Back in 1994 I used to spend a lot of time in a cafe called Aroma in St Martin's Lane, next to the Coliseum. Part of the reason I liked the place (it's no longer there) was the music they played - lots of South American and African stuff. It was there that I came to love a South African Afropop band called MANGO GROOVE.
I cannot tell you how happy I am. I have just learned that after ten years, they have reformed and will be playing a London concert in 2009. There are probably only five bands I would literally kill to make sure I got tickets to see, and MANGO GROOVE head the list. This song, NICE TO SEE YOU is typical of their upbeat, pennywhistle based music...
Special Star is a brilliant pennywhistle tune - few lyrics, but very evocative.
But they also sing some fabulous ballads. You may remember this one, ANOTHER COUNTRY, which was used in adverts for South African Airways a few years ago.
Anyway, if you'd like to hear more sample of their music, there are loads of videos on THIS Youtube page, and they also have a WEBSITE now. If anyone knows when or where they are planning a concert in London, please DO let me know!!! And finally, do you want to eat a mango?
13 comments:
Are you their agent?
Cool music Iain.
crikey,iain you are a dark horse...
"Literally kill"... for tickets to a band? I think you just made me glad you're not an MP. I dread to think what you'd do to see Abba... mass genocide coupled with a dash of nuclear holocaust?
It's not even as if it were Rush.
I second you on this one Iain ... MG have a unique sound that can be so uplifting - we kicked off our wedding reception with a very loud 'Dance sum more' - scared the hell out of the older relatives but worked a treat.
JD I assume you wrote that with your tongue firmly in your cheek.
Nice find, Iain. :o)
Hey,that's so sick man!
Mention of Mango Grove certainly has triggered some nice memories Iain, thanks!
I would be very keen to see them if they come over to London. Prompted by your post I have sent an email to Mango Groove public email as well as well as one of the band members who I vaguely know, asking for details.
See you there on the night!
If I get any responses I'll let you know.
Meantime, here is another band you may enjoy. I got to hear of them whilst in South Africa a couple of years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLuSyqMlm_U
Thanks for this, Iain: it's superb! I look forward to meeting you at the gig.
I saw them live about 15 years ago in Rustenburg. Brilliant band and Claire Johnson was a real honey. Hell! They even managed to get the crowd in a small, very conservative, Afrikaaner mining town jiving. And that was before the 94 elections.
Much better that your usual musical "taste". I mean, like, dude...
If you like South African you should try Brenda Fassie, fell in love with her music when I was travelling in South Africa in 04
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6-1uQoBOl4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfG3JxU0B28&feature=related
Post a Comment