South African Top Ten Rock Albums of the 1970s

The South African Rock Encyclopedia > Rock Lists > Top Albums > South African Top Ten Rock Albums Of The 1970s

“Astral days have begun…”

African Day – Hawk (1971)

Hawk emerged as an early pioneer of cross-cultural fusion, contemporary with Osibisa’s Caribbean-Ghanaian hybrid and preceding Johnny Clegg’s celebrated work with Juluka. Blending classical, folk, jazz, progressive rock and traditional African styles, they created a sound that was uniquely their own.

The 17-minute title track is African story-telling at it’s finest.

Ages – McCully Workshop (1975)

Ages was released in 1975 and reflected musical styles from the different ages of music and various influences can be heard: Uriah Heep, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Beach Boys, and more. The vocal harmonies are superb throughout. “1623” is a wonderful violin-led instrumental and the keyboard-dominated “Guinevere” reached #10 on the charts.

“Ages” turns 50

Astra – Freedoms Children (1970)

“Astra“ took everyone on a proper psychedelic trip.

Take a listen to “Astra”, the tremendous Freedom’s Children LP. The words and music were penned by Freedom poet and former bass guitarist, tall, long-haired Ramsay Mackay. Their sound – it’s called “astrological rock” – is unique. It is really a pamphlet of our time. A colourful picture painted with sounds.
Peter Feldman, November 1970

Boys Will Be Boys – Rabbitt (1975)

“Boys Will Be Boys!” is a great rock album, but unfortunately the “rabbittmania” that followed the boys appearances on the then brand-new medium of TV, meant that serious rock music-lovers ignored the band because they “only attracted 14-year old groupies”.

What a pity though, for some to miss out on such rock classics as the Trevor Rabin-penned “Hard Ride”, “Lifeline”, and “Savage”. Oh, and “Charlie” is on it.

“Boys Will Be Boys!” turns 50

In The Arena – Circus (1977)

In those days, singles sold albums, and Circus delivered with “Long Legged Lady” (the sexy love song), “Stupid Boy” (the tragic ballad), and “Speed Queen” showcasing them at full power, challenging Deep Purple and Grand Funk Railroad at their own game. This tight outfit knew what worked, opening with Bernie Millar’s curtain-raising title track and the provocative “Liberated Lady,” plus a cover of Procol Harum’s “Conquistador” that burns with more excitement than the original – a band that was ready to conquer on their own terms.
Doug Gordon, 2001

Into The Night We Slide – Radio Rats (1978)

‘ZX Dan’, the album’s opening track, is a wonderful piece of new wave space-rock whose similar lyrical theme is a nod to David Bowie’s 1972 smash hit, ‘Starman’.

It’s a lovely adventure, which never caught fire mainstream, but has enjoyed the sort of passionate niche loyalty that made a treasure out of Freedoms Children’s “Astra”.
Patric van Blerk, 2002

Otis Waygood Blues Band – Otis Waygood Blues Band (1970)

Their self-titled debut, released in May 1970, was pure emotion and authenticity, showing that this American genre had found a genuine home here.

Excellent album from one of South Africa’s best kept secrets, this is slow acid blues with amazing fuzz guitars and gentle passages with flute playing to die for. Long extended jams on certain tracks get heavier and heavier much like the way Grand Funk built on slower tracks like ‘I’m Your Captain’.
Freak Emporium

The Road Is Much Longer – Roger Lucey (1979)

‘The Road is Much Longer’ is a powerful album, lyrically and musically. Lucey’s gruff-voiced, vitriolic tirade against the system is complimented by strong, at times thundering, rhythms. This is folk rock at it’s angriest. The music is angry, the singer is angry and the lyrics are angry. But it’s not a ranting anger, it’s controlled and channelled into making a fine politically-charged folk rock album.
John Samson, 2001

Time To Suck – Suck (1970)

Raw, uncompromising rock that helped establish what South African Rock could sound like.

I think King Crimson, Brian Auger, Free, Deep Purple, Colosseum and Black Sabbath would be quite chuffed that their tracks were so well covered!
Leon Economides, February 1998

Work It Out – Baxtop (1979)

This album is the slickest, chic-est funksoulblues album I’ve ever heard. A truly spectacular offering. Highly recommended.
John Samson, 2001

From the out-Doobie-ing the Doobies title track “Jo Bangles”, through their second single release “Take Me To Your Heart’” to “Night Time Train’” and others, this album keeps the listener satisfied.
Kurt Shoemaker, Texas, 2002