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?
Are you their agent?
ReplyDeleteCool music Iain.
ReplyDeletecrikey,iain you are a dark horse...
ReplyDelete"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?
ReplyDeleteIt'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.
ReplyDeleteJD I assume you wrote that with your tongue firmly in your cheek.
ReplyDeleteNice find, Iain. :o)
ReplyDeleteHey,that's so sick man!
ReplyDeleteMention of Mango Grove certainly has triggered some nice memories Iain, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteMuch better that your usual musical "taste". I mean, like, dude...
ReplyDeleteIf you like South African you should try Brenda Fassie, fell in love with her music when I was travelling in South Africa in 04
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6-1uQoBOl4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfG3JxU0B28&feature=related