Preserving South African Musical History
Durban-based group who formed in 1994: Chris Letcher (guitar, keyboard, vocals), Brendan Jury (viola, keyboard, vocals), Simon Pontin (bass) and Ian Jefferys (drums). This line-up released the cassette-only album Live at Jam&Sons (1994).
In 1995 Didier Nobilla replaced Pontin on bass and Ross Campbell replaced Jefferys on drums. The new line up released the albums Sea Level (1995) and Tightroper (1996).
Their most popular song was their first single, “Sea Level” (1995).
They broke up in 1998.
A duo formed in Johannesburg in 1997. Matthew van der Want and Chris Letcher were both part of the ’90s Shifty Records stable: Van der Want as a solo artist and Letcher as a member of Urban Creep. Van der Want was an occasional support act for the Urban Creep and the latter appeared on van der Want’s debut album.
After Urban Creep broke up Van der Want/Letcher released the EP EP Tombi in 1997, followed by three albums: Low Riding (1998), Bignity (2002) and Casual Killing (2005). Van der Want/Letcher is a side project with both members of the duo also releasing solo work, and mostly coming together for live performances.
Formed in Johannesburg in 1983 by Rene Veldsman (bass and vocals), Spider Wider (vocals and percussion), Lukas Luislang (keyboards) and Michele Rowe (percussion). Prior to forming Via Afrika Rene Veldsman had already had a successful musical career as a session musician and with studio groups, most prominently Disco Dance Machine (with Trevor Rabin).
Via Afrika burst onto the South African music scene in 1983 with their debut album Via Afrika and the single “Hey Boy”. They followed this with the less successful Scent of Scandal album in 1984.
Also in 1984 the band went over to the United States for a lengthy stay, with the hopes of launching an international career there. They mixed in celebrity music circles (including with Lou Reed) and were invited to perform on Little Steven van Zandt’s “(Ain’t gonna play) Sun City” song. However, when they tried to secure the release of their music in the United States all doors were closed to them because of the cultural boycott.
When they returned to South Africa they broke up. Rene Veldsman then went on to run her own recording studio in Johannesburg.
Mamelodi singer-songwriter guitarist who came to the attention of Shifty Records in the early 1990s and who went on to enjoy a national and international career.
He has released several studio albums: When You Come Back (1992), Wisdom Of Forgiveness (1994), Silang Mabele (1997), Miyela Afrika (2000), Jungle of Questions (2002), Guiding Star (2006) and Say Africa (2010).
He has also released live albums including Live At The Bassline (2006) with Louis Mhlanga and collaborations with Swedish backing band Jive Connection.
Singer songwriter who started out with Sweatband in 1983. She went solo in 1987, releasing the single “Real World’ and followed that up with “Dancing in the Forest” in 1988.
Her first album was Beautiful World released in 1991, including the single “Acid Rain”.
Since then she has released several singles and albums and performed regularly throughout South Africa.
Photograph of Wendy Oldfield courtesy of Harold Gess Photography.
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Formed in Johannesburg in 1982, morphing out of Empty Set. Megan Frost (guitar), Richard Frost (drums, synthesisers), Susan Arbor (vocals), Paul Goodwin (sax), Gary Rathbone (guitar), Steve Howells (drums). Seventh member Zeev Takatshov worked on putting together visuals for
their performances.
The band had three central tenets to their performances: no solos, no songs longer than three minutes and thirdly, everyone had to contribute across the board during performances, hence the swapping of instruments. They believed that their music and stage performance should be a collective effort.
They released the album Urban Camouflage on cassette in 1983, after which Jimmy Florence joined on keyboards. Shortly after that Gary Rathbone went to the UK to avoid the army but ran out of money. When he returned a few months later Jimmy Florence and Steve Howells had gone on to form The Dynamics. Megan Frost, Richard Frost and Gary Rathbone went on to form Urban Camouflage which subsequently became The Spectres.
Durban-based band which morphed out of Fourth Reich formed in 1978. Johnny Teen aka Michael Fleck (guitar, vocals), Marko Pogo (???), Rubin Rose (drums), Budgie (rhythm guitar) and Skid Soles aka Andrew Peinke (bass).
Budgie and Marko left to form the Dead Babies, leaving the group to launch their recording career as a trio. In 1979 two of their songs “Record Companies” and “All Messed Up” were included on the WEA Records Six Of The Best compilation album.
In late 1979 they released the single “Wot ’bout Me”.
They broke up in 1980 but in 2012 released the album A Leopard Never Changes Her Spots which included all original recordings, demos live recordings and some new tracks.
After The Dynamics broke up in 1986 Winston Nyaunda (alto sax) formed Winston’s Jive Mix-Up with Adam Reinecke (guitar), Sipho Shange (keyboards), Reggie Mfega (bass), Jannie van Tonder (trombone), former Dynamics band member Steve Howells (drums) and Mellissa James (violin).
They were a popular live band at venues like Jamesons in Johannesburg. In 1989 they recorded a self-titled album with Shifty Records.
It was only released on cassette but has since been made available digitally. Former Dynamics band member Harvey Roberts made a guest appearance on tenor saxophone on two of the tracks, “Wait awhile” and “107”.
A vocal/dance group who formed in Johannesburg in 1984 and played with a backing band.
The group consisted of Justine Hertz, Julie Jade Aston, Theo Andallis, Shivvon Ryan and Lee Sharri. Cindy Swartzman replaced Theo Andallis.
They released the album Streetenergy in 1984 and the first single from the album “Working Girls” received widespread air play in South Africa. The follow up single “Talking Too Loud” and 12” single release “Why Me” were less successful.
Benjy Mudie of WEA confessed that this was the only time in his career he signed a band strictly to make money. However, the concept did not survive the release of their only album.
Began as a singer with the Ebony Singers in the early-mid 1980s. Released her first solo single, “I’m In Love With a DJ” in 1985.
Her first album, Thank You Mr DJ was released in 1986, followed by I’m Burning Up (1987), Sangoma (1987), I Cry For Freedom (1988), Who’s The Boss (1989) and Motherland (1989).
She continued to release albums on a regular basis throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s. She has enjoyed a very successful career.