Preserving South African Musical History
Spirits Rejoice was a jazz-fusion band formed in 1975 by bassist Sipho Gumede (1952 – 2004), and pianist, saxophonist, guitarist Bheki Mseleku (1955 – 2008). The band released two albums, African Spaces (1977) and Spirits Rejoice (1978). Their single “Shine On” charted on Capital Radio 604’s Top 20 chart in 1980.
Reggae band formed in the early 1980s.
Recorded two songs, “Who say so?” and “He Knows” released on the Regional Jive compilation by Observatory Productions in Cape Town in 1983.
In 1983 two members of the group Splash – Jose Charles and Rufus Radebe – were sentenced to effective four-year prison terms (later reduced to 17 months) for singing ‘revolutionary songs’ at a Wits Free People’s Concert.
One of the songs was a cover of Steel Pulse’s “A Tribute to Martyrs”, which included a reference to Nelson Mandela.
Stellenbosch-based alternative rock band formed in September 1994. The name references the glamour models featured on the covers of the Springbok Hit Parade compilation series. The founding lineup comprised Arno Carstens (vocals), Theo Crous (guitar), Arno Blumer (bass) and Francois Kruger (drums). Adriaan Brand (trumpet, synthesizer) joined in April 1995, and in August that year they independently released their debut album, Neanderthal 1, which was subsequently picked up by Epic Records.
A string of albums and EPs followed on Epic: Afterlifesatisfaction (1997), Surpass the Powers (1999) and Relaxzor (2000). Surpass the Powers won the South African Music Award for Best Rock Album in 2000, and the band were voted the best South African rock band in a 5FM listener poll. A best-of compilation, The Fat Lady Sings, appeared in October 2001, after which the band announced an indefinite hiatus.
During the break, vocalist Arno Carstens launched a successful solo career, winning a SAMA in 2006 for his album The Hello Goodbye Boys. Guitarist Theo Crous went on to form KOBUS! and became a prominent producer, working with Prime Circle, The Parlotones, Fokofpolisiekar and Karen Zoid, among others.
The band reunited in 2006 and released Peace Breaker in March 2007 on Sony BMG. They served as opening act for U2 in Cape Town in February 2011. Apes With Shades followed in December 2011, supported by a tour with Van Coke Kartel. Further albums Beautiful Evolution (2018) and Partypocalypse (2021) followed.