SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #53
The South African Rock Music Digest
is a free, subscription e-mag, edited
by Brian "Vagabond" Currin and Stephen
"Sugar" Segerman and delivered direct
to your e-mailbox.
Established January 1999.
To unsubscribe: reply to this issue
with "unsubscribe digest" as subject
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CONTENTS
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Whats New
New Releases
Reviews
Forum
Requests
On the Net
Whats On
Festivals
Prize Winners
Links and Ads
Back Issues & Rules
Contributions
Subscriptions
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SA ROCK DIGEST - THE ARCHIVES
For your interest and reference purposes: The SA Rock Digest has its
own online site at http://rock.co.za/sarockdigest/
Use the website search engine to find any information published on each and every previous Digest. That includes CD reviews, live reviews, links, artist biogs, history and whereabouts, and lots of other relevant info on SA music and artists past and present. These archives are updated weekly.
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SA ROCK DIGEST - ON THE RADIO
Listen out between 10 and 10.30am on SAFM (104-107KHz) every Wednesday morning to hear Digest co-editor Stephen Segerman chatting to Bruce Millar about the lastest music news and breaking stories.
Visit SAFM on the net at:
http://www.safm.co.za
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AMUZINE
For more news, views and reviews on the SA and International music scene visit the Amuzine website at:
http://rock.co.za
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WHATS NEW
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THE FNB SA MUSIC AWARDS 2000
The actual ceremony was recorded live at the Sun City Superbowl and then shown a few days later on SABC-TV on Saturday night, in edited form (phew!). There are not many really different ways of doing these ceremonies and ours was slick, speedy and sophisticated. It is essentially concerned with honouring our artists, and that was done fairly and enthusiastically. Busi Mhlongo walked off with three awards for her 'UrbanZulu' album (Best Female Artist, Best Adult African Contemporary album, Best African pop album). Read a review at:
http://rock.co.za/reviews/busi.htm
Ladysmith Black Mambazo were not present, but grabbed a hat trick of awards, regardless. Same with Brenda Fassie who sent her young son to collect her two awards. Fassie took the Best Song of the Year award (voted for by the public) for 'Nomakanjani', and also won the Best Selling Local Artists award for her album. Jimmy Dludlu picked up Best Male Artist and Best Contemporary Jazz Album for his reputation-enhancing 'Essence Of Rhythm'. The Springbok Nude Girls won the Best Rock Album award for 'Surpass The Powers' in what was an extremely close category, and Sugardrive took the Best Single: Pop/Rock award for their remixes of tracks off 'When I Died I Was Elvis', called 'A Single and some Remixes'. (appropriate).
Themba Mkhize won the Best Producer and Traditional Jazz Album for his 'Tales From The South' album; Esmile won Best R&B album for 'Beautiful Thing'; M'du won the Best Kwaito album award for '24Seven'; Gloria Bosman took the Best Newcomer award for 'Tranquility'; Deepak Ram's 'Searching For Satyam' beat Nibs van der Spuy in the Best Instrumental category. Lucky Dube surprised, er, no-one by winning the Best Reggae Award (snooze); Leigh Ogilvie had to win the Best Music Video award as she was nominated for a few different videos in the same category, and Wendy Oldfield took Best Pop Album for 'On A Pale Blue Dot'.
Finally, five Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to three former exiles in Jonas Gwangwa, Caiphus Semenya and Hugh Masekela, as well as 'Boereqanga' accordionist, Nico Cartstens, and the 'Sounds Electronic' musician and band leader, Dan Hill. They should have put those five on stage together at the ceremony for a jam, now that would be quite a mixture. Besides all the Lord-thanking and usual SA music platitudes, it was a still a very worthy effort and gave all our SA artists the public credit they deserve. The only good joke of the evening was from the droll Martin Jonas, who told us that the pants worn by all those AWB supporters are called 'Eugenes'. (SS)
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NEW AND RECENT RELEASES
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Tony Cox - Matabele Ants (Sheer)
http://www.tonycox.co.za
Third folky album from ex-Zim acoustic guitar wizard. Ten songs that look to the frantic activity and tribe-building abilities of the smallest creatures of our land, to help evoke the wide-screen musical soul of this continent (I think). There's 'Anthole', 'Anthill Rag' and the opening SA-landscape mood-setter, 'Watertree'. Appropriately recorded in Nibs van der Spuy's house in Durban, as it is these two guitarists who are championing this SA instrumental folk music's return to mainstream, and even world, acceptance. The thinking SA music fan's braai music.
