The first in a series of mixes inspired by the charts from the The South African Rock Music Digest (fondly referred to as “The SA Rock Digest” or simply “The Digest”) which was a weekly, free subscription e-mag about South African rock and pop music published digitally from 1999 to 2004.
Founded on 27th January 1999 by Brian Currin and Stephen “Sugar” Segerman.
Re-established in 2009, as part of Sugar Music, embracing social media tools and platforms.
Track list 1. Rise ‘n Shine – Moodphase5ive
2. Africa’s Not For Sissies – Syd Kitchen
3. Set Of Wheels (Karoo Anthem) – Karen Zoid
4. Nkalakatha – Mandoza
5. Gee Raat – KOBUS!
6. Since I Met You – New World Inside (early Fokofpolisiekar)
7. Crazy Over You (5FM Unearthed version) – Zen Arcade
8. Praha Paradise – Ernestine Deane
9. Kakstraat – Battery 9
10. Donkey Rattle – Felix Laband
11. Dig It – Kalahari Surfers
12. Long Holiday – The Sunshines
13. Fragile – Venessa Nolan
14. Stoute Boude – Anton Goosen & Beeskraal
15. Sestien Jaar Met ‘n Vals Kitaar – Koos Kombuis
16. Sweet Stellenganga – Akkedis
17. Beach Girl – Natalia
18. Lovesong – Dolly Rockers
19. Fokofpolisiekar – Fokofpolisiekar
20. Things To Consider – Skwirmish
21. Paralyzer – Ghetto Muffin
22. Gangsta – The Rudimentals
23. Gasoline – Saron Gas (early Seether)
24. Say Goodbye – Scarlet Host
25. Humanarium – Bed On Bricks
26. Indigo Girl – Watershed
27. Life (Theme From Big Brother TV series 2001) – Semisane
28. Vodka – Mathys Roets
29. Strate Van Pretoria – Beeskraal
30. Mooie Vrou – Kaal
31. When I Get The Blues – Delta Blue
32. Only Yesterday – Sharkbrother
33. Go Fuck Yourself – Janie Jones
A track off the album, Grootste Treffers by Radio Kalahari Orkes, a group that established themselves as favourites in the SA musical landscape through a series of hits and top selling albums starring actor and TV personality Ian Roberts as lead singer and world renowned writer Rian Malan as co-composer and lyricist.
More intelligent nu-pop off the album You’re Underfed, I’m Wonderful from this new band currently getting a lot of attention on the Johannesburg scene.
When Port Elizabeth-based TV host (Strictly Come Dancing), reality TV series judge (SA’s Got Talent) and multi-award winning performer and theatrical creator, Ian von Memerty embarks on a new project, he does it big – like on his first commercial CD, titled U R Fantastic .
Gary Thomas produced and engineered his Contraption Distoria album himself with only one special guest in the form of guitar hero Guy Buttery on this particularly eerie track.
Afrikaans Rap and Hip Hop is bursting onto the scene with names like Jack Parow, Brasse Van Die Kaap and Die Antwoord and now Pretoria band Bittereinder, here with a track off their album, ‘n Ware Verhaal .
This Pretoria based outfit ruled the country’s rock stages for almost a decade with their progressive nu-metal and tight live performances. Here’s a song from their latest self-titled album .
Laurie Levine’s voice fuses childlike playfulness with maturity, a combination that evokes a wide range of emotions; a voice that is simply unique in its ability to engage the listener. Laurie’s catchy folk tunes are reminiscent of what you’d expect to be coming from world class contemporary folk acts the likes of Katie Melua, Lucinda Wil … Read More
Many of my favourite South African Rock songs from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s have been becoming available for download on Rhythm Music Store over the last while.
Rhythm Records new release: Laurie Levine – Six Winters: Laurie Levine’s voice fuses childlike playfulness with maturity, a combination that evokes a wide range of emotions; a voice that is simply unique in its ability to engage the listener. Laurie’s catchy folk tunes are reminiscent of what you’d expect to be coming from world class contemporary folk acts the likes of Katie Melua, Lucinda Williams, Alison Krauss, Diana Krall and Emmylou Harris. … Read More
Die Mystic Boer – Valiant Swart (Dis ’n Groot Avontuur)
Die Mystic Boer by Valiant Swart
I can’t help but think of The Doors’ ‘Riders On The Storm’ when I hear this song. Not that ‘Die Mystic Boer’ is a rip off of Jim Morrison’s classic, it’s just that it has a similar texture to it, and, on certain versions where Simon ‘Agent’ Orange is given free rein on the keyboards, the rich organ sound certainly owes something to Ray Manzarek. The fact that the cover of ‘Die Mystic Boer’ album features a man on a horse with a guitar furthers a ‘Riders’ ambiance.
