical events and to finalise our lists of the best SA songs and albums of 2003. So this is our annual, end-of-year special edition of the Digest, and all will be back to normal next Monday. We wish all our readers a Happy New Year for 2004! The Seether tour begins in Nelspruit this week ... James Stewart will be supporting Ronan Keating at his Kirstenbosch concert ... New Model Army are to tour SA ... Antipathy sign to Maiden League Records ... and Stage Magazine is back and is looking very good! As this is the year-end edition of the Digest, we have our choices of the Top 30 SA albums of 2003, the Top 30 Singles of 2003, the Top 10 SA artists of 2003, the Best Songs off the Best Albums of 2003, and a review of the SA music year as reported on the Digest throughout 2003. It is never easy to select the best song and album of the year with artists like Karen Zoid, Boo!, Zen Arcade, Piet Botha, Old Mol, freshlyground and Arno Cartsens among the top 30 album contributors. Likewise for the Digest's 'Song Of The Year' award which saw new names like Skwirmish, The Fallen, Morning Haze, Soulja, Bed On Bricks, and Velve going up against more experienced campaigners like Piet Botha, Zen Arcade, Bright Blue, Jo day, and the Nukular Stompers. Texas' biggest SA music devotee, Kurt Shoemaker, gives his list of his favourite SA albums of the year and our dedicated London correspondent, John Samson, takes a long look back at the artists, releases, and events that made 2003 the great SA rock year that it was....and LAD takes a look at the current situations of many of the bands featured during the year in his zaZone column. On the new releases front we have news from the African Dope label about their new batch of releases and the re-availability of some previously-missed vinyl ... Jerome Arthur has released his new opus called 'Confessions In Red' ... and we have news of the line-up for the North Sea Jazz Festival in Cape Town in April 2004. There's also the usual weekly mp3 and album charts, recommended SA gigs, letters to Sound Solutions, old SA charts, and Vinyl and CD store specials ... And that was SA music in 2003, we wish you only good things for 2004! ---------------- 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. ------------------------------------- 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 (104-107FM) on Monday evenings between 9 and 9.30pm. ----------------------------------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA ----------------------------------------- From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Daddy' to 'ZX Dan' ... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.rock.co.za ------------ SAGIGS.com ------------ The SA Rock Digest list of Recommended Gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com ---------- ONE WORLD - ONLINE SA CD STORE ---------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ------ GEMM ------ GEMM is your best source for impossible-to-find music on Record or CD! http://sugarmusic.gemm.com ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Seether SA Tour, James Stewart, Antipathy, New Model Army, Stage Magazine, Review of 2003 2.CHARTS: Top 30 SA mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: SA mp3s & CDs: African Dope, Jerome Arthur, LAD's year-end sum-up 4. USA FOR AFRICA: Kurt's favourite albums of 2003 5.A NAARTJIE IN THE UK: The Year In Review 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Springbok Radio charts, birthdays, Vinyl Junkies 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS: Letters and requests, a Readers' Forum 8.LIVE MUSIC: Events round-up, North Sea Jazz Festival - Cape Town 2004 9.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions ___________________________________________ 1.NEWS --------- SEETHER SA TOUR 2003/4 KICKS OFF Seether's triumphant homecoming tour kicks off today (Monday 29 December) at the Blue Moon in Nelspruit followed by eight more concerts around South Africa over the next 10 days. South Africa's most successful international rock band are back home after having spent the past two years touring around the US promoting their album, 'Disclaimer'. The Seether line-up features two of the original members of SA band Saron Gas, Shaun Welgemoed and Dale Stewart, alongside US band members Pat Callaghan and Kevin Soffera. Seether has now played over 475 concerts and has established a high profile and strong following on the US hard rock scene Seether tracks have also appeared on some prominent film soundtracks ('Daredevil', 'Freddie vs Jason') and the band have also had three successful Modern Rock chart tracks, Billboard Album and Single success. The 'Disclaimer' album was expected to reach Gold (500,000) in the USA by the end of 2003. The purpose of this tour is twofold. Firstly, it represents a homecoming for the band as they say thank you to South African fans for their continued support over the last two years, hence their preference to play concerts where they found their fans originally. Secondly, these concerts will conclude their touring of their first album as the band are preparing to enter the studio in Los Angeles in mid-January to begin work on their second album. SA audiences who supported the band when still called Saron Gas will now be rewarded by seeing the band in venues that they frequented when they were living in South Africa. SA bands Soul Proxy and Faultline will support the band on the tour. One of the Cape Town gigs will be an under-18 concert. The band will not be playing for a fee other than at New Year's Eve and have agreed to take their revenue from door sales only. This is unusual, and a special dispensation from the band to us to make the tour possible. The Seether Tour itinerary is as follows: 29th December 2003 - Blue Moon - Nelspruit 31st December - 5FM Festival - St Francis Bay (New Year's Eve) 2nd January 2004 - Mercury Live - Cape Town 3rd January - Mercury Live - Cape Town (afternoon under-18 concert) 4th January - Mercury Live - Cape Town 7th January - Wavehouse, Gateway, Durban 8th January - Roxy's - Johannesburg 9th January - Sin Bin, Pretoria 10th January - The Doors - Johannesburg For more information and ticket bookings contact Musketeer Records on: (011) 463 8876 or 082 457 5711 SARON GAS / SEETHER http://rock.co.za/legends/2000plus/saron_gas.html http://www.seether.com -------------- JAMES STEWART TO SUPPORT RONAN KEATING Big Concerts International and KFM 94.5 are very proud to announce that singer, songwriter, producer, and all round musical entrepreneur, James Stewart, is to support Irish singing sensation Ronan Keating on his upcoming SA tour. Ronan Keating will be performing in Cape Town's picturesque Kirstenbosch Gardens on the 2nd of January 2004. After world wide sales of over 16 million albums and countless awards, Ronan Keating has just released his third solo album, 'Turn It On', and will be will be wowing audiences on his second tour of SA. He promises his new show will be an "exciting, bigger version of the last one, with lots more happening, new songs and a whole new vibe". Cape Town-born James Stewart came to prominence as vocalist and songwriter for The Usual over their successful five-year career, and is a household name in the local pop industry. In his time with The Usual, the band supported Indecent Obsession, Duran Duran, and The Counting Crows on the South African leg of their world tours. They also played support slots for some of the country's top artists like Mango Groove, MarcAlex, Chicco, and Brenda Fassie, and were invited to perform in front of 80 000 united South Africans at the 2004 Olympic Bid concert. The release of their six-track debut album featured the hit singles 'The Shape That I'm In', 'In My Head', and 'I'm Going Nowhere', and was nominated for a South African Music Award for 'Best Pop/Rock Performance'. Their next album and title track, 'Like A Vision', hit the charts and went straight to Number 1, winning two South African Music Awards for 'Best Duo/ Group' and 'Best Pop/ Rock Performance', and their third album, 'Born in a Storm' was nominated for two SAMA's. Now focusing on his new solo path, James is putting his energy into writing and recording music on his own terms, and his debut solo album is expected in early 2004. Stewart has also been cultivating some strong US interest in his music over the past two years. Many of his songs have attracted the attention of various prominent US publishers, producers and songwriters. Stewart's song, 'The Meaning Of Goodbye', was featured on MTV's 'Clone High' animated series, and 'A Man Like Me' was used on the soundtrack of ABC's 'All My Children'. Don't miss James Stewart's heavenly vocals as he treats audiences to acoustic aural pleasure before the hugely talented Ronan Keating takes the stage and turns the night into a magical, musical experience... Tour Itinerary: Wednesday 31st December - The Sun City Superbowl Friday 2nd January - Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town Tickets: Computicket Internet Site - www.computicket.com Computicket Call Centre - 083 915 8000 James Stewart http://www.jamesonline.co.za -------------- NEW LOOK STAGE MAG NOW OUT December sees Stage Magazine, one of SA's foremost entertainment publications, now sporting a drastically re-vamped look and feel. Stage has been run for six years as a predominantly Cape Town-focused mag, but has now taken on a more national focus, as well as incorporating news on an international level. The magazine will now be published every two months instead of quarterly as in previous years. The magazine is heavier in content, and also incorporates a free CD and a poster. The CD, an exciting new monthly addition to Stage, will feature ten tracks from a South African artist on each release. The December edition's CD features 10 tracks from five of Boo!'s