(8) (SS)
Gloria Bosman - Tranquility (Sheer)
This fully deserving debut just won Gloria the "Best Newcomer" award at this year's SAMA Awards. She had piano genius Paul Hanmer in her corner, producing and composing, but this is Gloria's first shot at stardom and her exceptional voice and perceptive lyrics have turned this into an essential and evocative SA jazz vocal album. G-L-O-R-I-A. (8) (SS)
The King - Gravelands (EMI)
Ever wondered what 'Voodoo Child', 'Sweet Home Alabama', 'Working Class Hero' and 13 other rock classics would have sounded like if recorded by Elvis? Wonder no more. This Irish Elvis impersonator has pulled off a simple idea with accuracy, spot-on arrangements, and vocals that will amaze you. And he also does 'Come As You Are' and 'No Woman No Cry'! (8) (SS)
Afro Celt Sound System - Volume 2: Release (Real World)
Only available on import in SA but that will change soon. Far more sophisticated then the rootsy first album, but as effective in its seamless blend of traditional Irish music with the rhythms and instruments of Senegal. Sinead O'Conner handled guest vocals on new single, 'Release'. And this album was nominated for a "World Music" Grammy.
(7) (SS)
Bongo Maffin - IV (Sony)
One of the main SA kwaito outfits constantly looking to stretch the boundaries with intelligent injections of R&B, soul, some rock, and a considered and broad outlook. Won them a handful of SAMA nominations too (but no awards this year, shame!). Stand out tracks include 'Azania', 'Trippin' and '4-The Final Battle. And they like The Eagles. (7) (SS)
D'Angelo - Voodoo (EMI)
He doesn't exactly rush out his albums, this one's the first for almost five years since 'Brown Sugar'. But this heady brew of hip hop, soul, and knowing nods to Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, James Brown and, most of all, Sly Stone, is the business. Steamy, sexy and emotional, 'Voodoo' takes you on a long, strange trip and then you'll want to start all over again. First stoned soul classic of the year. (9) (SS)
Soundtrack - American Beauty (Universal)
Lester Burnham inhabits every second of this soundtrack, as he did in the rightly acclaimed and very Oscared film. You don't need another version of Free's 'All Right Now', but mingled in with The Folk Implosion, The Eels, Elliot Smith's haunting version of the Beatles' 'Because' that ends the movie, Gomez, and Bobby Darin, it just makes sense. As do those existential closing words that echo through your head every time you hear that distinctive score by Thomas Newman.
(8) (SS)
Koos Kombuis - Blou Kombuis
http://www.kooskombuis.co.za
First live album from the SA folk king. The CD consists of "a variety of older songs that's been spiced up, and some older songs that you might have heard so long ago that it almost sounds new". Recorded live with Albert Frost (from the Blues Broers) on lead guitar. I'll just give you the track listings, you know what to do and what to expect. 'Lisa se Klavier', 'Hartseerland', 'Oorlog van die Lem', 'Huisie by die See', 'Liefde uit die Oude Doos', 'Everybody Wants You', 'Johnny is nie Dood nie', 'Verslaaf aan Ruk-en-Rol', 'Paranoia in Parow-Noord', 'Die Sommige Ou Tannies-Blues'. Bakgat! (The last one's an opinion, not a song title!)
(9) (SS)
Jack Hammer - Anthology (Wildebeest)
http://rock.co.za/legends/pietbotha
Piet Botha formed Jack Hammer back in 1984 and over the years the band has seen plenty of different line-ups contributing to the four albums featured on this anthology - 'Jack Of all Trades' (1987),'The Judas Chapter' (1990), 'Ghosts On The Wind' (1994), and 'Death Of A Gypsy' (1996). These are all rock ballad albums in the Bob Seger tradition, with Botha displaying an uncanny knack of fusing decent and powerful rock sounds to some very relevant South African lyrics. He went on to produce a handful of excellent solo albums, but these 16 songs, including 4 new tracks, illustrate the consistent work that Piet Botha has been putting out over the past two decades. File with pride alongside Koos and Valiant!
(8) (SS)
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CLASSIC ALBUM REVIEW
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SOUL MEETING
Review of the "Soul Meeting!!" LP by South Africa's first lady of soul, Una Valli with the Flames and the Peanut Butter Conspiracy.
A Grahame Beggs production.
Released in South Africa April 1968 in mono on Rave RMG 1233.
Released in the UK 1968 in mono on Page One FOR 019.
The existence of a stereo version is uncertain, but possible since contemporary albums by the Flames were available in stereo. This review is based on the mono LP.