Valiant hung out with the legendary Koos Kombuis (whom he met during his military service) but was not really part of the Voëlvry movement that brought Afrikaans rock music to the nation. However, in 1996, he released the album ‘Die Mystic Boer’, and became the leading light of the next phase of Afrikaan Rock music. The title track of the album
quickly established itself as not only an important Afrikaans blues song but also an important South African song. The lyrics are poetical, the music mystical and bluesy and the song is magical.
It is worth checking out some of the recorded live versions of the song such as that on the cassette only release ‘Voetstoets‘ and the ‘Tassenberg All Stars‘ (the first one) album.
op ‘n vaal vlakte
het ons hom die eerste keer gewaar
hy’t snaaks gedans en weggeraak
in ‘n waas van walms en wind
daar was klowe in die verte
en die son was nog jonk
en grys voëls het ons dopgehou
toe ons onder die oggend vir mekaar geknik het
ons gaan hom jag
die newels het gewink
die dag het geruik na nuwe bloed
en gebreek
veertig dae en veertig nagte
soek ons die mystic boer
maar soos die perde van middernag-gedagtes
bly hy op sy hoede en loer
oor sy skouer
ons loop deur die leegte
met ons oë vasgepen op ‘n stofwolk
waar sy voete die aarde ontstig het
met passies vol punk en plesierigheid
die môrestond het ons blinkgesmeer met vars hoop
op geluk en wysheid en vreugde
en vure vol verskeidenheid
en lig
na die berge, na die klowe, na die spelonke
dwarrel die gees
terwyl ons, die jagters, hom bestorm
met nette en tralies
en tyd
veertig dae en veertig nagte
soek ons die mystic boer
maar soos die perde van middernag-gedagtes
bly hy op sy hoede en loer
oor sy skouer
die grense van ons mission
was slegs die wind en weer
die bliksems en donders wat bangpraat
en reën bring om stof te kanselleer
hoe groter die drang na ontmoeting
met die koning van die nuwe asem
hoe woester die tog
en hoe stiller
daar was ‘n skaduwee om merker te speel
en ‘n uptempo rouklaag die magnet
en visioene van nuwe dinge
was oral
veertig dae en veertig nagte
soek ons die mystic boer
maar soos die perde van middernag-gedagtes
bly hy op sy hoede en loer
oor sy skouer
skielik was daar niks
behalwe ‘n vaal vlakte en die son
was ons alleen met water en jeans
die danser was weg
teen middernag was die maan treurig en mooi
en die grond het gesmaak na sout
en toe die nuwe oggend opstaan uit die berg
het grys voëls ons dopgehou
so as jy hom sien, en jy wil hom soek
doen dit gerus
want dis ‘n groot avontuur
alhoewel jy eindig
waar jy begin het
veertig dae en veertig nagte
soek ons die mystic boer
maar soos die perde van middernag-gedagtes
bly hy op sy hoede en loer
oor sy skouer met ‘n vreemde grynslag
en dans in die nánag met die maan
oor sy skouer met ‘n oog wat uitdaag
kom nader, kom vra my my naam
A song off the SAMA-nominated Hiervandaan album on which the authentic power of South Africa’s own Delta music is explored, composed and arranged by the genius of Les Javan.
Crimson Chrysalis is a South African female rock artist from Pretoria who went from the Afrikaans acoustic-rock genre to neo-classical rock on her debut album, VirginDeath.
Ramblin’ Bones is the alter ego of Jay Bones, former front man for the popular South African ska band Fuzigish, here with a track off his second album Ramblin’ Bones& His Bloody Agents.
Guy Onraet is a musician, composer, and guitar teacher living in Cape Town, his debut solo album, Invention City, which was inspired by, and is loosely based on the ‘Dark Tower’ series of novels by Stephen King.
Deep Fried Man is a comi-Folk performer who writes folk songs for the mall generation. The songs on his album DeepFried Man Is Not Amused are infused with bits of blues, soul, rock, hip-hop and rage.
B-Traq is an exciting new funk-pop band to hit the South African music scene, with a sound that is both fresh and funky on their new debut album, Out A Time.
With Ray Phiri on guitar, this acclaimed South African jazz group soundtracked the years from struggle to freedom with their evocative and unique style, here with a track off The Essential South African Trip.
Experience the true spirit of Cape Town’s musical heritage with Jazzing and Jiving, the album that captures the spirit of this magnificent city with a host of accomplished musicians.
A classic live track off this South African pop-folkie’s powerful Shifty album, Hand Around The Heart, on which her incisive vision and wit expose the fabric of white South African suburban life.
Red Earth & Rust’s is a compelling new voice in the singer/songwriter genre, with powerful storytelling and soulful lyrics with its new double album Dark Mercy and Wrestling the Angel, from which this song is taken.
A track off the album, Singalong African Kidz a very special collection of original children’s songs crafted by renowned singer/songwriter Wendy Oldfield.
