Astra, a seminal 1970 rock album by Freedom’s Children, reflects South Africa’s psychedelic music scene, capturing its essence through innovative recording techniques and cultural commentary despite initial challenges with censorship and distribution.
Category Archives: Sleeve Notes & Biographies
A Website for South African Rock Legends, Rabbitt
Rabbitt was a beloved 70s band, known for their rock music and unique style, impacting fans greatly.
The Invaders – There’s A Light There’s A Way
The Invaders, a prominent South African band, evolved through multiple lineups to achieve success with their 1971 album “There’s A Light There’s A Way,” showcasing a mix of funk, prog rock, and psychedelic soul influences.
Piet Botha 18 July 1955 to 2 June 2019
Piet Botha was born in 1955 and shared his birth date of 18th July with Nelson Mandela. He began writing songs and forming bands while still at school and his first professional gig was as an acoustic duo in 1974 at a local drinking hole in Pretoria. Piet Botha was the son of the formerContinueContinue reading “Piet Botha 18 July 1955 to 2 June 2019”
Abstract Truth – 50 Years Ago
It was 50 years ago, round about this time, that acclaimed South African band Abstract Truth released their debut album, Totum. Before the end of 1970 a second album and a compilation had been issued. And then during 1971 the band imploded.
This is their story.
Canamii – Concept
“Concept,” released in 1980 by Canamii (Phillip Nel and Claire Whittaker), is a rare South African prog-rock album noted for its keyboard-driven sound, soaring vocals, and musical influences from ELP and Renaissance.
Slowly From The South – a compendium of South African Progressive Music 1970-2008
This post has now become a page at: Slowly From The South
Duncan Mackay – Chimera
The South African Rock Encyclopedia > Rock Legends > 1970s > Duncan Mackay > Chimera Tracks Morpheus [11.29] 12 Tone Nostalgia [8.23] Song For Witches [19.56] Bonus Track The Opening [7.03]Â recorded 1990 All songs composed by Duncan Mackay https://open.spotify.com/album/73ajalPWeyGQUOm3xCI8Ht?si=hNeVIrS7QKmRMbfLZ-N_cQ Musicians Duncan Mackay: Vocals, piano, Hammond B3 organ, Denon electric piano, clavichord, ARP synthesizer Gordon Mackay: Violin, electric piano, piano Mike Gray: DrumsContinueContinue reading “Duncan Mackay – Chimera”
The Tidal Wave Released on CD
https://open.spotify.com/album/5VxoBbck54ySqlYJOvsn4F The Tidal Wave was one of South Africa’s foremost exponents of psych-influenced pop music in the late ’60s and early ’70s with hits like “Spider Spider”, “Mango Mango” and “With tears in my eyes”. They also experimented with both brass and prog rock influences and although they existed for a relatively short time theContinueContinue reading “The Tidal Wave Released on CD”
Astral Daze – Psychedelic South African Rock 1968-1972
The South African Rock Encyclopedia > Classic Albums > Compilations > Various Artists > Astral Daze – Psychedelic South African Rock 1968-1972 This real collector’s item features 18 classic, rare and obscure tracks from the heydays of South African Psychedelic Rock. 16 of these tracks have never previously been released on official CD. RetroFresh, February 2006 Tracks The Whip – SuckContinueContinue reading “Astral Daze – Psychedelic South African Rock 1968-1972”