Satisfaction (Jagger/ Richard) 2.22 The Flames
For covering this Jagger Richard classic Una Valli turned not to the Rolling Stones version but was inspired instead by Aretha Franklin's blistering homage. This is a stunning album opener, giving Una Valli the full width and breadth to let it all go. She swoops and hollers with feeling and precision. The Flames, augmented by a rich brass section, provide an unstoppable surging backing track, perfectly punctuating Una Valli's goosebump vocals. Una Valli must have been a heart-stopping sight, performing this song at concerts or in night-clubs. Although buried way down in this richly produced reverberant mix, the words "rhythm guitar" don't do justice to Steve Fataar's rhythmic stabbing chordal accompaniment. There's a lot going on in there. In short a killer track.
Tell Mama (Carter) 2.20 The Flames
This was a mid-career classic for the underrated Etta James, the American soul singer equally at home with roaring funk and delicate crooners. Again Una Valli does this song ample justice, preferring to rely on her own rich inflections instead of attempting a straight replica. Producer Grahame Beggs uses a trick which this album shares with many other classics; opening with not one but two power tracks. Just think of Led Zeppelin 4. Again the backing is perfect, with great drumming from Ricky Fataar, who recently backed another great lady singer Bonnie Raitt. And when Una Valli sings "I want you to tell mama what you need" the message is brought forcibly home.
I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You (Shannon) 3.36 The Peanut Butter Conspiracy
This soul waltz, in which Una Valli is backed by the Peanut Butter Conspiracy (of the SA variety), gives her space to slow down and hit the occasional high note. A fine tune, sung from the heart.
Reach Out I'll Be There (E. & B. Holland / Dozier) 3.12 The Flames
More Motown soul power, featuring a backup girl chorus. This time Una Valli's voice is way down in the mix. The accent here seems to be on the backing band, the Flames. Their performance is flawless, but it's hard to hear Una Valli through the thunder. Liberal reverberation completes the atmosphere.
Yesterday (Lennon / McCartney) 3.13 The Peanut Butter Conspiracy
Staying far away from Paul McCartney's own interpretation, Una Valli treats this song as if it came out of Detroit. She is backed by organ, harpsichord and band, in an challengingly different arrangement.
You Are My Sunshine (Davis / Mitchell) 2.34 The Flames
Another huge thumping soul monster, with a gorgeous rich production, great brass and stunning accompaniment from the Flames. Una Valli romps through the song with deft self-assuredness.
Respect (Redding) 2.28 The Peanut Butter Conspiracy
A straight homage to Una Valli's obvious idol Aretha Franklin, who herself took this Otis Redding tune to new heights. Yet she still manages to let us know this is Una Valli singing.
Nowhere to Run (E. & B. Holland / Dozier) 3.03 The Peanut Butter Conspiracy
This album filler lacks the punch of the rest of this album. It has trouble getting off the ground and Una Valli's singing stays in the middle register. Without the ear-splitting sweeps the vocals are lackluster. Next take?
My Guy (Robinson / White) 3.22 The Peanut Butter Conspiracy
Mary Wells is the original singer of this Motown hit. The demanding melody is given soulful treatment, and gently driven along by the usual superb brass arrangements. Una Valli seems to be straining at the leash just after the song modulates half a tone upwards. But she just manages to keep it at ballad level.
Take Me For A Little While (Martin) 2.36 The Flames
A medium soul ballad with Una Valli's voice up front, towering over the now familiar brass power.
Stop Thief (Hayes / Porter / Shamwell) 2.25 The Flames
A piano signals the backing of the PBC on this rolling ballad. "You stole my heart" smokes Una Valli with conviction. An understated performance revealing a long singing experience at the age of only about 18.
Yum Yum (Frazier) 2.38 The Peanut Butter Conspiracy
This track was featured on compilation albums. The introductory "Uh", over the tack-piano backing is only just rescued from getting corny. The wah-wah solo is right on the edge. Una Valli again stretches out to her highest register. A good track although one might have hoped for a more ferocious tune to close the album with.
Summary:
Soul Meeting is a triumphant album. It was a stroke of genius by Grahame Beggs to team up the girl-wonder with South Africa's greatest soul bands. The song selection is exemplary, taking a cross section from both the Motown and Atlantic soul hits of the era, and introducing Una Valli's special fire.
The original Rave records catalog number for Soul Meeting fits exactly between the two classic contemporary Flames' albums Burning Soul and Soulfire, both of which were available in stereo in South Africa. It therefore seems likely that a stereo version of Soul Meeting ought to exist. The UK Page One catalogue suggests the contrary, regrettably omitting a stereo Soul Meeting, on the rear sleeve of a sampler album (see below). Please help me out mailto:mollyb@worldonline.nl if you know anything more about this.