albums, giving fans a greatest hits compilation, and providing a perfect introduction to the successful SA band. Boo! begin their European tour in mid-January and will be taking copies of the magazine abroad to sell to their European fans, so the Stage name and all its information on the local entertainment scene, will be travelling abroad. Fans can also find a fold-out poster featuring the boys from Boo! inside the magazine. Both established and up-and-coming SA bands will have the opportunity to release compilation CDs through the magazine in future editions. In addition, writers and columnists will be bringing views, reviews, listings, interviews and previews from across South Africa and abroad. The magazine covers music, theatre, film, home entertainment, games and lifestyle. -------------- ANTIPATHY HAS SIGNED TO MAIDEN LEAGUE RECORDS Maiden League Records has just confirmed the signing of Antipathy, one of the best new bands Cape Town has to offer. A spokesman for Maiden League Records said: "Those of you who have actually seen Antipathy live would know that Antipathy offers quality, tight and very unique sets. You can try to pin their sound down, but you will still be trying that next year this time. Antipathy mixes hardcore, rock and very unique jazz influences to create a very inspiring sound". In TG, their frontman, Antipathy have the most energetic, most unique and one of the best vocalists in South Africa. The band's drummer, Jean, is blind, but he gives the drums a real beating once he gets behind them! Dawie is a young and extremely talented lead guitarist and Chris is on bass guitar. Antipathy's first full album will be released in February 2004. The album is yet to be titled and will contain 11 top-notch tracks, that have been recorded in a professional studio. Maiden League Records www.maidenleague.co.za E-mail: mailto:adriaan@maidenleague.co.za -------------- NEW MODEL ARMY TO TOUR SOUTH AFRICA Alter-Ego Productions is proud to announce the forthcoming tour to South Africa of the legendary band, New Model Army. Alter-Ego Productions is once again breaking ground in the South African live music events arena by staging an alternative music icon, presenting local fans the opportunity to catch a once-in-a-lifetime performance by one of alternative rock's true living legends. Who is New Model Army....? Well the members are: Justin "Slade The Leveller" Sullivan (guitar, vocals), Jason "Moose" Harris (bass, guitar) and Robb Heaton (drums, guitar). The band hails from Yorkshire, England, formed in 1980 and re-defined an era. Named after Oliver Cromwell's 17th Century, crack revolutionary army, they are champions of the working-class... and the environment. Moving from a humble, independent beginning to a major record label and mainstream sales potential, they have managed to maintain their strong originality, unique identity and die-hard fan base. One of the most important bands ever to tour South Africa! Anyone who was around in the Eighties will no doubt remember this band. Their take-no-bull stance struck a chord and their songs stomped up the international music charts for over a decade. Certainly, if you appreciate alternative rock, you will know New Model Army {and their classic '51st State' song from 1986 - ed}. On Friday 19th and Saturday 20th of March 2004, Mega-Music Warehouse in Newtown, Johannesburg will rock to the sounds of New Model Army. Due to time restraints Alter-Ego Productions will break with tradition and will present New Model Army (plus support acts to be announced) for a live experience of two shows in Johannesburg only. Tickets are R185.00 and will be on sale from around mid-December 2003 through all Look & Listen music stores nationwide, The Doors nightclub (Gauteng) and other selected retail outlets nationwide. South Africa's most well-known alternative voice; DJ Barney Simon, will MC at the Johannesburg shows. For further information, please contact: Alter-Ego Productions (Johannesburg) www.alter-ego.co.za promo@alter-ego.co.za (Publicity) For Cape Town/ national press enquiries contact Jon Monsoon: 082 928 7450 ---------------------------------------- 2003: THE SA ROCK DIGEST YEAR IN REVIEW ---------------------------------------- By John Samson JANUARY The year didn't get off to a good start as January saw us mourning the deaths of respected music journalist Owen Coetzer, country guitarist Syd Wagner, and Ilne Hofmeyer, who had played bass with éVoid in London. We were also shocked by the news that Perez and the Fruit Fly Navigators were to split. However, we had Semisane's new album 'Room2Breathe', and a Retro Fresh release of the Radio Rats 'Into The Night We Slide' to help us cope. Trevor Rabin fans were able to hear his material that didn't make it on to the Yes album '90125' as he released '90124', while Seether fans in the US were able to see the group on a guest spot on the popular 'Tonight Show'. The month ended with the SA Rock Digest celebrating its 4th birthday. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'Psycoparalysis' - Dayspring; 'Kwaito' - KGB Albums: 'Three' - Sunways; 'Swimming With The Women' - Mikanic FEBRUARY February was a month for new releases. Our shelves filled up with 'Catfish', a solo effort by Albert Frost; 'Sacrificial Etchings', a retrospective from the Awakening; Robin Auld's 'Luxury'; Steve Hofmeyr's covers of classic SA Pop songs called 'Toeka' (okay so that didn't really make all our shelves); Neo Muyanga's (one half of Blk Sonshine) 'The Listening Room'; and the Korean release of 'McCully Workshop Inc', which featured detailed liner notes and a family tree by the Digest's very own Brian Currin. News filtered through of a record deal that Just Jinger had landed with Capitol Records in the States. On the Digest front, we announced the launch of SA Klank, the Afrikaans sister publication to the Digest, and Stephen Segerman's slot on Bruce Millar's SAFM show moved to Monday nights. The Nukular Stompers' highly topical 'Sheriff Bush and Deputy Blair' track was receiving major download interest at SAmp3.com. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'Daytripper' - Joe Public; 'Sheriff Bush & Deputy Blair' - Nukular Stompers Albums: 'Forest Moon' - Forest Moon; 'Tap Into The System' - Dorp; 'Gommora' - Gommora MARCH There was a lot of moving and touring going on in March. Karma returned to SA for some dates with Henry Ate while Anton Goosen and Just Jinger had some shows in London. While Sunways relocated to the UK, a reformed Sugardrive played some Cape Town dates, and Dorp played a prestigious gig at Cargo, a top club in London. The Wingerdstok Lifestyle Festival was held near Villiersdorp and featured Kobus!, New Porn, Karen Zoid and Valiant Swart amongst others. Frenzal Rhomb, the Australian Punk band, toured SA while Steve Fataar (ex of The Flames) celebrated his 60th birthday while on tour with The Rolling Stones. On the listening front, we had new albums from Wonderboom, Tweak and a Gito Baloi/Nibs van der Spy (Landscape Prayers) collaboration. Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam) re-recorded 'Peace Train', a plea for peace, in Johannesburg and the strains of 'Charlie', the Rabbitt classic, could be heard on SAmp3 as Lorraine Shannon released her cover version that featured Trevor Rabin on guitar. Wildebeest records announced a comeback with their 'Volk Jou Ook - 18 Liefdesliedjies Vir Vrydenkende Afrikaners' compilation being released during the month. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'Vreemdeling' - Dertien; 'Dinosaur' - Forest Moon; 'Stoute Boude' - Anton Goosen & Beeskraal; 'Beach Girl' - Natalia Albums: 'Catfish' - Albert Frost; 'Three Piece Project' - Siamese; 'The Listening Room' - Neo Muyanga; 'Room2Breathe' - Semisane APRIL April is SAMA award time and honours went to Boo! (Best Pop Album - 'Shooting Star') and Not My Dog (Best Rock Album - 'Braai Vibes') amongst others. Growing US interest in Vusi Mahlasela resulted in him playing at Carnegie Hall in New York. We also had a number of festivals to attend: Oppikoppi at Northam included Soil7t7, Valiant Swart & Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes; the Cause Festival in Hangklip featured The Rudimentals, Hog Hoggidy Hog and FuziGish, while the Rand Easter Show Afrikaans Musiekfees in Johannesburg rocked to Anton Goosen, Karen Zoid, and Beeskraal. We said a sad farewell to Baba Mokoena Seakoeng who passed away, and were glued to Kyknet watching Valiant Swart and Mel Botes in 'Song Vir Katryn'. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'LekkerByDieSee' - Diff Olie; 'Wish You Were Here' - Liela Albums: 'Luxury' - Robin Auld; 'Awakening' - HappyFourTwenty MAY Hot on the heels of their SAMA success, Not My Dog headed out on a national tour, while at the Mercury Lounge in Cape Town DJ Moodswing's 60-hour continuous DJ-ing smashed the previous world record by 10hrs 42 mins. Watershed overcame the difficult second album syndrome with the stunning 'Wrapped In Stone' while the ubiquitous Boo! launched 'TNTLC' at the Stellenbosch Town Hall. We sadly marked the passing of comedian Pip Freedman while Tully McCully was probably trying hard to ignore the fact that he turned 50. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'Fishes Of Men' - Metalmorphosis; 'Tweak Sampler (Micasso Mix)' - Tweak; 'Jy Is Opium' - Valiant Swart Albums: 'Ligdag' - Laurinda Hofmeyr; 'Tell Someone Who Cares' - Wonderboom JUNE Once again we were treated to some fine new releases. Piet Botha's 'Die Mamba', Zen Arcade's 'Release' and the eagerly awaited 2nd album from Karen Zoid, 'Chasing The Sun', all of which where highly pleasing. Aside from that we also started to become aware of the stunning Buckfever Underground's 'Teaching Afrikaans As A Foreign Language'. Retro Fresh, whose co-label Fresh Music celebrated its 5th birthday, kept our '70's and '80's collections ticking over with 'Simply Otis Waygood' and a No Friends of Harry retrospective while on SAmp3 we not only had Brian Finch's cover of 'Orang Otang' to groove to but were able to hear Bright Blue's brilliant tribute to Nelson Mandela as 'Madiba 1990' was posted on SA's favourite MP3 site. We received the sad news that Mickie Most had passed away and the South African Music Quota Coalition was launched to try and up the quota of local music on SA Radio stations. