BLK JKS, (pronounced Black Jacks), are a South African rock band from Johannesburg, formed in 2000. Childhood friends Mpumelelo Mcata and Lindani Buthelezi grew up together in Spruitview, East Rand, where they founded the Blk Jks in 2000. After varying line-ups, they were joined by Molefi Makananise (bass) and Tshepang Ramoba (drums) from Soweto andContinueContinue reading “BLK JKS – Abantu / Before Humans”
Author Archives: SugarMan.org
The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 7 by Steve Louw
“What are we doing, a polka thing?” Scott Crago laughed as he breezed past me into the studio. With long blonde hair and Southern Californian surfer vibe, he looked the part for the gig he had just landed as the Eagles’ drummer for their reunion tour. It was May 1994, and I was in BrooklynContinueContinue reading “The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 7 by Steve Louw”
David Crosby – Rodriguez For A Night
The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 6 by Steve Louw
It was past midnight when Jimmy Iovine and The Edge walked into the studio where we were mixing “Waiting for the Dawn”. He was producing Rattle and Hum with U2, and they were recording guitar in the room next door. The studio sheet showed that “MaWayJa” was in with Shelly Yakus, and they wanted toContinueContinue reading “The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 6 by Steve Louw”
The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 5 by Steve Louw
Tony Visconti wore leather pants, his greying hair slicked back. I was straight out of two years of smoky, sweaty clubs and other dives. He was straight out of stardom, working with David Bowie. I had been asked by my record label to look after him during his trip to Johannesburg to record local stars,ContinueContinue reading “The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 5 by Steve Louw”
The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 4 by Steve Louw
It was Kevin’s 25th birthday and he was leaving South Africa for Australia. He had hired Rita’s, a big underground club, and all of the artists with whom Kevin had made records were playing. We had just finished the second All Night Radio album, and Tim Parr of Ella Mental had come in and playedContinueContinue reading “The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 4 by Steve Louw”
The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 3 by Steve Louw
Little Steven – Voice Of America It was a hot summer in 1984 in Johannesburg when Little Steven (aka Miami Steve van Zandt) looked straight into my eyes through the lens of my camera. He was listening to the live recording of my band, All Night Radio, and I could see he was into it.ContinueContinue reading “The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 3 by Steve Louw”
The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 2 by Steve Louw
All Night Radio (early 80’s) with Steve Louw (centre) AUGUST 1981: The Stones’ ‘Start Me Up’ echoed off every wall, and blared out of every cab window and shop door in the hot August weather in New York City. Their groove and the pulse of the city seemed to be superimposed, laying down a thickContinueContinue reading “The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 2 by Steve Louw”
Come To Minnesota
Hello, my name is Kaveman and I’ve been working as a water protector in Minnesota fighting an illegal pipeline that would surely poison the indigenous, treaty protected, lands with leaky tar sands. I’m reaching out in hope that you might check the welcome water protectors website, or better yet, come visit our intentional communities inContinueContinue reading “Come To Minnesota”
The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 1 by Steve Louw
MARCH 2020: It’s a cold winter Sunday morning in Nashville, Tennessee. We stopped next to the big black idling tour bus parked outside the studio. Joe Bonamassa climbed down grinning, wearing his trademark baseball cap and hoodie, carrying his Les Paul and a small vintage Fender Deluxe amp. Joe Bonamassa, Nashville, TN, March 2020. LayingContinueContinue reading “The Cold Facts…. A Journey On The Road Ahead, part 1 by Steve Louw”
Covering Up – A Spotify Playlist Inspired By Steve Louw
Thanks for your time…
Thanks for your time.. I feel some what guilty having just heard the story of sixto rodriguez. I am a fan of music more than any other aspect of life. I appreciate the best we have heard, all of it!I have never understood what people mean when they say things like “art” speak to them.ContinueContinue reading “Thanks for your time…”
Sugar Man by Black Pumas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4REeUDhDdw https://open.spotify.com/track/6skjFQ6Rs3sQlE2nsIB9Nh From the album: Black Pumas (Deluxe / Spotify Singles Edition)
Review: SATELLIET – ‘The Buckfever Underground’ | Underground Press
From https://www.undergroundpress.co.za/reviews/eps/review-satelliet-the-buckfever-underground ‘The Buckfever Underground’ have created a work of art that may leave you feeling strong and somewhat mellow, wallowing in the calm after entertaining the demands of chaos. Jodie Reid, 16th April 2021 ‘Asem in, asem uit’ and enter the smooth, poetic ambience created by The Buckfever Underground with their latest, spoken word and experimental EP – Satelliet.ContinueContinue reading “Review: SATELLIET – ‘The Buckfever Underground’ | Underground Press”
Amazing life story
Hi, would you by any chance know the hour of birth of Mr. RODRIGUEZ ? I’m asking because when someone has such an amazing life story, you can find roots in their astro birth chart, but without the time it is imprecise.Many thanks for your attention,Kindest regardsSylvie
“Searching For Sugar Man” Film Blows 70-year Old Fan Away
Dear Sixto, The documentary on your life blew me away. I think I have listened to your music every day since seeing it! You are such an inspiration – your humility is just amazing. When you say in the film that you don’t have regret/anger/resentment regarding the time you did not know that your musicContinueContinue reading ““Searching For Sugar Man” Film Blows 70-year Old Fan Away”
My favourite musician of all time
Hey Rodriguez, I know this won’t be you reading this but if possible I’d love my words to be passed on to you especially in such strange times. My name is Jacob Hall and I’m a 19 year old university student from England and came across your music about 2 years ago and since youContinueContinue reading “My favourite musician of all time”
Searching for the Sugarman | Oil Painters of America
From https://blog.oilpaintersofamerica.com/2021/04/searching-for-the-sugarman/ April 5, 2021 by E. Melinda Morrison I Wish I Could I Wish I Mightby E. Melinda Morrison12” x 12” – Egg Tempera on Panel I recently saw for the second time, Searching for Sugarman. It is a fascinating documentary of a musician, Sixto Rodriguez, who recorded two albums in the late sixties in Detroit. AfterContinueContinue reading “Searching for the Sugarman | Oil Painters of America”
BELOVED SOUTH AFRICAN SINGER / SONGWRITER STEVE LOUW RELEASES NEW VIDEO / SINGLE, “CRAZY RIVER”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHXfRU0Wsm0 April 6 2021, Capetown, SA: Today, much-revered South African singer/songwriter/guitarist, Steve Louw releases, “Crazy River,” the first track from his forthcoming album, Headlight Dreams to be released in May via BFD/The Orchard. The song itself is an upbeat, transcendent ode to the beauty of a river, its timelessness against the impermanent world it runsContinueContinue reading “BELOVED SOUTH AFRICAN SINGER / SONGWRITER STEVE LOUW RELEASES NEW VIDEO / SINGLE, “CRAZY RIVER””
Better Than Bob Dylan
Hello my name is Lenore Long, I am 85 years old and love your music. You are so creative with the words in your songs. It was my boss at work who told me to go watch Sugar Man at the movie theater, and said that you were so much better than Bob Dylan. AfterContinueContinue reading “Better Than Bob Dylan”
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