The sleeve photos for Soul Meeting show Una Valli with a cute Sixties hairdo. The South African edition front-sleeve features a brown enhanced photo of Una Valli, taken from the front. The rear photo is taken from the side and shows Una Valli caressing a microphone with both hands (!). The UK edition of this album reverses these two images.
The UK Page One label mono compilation album entitled A Little Bit Of Soul features British acts the Chants and Pic & Bill. Additionally it has two tracks by the Flames and three by Una Valli. These are Take Me For A Little While, Satisfaction and Yum Yum.
At the time of writing attempts are underway to locate Una Valli. Please contact Tertius Louw mailto:louwt@mweb.co.za if you have any information which might help.
Review by Bas Möllenkramer, Soest, the Netherlands
webmaster of http://www.the-flames.com
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CONCERT REVIEWS
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NORTH SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL CAPE TOWN 2000
The publicity campaign was over. Friday night April 1 had arrived, and the most ambitious jazz festival in Cape Town's (South Africa's?) history was on. 30 top jazz artists, from all over the world, as they say, had assembled to perform in four different venues in and around the Good Hope Centre (3 indoor and one outside), and a reasonably-sized crowd gathered to enjoy and appreciate them all. Friday night's highlights included Herbie Hancock's technical but riveting set, guitarist Ronny Jordan's late night stormer, Latino showman, Papa Vasquez, and rescheduled sets from Busi Mhlongo and Carlo Mombelli, who arrived late due to flight delays but did the business regardless. It was the first time many of this audience had experienced this type of flowing agenda, but they figured it all pretty quickly, planned their moves and couldn't get enough.
Saturday night drew an equally large crowd who grooved to the young Dutch acid-jazz group, New Cool Collective; Diva Letta Mbula with her husband and bandleader Caiphus Semenya; the awesome Youssou N'Dour, and the dynamic Brazilian artist Tania Maria. Jimmy Dludlu and Moses Molelekwa also performed sets of world-class virtuosity, proving that the SA talent can stand proudly alongside its international visitors. It's too soon to tell but initial reports are that the promoters were generally happy with the Festival and attendance. There were some minor snags and delays, but a decision will soon be taken whether to do the same thing next year. If so, we can then expect an even stronger bill and bigger crowd. Those who thronged the different venues, enjoyed the broad selection of traditional cuisine, browsed the many CD stands and lapped up the wide and top-notch variety of music on display, will certainly return, and this time with some friends in tow.
Watching this depth of quality, constantly and almost simultaneously, stirred up the crowd and it turned into the Cape jazz celebration everyone had hoped for. The promoters (ESP Afrika), and their Dutch partners (Mojo Concerts) needed no further convincing that this could truly, within a few years, grow into one of the biggest names on the international jazz festival calendar. It is sincerely hoped by many that their relationship continues and flourishes. That will please many fans I spoke to during and afterwards, they were all overwhelmingly stoked by what they had just experienced. The only complaint they mostly had? It was just too short.
(SS)
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WOMAD IN CAPE TOWN
Credit to the promoters for zipping these three acts down to Cape Town for a taste of the fare on display at the WOMAD Festival in Benoni the next day. Most of the few thousand audience who pitched up for this triple bill of Joan Armatrading, Heather Nova, and Afro Celt Sound System, obviously believed that Ms. Armatrading would be appearing last of the three. There was no compere around to welcome and inform all those who chose this interesting mix over the North Sea Jazz extravaganza over at the Good Hope Centre.
So, after Heather Nova and her solid rock outfit opened the show with an absorbing set (including the hits 'London Rain', 'Walk This World', and a torchy, cello-accompanied version of Springsteen's 'I'm On Fire'), many of the audience headed for the bar. This left the best up-front spots for those who knew/hoped that Joan Armatrading would be on second. She was, and clearly thrilled to be back in Cape Town for her second visit. Armatrading and her hot band produced a 15-song set that included all the good stuff ('Love And Affection', 'Down To Zero', 'Everyday Boy', and the obligatory sing-a-long to 'Willow').
After this, many of the crowd left, leaving a smaller group to welcome Afro Celt Sound System to South Africa. This acclaimed new World Music outfit resembled the resulting jam session after Osibisa gate-crashed the Lords Of The Dance afterparty (without the tippy-toe dancers), and cooked up a strange but heady hybrid of traditional Celtic dance mixed with Senagalese rhythms and instruments. Their current single and opening (title) track off their second album, 'Release', features Sinead O'Connor, who wasn't around. Those vocals were handled by Larla O Lionaird, but the rest of the set was mostly vocal-free with the Irish musicians seamlessly blending their music, dancing and enthusiasm with that of the variety of African performers who occupied the front of the stage.
