The Kalahari Surfers were banned in SA in the 80s for their 5 albums of experimental punk satire, which made heavy use of tape loops, samples and dub effects at a time when heavy metal was still fresh. Their subsequent ‘exile' and release on London indie label Recommended Records resulted in tours all over Africa and the former Soviet Bloc, including appearances in Moscow, Leningrad, East Berlin and Riga.
Only Warrick Sony remains of the original Surfers, and this is his first solo album release in over a decade. In the meantime, Warrick has established himself as one of SA's most prolific and accomplished producers and sonic artists, with a long list of credits that includes many releases and a host of soundtrack work for films, documentaries, commercials, tv, multimedia installations and performances around the globe.
The ‘Akasic Record', as it's name suggests, is the cumulative experience and influence of two decades' extensive musical experience. Dub, funk, breakz, jazz, turntablism, samples, house and global traditional music all blend effortlessly into this exotic stew.
Skipping between beatz, tempos, moods and even time signatures, ‘Akasic Record' mushes hi-tech digital production with live bass, drumkit, turntables, guitars, keyboards, tabla, sitar, udu pots and other Asian and African percussion, all performed personally by Warrick. There are also contributions from violinist and arranger Cara Penzhorn, phantom bassist Umhlanga Roxx, and mc Mzi (half of Gugulethu rhyming duo).
With an ever-present nod towards dub and breakbeatz, there's also a strong traditional African feel about much of the album. Several tracks (‘Taako', ‘Gethsemane'…) feature rare recordings of the Himba people of Namibia, recorded by Warrick for his soundtrack to the acclaimed documentary ‘Ochre & Water' about the plight of the Himba people.
Other tracks (eg ‘Lekaleka') feature the exotic clapping rhythms and chants of the Khoisan desert nomads, while elsewhere on the album Indian rhythms preside, driven by Warrick's tabla and sitar skills. Mostly though, cheeky dubfunk rules the roost.
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74,796 MP3 tracks available @ R7 per track ($0.88) and growing daily!
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