Soccer...

South Africa - Not only Soccer, beautiful sounds...

I was honoured, priviledged and blessed to able to be a part of the very first democratic election in South Africa in 1994. It was pretty clear that there would be an outright winner so I felt comfortable to vote not tactically, but for the party that I felt encompassed and celebrated what I truly believed in. The Soccer Party (Sport Organisation for Collective Contributions and Equal Rights) wanted to unite all South Africans under the auspices of sports and music. I cannot things of two things other than food that are tools more suitable for this purpose. The Soccer Party did not get much support and to be honest, I have not given them much thought really until recently when I realised how close the World Cup football tournament is. I remembered my passion for South African music. Here is an opportunity not only to unite all South Africans but to join together as the human nation and celebrate our diversity and remember our roots. To be true, I really do not like soccer. However, I believe that like many South African born somebodies living away from what was once home, I am torn between supporting England or lifting Bafana Bafana on our shoulders. And then I am reminded of my very staunch dislike of the game and of what I do love: music. In light of this, I have decided to dedicate this article to the idea that South Africa is not just about the beautiful game, it is about the incredible music. When one mentions South African music, one often is rewarded with kind remarks about Paul Simon. The delight is that there is a genre to suit everybody's taste. Music in South Africa is a rich tapestry of incredibly diverse sounds. Unfortunately, space only allows me to mention much fewer than I would like to.

If you are a Jazz lover, little will please your ears more than the sultry, beautiful voice of Estelle Kokot. I saw her first at a smokey, downtown Johannesburg nightclub. I barely breathed for her spell-bounding performance. Keep an eye out for her as she plays locally from time to time.

Gentle songwriter, activist and soulful, Lionel Bastos, is an astounding performer who not only has a passion for making a difference politically and socially, is a soccer fanatic. He comes from a family deeply connected soccer and was a heartbeat away from playing professionally. An ugly accident spoiled his chances but football runs deep in his soul along with the melodies and lyrics that have made him a name in the South African music scene. Recently he was instrumental in orchestrating a concert for Haiti to help her people recover from the recent earthquake.
Lionel Bastos’s new CD “hmmm…” is available via his facebook page, www.lionelbastos.com or www.myspace.com/lionelbastos

If hip-hop is your bag, why not check out Trenton and Free Radical. Trenton and Free Radical is a London based afro-beat/Reggae / hip hop group with three members originally from Africa. The group consists of Trenton (vocals / songwriter - South Africa), Kaz (bass - Uganda), Marco (guitar - Ibiza) and Sam (drums- Zimbabwe). Trenton and Free Radical are finishing work on their debut album. The group's debut single, "Sunless Sundays", was released on October 26, 2009. TFR has also collaborated with collaborated with Maxi Jaxx of Faithless and Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly on their forthcoming album. Their website is www.trentonandfreeradical.com

I could go on for ten years about how the beautiful music is. Its diversity is astounding and I am sure that given half a chance, the music will cut through all barriers and unite all humans. I urge all of you that may be travelling to South Africa to watch the soccer, to sample at least ten bands and musicians! If you want more information about the sounds that make up the South African psyche, please visit my facebook group, Not only Soccer, fantastic sounds where we constantly update information about the music that will bring the world together...


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