It was World House music, nothing less, ask the remaining crowd who soon picked up on the rhythms and danced the night away. The array of instruments and talents on display was bewildering. There were koras, bodrans, uilleann pipes, whistles, celtic harps and balafons. There was guitarist, Simon Emmerson, who, under the name Simon Booth, was a part of Working Week and later Weekend in the early '80s British new wave. There was an ex-Pogue (James McNally) and an ex-Transglobal Underground-er (Johnny Kalsi) and N'Faily Kouyate and Moussa Sissokho from Senegal. Pity so many chose to miss this set, and excellent bill. But all things considered, it was yet another money's-worth multi-band concert. The promoters are certainly on a roll here - who is next?
(SS)
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FORUM
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PLANET SOUP
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tim Carraher and I'm world music director and host of radio station KWVA's Planet Soup. I play mostly traditional music on the show but with so much great new music coming in from all over the world, the show seems to be taking on a new and more contemporary sound. I'm enjoying this direction and so is my listening audience. My very good friend Leigh Barett has turned me on to some very fine music from South Africa. On March 13, because of our spring break and many DJ's were out of town, I was able to log on some extra time for my show. I did half an hour of new music from SA. I played cuts from Tasché, Katinka, Billy Afrika, Qkumba Zoo, Fetish and Boo. The music was very well received by both the audience and staff.
Let me tell you a little about KWVA. We are a public radio station,
broadcasting from the University of Oregon campus in the town of Eugene
Oregon, USA. We are about as undisciplined, free flying and out of control as a radio station can be and still be on the air. You name it, and there's a DJ there that plays it. And we're always looking for new music. Hip hop, Punk, Metal, Groove, Trance, Techno, Experimental, New Age, Folk, World and Jazz, yes we have the coolest avant-garde jazz show on the air.
KWVA is on the www at: http://kwva.rebelpilot.com this is our web page and if you click on the right spot you can listen to us live, 24 hours a day. Planet Soup is on Mondays from 4 to 6 pm pacific time.
If you want to send us music,
KWVA/ Tim Carraher/ World
University of Oregon
Suite 4 EMU
Eugene, OR 97403
And I will see that it gets to the proper music department.
You can also write to me direct:
mailto:tmc1952@hotmail.com
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REQUESTS
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STONES FOR SALE
Here are the names of the 13 CD collection that I have. There does not appear to be a catalogue number or anything like that, it just says
"The Rolling Stones Collection 1971 - 1989".
Dirty Work
Exile on Main Street
Sticky Fingers
Under Cover
Some Girls
Emotional Rescue
Goats Head Soup
Black & Blue
Love You Live (double cd)
It's only rock & Roll
Still life (American concert 1981)
Tattoo You
Steel Wheels
A bonus CD called 'Collectors Edition' with the following songs:
Rock and a hard place (Michael Brauer mix)
Miss You (12" mix)
Cook Cook Blues
Everything is turning to gold
Winning Ugly (London mix)
Beast of Burden (Live)
Fancy Man Blues
Harlem Shuffle (London mix)
Wish I'd never (New B side taken from terrifying)
Mixed emotions (Chris Kimsey mix)
All CDs are still in original packing with the exception of the Collector's Edition.
Any offers?
Dave Rade
mailto:radefam@iafrica.com
{Editor: This sounds like a great collectors item! Anybody interested in this superb CD collection please contact David Rade.
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FALLEN ANGELS
Hi, My name is Tammy McFarlane and I am from a band called Fallen Angels. I was wondering if you could maybe give me some info on good recording deals! We want to record a demo in a studio. All we need is, at the most, two days in a studio, with all sound equipment supplied and a drum kit, We are looking in the range of about R2000, If you have any ideas please let me know.
Mail me at:
mailto:sheeva20@mweb.co.za
Thanks alot
Tammy
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DOG DETACHMENT
Has the record company executive who has omitted to release the entire Dog Detatchment back catalogue on CD been imprisoned yet for his crime against humanity?
I am presuming that it has not been released as I have never come across any of their album on CD and am particularly keen to get 'Fathoms of Fire'.
Does anyone know if there are plans to release any material by this great band in the near future?