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'Awakening' - HappyFourTwenty; 'Shine' - James Stewart; 'Anything' - Helen Desbois; 'Get Some' - Soil7t7; 'Die Mamba' (Demo) - Piet Botha Albums: 'Song Vir Katryn' - Valiant Swart; 'Wrapped In Stone' - Watershed JULY The month started with a number of death notices as we mourned the loss of Bertha Egnos, (co-composer of Ipi N'Tombi); Allen Kwela (jazz guitarist) and N!xau, the bushman who starred in The 'Gods Must Be Crazy'. While saying goodbye to these stars we welcomed back the Cape Times Battle of the Bands competition which featured bands active before 1972, and also saw the return of Hot R.S. who revamped their cover of 'House Of The Rising Sun'. Delta Blue ('Inbluesstation') and Jo Day ('No Warning') had new releases for us while Retro Fresh brought us a best of Celtic Rumours. Ex-Pats in London were able to see previews of Mann Friday's 'Zimbabwe Ruins' show before it moved on to the Edinburgh Festival, as well as their first glimpse of Karen Zoid live as she played a couple of gigs in the UK capital. The punk revival continued apace, led by the women as Mitsoo and the impressive Janie Jones played the Mercury Lounge in Cape Town. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'The Banded' - The Narrow; 'Madiba 1990' - Bright Blue Albums: 'Mellow Drama' - Phringe; 'Die Mamba' - Piet Botha; 'TNTLC' - Boo! AUGUST August featured SA Music Week and this year it took place with concerts at the V&A Waterfront amongst other events with the theme - "Learning and Jiving - A New Focus for South African Music Week". Anton Goosen celebrated 25 years in the business with a concert at the Pretoria State Theatre. Guests at this gig included Dozi, Sonja Herholdt, Gian Groen and Karen Zoid, who celebrated her 25 birthday this month. The event would result in a double CD released in November. Danny K was back with a new single and album and Tait released 'Back Seat Driver' with its huge radio hit, 'In My Arms'. Internationally, Rodriguez was getting more attention as David Holmes recruited him to do backing vocals on the Free Association's cover version of 'Sugarman', which made the UK charts. The excellent 'Voelvry' documentary was screened on Kyknet, and Steve Fataar launched the Velvet Underground, a new music venue in Stellenbosch. Punk rockers enjoyed The Rollin' Party which celebrated Cape Town's original pop, rock, punk and ska scene. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'Fallen' - Velve; 'Make It Your System' - Lazarus Albums: 'Chasing the Sun' - Karen Zoid; 'No Warning' - Jo Day SEPTEMBER Once again there was a lot of good live music going on in SA. Simply Red, Sepultura and Live were all touring the country while Woodstock 5 took place at Roodeplaat Dam where artists included Boo! Cutting Jade, Jo Day and Springbok Nude Girls. The Soweto String Quartet celebrated 25 years in the music business with the release of their 5th album, 'Our World', and a magnificent live performance in London alongside Manu Dibango. Steve Louw was also busy. Along with Big Sky he performed a few Cape Town dates and was also inducted into the SA Rock Hall of Fame. Jo Day released 'The Truth' and Arno Carstens released his first solo effort, 'Another Universe'. Retro Fresh also celebrated a landmark as Tribe After Tribe's 'Power' became their 25th release. The Idiots won the revived Cape Times Battle of the Bands and we were glued to our TV's watching a short feature film on Rodriguez ('Looking For Jesus'), and a brilliant documentary by Shifty Records' Lloyd Ross on James Phillips, screened on M-Net/DSTV and SABC respectively. Not forgetting everyone's favourite travel series, 'Going Nowhere Slowly', the never-boring, half-hour program on Sunday arvies at 5.30 on SABC3 that focused on an ever-shifting duo/trio of young SA travellers in a red car, cruising their way around the highways and byways of Southern Africa, accompanied by a great soundtrack provided by a host of independent SA artists. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'Humanarium' - Bed on Bricks; 'Summer Sun' - Zen Arcade Albums: 'Back Seat Driver' - Tait; 'Release' - Zen Arcade OCTOBER Robin Auld took some well deserved time off from his SA Music Quota Coalition activities to play some New York gigs. Locally, 'The World in a Guitar', featuring 11 top SA guitarists (including Steve Newman, Tony Cox, Syd Kitchen and Edi Niederlander), played at Johannesburg's Market Theatre. The Awesome Africa Festival took place in Durban, featuring bands from around the globe (250 artists from 22 countries). The Digest even got a review of a Piet Botha's gig from Manuel Escorcio. We got the sad news that Dennis Platt AKA Dennis Deranged ex of Young Dumb and Violent, and jazz guitarist Sandile Shange had passed away. Pop Idol fans were treated to Brandon October's solo album, 'Temptation', while the Tassenberg All*Stars were back in action with Volume 4 of the highly regarded compilation series. The Nukular Stompers opened up another 'Can of Worms' with their album release and Mike Eager (hits included 'Rock Me To Sleep' and 'Just How High') celebrated his 50th birthday. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'Cosmo Girl' - The Fallen; 'James Brown (I Ain't)' - Martin Rocka & The Sick Shop Albums: 'Inbluesstation' - Delta Blue; 'Another Universe' - Arno Carstens NOVEMBER There was a host of pre-Christmas album releases that included Bed on Bricks' 'Humanarium' and The Rudimentals' 'More Fire'. Probably the most exciting was a collaboration between Koos Kombuis and Valiant Swart called ''n Jaar in Die Son'. There was more great live music with Nelson Mandela's Aids awareness '46664' concert rightfully taking most of the spotlight. This massive concert held at Green Point Stadium featured such international luminaries as Beyonce, Peter Gabriel, and Bono, while the local music scene was represented by Johnny Clegg, Watershed, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo amongst others. Clout singer, Cindy Alter, was back from the States for some Johannesburg concerts, while a soundbite from Craig David's Cape Town concert was aired on the BBC's popular 'Top Of The Pops' show. The Geraas Awards recognised the talents of Karen Zoid, Amanda Strydom and ddisselblom amongst others with Zoid walking away with 3 awards ('Album van die Jaar' award, 'Beste Rock Album' and 'Beste Liedjieskrywer'). However, the most poignant moments of the month came as we prepared to remember the great Johannes Kerkorrel a year after his tragic death. 'Perelsvoordieswyne' a 'Best of' collection was released and Karen Zoid, Amanda Strydom, Grethe Fox, Stef Bos, Valiant Swart and many more took part in a moving tribute concert at the Pretoria State Theatre. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'Plan My Attack' - Soulja; 'Castles (Remix)' - freshlyground; 'Things 2 Consider' -Skwirmish Albums: 'Jika Jika' - freshlyground; 'Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder' - Amanda Strydom; 'Rock the Bedsprings' - Old Mol DECEMBER The Dolly Rockers released 'The Heat', their eagerly anticipated follow-up to 'Glory Glory'. Authentic Ideas and Sovereign sent their roster of bands out on full SA tours which meant that SA fans could see acts like Jo Day, Wonderboom, The Finklestiens, Marlowe, Tweak, Zen Arcade, and The Parlotones in their local clubs. Cape Town group, The Rudimentals, promoted their Ska-tastic new album called 'More Fire' with some dynamic Cape Town gigs, and African Dope sorted out their distribution hassles by signing with Sony SA and putting out a bunch of new titles. Legendary Cape Town producer, Tully McCully, returned with a rocking new band and album called 'Bluescream'. And US-based Seether began their triumphant homecoming return tour to SA. Chart Toppers: Singles: 'Above My Room' - Jo Day; 'All The World' - Zen Arcade Albums: 'More Fire' - The Rudimentals; 'The Truth' - Jo Day -------------- THE SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 30 ALBUMS OF 2003 1. Die Mamba - Piet Botha (Rhythm/Bowline) http://www.pietbotha.com There were plenty of top rock albums released in South Africa during 2003 and choosing the best of the lot was never going to be easy. Karen Zoid released 'Chasing The Sun', her second album (her first was the Digest 'album of the year' in 2001), and proved that 'Poles Apart' was no fluke and that all the rave reviews about her were well deserved. Freshlyground, the popular Cape Town seven-person music collective, followed up their string of acclaimed and very packed gigs with 'Jika Jika', an album that captured their dynamic Afro-World sound and diverse songs featuring the sensational vocals of new SA star, Xolani. Arno Carstens released 'Another Universe', his intelligent debut solo album with the songs developed with his New Porn project featuring the guitar genius of Albert Frost and viola licks of Brendan Jury. Watershed's second album, 'Wrapped In Stone', was another classy piece of work, and young Johannesburg band, Old Mol, released 'Rock The Bedsprings', the year's freshest, funniest and most entertaining album from an emerging SA rock band. But the album of the year came from one of South Africa's older troubadours - Piet Botha's 'Die Mamba' was his first since leaving EMI and returning to his indie roots with Rhythm Records. The album found this respected and adored Afrikaans musician releasing what is regarded by his many devotees as his finest work since his seminal album, ''n Suitcase Vol Winter', in 1997. 