The double CD called ‘Sui’ by this Cape Town trio famed for their improvisational and inspirational musical creations, is regarded as one of their best.
Kwesta is a young rapper and Buttabing Entertainment’s newest signing who recently released his debut Hip Hop album Special Rekwest here with his first single off the album.
For the year of 2010 South Africans watched clips dominated by music and politics on YouTube, with Afrikaans trailer-trash rap group Die Antwoord stealing the show as one of the most watched for the year.
Die Antwoord’s singles ‘Enter the Ninja‘ racked up a massive 8,6-million views, while ‘Zef Side‘ received 5,2-million views.
Other local videos that drew significant interest included ‘6 Second Poison’ by Locnville (667,170) , ‘Show Dem – Make the Circle Bigger (223,944) and Jack Parow’s ‘Dans, Dans, Dans’ featuring Francois van Coke (419,100). – Nur Bremmen
Indie label owners are irascible. They’re more into music than profits. They’re opinionated. They cull through the options and then serve up music you’ll be interested in, if they’ve already gained your trust. – Bob Lefsetz
Ian Roberts and his bakgat band of boeremusiek brothers team up with super romantic Afrikaans rap star Jack Parow on this tongue-in-cheeky World Cup anthem-in-the-making about braaivleis, brandy and Vuvuzela blowing! Off heir third album of all star collaborations, “Heuningland”.
Can you feel it? Put your voice behind Bafana Bafana by downloading this funky Afro-pop anthem for FREE! Put it in your car stereo, roll down the windows and BLAST your message to our soccer boys: WOZA BAFANA!!
Mystic blues rocker Valiant Swart and boreremusiek maestro Ollie Viljoen give veld-fed traditional Afrikaans music a spin-soos-min on this tongue-in-cheeky tale off their new album, “Wild en Wakker”.
“The problems facing Planet Earth are far more serious than whether we like Malema or not, or what people think of the new ANC leather jackets” says the iconic Afrikaans singer songwriter on this eco-friendly overhaul of his classic protest song about service delivery.
Kwaggafontein kwaito star drops this deeply funky first single off his new third album, ‘Ngim’lo’. Fans of the minimal techno filtered rhythms of KZN kwaito heavyweights like Big Nuz this pantsula dance party starter is for you.
“Ver van die ou kalahari, aan die grens se verkeerde kant, eet ons saam calamari, en lag oor die dalende Rand” sings Koos on this Voelvry-era classic. Off the Afrikaans troubadour’s debut album, “Ver van die Ou Kalahari”, penned while he was still using his previous pseudonym, Andre le Toit.
Sama-winning songbird shares this gorgeous lullaby off her new collection of original children’s songs ‘Singalong African Kidz’. Does it get any cuter than these opening lyrics? “When the darkness falls and it is time to rest, I can hear the heartbeat in my mommy’s chest, she will hold my close, keep me safe and warm….”
Poet Toast Coezter and his avant-rock visionaries share this timeous, stream of consciousness parable off their critically-acclaimed album, ‘Limbs Gone Batty’.
Celebrated Afrikaans singer songwriter shares this breezy platteland ballad about going nowhere slowly. Off his solo project, ‘Songs uit my Binnesak’, on which he collaborated with Hennie Aucamp, Herman van Veen and Andrew Roos.
Ian Roberts and his bakgat band of boeremusiek brothers team up with super romantic Afrikaans rap star Jack Parow on this tongue-in-cheeky World Cup anthem-in-the-making anthem about braaivleis, brandy and Vuvuzela blowing! Off heir third album of all star collaborations, “Heuningland”.
“Love knows no colour” is the timeless message of this beautiful African folk pop ballad off the legendary SA songbird’s second album, ‘Untimely’, released on the Shifty label.
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….”
“The problems facing Planet Earth are far more serious than whether we like Malema or not, or what people think of the new ANC leather jackets” says the iconic Afrikaans singer songwriter on this eco-friendly overhaul of his classic protest song about service delivery.
Legendary SA gothic rockers remind today’s disaffected skinny jeans jet set what real alternative music is all about with this fantastic cover of the Rolling Stones classic. Off their retrospective collection, ‘The Present Has Passed’.
What happens when Afrikaans progressive rockers Foto Na Dans invite Flash Republic’s Tamara Dey, Ryan Dent and Craig Massiv to remix one of their unreleased tracks? Imagine Muse dropping a soul-drenched tab of electro dance while giving ‘Die Taal’ the thumbs up and you’re half way there!
Them Crooked Vultures get lost in Afrikaans garage rock translation on this suicidally hip new single about seizing the day from Francois Van Coke’s bad ass boys. Off their forthcoming album, ‘Skop Skiet en Donner’.
Fans of early Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd are going to love this progressive pop rock gem off the South African legends’ recently-reissued 1971 album, ‘Genesis’.