Preserving South African Musical History
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).
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).
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.
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.