'Die Mamba' boasts a stunning title track with its wry look (back?) at groupies, or "bokkies" as they are referred to here. There's 'Bordello', a rewrite of 'The House Of The Rising Son' that situates this traditional folk classic in Johannesburg; 'Die Gemmerbroodman', which is a nod to the backing track 'superstars'; and there's an emotional look at both the destructive effects of the apartheid-era border war ('Jacob Klipkop') and the current US situation ('Al Die Stede'), which is also Piet's sincere dedication to Nelson Mandela. Piet Botha dug deep for his inspiration behind 'Die Mamba', and the album is a warm, lyrical, sentimental and ultimately powerful experience. Botha has combined his evocative songwriting and musical wisdom and experience, gained from many years on the SA music circuit, with the young musical talents of guitarist Jonathan Martin and the other musicians in his backing band, Jack Hammer, to craft an album rich in imagery, personal observations, and wonderful songs. Piet Botha's 'Die Mamba' is the SA Rock Digest Album Of The Year for 2003. 2. Jika Jika - freshlyground (Indie) 3. Chasing The Sun - Karen Zoid (EMI) 4. Another Universe - Arno Carstens (Sony) 5. Rock The Bedsprings - Old Mol (Legend) 6. Wrapped In Stone - Watershed (EMI) 7. TNTLC - Boo! (BMG) 8. The Truth - Jo Day (Indie) 9. Back Seat Driver - Tait (Fresh) 10. Release - Zen Arcade (Indie) 11. Hello Crazy World - Prime Circle (DGR) 12. Forest Moon - Forest Moon (Indie) 13. More Fire - The Rudimentals (Indie) 14. Inbluesstation - Delta Blue (Merchant) 15. Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder - Amanda Strydom (JNS) 16. Mellow Drama - Phringe (USM) 17. Sui - Benguela (Open Record) 18. Luxury - Robin Auld (Free Lunch) 19. Awakening - Happy Four Twenty (Go Hemp) 20. At The Bassline - Tumi And The Volume (Ready Rolled) 21. Tell Someone Who Cares - Wonderboom (DGR) 22. The Heat - The Dolly Rockers (Huh?) 23. Ceremony - Cofield Mundi (Fresh) 24. Catfish - Albert Frost (Rhythm/Bowline) 25. Ligdag - Laurinda Hofmeyr (Rhythm/Bowline) 26. Teaching Afrikaans As A Foreign Language - Buckfever Underground (Indie) 27. Dirty Sanchez And The Misfit Kidz - Tweak (BMG) 28. 'n Jaar In Die Son - Koos Kombuis En Valiant Swart (Rhythm/Bowline) 29. When I Grow Up - Guy Buttery (Sheer) 30. Never Look Back - Brian Finch (Indie) -------------- SA ROCK DIGEST TOP SONGS OF 2003 http://www.SAmp3.com 1. Humanarium - Bed on Bricks Another difficult choice for 'Song Of The Year' for 2003, with so many worthy contenders from across the many SA genres! The year saw '90's SA folk-rockers, Bright Blue, returning with the slow-building 'Madiba 1990', an effervescent musical tribute to Nelson Mandela on his 85th Birthday in the year of his '46664' campaign. Johannesburg rock bands stepped up with some great new songs - there was the excellent 'Sobriety Friend' from Old Mol, 'Summer Sun' and 'All The World' from the consistent Zen Arcade, and a return to melodic power punk demonstrated best by The Fallen's 'Cosmo Girl' and Morning Haze's 'Jaded Mind'. The Cape Town rock bands responded with top rock tunes from Velve ('Fallen'), Lazarus ('Make It Your System'), Soulja ('Plan My Attack'), and the fantastic 'Things 2 Consider' from punk trio Skwirmish. But the best song of the year came from Bed On Bricks, a new Cape Town group with the coolest name heard all year. 'Humanarium' combined a slinky slice of Cape jazz funk with the strangest lyric heard all year to produce a uniquely South African musical experience, all within a few surreal minutes. It's all about a man carrying around a goldfish in a plastic bag in Cape Town and getting a ride with a Nigerian taxi driver while shopping for some wire ornaments, all seen from the perspective of the goldfish who is in a sort of human aquarium situation.... I think.... ?? Whatever, 'Humanarium' is a brilliant and imaginative slice of contemporary South African music that you can ponder, laugh at, and dance to all at the same time and is unanimously awarded our 'Song Of The Year 2003' title. "Tell me what your specials are today, I'm feeling special!" sing Bed On Bricks. And so you all should! 2. Madiba 1990 - Bright Blue 3. Sobriety Friend - Old Mol 4. Things 2 Consider -Skwirmish 5. Make It Your System - Lazarus 6. Cosmo Girl - The Fallen 7. Fallen - Velve 8. Summer Sun - Zen Arcade 9. Jaded Mind - Morning Haze 10. Plan My Attack - Soulja 11. Sheriff Bush & Deputy Blair - Nukular Stompers 12. James Brown (I Ain't) - Martin Rocka & The Sick Shop 13. Dinosaur - Forest Moon 14. Above My Room - Jo Day 15. Die Mamba - Piet Botha 16. Awakening - HappyFourTwenty 17. Troublesome - Delta Blue 18. Psycoparalysis - Dayspring 19. Shine - James Stewart 20. Hilary - Mitsoo 21. The Banded - The Narrow 22. Get Some - Soil7t7 23. Beach Girl - Natalia 24. LekkerByDieSee - Diff-Olie 25. Fishes Of Men - Metalmorphosis 26. Hands Down - Track 4 27. Vreemdeling - Dertien 28. Castles (Remix) - freshlyground 29. Stoute Boude - Anton Goosen & Beeskraal 30. Mowgli - Zero Tolerance 31. Time To Change - Grant Nuss 32. Geek - Jakkie Louw 33. War - 12th Avenue 34. Million Miles - Space Committee 35. Rise - Sonar 36. All The World - Zen Arcade 37. My Favourite Song On The Radio - What Now?! 38. Rock And Roll Man - Bedrock 39. Wish You Were Here - Liela 40. Ek En Jy In Die Kaap - Lize Beekman 41. Jy Is Opium - Valiant Swart 42. Paralyser - Ghettomuffin 43. Bleed - Loogaroo 44. Meisie Van Die Ooste - Alta Joubert 45. Anything - Mike De Jager & Adrian Clark 46. Firelight - Brian Finch 47. The Meaning Of Goodbye - James Stewart 48. Fokofpolisiekar - Fokofpolisiekar 49. Kuslangs - Myburgh 50. Ugly - Springcan All these songs are available at http://www.SAmp3.com -------------- TOP 20 COMPILATIONS AND REISSUES OF 2003 1. Drop The Debt - Various Artists (Sheer) 2. Breathe Sunshine - Various (Amabala) 3. African Dope Sound System - Various (African Dope) 4. Tassenberg All*Stars Vol 4 - Various (Trippy Grape) 5. Rocking Against The System Vol 2 - Various (RetroFresh) 6. Power - Tribe After Tribe (RetroFresh) 7. A Moment In Cape Town - Various (Revised edition) (Afribeat) 8. Perelsvoordieswyne - Best Of - Johannes Kerkorrel (Gallo) 9. Slow Rain: The Complete Celtic Rumour - Celtic Rumour (RetroFresh) 10. Wicked Demos - Various (Wicked Rock) 11. Afrikaanse Reggae - Various (Hoezit) 12. Into The Night We Slide - Radio Rats (Retro Fresh) 13. Sacrificial Etchings (Selected Works 1996-2002) - The Awakening (Intervention Arts) 14. McCully Workshop, Inc. - McCully Workshop (Beatball Records, Korea) 15. Healing Destination - Mac MacKenzie & The Goema Captains of Cape Town (Afribeat) 16. Let Us Be Heard - Various (Wicked Rock) 17. The Present Has Passed - No Friends Of Harry (Retro Fresh) 18. Volk Jou Ook - 18 Liefdesliedjies - Various (Wildebeest) 19. Greatest Hits - Tsepo Tshola And Sankamota (CCP) 20. Tales Of The Drum - Soweto Percussion Ensemble (Sheer Africa) And a special mention must be made of those excellent cover discs on every month's SL magazine. -------------- BEST SONGS OFF THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2003 1. In My Arms - Tait ('Back Seat Driver'/Fresh) 2. Another Universe - Arno Carstens ('Another Universe'/Sony) 3. Deurmekaar - Karen Zoid ('Chasing The Sun'/EMI) 4. Come - Boo! ('TNTLC'/BMG) 5. Rich Folks Hoax - Amanda Strydom ('Verspreide Donderbeie'/JNS) 6. Mali - freshlyground ('Jika Jika/'Indie) 7. Hello - Prime Circle ('Hello Crazy World'/DGR) 8. Cyril 1 - Old Mol ('Rock The Bedsprings'/Legend) 9. Closing Down - Watershed ('Wrapped In Stone'/EMI) 10. House Party - Tweak ('Dirty Sanchez And The Mizfit Kidz'/BMG) 11. Die Mamba - Piet Botha ('Die Mamba'/Rhythm/Bowline) 12. Dead Right - Wonderboom ('Tell Someone Who Cares'/DGR) 13. Blah Di Blah - Drop Dead Gorgeous ('Melt With Me'/Indie) 14. Noh TV - The Rudimentals ('More Fire'/Indie) 15. Who Cares Not Us - Buckfever Underground ('Teaching Afrikaans As A Foreign Language') (Indie) 16. Summer Fades - Janie Jones ('Rough Cuts'/Sugar Music) 17. Need - Phringe ('Mellow Drama'/USM) 18. Weather - Robin Auld ('Luxury'/Free Lunch) 19. Met My Stukkende Kitaar - Koos Kombuis and Valiant Swart (''n Jaar In Die Son'/Rhythm/Bowline) 20. Forgive Me - Cofield Mundi ('Ceremony'/Fresh) -------------- THE SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 10 ARTISTS OF 2003 Based on Chart Performance 1. Karen Zoid (22 Weeks) 2. Zen Arcade (21 Weeks) 3. Delta Blue (18 Weeks) 4. Tait (18 Weeks) 5. Dorp (18 Weeks) 6. Boo! (16 Weeks) 7. Jo Day (16 Weeks) 8. Semisane (14 Weeks) 9. Arno Carstens (13 weeks) 10. freshlyground (12 Weeks) ---------------------------------------------------- 2. CHARTS ---------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [2] (1) All The World - Zen Arcade ('Release'/Indie) 2. [7] (2) Hands Down - Track 4 ('Demo'/Indie) 3. [3] (3) Time To Change - Grant Nuss ('Diversity'/Bowline) 4. [1] (1) Above My Room - Jo Day ('The Truth'/Indie) 5. [16] (4) Viagra La Buena - Nukular Stompers ('Can Of Worms'/Indie) 6. [9] (5) Trash Like You - Martin Rocka And The Sick Shop ('Trailer Rash'/Gosatango) 7. [10] (7) Twisted - Believable Addiction (Indie) 8. [5] (5) Meisie Van Die Ooste - Alta Joubert ('Warrelwinde'/Hoezit) 9. [12] (9) Scream (demo) - Velve (Indie) 10. [13] (10) Face - Ystervark ('Living It Up'/Indie) 11. [17] (11) Anything - Mike de Jager and Adrian Clark ('With These Hands'/Indie) 12. [4] (1) Things 2 Consider - Skwirmish ('The EP'/Indie) 13. [8] (4) Woman - Soil 7t7 ('Soil 7t7'/Indie) 14. [15] (14) Mowgli - Zero Tolerance ['A Perfect Life'/Indie) 15. [11] (2) Rich Folks Hoax - Amanda Strydom ('Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder'/JNS) 16. [18] (16) Life Away - My Shade (Bedtime Musick'/Indie) 17. [21] (17) Duiwel Kom Ons Haal - Springcan ('Are You Confuzed?'