John Samson
mailto:Thesamsons@aol.com
Dog Detachment on the net at:
http://rock.co.za/legends/dogdetachment/
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ON THE NET
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SPRINGBOK NUDE GIRLS
http://www.nudegirls.co.za
The Nudies website is a pleasure to visit. Firstly the nude girls on the front page are real and seem to change fairly often. The site has an excellent band biography and a full discography with 30 second Real Audio snippets to listen to. Somebody obviously spends a lot of time maintaining this site on a regular basis. The latest update is this one:
30 March 2000:
South African Music Awards 2000 - Springbok Nude Girls win ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR for 'Surpass thr Powers'. The award is accepted by manager Franie Kotze and Sony Music S.A.'s Paul Thackwray as the nudegirls are in Oudtshoorn for "Kaktus op die vlaktes".
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RUSTLERS VALLEY
http://www.rustlers.co.za
Please take a look at our website. It has had a complete facelift and has info on all the upcoming workshops and festivals including photos and archives of previous events. It gives a good picture of what we are about.
Weareone.
Niyan
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KZ NET RADIO
After almost 2 years of utilising the SABC Studio facilities, KZ Net Radio is proud to announce the launch of their permanent Neptune KZ Net Studio in Durban!
This is the next step towards the enhancement to the overall strategy of Neptune KZ Net Radio and KZ Net is currently gearing up for the future by testing their LIVE streaming technology.
The KZ Net site http://www.kznet.co.za is also about to be updated so keep visiting the site for updates and some breaking news...
...Neptune KZ Net Radio, let the music play...!!!
SOUND FX WEBSITE
Also check out the Sound FX Web Site
http://www.comm.lia.net/macangel
Sound FX Entertainment offers the following services:
* Mobile Disco - we offer a Professional Service from our Experienced DJ's with Traceable References and we travel anywhere!
* LP to CD - Have your favourite LP's put onto your own Compilation CD
* LIVE Recordings - Bands, DJ's, MC's, Guest Speakers, Workshops etc. onto CD
* Radio Spots (Adverts) - Recording and Editing of Radio Advertisements
* DJ's for hire - information on DJ Macangel like: Venues, Music Styles, Pics and Trivia
* Special thanks to Rob Fisher of ITI Corporate Access, Club Internet and KZ Net Radio for hosting the Sound FX Web Site!
Sound FX, a World of Music and Entertainment!!!
DJ Macangel - DJ & Producer
E-mail: mailto:macangel@kznet.co.za
Sound FX: http://www.comm.lia.net/macangel
KZ Net: http://www.kznet.co.za
Cell: 082-960 1196
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WHATS ON
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SSQ PREPARE FOR MASSIVE UK TOUR
The Soweto String Quartet will be undertaking the largest UK tour ever by an African band, when they kick off their 33-date tour at High Wycombe on Saturday April 29. The tour will run until June 7 and will cover venues in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This tour is seen as The SSQ's tribute to Nelson Mandela and a celebration of the tenth anniversary of his walk to freedom. Ex-Pres Mandela considers this Quartet (three brothers and their close friend) to be SA music's finest ambassadors (who are we to argue with Madiba?). The group's three albums ('Zebra Crossing', 'Renaissance', and 'Millennia') have sold prolifically in the UK and US, where their special brand of township rhythms in a classical pop style are generally perceived as the sound of the New South Africa. (SS)
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TANANAS
The original Tananas' line up - Ian Herman (drums & percussion), Steve Newman (guitar), and Gito Baloi (vocals & bass) will be playing a series of concerts to promote their recent album, 'Seed'. These dates are also part of the launch for Sony UK's 'World Music' label 'World Up'. Tananas will be one of the featured artists on this new Sony label, alongside Reuben Blades. 'Seed' is scheduled for release in the UK on April 10. The group played the Main Stage at Womad in Benoni on April 1. The rest of those dates are: The Bassline in Melville, JHB (April 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th), The Bat Hall in Durban (April 8), The Jam in Cape Town (April 20).
