Koos Kombuis – Lisa se Klavier
Legendary singer songwriter maps the moment he morphed from Andre Letoit into mythical alternative Afrikaans troubadour Koos Kombuis on this classic Voelvry-era acoustic ballad off his excellent debut, ‘Niemandsland & Beyond!’.
Die Heuwels Fantasties – Our Heritage
Hip indie dance rock combo celebrate Heritage Day (aka Braai Day) by hooking up with heavyweight hip-hop players HHP and JR, and the Grammy winning Soweto Gospel Choir. It’s a contagiously fun colab with Die Heuwels’ Pierre Greeff singing in English, HHP and JR keeping it real and the Soweto Gospel Choir adding their soaring African harmonies: “So it’s a flyday. We call it a braai day….”
aKING – The Heart Of A Fool
“I know my language has always been my limit…/the heart of the fool lives inside of his mouth,” serenades Laudo on this spanking new symphonic rock power ballad off the indie rock darlings’ brand new CD, ‘Against All Odds’. Produced by the multiple award-winning Theo Crous.
7FT Soundsystem – Love Be The Power
Freshlyground’s Zolani Mahola adds her sublime siren call to this summery brass ‘n bass filtered first single off Mother City musician Yves Adler’s new album, ‘God Shuffles His Beat’.
Rian Malan – Trekboer
Outspoken journalist and ‘My Traitor’s Heart’ author turned troubadour shares this hauntingly poetic unplugged Afrikaans folk strum about the ontological crisis of expatriate South African existence. Off his cult classic album ‘Alien Inboorling’. Released on the legendary Shifty label.
The Genuines – Ek Het ‘n Bra
Legendary Mother City genre shifters team up with banjo legend Sam ‘Mr Mac’ McKenzie to give the classic goema grooves of Cape Town’s minstrel carnival an extreme punk jazz makoever on this party starter off their album ‘Mr Mac and the Genuines’. Released back in 1987 on the seminal Shifty Records label.
Merseystate – New Jersey Girl
Mother City rockers Wayne Joshua and Shai Caleb (ex-Farenheit) share this first, hook-laden single off their debut album ‘The Lucky Ones’. Fans of well-crafted Brit-pop cut from Oasis and The Beatles’ cloth, this is well worth a listen.
Richard van der Westhuizen – Engelliedjie
Popular Afrikaaans singer songwriter shares another piano ‘n strings coloured ballad about love off his top-selling album, ‘Songs Uit My Binnesak. Fans of Koss du Plessis’ romantic luisterliedjie craft, this one’s for you.
Simba Morri – Wasamata
Kenyan guitarist showcases his melodic acoustic guitar grooves and airy vocal style alongside Mozambican bassist Gito Baloi and South African drummer Ian Herman on this melliflous dose of world music off his debut album on the legendary Shifty label.
Deep Fried Man – No More Trouble
Johannesburg-based singer songwriter sidesteps the lo-fi folk stereotypes on this blues, soul, rock, and hip-hop inflected ballad for the mall generation. Imagine Rodriguez sharing a toke with Jack Johnson and you’re almost there. Off his new album, ‘Deep Fried Man is Not Amused’.