/Indie) 18. ([22] (18) My Favourite Song On The Radio - What Now?! ('Let Us Be Heard'/Wicked Rock) 19. [-] (19) Fokokpolisiekar - Fokofpolisiekar ('As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand'/ Rhythm/Bowline) 20. [14] (1) Castles (Remix) - freshlyground ('Jika Jika'/Freeground) 21. [-] (21) Sobriety Friend - Old Mol ('Rockin The Bedsprings'/Legend) 22. [26] (22) Seether Sampler - Seether ('Disclaimer'/Musketeer) 23. [-] (23) Lovesong -The Dollyrockers ('The Heat'/Indie) 24. [-] (24) Met My Stukkende Kitaar - Koos Kombuis & Valiant Swart (''n Jaar In Die Son'/Rhythm/Bowline) 25. [23] (23) Kuslangs - Myburgh ('Burnt Bachelor' EP/Indie) 26. [-] (26) Rise - Sonar ('Bittersweet' EP/Indie) 27. [-] (27) The Countdown - Bluescream ('Bluescream'/Indie) 28. [30] (14) Rock And Roll Man - Bedrock ('Recovery'/Criminal Records) 29. [-] (29) Blah Di Blah - Drop Dead Gorgeous ('Melt with Me'/Indie) 30. [-] (30) Step Outside - Luna ('Luna'/Indie) -------------- TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [2] (1) The Truth - Jo Day (Indie) 2. [1] (1) Rock The Bedsprings - Old Mol (Legend) 3. [5] (3) Diversity - Grant Nuss (Indie/Bowline) 4. [11] (4) More Fire - The Rudimentals (Indie) 5. [9] (5) Melt With Me - Drop Dead Gorgeous (Indie/Bowline) 6. [4] (2) Hello Crazy World - Prime Circle (David Gresham Records) 7. [3] (3) Breathe Sunshine - Various (Amabala) 8. [10] (8) Power - Tribe After Tribe (RetroFresh) 9. [15] (9) Perelsvoordieswyne - Best Of - Johannes Kerkorrel (Gallo) 10. [6] (1) Jika Jika - freshlyground (Freeground) 11. [7] (1) Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder - Amanda Strydom (JNS) 12. [14] (12) Luna - Luna (Indie) 13. [16] (13) Can Of Worms - Nukular Stompers (Indie) 14. [8] (1) Another Universe - Arno Carstens (Epic) 15. [13] (5) Tassenberg All*Stars Volume 4 - Vari-ous (Trippy Grape/Bowline) 16. [19] (16) 'n Jaar In Die Son - Koos Kombuis & Valiant Swart (Rhythm/Bowline) 17. [12] (4) Sagtevlei - Alex Van Heerden and Derek Gripper (Open Record/Bowline) 18. [23] (18) Mkhukhu Funkshen - Skwatta Kamp (Gallo) 19. [17] (1) Inbluesstation - Delta Blue (Merchant/Bowline) 20. [22] (20) Flat To Round - David Foster (Rhythm/Bowline) 21. [20] (1) Chasing The Sun - Karen Zoid (EMI) 22. [18] (1) Back Seat Driver - Tait (Fresh) 23. [26] (23) Sliq Angel - Sliq Angel (Sony) 24. [21] (2) Johnny Clegg - A South African Story - Live (Value) 25. [24] (5) Greatest Hits - Tsepo Tshola And Sankamota (CCP) 26. [28] (26) Blomdoorns - Derek Gripper (Open Record) 27. [-] (27) The Heat - Dollyrockers (Indie) 28. [25] (14) Rough Cuts - Janie Jones (Sugar Music) 29. [29] (1) Release - Zen Arcade (Indie) 30. [27] (2) Sui - Benguela (Open Record/Bowline) READ http://www.rock.co.za/files LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 _____________________________________________ 3. NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES ------ MP3s ------ All the mp3s listed here are available to download at http://www.SAmp3.com - the biggest South African mp3 website in the world. --------------- JAMES STEWART - 'GRAVITY' As James Stewart prepares for his support slot with Ronan Keating in January, he has released his lastest mp3 'Gravity' in an exclusive agreement between his website www.JamesOnline.co.za and www.SAmp3.com. Please visit http://www.jamesonline.co.za and click on the "Download Gravity" link. --------------- SEARCH FOR MP3's Use the SAmp3.com onboard search engine, powered by Google, to search for mp3s on http://www.SAmp3.com by artist or song title. ----- CDs ----- AFRICAN DOPE - NEW DISTRIBUTION DEAL AND THREE NEW RELEASES The very hip Cape Town label, African Dope, has announced a brand new manufacture and distribution deal for Southern Africa with Sony Music SA, described by the Dope lads as "one of the biggest and slickest playas in the SA music industry". A spokesperson for the label added: "This means that after nine months of being effectively unable to release new CDs, African Dope Records is back in business and the label's entire catalogue is now available via Sony, meaning you should be able to buy your gran her dope at any decent music shop in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique and of course across SA, even in places like Polokwane, Paarl and Pietermaritzburg". African Dope has also announced the release of three new CD titles for summer 2003/04. The first of those releases is 'African Dope Sound System' (ADOPECD010), which features "the nu underground sound of Cape Town - a feast of nu skool dub, reggae and dancehall sounds!" 'African Dope Sound System' is the big project that's been cooking up in the African Dope studios for the past 9 months - a collaboration between African Dope's inhouse producer, DJ Dope, and Juan Thyme, featuring the cream of the Cape Flats reggae & dancehall MC crews, and a host of top acoustic and electronic musicians from the Mother City. 'African Dope Sound System' is jam-packed with 18 beefy new tracks featuring the skills of Teba, The Chronic Clan, Red Lion, Black Dillinger, Crosby, JJ and Tim Parr. 'African Dope Soundsystem' delivers a fresh hybrid of homegrown and international vocals and riddims; bouncy, bass-heavy flavas taking in dancehall and hip hop, dub, reggae, jungle and even kwaito. The album was mixed and mastered for maximum phatness by Krushed & Sorted and Juan Thyme at the awesome Full Circle Sound studios in the Wilderness on Dynaudio Air 6 system. ) The second release from African Dope is from the Kalahari Surfers and is called 'Muti Media' (ADOPECD011). This is a brand new album from Warrick Sony, the original pioneer of experimental "Afrikan hedfukmusic". 'Muti Media' follows on where 2001's acclaimed 'Akasic Record' (ADOPECD004) left off.... "a deep, delicious and vaguely unsettling trip through downtempo afrodub beats and mutilated rhythms in odd time signatures, compelling musicianship, eccentric sampling from SA's history and beyond, and that unique moody flavour of a master producer at work". As provocative and intoxicating as malaria (or early '80's Kalahari Surfers material!), the album features vocal input from Soweto beatpoet, Lesego Rampolokeng, the Surfers' protege vocalist, Zukile Malahlana, and Jennifer Ferguson, and a vast array of instruments and obscure samples from the Warrick Sony Library of Surreal Samples. It also features a Brett Murray sculpture on the cover! 'Muti Media' is the meeting point of Africa and Technology - the sangoma with a computer; the bushman with a surfboard; the tribesman with a cellphone. It takes the South African landscape into new dimensions of unsettled surreality - a musical journey through a doped-out dream state of not-quite-nightmare and not quiet relaxed suburban lounge. Thinking mon's dub, a'ight? And the third release from the African Dope bank(ie) is the 'Silvertab Harambe Dope Sessions' on DIY Records (DIYCD001). DIY Records is a partnership between African Dope Johannesburg ideas machine, Matchbox, dedicated to providing opportunities for underground hip hop culture in SA. This great compilation of unsigned and (previously) unreleased Mzansi Hip Hop is the culmination of a six month collaboration between Silvertab, YFM's 'Harambe' Show, African Dope, and Matchbox. Over 12 weeks, listeners on YFM, Bush Radio and a host of campus stations nationwide tuned in to the 'Silvertab Harambe Dope Sessions' radio shows and voted for their favourite unsigned SA hip hop demos. Over 100 000 votes were received (more than most political parties get he he) - proving once and for all that not only is SA Hip Hop worth voting for, but that there's huge support out there for it. This compilation includes all the winning demos and other gems unearthed via the radio shows - 19 fresh, funky, hednodding flavas from the likes of Cashless Society, Tykoon Suit, Teba, 5th Floor feat Korianda, Groundworks, Mizchif, Hymphatic Tabs, Maggz, Blazin' Spear, MC Einaar & DJ Cool Guy (aka Sibot), Die Man Van Staal En Biskit and many more. If you're remotely interested in where the future of SA hip hop is at, this one is essential. BREAKING NEWS: African Dope's Long-Lost Vinyl Shipment Arrives! It may be four months late, but it's finally arrived. African Dope's long-lost SA shipment of African Dope vinyl, has been languishing in a customs warehouse for months while various distribution, freight and customs people dithered about sort-of-trying to clear them. It's a sad tale, so let's skip directly to the happy ending: finally, African Dope have stock of the following titles in hand: Felix Laband - 'Donkey Rattle'/'My Sisters Pulse' (ADOPE1202) Various - 'Cape of Good Dope Sampler' (feat Neon Don, Felix Laband, Kalahari Surfers, Constructus, Mr Mo, Pug) (ADOPE1203) Godessa - 'Social Ills' EP (ADOPE1204) These three records cost R90 each (VAT inc) and stocks are extremely limited. To book your vinyl - email Leyton dopedealer@africandope.co.za stating which ones you want and which city you're in. If you booked copies before and haven't been sorted yet, please re-place your order @ dopedealer@africandope.co.za - apologies for the inconvenience. -------------- JEROME ARTHUR RELEASES 'CONFESSIONS IN RED' Caramel Music is proud to present "Confessions in RED", Jerome Arthur's (aka Jeroen Seynhaeve) latest release. Expect an hour of atmospheric soundscapes, mouth-watering melodies and ethereal rhythms. "I've experimented with Fender Rhodes and pianos, big string arrangements and sampled drums... and I'm delighted to hear the result" says composer/producer Jerome. This unique and trendy collection of songs was recorded in the idyllic valley of Franschhoek, renowned food and wine capital of South Africa, and home to Caramel Music. Inspired by the natural scenic beauty