9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Julian Laxton Band

Formed by Julian Laxton in the mid-1970s it was always a studio project
more than a formal band with a fixed lineup which toured. Julian Laxton was initially guitarist with Freedom’s Children and Hawk (in both of these instances he was not one of the original members).

The Julian Laxton Band released one album, Celebrate, in 1977 and several singles which all received radio play on the SABC. These included “Celebrate” (1976), “Blue Water” (1976), “Fooled Around and Fell in Love (1977), “Down The Line” (1977) and “Make A Stand For Love” (1981).

Over the years the Julian Laxton Band included the vocalists Eugene Savage (1976), John Weddepohl (1977), Frankie Gibb (1978), Ronnie Padlas (1980), Cedric Samson (1980) and Huey Bush (1981). Bass guitarists included Trevor Rabin, Ronnie Robot and John Hawkrigg, drummers included Neil Cloud,
Kevin Kruger and Larry Friedburg while keyboard players included and Alan Goldswain and Arthur Stead. The Stockley Sisters and Patrick Van Blerk occasionally featured as backing vocalists.

After 1981 he focused more strongly on film music, writing the very successful theme music for the Shaka Zulu television series, the theme song of which (“We Are Growing” [1986] performed by Margaret Singana) charted in European countries despite the cultural boycott.

He has continued to perform in and around Johannesburg and work as a producer for the likes of Lucky Dube and Mango Groove.

Juluka

Formed by young friends Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu in the 1970s. An
exploration of Zulu culture was a trademark of the band who built up a strong following among both black and white audiences in South Africa.

They released their debut album Universal Men in 1979 and followed this with a series of albums until 1985 when they broke up becasue Mchunu left the group to return to his farm.

Clegg and Mchunu reformed Juluka in 1997, released one further album (Ya vuka inkunzi) and performed gigs together for a few years before once again going their separate ways.

Kabasa

Formed in Johannesburg in 1980 when Oupa Segwai and Doc Mthalane left Harari to set up a new band. The line-up was Oupa Segwai (vocals, percussion), Doc Mthalane (vocals, guitar), Tata Sibeko (vocals, bass), Madoda Malotana (vocals, keyboard) and Johnny Motuba (drums).

They released three albums in quick succession: Kabasa (1980), Searching (1981) and African Sunset (1982). Singles off the albums included “Uzozibona” (1980), “Afro Funkin’” (1980), “Happy Together” (1980) and “Searchin’” (1981).

Kalahari Surfers

Primarily a studio group formed in Cape Town in the early 1980s. Initial line-up was Warrick Swinney, aka Warrick Sony, (guitars, keyboards and studio), Hamish Davidson (saxophone) and Brian Rath (drums).

They released the single “Burning Tractors Keep Us Warm” in 1982, followed by the cassette release Gross National Products (1983). By the time of their first album release on vinyl Kalahari Surfers constituted Warrick Swinney and a host of guest musicians.

Four albums followed in the 1980s: Own Affairs (1984), Living In The Heart Of The Beast (1985), Sleep Armed (1986) and Bigger than Jesus (1989). Urgent Release (1990) included ANC leaders’ speeches with a Surfers backing. In 1992 the Surfers collaborated with poet Lesego Rampolokeng on the New Beginnings album.

After a break of several years Sony/The Surfers began to release more electronic/dub-oriented music, beginning with Akasic Record (2001) and then Muti Media (2003), Conspiracy of Silence (2005), Panga Management (2006), Turntabla with Greg Cutler (2009), One Party State (2010) and Agit Prop (2012).

Kariba

Reggae band who released their first album, Sensation, in 1981.

Their line-up was Clive Goodwill (vocals), Kevin Kruger (drums), Jethro Butow (guitar), Kim Kallie (vocals), Richard Thompson (guitar), Nippy Cripwell (bass), Mike Makhamele (sax) and Star Mabosa (vocals).

Their first single “Good night out” charted on Capital Radio and their second single “Medley 1/Medley 2” comprising mostly Bob Marley covers received airplay but did not reach the Top 40.

They went on to record a second album, Kariba II, in 1982, after which they broke up.

Karl Kikillus

Singer and guitarist whose music career ran part-time alongside his broadcasting career from 1980 right through the 1980s.

