Another unknown South African soundtrack for you
Auriol Hayes, Cassette, Dance You're On Fire, Freshlyground, Prime Circle, Linday McGuire, Die Heuwels Fantasies, Ndlovu Youth Choir, and more...
Last time, I sucked you in with emotional softies before kicking your head in with rocking originality. This time, I’m just going mellow, and then I’ll end with what you might know so that it shouts in your brain - THIS IS SOUTH AFRICA.
When you hear the first two songs, by Auriol Hayes and Cassette, ask yourself why, instead of being #1 worldwide, they’re unknown.
It’s hard being South African when we’re flooded by pre-packaged American and British products that costs millions of dollars we cannot imagine (as we try survive).
AURIOL HAYS - ‘HELP ME OUT’
CASSETTE - ‘YOUR STAR’
FRESHLYGROUND
DANCE, YOU’RE ON FIRE - ‘MICHELLE’
CHANGING FACE & LINDSAY McGUIRE ‘ EVERYTHING…’
FOKOFPOLISIEKAR - ‘KOMMA’
PRIME CIRCLE - ‘SHE ALWAYS GETS WHAT SHE WANTS’
THE PARLOTONES - ‘BEAUTIFUL’
HEY, AMERICAN SUBSCRIBERS, REMEMBER THIS?
This is beautiful South Africa…
Want more? Consider Unknown South African Soundtrack #3 to be the music diary of my old life in Durban.
Great selection. Well curated. Maybe you could approach the bands to agree to a compilation CD for merchandising, profits to a worthy cause?
Loved Johnny Clegg and Savuka for years, and the classic Township Jazz artists like Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. But did not know these other artists at all. Thank you so much for expanding my musical world, for including my on your list of favorite writers, and being a great Substack pal. Glad you're giving your soul and mind a rest. You deserve it and you'll only come back stronger.