of the spectacular Cape Winelands and by the wine produced in this area, Jerome named the album 'Confessions in RED', as he explains: "The music reflects the characteristics of red wine" Jerome says "...imagine yourself lounging in a plush couch in front of a fire with a glass of good red wine balancing in your hand... or in a good restaurant wining and dining with your best friends..." (Jerome is currently working on 'Confessions in White'!) To order the album, check out www.jeromearthur.co.za/orderanalbum for details. The album is also available from a number of fine restaurants, bars and shops in and around Franschhoek. Jerome Arthur is also a member of Forest Moon, and has also released 'Confessions In Dub' -------------- THE ZAZONE.COM SA BAND SPOTLIGHT http://www.zaZone.com LAD, the dedicated webmaster of zaZone.com, usually throws his regular spotlight on one of the many SA bands currently affiliated to his SA music site. For this year-end edition, however, he decided to update us on the activities of many of the bands mentioned in past columns, as the year draws to a close. Well, another year... phew, it's been hectic! In the past few months zaZone.com has had a look at several bands/artists in the SA Rock Digest. We therefore thought it fitting to update you on these bands and their current situations. As I write this article I'm listening to Jo Day and the B.A.N.D. practicing in my entertainment area at my house... they're staying here while playing at the Rock The Bay festival and at the Mercury gig, which will be history by the time you read this... Ockert has left The Fallen, but the band has a new member and is busy working on their material and working on their sound. The band will be taking a break until next year when they record "I Surrender" and will then start playing again. TRACK 4 also underwent a change in that their drummer left and the band is now reworking their material and getting the new drummer up to speed. They will be re-recording several tracks and have vowed to make a killer showing next year! Morning Haze is taking a short break as Phil (guitarist) is in America. He should be back by March when the band promises to make up for lost time! Scarlet Host is still blasting out some serious metal in the Cape Town area! My Shade has been quietly (if a metal band can be quiet) racking up experience and playing at various venues. They've got a gig on the 2nd of Feb 2004 at the Lemon Connection in Cape Town, so get to see them if you can. Orange has split up. The lead singer Andre joined Jo Day for a short while, but has left due to professional differences. Woodstock 5 was a real blast this year. Hosted at the Roodeplaat Dam just outside Pretoria, it rocked the 16,000-strong crowd with bands, BMX's, dirt bikes, food stalls, music tents and tons of dust... It was really a great event. Don't miss out on Woodstock 2004! Pyramid Tongue is still licking up a storm and gigging. Soil 7t7 is also still gigging as far as I know, but I could not get in touch with the band for further details... Jo Day is in the process of changing guitarists as Darren has left the band. Even though the band is in a little bit of disarray they're still gigging and keeping fans (extremely) happy! Jo Day will be closing off 2003 at Roxy's in Melville with Tweak, Cutting Jade and more on the 31st of Dec. Soulja launched their album early in Dec at a fantastic even at Stones in Long Street, Cape Town. The bands, however, had to cancel the next two gigs as Warren and Greg were involved in a car accident the morning after the CD launch. Greg sustained minor injuries and bruises, but Warren had a few broken ribs and internal bleeding. Fortunately the band is back on their feet again, fighting on the frontlines of SA rock. Soulja will be playing with State Far Better at AL'S in Knysna on the 29th and at Neptunes Festival, Kenton-On-Sea, past PE on the 30th at 21h00. The Rudimentals, who are skanking their way into the New Year will, by the looks of things, keep things going strong in 2004. They have a gig lined up on the 6th of Feb at "Up The Creek" (Western Cape). Durban's Esjay will be moving to Atlanta (Georgia, USA) in late Feb permanently, but is planning an "SA farewell tour". You can catch Esjay at the Police/Sting tribute show at the Playhouse Cellar (DBN) which plays 3 nights -- book through Computicket. If you'd like to have Esjay play your venue/near you please contact Darryl Swart on 083 735 3864 to discuss the details. Luna is finishing up the sound work for her new album, a track of which has been included on the "Going Nowhere Slowly" CD, which will be launched early next year. She's busy looking for residencies in the Cape Town area and hopes to play at several of the Durban folk venues. Liesl Graham played several venues in Cape Town recently and the gigs were all seen as a great success. Liesl will be gigging in and around Cape Town and Stellenbosch in the beginning of 2004 so watch the gig guides for more information! State Far Better is reaching the end of their East Coast tour and should have two more gigs left by the time you read this... the 29th of December at Al's and the 31st at the New Year's Bash in Plett. Their album is still on track for the April 2004 launch. The band will be moving (from Cape Town) to Johannesburg shortly in the hope of expanding their fanbase and exposure. Watch out for more interesting and diverse articles next year! LAD -------------- If you're in an SA Band or are an SA artist and would like to appear in this slot please mail mailto:tony@zazone.com Sponsored by zaZone.com Promoting SA Music... http://www.zazone.com -------------- Email your mp3 reviews to mailto: editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=mp3reviews Download South African mp3's from http://www.SAmp3.com South African Music: Loud 'n Proud -------------- ONE WORLD http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 Selling South African Music To The World --------------- MORE REVIEWS --------------- More reviews can be found at: Open Record http://www.openrecord.co.za Amuzine http://rock.co.za/reviews.htm ______________________________________ 4.USA FOR AFRICA ------------------- Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music. This week, for the special year-end edition of the Digest, Kurt tells us about: MY FAVOURITE SA ALBUMS OF 2003 Searching my shelves for some favorites of SA rock for 2003, I ended up with a handful, and the nagging feeling I've forgotten or overlooked some. But I can't remember what I've forgotten. But I do know I have a stack of fine rock CDs. And here they are as dealt off the deck. Karen Zoid's 'Chasing the Sun' rocks hard more consistently than her debut. 'Poles Apart' has excellent songs, and a promise of greater work to come - a promise this new CD keeps, while promising more fine future work from this young honey in the rock. Wonderboom's 'Tell Someone Who Cares' is rock steady in Wonderbooms's sound, and if you know that sound, expect more of the same here. Good stuff, arrogant, swaggerful, and cool. Valiant Swart's 'Song Vir Katryn' nicely accessorizes the TV show. Do I find his previous album 'Maanhare' more personally satisfying? Yes. 'Song Vir Katryn' over and over listenable? Sure enough. Valiant's a real triple threat: writing, performing, and acting. Arno Carsten's 'Another Universe', or New Porn? By any other name, this CD rocks just as well, and shows another Nude Girls' creativity in a smooth flowing, attention-getting rock album. Rock is the only name for it. Entirely different from the rest of the rock albums mentioned here, but in tune with the season, is The Four Jacks and a Jill's beautiful Christmas CD, 'A Time for Giving'. Fans of Glenys's voice and the entertainment value of the Four Jacks, and here, the message of Four Jacks and a Jill, should make this CD a part of the holidays. In keeping with the spirit of the season are both Christmas songs and Christmas carols. Also in keeping with the season, this lovely CD is the product of friends and family singing and playing together. Piet Botha's 'Die Mamba' (Piet and his superfine, supertight band, Jack Hammer) is my pick for best rock album of the year. Since 'Die Mamba's' release, I've carried a copy of 'Die Mamba' with me everywhere: with my notebooks, books, and portable CD player. I listen to it frequently and enjoy it always. The nagging feeling that I've forgotten or overlooked some 2003 releases is more than a feeling. I know I've left out the important Retro Fresh re-releases (notably, No Friends of Harry), the 3rd Ear double disc re-release of Roger Lucey's masterwork, 'The Road Is Much Longer', and others. As well as some 2003 CDs as yet unheard, the ones I'll catch up with as I continue to explore the South African rock scene in 2004. 