In broadcasting he began as an announcer/producer with Springbok Radio in 1981 while also presenting Pop Shop on television. In 1982 he moved to Radio 5 and then to Radio Highveld in 1985. After that he had stints with SAFM (in 1986), back to Highveld (1989/90) and then Jacaranda (1992).

Musically he performed with various groups (Passing Clouds and Rush Hour being the most prominent) and as a solo artist he had some success with the single “Another shore” which charted on Capital Radio and SABC stations in 1983.

Kintone

Formed in London in the mid-1980s by South African musicians in exile together with London musicians: South African Russell Herman (guitar, flute, berimbau, vocals), South African Frank Williams (saxophone, vocals), Tim Atkins (drums, percussion), Adrian Reid (keyboards, vocals) and Peter Trottman (bass, vocals).

They released the album Going Home in 1985 and the EP “State of Emergency”/ “Situnia – A Flower” in 1986.

For the EP South African Tony Cedras (keyboards, trumpet, vocals) replaced Adrian Reid. Tony Cedras had previously been a member of Estudio, Mahogany and Pacific Express. Russell Herman was also a member of District Six.

Discography

Koos

Johannesburg-based band formed in 1986: Christo Boshoff (bass, sax, keyboards), Gys De Villiers (bass, sax), Neil Goedhals (guitar, synthesizer), Megan Kruskal (vocals), Velile Nxazonke (drums, percussion), Marcel van Heerden (vocals) and Kendell Geers (keyboards and tape loops).

Released the album Koos in 1988.

They disbanded in 1990.

Koos Kombuis

Started out as an Afrikaner writer under the name of Andre Le Toit. He decided to become a singer songwriter in order to reach a wider audience. His first album, Ver Van Die Ou Kalahari, was released as Andre Le Toit.

He changed his stage name to Koos Kombuis under which name he has released all subsequent albums: Niemandsland & Beyond (1989), Elke Boemelaar Se Droom (1994), Blameer Dit Op Apartheid (1997), Madiba Bay (1997), Mona Lisa (1999), Equilibrium (2002), ‘n Jaar In Die Son (with Valiant Swart, 2003), Bloedrivier (2008), Koos Kombuis (2009), Dertien (2012), Lente In Die Boland (2013) and Langpad Na Lekkersing (2016).

He was also a pivotal member of the Voelvry tour and appears on the Shifty Records Voelvry and Voelvry tour compilation albums.

Photograph of Koos Kombuis courtesy of Harold Gess Photography.
All Rights Reserved.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a South African male choral group known for singing in the local vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. Founded by Joseph Shabalala in 1960, the group gained international recognition after collaborating with Paul Simon on his 1986 album, Graceland. They have won multiple awards, including five Grammy Awards, and have dedicated their fifth Grammy to the late former President Nelson Mandela.

Prominent Members include Joseph Shabalala (Founder and Musical Director), Albert Mazibuko, Russel Mthembu and Jabulani Dubazana.

Notable Albums:

  • Amabutho (1973)
  • Ukukhanya Kwelanga (1975)
  • Ukusindiswa (1976)
  • Phansi Emgodini (1981)
  • Graceland (with Paul Simon, 1986)
  • Shaka Zulu (1987, Grammy Award Winner)

The group was offered a recording contract by Gallo Record Company, South Africa’s largest record label, in 1973. Their first release, Amabutho (1973), sold over 25,000 copies, becoming the first release by Black musicians in South Africa to achieve gold status. Their early recordings, made for Gallo’s ‘black music’ division Mavuthela Music Company, sold very well.

In 1975, Shabalala converted to Christianity, and the group released their first religious album, Ukukhanya Kwelanga, which earned a double platinum disc award. Their repertoire came to be dominated by hymns, mostly Methodist. Their 1976 album, Ukusindiswa, became one of their most popular religious albums. By 1981, the group was well known throughout South Africa and was allowed to travel to Cologne, Germany. They toured the country, appeared on television, and even learned some of the German language, including a German-language song, “Wir Grüssen Euch Alle,” in their 1981 album Phansi Emgodini.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo has since released over fifty studio recordings, along with numerous compilations, cassette tapes, videotapes, and DVDs. The group also established the Ladysmith Black Mambazo Foundation, a music academy promoting and teaching isicathamiya music to young South African children.