Anton Goosen

Successful Afrikaans singer-songwriter and guitar player who began by writing songs for other musicians, particularly Sonja Herholdt. Broke onto the performance scene in his own right in 1979 with his Boy van die Suburbs album. Strongly influenced by Bob Dylan, he wanted to establish himself as a protest singer but never progressed beyond vaguely symbolic protest songs.

Further albums include Liedjieboer (1980), 2nd Laan 58 (1980), Jors Troelie (1981), Tussen Twee Rooi Mure (1983), My Stellenbosch Se Nonnatjie Roep My (1985), Lappiesland (1985), Liedjieboer Innie City/Stad (1986), Winde Van Verandering (1988), Danzer (1992), Bushrock (1996), Putonnerwater (1999), n Vis Innie Bos (2001), Groen Blomme Projek (2005) and Padkos (2017). He continues to release albums on the fringes of the alternative Afrikaans music scene.

Arno Carstens

Western Cape-based musician who began his career in the mid-1990s as the lead singer for the Springbok Nude Girls. He continues to sing with the Springbok Nude Girls but has also released several solo albums: Another Universe (2003), The Hello Goodbye Boys (2005), Wonderful Wild (2010), Atari Gala (2012), Lightning Prevails (2014) and Die Aaandblom 13 (2016). In 2003 he released his biggest selling single “Another Universe” and his most recent single was “Midnight Screams” (2020).

Asylum Kids

Formed in Johannesburg with Robbie Robb (guitar, vocals), Dino Archon (bass, vocals), and Steve Howells (drums, vocals).

They released the singles “Schoolboy” (1981) and “Girl Gone Solo” (1982) and two albums, Fight It With Your Mind (1981) and Solid Principles (1982).

Bakithi Kumalo

Bass player who grew up in Soweto. Played fretless bass on Paul Simon’s Graceland album and subsequent tour.

His first solo album was Step On The Bass Line released in 1988, followed by On Friendly Basses (1990), San Bonan (1998) and In Front of My Eyes (2000).

Ballyhoo

Formed in Johannesburg in 1974 with Derrick Drain on vocals, Mick Matthews on guitar and vocals, Attie van Wyk on keyboards, Fergie Ferguson on bass and vocals and Cedric Samson on drums.

The band regularly changed members, with Shane Mahoney replacing Samson on drums, Paul de Villiers (guitar and vocals) replaced Drain who later rejoined, Ralph Martin (guitar) replaced Matthews, Franco del Mei replaced Mahoney.

Drain left again in 1982 along with van Wyk. Stewart Irving joined as vocalist in 1982.

Ballyhoo released several singles and albums in the 1970s and early 1980s. These releases met with varied success and their most successful single was “Man on the moon”, released in 1980.

They didn’t record any new studio songs or albums after the mid-1980s.

Basil Coetzee

Cape-Town based tenor saxophonist who was born and grew up in District Six.

Performed and recorded with several top South African jazz musicians including Dollar Brand, Kippie Moeketsi, Pat Matshikiza, Lionel Beukes and Errol Dyers.

His most famous collaborations were with Dollar Brand, including his iconic saxophone contribution to ‘Mannenberg – Is Where It’s Happening” which led to his nickname, Basil “Mannenberg” Coetzee.

In 1978 he released the album Shrimp Boats, in collaboration with Barney Rachabane (alto saxophone), Charles Johnstone (bass), Sipho Gumede (bass), Gilbert Mathews (drums), Rod Clarke (drums, percussion) and Lionel Pillay (keyboards, piano).

In the mid-1970s to early 1980s period he was a member of Black Disco, Pacific Express and Movement In The City. In the mid-1980s he formed the group Sabenza with whom he recorded the album Sabenza (1987).

He also performed the saxophone solo on Bright’s Blue’s “Weeping (1987).

He released two subsequent solo albums, Monwabisi (1991) and B (1998).

He died in Mitchell’s Plain in March 1998.

Baxtop

Formed in Johannesburg in 1978 by Larry Amos (guitars, vocals), Tim Parr (guitar, vocals), Robbie Whitelaw (bass) and Pierre de Vos (drums). Before their first gig Fuzzy Marcus replaced Robbie Whitelaw because Robbie had to go to the army.

Later Bruce Williams replaced Pierre de Vos. In 1979 they won the SABC’s Battle of the Bands competition and they released their only album Work It Out.

They released two singles from the album “Jo Bangles” and “Take Me To Your Heart”.

They were the first South African band signed by Benji Mudie at WEA Records. Money issues and internal disagreements led to the band breaking up in 1980.

Bayete

Johannesburg-based group formed in 1984: Jabu Khanyile (lead vocals, drums), Sello Mphatsoane (trumpet), Mfaniseni Thus (trombone, vocals), Themba Mkhize (synthesisers, vocals), Arthur Tshabalala (Piano), Fana Zulu (bass), Johnny Chonco (guitars), Kelly Petlance (alto sax, flute) and Makhaya Mhlangu (percussion).

Released the single “Blue Monday” in 1986. Their debut album was Mbombela (1987) followed by Hare Yeng Hae (1990).

In 1992 Bayete broke up and Jabu Khanyile went solo but continued to call his backing band Bayete, even though the line-up was completely different.

Under this set-up six further albums were released, credited to Bayete but essentially Jabu Khanyile solo albums: Mmalo-We (1993), Umkhaya-Lo (1995), Africa Unite (1997), Umathimula (1998), Thobekile (2000) and Hiyo Lento (2005).

Beatenberg

Cape Town-based group who formed in 2008.

Matthew Field (vocals, guitar), Robin Brink (drums) and Ross Dorkin (bass, keyboards).

They released their first album, Farm Photos, in 2009. They released follow up albums The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg (2014) and 12 Views of Beatenberg (2018).

They have also released several singles: “Echoes” (2012), “Chelsea Blakemore” (2013), “Pluto (Remember You)” (2014), “Rafael” (2014), “Camera” (2018), “Ode to the Berg Wind” (2018) and “Aphrodite” (2018).

Benguela

Cape Town-based band improvisation jazz group formed in 1996. Brydon Bolton (double bass), Ross Campbell (drums) and Alex Bozas (guitar).

Have released the albums Sputnik (1998), Digital Inability (2001), Sui (2003), Black Southeaster (2010), Bush Radio Live (2012), Adrift (2014) and Are You Awake? (2020).