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PIET BOTHA & JONATHAN MARTIN
http://rock.co.za/legends/pietbotha
APRIL:
22 APRIL OPPIKOPPI EASTER FESTIVAL
27 APRIL SPLASHY FEN - KZN
29 APRIL THABAZIMBI WILDSFEES
Buy the new Jack Hammer Anthology CD at One World
http://www.oneworld.co.za
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LITTLE SISTER
http://www.rock.co.za/littlesister
April 15 - North Gate Shopping Center, Fund Raiser for Cotlands
April 23 - Zilletal Restaurant Pretoria
April 29 - The Bridge Shopping Mall - Port Elizabeth
May 12 - Dundee - waiting details
May 20 - Harrismith - waiting details
May 26 - Secunda (waiting more details)
June 4 - Panorama Flea Market - tel 682 2222
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FESTIVALS
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SPLASHY FEN
http://www.splashyfen.co.za
27 April to 1 May 2000
PR AND PROMOTIONS:
NANCY HILLARY / BETH HILLARY
mailto:splashyfen@authentic.co.za
011-646-6467
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RUSTLERS VALLEY - end of April
http://www.rustlers.co.za
mailto:wemad@rustlers.co.za
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EASTER ROCK FESTIVAL
The Rand Show Show Grounds - 22nd April
Contact:
011 646 6467/58/69
mailto:easterrock@authentic.co.za
mailto:nancy@authentic.co.za
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WOODSTOCK SA
22nd to 25th of September
Heidelberg Kloof - Gauteng
Contact mailto:woodstock@authentic.co.za
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PRIZE WINNERS
The winner of Uriah Heep's classic album from 1972, 'Demons and Wizards', remastered and with 3 bonus tracks goes to Veronica from Melkbosstrand. Thanks to Sony Music SA.
And the winners of an autographed copy of the René Hunter CD are:
Andrew Simpkins
Roxanne Brink
Andrew Chilton
John Gage
Renée Vincent
A big thank you to David Gresham Records for the CDs and to René for the autographs. Go girl!
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LINKS AND ADVERTS
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ARTISTS:
SA ROCK LEGENDS
http://rock.co.za/legends
SA MUSICIANS ON THE NET FROM A TO Z
http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/Rembrandt/SAArtists.html
ROBIN AULD
http://www.robinauld.co.za
BERNARD BINNS
http://www.bernardbinns.co.za
PIET BOTHA & JACK HAMMER
http://rock.co.za/legends/pietbotha
KOOS KOMBUIS
http://www.kooskombuis.co.za
LITTLE SISTER
http://www.rock.co.za/littlesister
OFF THE EDGE
http://listen.to/offtheedge
NEILL SOLOMON
http://www.infoweb.co.za/solomon/neil1.htm
SPRINGBOK NUDE GIRLS
http://www.nudegirls.co.za
VALIANT SWART
http://www.valiant.co.za
ARCHIVES:
THE LEGENDS OF SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK
Where SA rock legends still live
http://rock.co.za/legends
SOUTH AFRICA'S ROCK FILES
The online archive for the History of South African Rock
http://rock.co.za/sarock
MESSAGE BOARD:
TOO GOOD TO BE FORGOTTEN
Post your message on the SA Rock message board
http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb311757
NEWS:
AMUZINE
News, views, reviews and interviews
http://rock.co.za/
AFRICAN INVASION OF ROCK
News, reviews and opinions
http://www.air.org.za
ARTSMART
Arts news from Kwazulu-Natal
http://www.artsmart.co.za
INTERTAINMENT
News, links, features, etc
http://www.intertainment.co.za
JOL
News, updated daily
http://www.jol.co.za
LOCAL BEAT
Entertainment news
http://entertainment.iafrica.com/localbeat/recommendedgigs
POWERZONE
News, classifieds and much more...
http://www.powerzone.co.za/
WALL OF SOUND
Up-to-date news on the International music scene
http://www.wallofsound.com
WHATS ON:
BARLEYCORN
Cape Town's Music Club
http://twisted.co.za/barleycorn/
THE BIG TREE
Gant's Centre, Strand
http://www.icon.co.za/~diner/gigs.htm
HARBOUR MUSIC CLUB
The Troubadour, Kalk Bay
Every Wednesday night 8:30
Entrance R15 - bar available
Information:
Rob 7891021
Nadia 4489834
TAMBOER
Pretoria entertainment guide
http://www.tamboer.co.za
ZA@PLAY
What's on around South Africa
http://www.mg.co.za/mg/art/music/menu-music.htm
SHOPS:
MUSICA
SA's music retail chain
http://www.musica.co.za
ONE WORLD
Selling South African Music to the World
http://www.oneworld.co.za/
OUTLAW RECORDS, CAPE TOWN
Branches at:
Cape Town Central (021) 4238145
Wynberg (021) 7972482
Claremont (021) 6717887
VIBES MUSIC - N1 CITY, CAPE TOWN