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: See the 'Year In Review' section above for John Samson's look back at the artists, news, and releases of 2003 John Samson, London mailto:john@sarockdigest.com _________________________________________ 6.HISTORY & TRIVIA -------------------- ----------- BIRTHDAYS ----------- December: 30 Dickie Loader (1945) ______________________________________________ 7.SOUND SOLUTIONS --------------------- A Readers' Forum featuring a selection of the email requests, questions, searches, and other pieces of random info we receive each week at the Digest. Sometimes we can assist, other times we look to you, our collectively well-informed and erudite readers to please contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks if you do! --------------- BOY HAS THAT JOHNNY CLEGG AGED! Hi Guys, I have been away from SA for a while, but I'm sure it's not been that long! To see what I mean, if you get a chance, go to http://www.play.com and search for "Johnny Clegg" with the search option on "CD Artist". Take a close look at the cover scans on 'Shadow Man' and 'Third World Child'....... Gulp! Joe -------------- VINYL FOR SALE Hi There, If anyone is interested in the following, please contact me: Peanut Butter Conspiracy, John Ireland, Rabbitt, Richard Jon Smith, The Springbok Hits series and also the Pop Shop series, Dickie Loader. David Kramer, Ipi Tombi ..... I do have some spare LP's that I want to sell or swop. Please contact me for a list. I am looking for the following: Pop Shop Millennium, Cover plus Vol 7, We want more Vol 1- 23, Now that's what I call music Vol 12 - 35. (all local - some on LP and some on CD). Thanks, Kobus Mailto:jgb1900@yahoo.co.uk -------------- MORE ON THE BYRDS SA TOUR Hi, Some more on The Byrds tour in '68. Yes Richard is quite correct - Parsons didn't come and the "stand in" roadie was really crap. I was with the record company who had CBS records in those days and I organised the promotion in Salisbury at Martin Locke's Spin A Long record shop in Baker Avenue. The guys grudgingly signed some Greatest Hits album covers for the hundreds of fans who jammed the street outside wanting to catch a glimpse of their heroes. Roger was more interested in getting his hands on some Malawi Gold as he'd been told it was the best dope in the world! They were very laid back and seemingly disinterested in the tour despite the fact that their Greatest Hits album sold well and became a great catalogue seller over a long period of time. But the concert was very disappointing. Poor sound (which wasn't their fault) and a band who didn't seem to care whether the audience lived or died. I think they died! Still, on vinyl, the Byrds were cool and I still listen to a best of compilation CD that I picked up in Amsterdam in the early 90's. Regards! Mike Westcott Mailto:mike@channel5.co.za -------------- FROM 1978? I am searching for vintage 78 rpm records with traditional African music. Do you have anything available? Thank you Emerson Mailto:emerson@francanet.com.br -------------- WHO IS THE SOFTIE WITH THE SNOR? Hi, From the family trees I see two sax players listed for the Softies. I have a photograph of one of them playing a Baritone sax and need to know which one it is. He has a thick moustache.... if that helps. Thanks, Harry Lock Mailto:harrylock@metroweb.co.za -------------- WOULD THAT BE THE FAMOUS "WALTZING MATHILDA" MAYBE? Hi, Ons is op soek na 'n CD/plate van die musiek wat Mathilda Hanekom wat haar orkes Die Hanekoms genoem het. Kan u ons help om dit in die hande te kry. By voorbaat dank Maretha Mailto:marethas@bell.co.za -------------- WHO SINGS "RISE, RISE, RISE"? Hi, I would like you to please tell me if you know who the artist is or what the song's name is of a song that is often played at clubs. The song has the lyrics of "Rise, Rise, Rise, keep on rising" and I can't find it on the internet so my guess is that it is a song by a South African artist. Thank You for your patience. Candace Mailto:candy_vg@hotmail.com -------------- HAVE A TAB Hi, I'm desperately looking for chords/tabs for old SA hits - like 'Picking Up Pebbles' by Cornelia etc. Please can you advise where to find this Thanks a lot Joanne Trollip Mailto:uktrollips@yahoo.co.uk Ed. Try http://www.tabs.co.za -------------- IS NICO RELATED TO ARNO?? I am trying to find the equivalent in CD of an old vinyl 33, called "Boerenmusiek" by Nico Carstens. Can you help me? Mp3 or whatever on the net might be ok... My favourite song being "Sarie Marais"... Daisy Remont Mailto:Daisy.remont@skynet.be -------------- TRACING A BAT Hi , My Name is Pete Stovold, I am an old friend of Pete Clifford. Perhaps The Bats use an agent in South Africa that you can contact? I am trying to trace Pete Clifford on the net and wondered if you could forward this mail to him. Tell him I still live on the Isle of Man. Regards Pete Stovold Mailto:pstovold@manx.net -------------- JOHNNY'S VIEW OF THE YEAR Howzit ouens I just wanted to charf you ous about my year. I was like really annoyed most of the year as I couldn't find that album by Warren E Rock called 'So Dam Insane'. Like everyone on the Tea Vee was talking about it but like we in Boksburg never got to saw it in the shops. I did by that 'Warped and Stoned' by What A Shed what I really liked. I tried to go see See The when they came out from America. I heard that they really like that SA group Sarong Ash that's why they came here. I downgraded lank stuff from that Empty 3 sight (http://www.SAmp3.com - Ed). My favourite was that Mandiba song by Braai'd Blew but I also smarked that Ja Nie Jones chick what wanted us to go and Form a Kate with ourselves. Do she like really have Joe Drummer from Thick Lash playing with her? I also saw that Koos Kom Huis and Valium Swot made a Seedy together but that also hasn't like got to Boksburg yet. Lastly does R. No Car's Tins really come from another universe? Have a lekker 2004! Yours Troolie Johnny ------------- 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 -------------- GEMM Your best source for impossible-to-find music! http://sugarmusic.gemm.com -------------- MABU VINYL & CD Cape Town's finest Record and CD store is now at the Top of Long Street - Diagonally opposite the Long Street Baths. Visit our new CD Sale Stall on the Pavement Piazza in front of the shop. Mabu stocks SA and International Record and CD titles and a growing list of independent SA CD and CD-R releases. Latest Vinyl additions: Felix Laband - 'Donkey Rattle'/'My Sister's Pulse' (12") Various -'Cape of Good Dope Sampler' (12") Godessa - 'Social Ills' EP (12") Jonathan Butler - 'Deliverance' (LP) Pacific Express - 'Black Fire' (LP) The Genuines - 'Goema' (LP) Kabasa - 'Searching' (LP) Johnny Windemere - 'Where It All Started' (LP) Trevor Rabin - 'Wolf' (LP) Latest independent SA CD additions: Bluescream - 'Bluescream' Rudimentals - 'More Fire' Kalahari Surfers - 'Muti Media' Fokofpolisiekar - 'As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand' freshlyground - 'Jika Jika' MoodPhase5ive - 'Steady On' Not The Midnight Mass - 'Live At The Planetarium' Zero Tolerance - 'A Perfect Life?' Guy Buttery - 'When I Grow Up' Nukular Stompers - 'Can Of Worms' Lazarus -'Parallax View' Various - 'Silvertab Harambe Dope Sessions' Various - 'African Dope Sound System' Various - 'Breathe Sunshine' Various - 'A Moment In Cape Town' (Revised edition) We buy and sell LP's and CD's Please contact: Mabu Vinyl & CD Shop 2 Buitenkloof Centre 8 Kloof Street, Gardens. Jacques or Stephen 021 423 7635 Cell: 082 534 6006 mailto:mabu@sugarmusic.co.za -------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium-on-Main, Main Road, Claremont Claus and Alan at Vibes Vinyl wish all their customers a Happy New Year! This week's specials: Koos Kombuis - 'Niemandsland' (LP) Avril Stockley - 'Hold On Tight' (LP) Miriam Stockley - 'Miriam Stockley' (LP) V/A Musical - 'Sunset Saloon' (LP) Supa Frika - 'Don't Sleep Around With Strangers' (LP) Sweet Chocolate - 'Takin' Me Back' (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 Website catalogue now also at Gemm and Netsounds: http://www.vibesvinyl.gemm.com and http://www.netsounds.com/vibesvinyl -------------- DRUM KIT FOR SALE Hi, I am selling a very special/unusual drum set! It is a DW set, which is the best handmade kit available. The drum set has a white mother of pearl finish with black hardware, 20x18" bass drum, 10, 12, 14" toms, 12" cherry maple snare, plus all hardware. Price 22K. Contact: Barry worldbeatm@myconnection.co.za -------------- DEEP PURPLE FANS The very popular Deep Purple Web Index - the ultimate Deep Purple resource on the web - now has a new home at http://www.deeppurple.co.za -------------- VAGABOND MUSIC & WEB (now part of the Sugar Music Group) Get your band or business online. We design from scratch or take over the maintenance when your hotshot designer gets bored with updating. Our design philosophy is to create sites that pull people in and keep them coming back, through user-friendly designs, good web architecture and cost-effective web-marketing. If you want a quick, friendly and fun website, then Vagabond Music Web is your answer. Vagabond Clients include: Duncan Mackay Bluescream Street Level Fresh Music Rhythm Records Entertainment Industry Services Piet Botha Off The Edge 25 Hour Studio Gregs Golf Tours 4 Sure Golf Tours James Stewart Tait Bright Blue Jack Hammer Janie Jones Brian Finch Soil 7t7 Rodriguez Steve Louw and Big Sky Lorraine Shannon Joe Public Please contact Brian on 082-567-8779 or visit http://www.sugarmusic.co.za for more info. --------------- SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC QUOTA COALITION Support the SAMQC, as this SA musicians' initiative, looking to greatly increase the amounts of SA music played on the nation's radio stations. Join the movement, sign up, or read more at http://www.samqc.org.za -------------- * To have your advert featured in the Digest Classifieds, and to find out the prices to do so, contact mailto:sugar@rock.co.za The Sound Solutions and Digest Classified sections are sponsored by SUGAR MUSIC: Sugar Music promotes, markets, informs, exposes and spreads the good word about SA Music in all forms and genres through its various web and media channels including the SA Rock Digest, Amuzine, SAmp3.com, SA Gigs, SA Klank, the SA Rock Encyclopedia, the SA Rock Hall of Fame, the One World online CD store, Sound Solutions, SAfm, and Mabu Vinyl & CD. Contact: Stephen Segerman - (021) 461-9541 mailto:sugar@rock.co.za ______________________________________________ 8.LIVE MUSIC --------------- ------------------- UPCOMING EVENTS ------------------- Full details at http://www.sagigs.com Watch out for: SEETHER - All the details of Seether's return tour to South Africa - dates and venues - are at http://www.sagigs.com BOO! IN EUROPE - All those dates and venues for Boo!'s European tour are at http://www.sagigs.com FOKOFPOLISIEKAR - New Cape Town Afrikaans punk band promoting their debut EP, 'As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand', around the Peninsula with some Gauteng gigs in the pipeline. SMOKIE - This successful '70's/'80's pop group is still "firing on all five cylinders" and will be touring South Africa in 2004 on 'The Hit Box Tour '04' from 25 February onwards. NEW MODEL ARMY - Alter-Ego Productions is proud to announce the forthcoming tour to South Africa of this "legendary" band in March 2004 ROBIN AULD BAND - Robin Auld is back from his concert season in New York for some gigs around Cape Town. 