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Whilst studying Journalism and Video Technology at the Technikon Natal,
Michael Cross worked as a journalist (reviewing albums for Scope magazine),
as an independent concert promoter (at Funky’s, for a time) and
as an independent radio (103FM) and club (Retro’s and The Rift)
deejay.
He has produced a number of recordings for a cross-section of independent
South African artists amongst them Underground Press, Syd Kitchen and
the Utensils and for Warwick Lobban. He also co-ordinated the recording
in South Africa for the soundtrack for the film, The
Long Run composed by Trevor Jones (Last of
the Mohicans, Mississippi Burning
and Angel Heart) and featured musical contributions
by a selection of South Africa’s finest performers: Ladysmith Black
Mambazo, Sibongile Khumalo and percussionists Amampondo.
• Warwick Lobban – “The Horizon Smiles”
• Underground Press – “Greatest Misses”
• Syd Kitchen – “Quintessentially…”
• Bafo Bafo – “What Kind?!”
WARWICK LOBBAN
A
few years ago I was asked to judge one of those awful “Battle of
the Bands” where an embarrassingly shy young boy walked up to the
microphone, cleared his throat, and…. sang like an angel. His name was Warwick and with the best intentions in the world, I tried to “produce” him. Under the watchful ears of Nux Schwartz, I got him into the studio in August 2000 together with a group of friends sympathetic to the cause (including Chris Letcher formerly of Urban Creep).
Then, in July 2003, preparation for Warwick’s debut album began. We did things differently and spent three days recording with Nux Schwartz and a day with drummer Wesley Gibbons. “The Horizon Smiles” is the result of those days.
Visit www.worldofwarwick.co.za.
Overcome [ 2.4Mb req Flash Player 6+ ] To Win (solo) [ 1Mb req Flash Player 6+ ] Singing of a Rose [ 1.4Mb req Flash Player 6+ ] > back to top
UNDERGROUND PRESS
“I first heard these guys – for whom the term “garage
band” might have been invented -- back in 1988. Before long I had
convinced them we were all going to be rich and famous and they should
“get serious”. We did, and after two years were exhausted,
far from famous and broke!
The band consisted of vocalist Rhys Johnstone, guitarist Winston Owen,
saxophonist Mark Harmer and the Brothers Evans (Michael and Anthony) as
the rhythm section. All five of them are godfathers to my eldest son and
have remained real friends."
This is a track recorded in 1991 by Willem Moller in the basement of 29
Sharp Street in Yeoville, Johannesburg.
Souled Out [ 2.98Mb MP3 ]
From the remnants of Underground Press came The Surf City Big Beat Combo
which evolved into Scooters Union.
Twenty years after This is Spinal Tap, the
hilarious rocku-mocku-umentary about a group of rock-star wannabe's, work
has begun on the Scooters Union story. Something similar… yet something
entirely different.
It is an attempt to revisit the past, assess the present
and hope for the future of a band it’s hard not to love, despite
themselves.
Scooters Union released just one album, “Vivid
Memories of Static” and after several false-starts the band
are contemplating a reunion and finally, 12 years after their debut, getting
around to recording that “difficult second album”.
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“I
was once a Utensil. I was the one who didn’t play an instrument.
I managed – or to be more accurate - barely managed them. From its
formation in 1985, Syd Kitchen and the Utensils were a band with whom
I was connected. When the album, “Waiting For the Heave”, emerged it was released by us, on our own terms. The album is now regarded as a classic, as one of the top ten albums of the 80’s though Syd remains a criminally overlooked South African artist as he continues to defy his critics by creating some of the most beautiful and eclectically intelligent music you will hear anywhere.”
Rogue Productions now manages Syd Kitchen and co-ordinated the release of “Quintessentially…”; a collection of 17 tracks spanning the 30 years he has spent recording compiled from several critically acclaimed albums he has released to date. These have all been born of an eclectic, curious spirit unfazed by market-place considerations or the wishes of others.
The album draws tracks from "Africa's Not For Sissies" (2001), "Waiting for the Heave" (1987), "Amakoologik" (1999) and "City Child" (1995), as well as a Kitchen Brother's track from 1973 and three previously unreleased recordings. Visit www.sydkitchen.com.
Sharp [ 2.18Mb MP3 ] Africa's Not For Sissies [ 3.72Mb MP3 ] Walking [ 2.66Mb MP3 ] Boogie Dies [ 2.69Mb MP3 ]> back to top
BAFO BAFO
Rogue
Productions manages BAFO BAFO, the exciting cross-cultural collaboration
between Madala Kunene and Syd Kitchen; two of South Africa’s most
enduring musical sons.
Their distinctly individual guitar styles and their ability to naturally
fuse cultural elements from the diversity abundant in multiethnic South
Africa, creates a musical landscape that is magical and absolutely unique.
The musical tapestry that BAFO BAFO weaves emerges from the synthesis
of both musicians’ diverse contributions. Syd Kitchen’s eclectic
use of musical elements that traverse everything from Celtic, Afrikaans,
jazz, Cajun, Eastern and African influences is balanced and complimented
by Madala Kunene’s uncanny ability to develop a Maskanda groove
that burrows itself into your consciousness. Kitchen plays nylon and steel
string acoustic guitars, recorders, hosepipe flute, percussion and sings.
Kunene plays steel string acoustic guitars, mouth bow and sings.
Rogue Productions also facilitated Bafo Bafo’s contribution to Cell
C’s “for the City” Project. The image, a combination
of a video still shot by Michael Cross, guitar detail from a photograph
by Tony Elliot (of a Marc Maingard guitar) and the graphic design skill
of Andrew Rich. Visit
www.bafobafo.co.za.
Manje [ 3.1Mb MP3 ]
Zimpi [ 3Mb MP3 ]
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