Phone (021) 5953220
mailto:vibes@fast.co.za
RECORD COMPANIES, LABELS & STUDIOS:
BEATROOT MUSIC
http://www.beatrootmusic.co.za/beatrootmusic.htm
BMG
Home of some great SA bands
http://www.click2music.com
FRESH MUSIC
Independent multi-faceted music group
http://www.fresh.co.za
GALLO MUSIC
Supporting South African Music
http://www.gallo.co.za/
INDIE MUSIC EXPLOSION
The Ultimate Independent Music Site in South Africa
http://www.indie.co.za/
MELT2000
Independent label
http://www.melt2000.com
MOUNTAIN RECORDS
Music from and about Africa
http://www.mountain-africa.com
MUSIC FOR THE MASSES
Off Centre * Tic Tic Bang * Season To Taste * Shrapnel
Local & imported product
mailto:tictic@iafrica.com
mailto:tasty@iafrica.com
RADIUM WRECKORDS
The home of the Radio Rats, The Glee Club, the Chauffeurs
and the Pop Guns
Radium Wreckords
Suite 207
Postnet
Private Bag X10
Flamwood
2572
Klerksdorp
mailto:jhandley@aghs.co.za
RIESTER INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
Independent SA record company
http://www.riester-records.co.za/
STRANGER THAN FICTION PRODUCTIONS
http://www.strangerthanfiction.co.uk
STREET LEVEL RECORDS
Cape Town's Independent Record Label
http://www.streetlevel.co.za/
SUNSET STUDIOS
Stellenbosch Recording Studio
http://www.freeyellow.com/members2/sunsetsound/index.html
TEQUILA MUSIC
The Home of African Music
http://www.tequila.co.za
TL MASTERING
Digital Mastering, Editing and Remastering
mailto:prozak@iafrica.com
phone: 082 701 50 96
RESOURCES:
BACKSTAGE
The Musician's Resource
http://www.backstage.co.za/
PEDRO THE MUSIC MAN
Music teacher
http://users.iafrica.com/m/mu/musicman
ROCK ARCHIVE CD-ROM
For more info or to buy/trade this CD-ROM contact:
Werner Regenthal
mailto:wrkohnse@zaz.com.br
ROCK DAY BY DAY
The history of rock as it happened
http://www.rockdaybyday.com
SA MUSIC DATABASE
Over 100 links relating to South African music
http://members.xoom.com/samusicd/links.html
SHOW VILLAGE
sound - lights - dance
http://www.showvillage.co.za
MAGAZINES:
AMUZINE
African Music Magazine
http://rock.co.za
SLY
Online magazine
http://www.sly.co.za/
STAGE
SA Music magazine
http://www.stage.co.za
RADIO:
DINOSAUR DAYS
The radio show, the CDs, the website
http://www.geocities.com/dinosaurdays/
CAPITAL RADIO 604
Remembering Capital 604 (1979 to 1996)
http://www.Capital604.com
FMC RADIO
Internet radio supporting local music
http://www.fullmoonconcerts.co.za
SAFM
South African Radio Station
http://www.safm.co.za
BOOKS:
THE HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz (TOGA, 1994)
http://www.rock.co.za/files/book_order.html
KOOS se SONGS
Koos Kombuis
http://www.oneworld.co.za
CLASSIFIEDS:
MUSICADS
Free musical equipment classifieds ad website
http://www.twisted.co.za/musicads/
TRIVIA:
CLIMB UP ON MY MUSIC
A site dedicated to Rodriguez, the Sugar Man
http://www.rock.co.za/files/rodriguez.html
IMAGES OF ROCK
Your Ultimate Rock And Roll Experience
http://www.imagesofrock.com
POP SHOP TRACK LISTINGS
A tribute to those great Pop Shop albums
http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/Rembrandt/PopShop/PopShopHome.html
SPACE HYMNS
The only known website for Ramases
http://rock.co.za/ramases
VAGABOND'S WORLD
a rock music trivia site
http://rock.co.za/vagabond
PIOTR'S GREEN PAGES
Discographies and lyrics for the legends of rock
http://www.zetosa.com.pl/piotrus/greenpages
FESTIVALS:
SPLASHY FEN
The festival, the CD, the book, the website
http://www.splashyfen.co.za
OPPIKOPPI
http://www.oppikoppi.co.za
RUSTLERS VALLEY
http://www.rustlers.co.za
MUSIC ON-LINE:
CDDB
CD Database Online
http://www7.cddb.com/
CDMAX
CD player for accessing the online CD database http://www.mindspring.com/~clark_tisdale/CDmax/
DIGITAL CUPBOARD
African music, MP3s and more...
http://www.digitalcupboard.co.za
MP3.COM
Listen to MP3s of South African artists
http://www.mp3.com/regions/africa/south_africa/
MP3 SOFTWARE
Links to download sites
http://www.rock.co.za/files/mp3software.html
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BACK ISSUES AND RULES
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BACK ISSUES AND RULES
http://rock.co.za/sarockdigest
On-line and keyword searchable
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CONTRIBUTIONS
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Contributions and comments to:
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