'CONCERTS FOR CONSERVATION' AT BETTY'S BAY - The Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, of the National Botanical Institute, Betty's Bay, will be presenting three summer sunset picnic / music concerts during this coming festive season. JULIANS - Julian Laxton's very popular music venue has moved to 120 Republic Rd, Malanshof, Randburg, and is re-opening again. AUTHENTIC IDEAS ARTIST'S GIGS - December 2003 will see 16Stitch, Boo!, Cutting Jade, Jo Day, Summersalt, Tweak, Wickhead, Wonderboom, Zen Arcade gigging all over SA right through to 2004. SOUL PROXY - Soul Proxy will be touring South Africa in December together with Seether (formerly: Saron Gas) as part of a promotional tour of the country. BENJAMIN'S FATHER - The European singer/songwriter will be touring South Africa in December and early January. THE SOVEREIGN ANNEXATION TOUR - featuring bands like Prime Circle, Marlowe, The Finkelstiens, Killjoy, and Ghomez the Geek, in a club near you this December SERVING SUGGESTION - the Cape Town band are off on their 'Whistle Stop' Tour of SA. UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS IN SA: RONAN KEATING - Big Concerts International, Jacaranda 94.2 and KFM 94.5 are very proud to announce that Ronan Keating will be performing in Sun City for New Year's Eve, 31 December and in Cape Town's picturesque Kirstenbosch Gardens on the 2nd of January 2004. His support for the Kirstenbosch concert will be James Stewart. -------------- NORTH SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL - CAPE TOWN 2004 - NEW VENUE AND LINE-UP CASSANDRA WILSON, MIRIAM MAKEBA, FEMI KUTI, AND JONATHAN BUTLER TO HEADLINE THE TWO-DAY JAZZ FESTIVAL The North Sea Jazz Festival - Cape Town, which is now known simply and affectionately as "Africa's Grandest Gathering", is about to celebrate its 5th anniversary in 2004, and it will be doing so in style in its new home at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on the Mother City's Foreshore. With this timeous change of venue, and another star-studded artist line-up on the way, the members of the festival's management team are confidently looking forward to another successful staging of the Jazz Festival in 2004. The completed line-up of artists will be, as always, the traditional, evenly split contingent of 32 international and African performers The artists who, to date, have been confirmed for performances at the North Sea Jazz Festival - Cape Town 2004 include: South Africa's world-famous jazz diva Miriam Makeba, who will be performing with TRIO (Severieno Diaz de Oliveira, Leopoldo Fleming and William Salter); Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Cassandra Wilson; Cape Town's renowned jazz vocalist and guitarist Jonathan Butler, SA jazz singer Gloria Bosman; saxophonixt Toon Roos and the Toon Roos Group; trumpeter Basilio Márquez with his own septet, Eclipse; The Lou Donaldson Group featuring the legendary jazz keyboardist Dr. Lonnie Smith; and Femi Kuti, the eldest son of Fela Anikulapo Kuti and an international star in his own right. Other big names on the festival bill are SA saxophonist McCoy Mrubata; the Joe Lovano Trio; Feya Faku (on trumpet and flugelhorn) in collaboration with Dutch musicians Gully Gudmunsson and Mete Erker; the Ngcukana Brothers (Ezra Ngcukana, Cyril Ngcukana, Fitzroy Ngcukana, Claude Ngcukana, and Duke Ngcukana); the Jonny Cooper Big Band with vocalist Donald Tshomela; saxophonist Sadao Watanabe; Sakhile with Sipho Gumede, Mabi Thabejane, and Khaya Mahlangu; and the 'Sax African Summit - Let Freedom Ring', which features the talents of saxophonist Jackie McLean and altoist Rene McLean with special guest saxophonists James Moody and Gary Bartz, and also featuring Hotep Idris Galeta, Nat Reeves, Ronnie Burrage, and Okeyrema Asnate. Rashid Lombard of esp-Afrika, who announced this initial group of performers, is again helming the dynamic management team for the 2004 festival, alongside his Dutch partners, Theo van den Hoek and MOJO Concerts. The North Sea Jazz Festival - Cape Town team won a prestigious award recently at a gala dinner at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in November when the festival scooped the 2003 Western Cape Tourism Award for 'Best Tourism Event'. The award was given in recognition of the festival's quality, top-class service and efforts to encourage community participation. Basil Cupido, the Chairman of the Western Cape Tourism Board, explained the reasons for the award: "Judging by (their) quality, the industry is not only growing in tourist numbers and innovation of products, but it is making strides towards transformation on a broader scale". There will always be fond memories of the Good Hope Centre, home of North Sea Jazz Festival - Cape Town for the first four years, but the organisers have responded to the attendees' needs and will be able to stage a far more comfortable and user-friendly jazz festival at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, which will be the festival's home for the next 13 years. This move also raises the possibility that the festival's traditional four venues - Manenbergs, Kippies, Baseline, and Rosies - could soon be increased to five. Due to temporary capacity constraints, the North Sea Jazz Festival - Cape Town 2004 will be staged in April, instead of the traditional last weekend in March, as has been the case for the previous festivals. The 2004 event will take place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th April, but will be reverting to its traditional March-end staging from 2005. The North Sea Jazz Festival - Cape Town 2004 will also happily coincide with the launch of South Africa's "Ten Years into Democracy" anniversary celebrations. So the 2004 jazz festival will again be a wonderful party for music lovers from Cape Town, and all those fans who travel from the rest of South Africa and from all over the world for this essential date on the international jazz festival calendar. The demand from both South African and international jazz fans for tickets, trains, flights, accommodation, and travel packages for the sell-out festival has already begun. The organisers have been working with SAA to make a large variety of travel packages available. Details of these are available from SAA at +27 11 978 1145 or on their website www.flysaa.com There is also a North Sea Jazz Festival - Cape Town 2004 hotline at +27 83-123-JAZZ (or 5299) and line-up updates and other festival info can be found at www.nsjfcapetown.com The confirmed Gold sponsors for the North Sea Jazz Festival - Cape Town 2004 are once again MTN Group, SAA, SABC and Standard Bank. The Silver sponsors for the 2004 event are SAB and SA Tourism. Other Sponsors and/or funding principals include the Department of Arts and Culture, MMINO, Western Cape Government, City of Cape Town, SHELL, TELKOM and Ambassade van het Nederlanden. In another unavoidable change, the 5th anniversary of North Sea Jazz Festival - Cape Town 2004 will see the first increase in the price of tickets for the two-day event. The new ticket prices will be R260 (single day) and R399 (weekend). Tickets are available at Computicket. For more information contact Thompson n Team (TNT) Tel: (021) 465-3314 Fax: (021) 461-3669 or thompsonnt@xsinet.co.za -------- SA PUNK -------- By Daniel Neville Gone to Oztralia.... Back in January.... See http://www.SAgigs.com for details and other SA Punk gigs. ----------- GIG GUIDE ----------- The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com Please send all gig info, in a plain text e-mail by Friday 12noon, to: mailto:sugar@sagigs.com?subject=gigs ___________________________________________ 9. INFO ------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links ---------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS ---------------- To subscribe - please send e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=SubscriberAddressChange To unsubscribe - please send e-mail to: mailto:unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=Unsubscribe ------------ BACK ISSUES ------------- http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable ----------------------------------- PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS ----------------------------------- Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, gig & festival dates, requests, searches and comments to: mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest ---------------------- EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS ---------------------- Brian Currin & Stephen Segerman mailto:editors@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest --------------- CONTRIBUTORS --------------- BC - Brian Currin SS - Stephen Segerman JS - John Samson KS - Kurt Shoemaker CL - Carina Laubscher (Katvrou) TL - Tertius Louw SN - Shiloh Noone DN - Daniel Neville ML - Moonshine Lee LR - Lindsay Ravenscroft NN - Nadia Neophytou WM - Wicked Mike DB - Don Bryce DM - David Marks DS - Don Sweeto LAD - LAD MC - Michael Currin (Curmic) MR - Mick Raubenheimer JFB - Johnny From Boksburg And others too numerous to mention, but gratefully acknowledged! 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