SIMEON
HAMMAN - 20 Gewildste Treffers (BMG)
Another Jurie Els product, this
annoying little cute kid will have all the old tannies throwing their money. Some
of the writers’ songs used here include Leon Schuster, Jody Wayne and Dolly
Parton. There is even a Lion King and Rugby medley. There are
duets with Sonja Heroldt, Jurie Els and Claudi Hamman. Fine,
it’s probably OK for kids who like to hear something from someone their own age,
but, hey, come on…
- PB
1 / C
PJ
HARVEY - Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
Mz Polly-Jean
Harvey has one amazing voice and she sure as hell hasn’t lost it. Her sometimes
strangely perceived persona has never detracted from her natural ability to encapsulate
emotion, power, vulnerability and independence. It’s quite something. Co-produced
by one of Nick Cave’s Bad Seeds and Blixa’s Neubauten geniuses,
Mick Harvey helps to bring out the natural attitude and emotion she cradles
within her. This journey is filled with lyrical and spiritual richness that can
be delved into more intensely with each repeated listen.
- PB
4 /
A HENRY
ATE - Torn & Tattered (EMI)
If Karma-Ann Swanepoel was as short &
glammy as Prince, she might’ve been the South African equivalent of the Paisley
Ponce. Jumping from Henry Ate to Karma and back again, I don’t think it really
made much difference. We all know (and many love) her voice. No real image or
style change went with the name swapping, so why bother? All it does is have people
like me talk about THAT in stead of the music. With this album we’re given a slightly
more updated pop-rock filled sound as opposed to the acoustic brand which made
her famous (but, it is by no means replaced). Some well-refined songs are scattered
throughout this 15-tracker with blues and even Irish touches blended in. And as
if it was all decided to get the styles out of the way in a row, you get the tedious
Latin thing and then a Township Jive… With some music awards for past efforts
and her continued Ou Tim/Sun connection, we’ll have to see what the broader opinion
will result in when such time comes.
- PB
3 / C SONJA
HERHOLDT - 20 Gewildste Treffers (BMG)
Sonja became an Afrikaans popstar
in the 70’s but seemed to fade through the mid to late ‘80’s. I recognise all
these songs and some are them are more than just memorable, some are damn fine,
like Jantjie, Waterblommetjies, Ta’ Mossie se Sakkie-Sakkie Boeredans (all
by Anton Goosen) - but they’re unfortunately crammed into a medley. The other
19 tracks have many somber, passionate elements like Skipskop (David Kramer),
Hillbrow (Koos Kombuis), The song Ek Verlang Na Jou (Jan DeWet)
is another of her great hits, and possibly her most moving. The rest of the songs
are relatively empty pop tunes while others have traditional folk elements. All
the songs are in Afrikaans, including a translation of Jennifer Rush’s The
Power Of Love. Sonja is an important SA musical figure and it’s good to see
she’s still performing live.
- PB
4 / B HIGH
FIDELITY - Original Soundtrack
Unfortunately I missed this film, but
the soundtrack succeeds in giving you a feel for the movie’s theme revolving around
a vinyl junkie DJ. 15 tracks of good listening music ranging from The Kinks
to Stevie Wonder blend smoothly on this compilation. Now, when I say “good”
listening music, please don’t get it confused with “easy” listening. Other great
artists on here include The Velvet Underground, The Thirteenth Floor Elevators,
Bob Dylan, Smog, Jack Black and Royal Trux. Elvis Costello again makes
a turn (as he appears on quite a few soundtracks nowadays), while Stereolab
and The Beta Band are not left far behind. Like I said, a good “listening”
album. But, if ya wanna dance to it, no-ones gonna stop ya.
- PB
3
/ A HOLLOW
- Modern Cathedral (Nuclear Blast)
With its roots firmly tucked into
the classic metal genre, Hollow's clear, definitive attack is a great alternative
to the grunts, growls and screams we love so much. The great vocals by Andreas
Stolz need no lyric sheet assistance as it couldn't be more crystal than this.
At some stages though I feel it's a bit to clean and up front, a little reverb
could've made his voice blend a little better with the classic metal structures
in the music. Steady paced, timely and powerful progressive metal is what you'll
find here. Besides the vocalist sounding so much like the Amorphis' backing
vocalist of a few years back, even the music sounds a lot like it, but most of
these guys were in Valkyrian. With their influence comfortably resting
on the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement of the 80's (Lars of Metallica's
speciality), Hollow is one of a number of bands not ashamed to play what
they like.
- PB
4 / B HUMAN
TRAFFIC - original soundtrack
This is a great soundtrack of the rave
movie that is said to be closer to the real thing than any before. It’s more underground
energy makes it far more enjoyable than those annoying radio-rave House jokes.
I mean, here you have great tracks by everything from Fatboy Slim, Lucid
and Interfearance, to Death In Vegas, William Orbit, Deadly Avenger
and Orbital. What makes it even better is the second disc that is a non
stop turntable mix by Pete Tong, of tracks that include Carl Cox, Energy
52, Pete Heller, Armand Van Helden, Underworld, Quake, System F, Durango, Primal
Scream and Liquid Child. CJ Bolland also pop up a few times,
including the flick’s theme. Besides that, you get some hip-hop tracks thrown
in for good measure with Public Enemy and Grim (Itchy Trigger Finger
Niggas) doing their thing. Mainly on the first disc, there are also numerous
cool and humourous dialogue clips from the movie, summing up everything from the
purpose of going out the whole weekend and losing it, to the vinyl dealer, the
chemically induced realisations and come-downs. Even if you’re not into this kind
of music in any shape or size, I think you might get into this great selection
and should check it out before Dance Adrenalin 11, that’s for damn sure.
- PB
5 / A RENE’
HUNTER (Gresham Records)
Listening to this South African offering, there
is no reason why it shouldn’t stand tall next to any other Pop/R&B artists. Rene’
can sing, the songs hit the mark at which it is aimed and she’s a lovely looking
lady. Its downfall is the terrible cover design. More effort thrown into this
aspect will make such a difference. The 16 tracks are mostly commendable and deserve
a listen if you like anything from Janet Jackson and Celine Dion
to Faith Evans and Toni Braxton. With her next album, Rene’ should
be a far bigger star than Patricia Lewis…should…
- PB
3 / C |
