Originally released in 1980, “Concept” was the sole album by studio engineer / producer Phillip Nel and vocalist Claire Whittaker. Along with guitarist Paul Woodley, this keyboard-driven prog-rock album is comparable to early ELP, Curved Air, and Renaissance with its fusion flourishes and soaring vocals.
Tracks (Original Vinyl)
Afrock [3:16] (Paul Woodley / Phillip Nel)
The Phantom Players [2:52] (Claire Whittaker / Phillip Nel) Lyrics
Mickey Woitynek – Guitar solo on “And The Moon Be As Bright”
Ashley Kelly – Bass
Hermann Eugster – Percussion on 1, 2, 3, 7, 8
Kendall Kay – Percussion on 4, 6, 10, 11, 12
Tony Moore – Percussion on 5, 8
Tim Kensella – Vocals on “Spiral”
Comments
There are discrepancies in the track names and sequencing for Canamii’s “Concept” on the 2009 CD reissue which have been carried over to Spotify (and Bandcamp, and possibly other streaming sites). By listening to the YouTube video of the vinyl rip, using the track timings printed on the album’s inner sleeve, and reading the lyrics on Genius, the list below provides the correct track names (and times) for each corresponding Spotify track number.
Brian Currin
Tracks (CD / Spotify)
Key: No. Actual Track Title [Track Time] listed as Track Name
Tri [3:33] listed as Afrock
The Phantom Players [2:56] listed correctly
Afrock [3:20] listed as Spiral
Spiral [4:02] listed as Rain
Rain [3:57] listed as Come And Fly
Come And Fly [4:54] listed as Toccata
Toccata [1:26] listed as And The Moon Be As Bright
And The Moon Be As Bright [3:36] listed as Children
Children [2:47] listed as Feelings
Feelings [4:03] listed as The Jester
The Jester [2:19] listed as The Duel
The Duel [3:06] listed as Tri
To match the correct sequence of the original vinyl, play the tracks in this order: 3, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 1.
It’s OK, here I’ve done it for you with the Spotify playlist below, though the track names are incorrect.
“Toccata” by Canamii is mislabelled as “And The Moon Be As Bright”
The Duel
Vinyl, side 2, detail
The track is credited as “Arr. Nel / Lyrics: Dunn (16th Century)”. However on Genius the song is credited to John Donne and Phillip Nel.
Brian Currin
Released in 1980 this is one of the rarest South African prog-rock albums on vinyl, featuring intricate keyboard passages, beautiful pastoral female vocals, and searing guitars – reminiscent of a rockier ELP, Greenslade, and Renaissance.
The complex guitar riffs and fills reflect Paul’s desire to express emotion in a way he feels it most……Through music.
A Scorpio since 1951 A.D.
CLAIRE WHITTAKER
Branded by nature to mature sensitively fulfilling her desire to partake in it, rejoice in it, sing of it. Being naturally endowed with mezzo range, her voice becomes instrumentally woven within the compositions and arrangements.
A Geminii by nature since 1957 A.D.
PHILLIP NEL
Composer, Producer, Recording Engineer. Such is his intenseness and quiet determination for realizing his concepts. Subtly, yet very apparent, a planetary influence of immense dimension is woven throughout his compositions revealing his strong classical training.
A Cancerian since 1954 A.D.
The Concept of Concept
Sleeve notes from 2009 CD reissue, reprinted by kind permission of Retrofresh.
The name Canamii was derived from the star signs of Phil Nel (Cancer) and Claire Whittaker (Gemini).
Both Claire and Phil worked for EMI as engineers Claire being a tape mastering engineer and Phil being a studio engineer. Phil went on to become chief engineer of EMI (SA) and chief engineer at Downtown studios (Gallo Africa).
Canamii Concept was inspired by Abbey Road (EMI) engineer Alan Parsons (Alan Parsons Project) where studio musicians were used instead of a dedicated band.
Although not originally part of the initial concept Paul Woodley was asked to join the project because of his jazz/rock influenced guitar playing as can be heard on the tracks Afrock, The Phantom Players, And The Moon Be As Bright. Claire’s vocal style was very much influenced by Annie Haslam from the band Renaissance. Claire also had very strong 70’s folk influence in her vocal style. Phil’s ‘forte’ was in programming synths such as the Synclavier, Fairlight, Jupiter 4, Korg, Moog, RMI and the ARP.
Phil also has grade 8 classical piano (Royal Schools of Music) and his major musical influence was Emerson, Lake and Palmer, especially ELP’s LP release Tarkus as can be heard on the Canamii Concept tracks Toccata and Tri. Phil’s other influences were Rick Wakeman, Yes and King Crimson along with the Russian classical composers such as Rimsky Korsakov, Mussorgsky and Khachaturian.
Tim Kensella, a long time friend of both Phil and Claire was asked to do the vocals on the track Spiral. This track also features the RMI synth. Short of one track to complete the LP, Phil, Claire and Paul spent an entire night in EMI studios and wrote the track Children, using just guitar, a Jupiter 4 synth and the Dr Rhythm drum box.
Claire remembers: “In the bad old days of the 80’s I was incredibly inspired by music – writing lyrics, creating songs, my heroines were Annie Haslem and Kate Bush, I believed that lyrics, like poetry, told a story, more lofty than that of mere words. Music to me lifted me high above the normal realms of thought into a place where colour and light merged, this is the picture I aspired to create for the listeners of Canamii … Phillip Nel, an incredibly accomplished keyboardist and I created many pieces – only a select few – where chosen for the album. He also taught me sound engineering and mastering of cassette tapes. He and I worked for EMI in those days. Paul a super guitarist brought a great sound to the mix and together, Canamii was born. Which actually came from “Cancerian” Phillip’s star sign and Gemini – which is my own star sign. Can-(a) – mi (i). I loved the studios – the soft lights, ambiance, plush carpets and incredible reproduction of sound. The control rooms were perfectly and scientifically balanced. A place where the softest or loudest notes were played back at you with clean clarity. I actually wished that I could have a sound system in exact replica built in my lounge.”
“I loved the creation of the pieces which used to start with a simple rift which would just take on a life of it’s own, almost a personality, music made me come alive – I was never the same after that.”
Paul recalls: “I met Phillip through Claire, my sister in law. Phil had a home recording studio and he and Claire had formed an emotional and musical bond. Claire had mentioned to Phil that I played guitar. Phillip invited me around to listen to their works. I was impressed and jumped at the opportunity to add my musical flavour to their creation. Phil got a job as an engineer with EMI in the Joburg city centre and was given free rein to record and experiment in order to grow his knowledge. We started the whole Canamii project from scratch in EMI’s Studio 1. We tackled the project with enthusiasm and spent almost every night and weekend recording. It was a great experience recording on a sophisticated desk and in a world class studio. We had no time and cost restraints which was a pleasure. The project took many months to complete. Several accomplished South African musos were involved in the project, Ashley Kelly bassist, Tony Moore drums, and a few more guys who’s names have slipped my mind.
We were delighted with the outcome of the album which brought a new flavour to South African music. Unfortunately we never got to perform live, but we all continued our musical careers separately thereafter. It was a great experience that I will not forget, my first recording which resulted in an incredible work of art.”
Reviews
If Annie Haslam (from Renaissance) had sung with Emerson, Lake & Palmer, it could have sounded something like this.
In fact, there is even a short cover of ELP’s take on Ginastera’s “Toccata” on this album.
And the guitar sound reminds me of Allan Faull (from Falling Mirror) in places. “The Jester”, for example.
