Peter Wale ~ South Africa

The Memoirs of Hakeford Wart (1972)

The Memoirs of Hakeford Wart is based in folk, though it definitely has an underground progressive rock edge. It reminds me of some of the private presses coming from England during this time. Flute is one of the primary instruments, and this only underscores the progressive rock angle. Also features some fine fuzz and wah wah electric guitar, and a real feeling of subversion permeates throughout. This doesn't feel like a politrock or civil protest album, but you know he's jabbin' at the man. And after this, Wale got the hell of out Dodge, and headed to South America via boat. And eventually ended up in Seattle. So overall, not a head twirler, but most certainly an excellent artifact from the time and place.

Ownership: 2019 Strawberry Rain (3xLP). Cut at 45 RPM. Features the original album plus many bonus cuts. Were it at the regular 33 speed, then it would have been a two LP set. Comes in a single box-like cover, similar to the 1980s releases of double albums. Included is an insert with full liner notes from Wale himself. Overall, an excellent package. 

No CD issues exist as of 3/29/25. This is one of those cases where the CD reissue needs to come from the LP reissue rather than the original.

2/14/2014 (first listen); 7/24/21 (review / new entry)

Canamii - Concept. 1980 South Africa

Canamii were a one time project from South Africa created by an EMI sound engineer, various musicians, and a teenage female vocalist. Not surprisingly one can begin to draw parallels to Renaissance, Earth & Fire, and even the folkier groups such as Mellow Candle and Caedmon. The music here is at the border of progressive rock and AOR. With a varied set of 12 tracks, there are plenty of excellent moments to be found, and it's these hidden gems that make the album special. Not everything is aces, but for the most part, this is a far more pleasurable experience than where progressive rock was headed worldwide, when one thinks of Asia, Alan Parsons, etc... Worthy of pursuit.

Ownership: LP: 2010 Missing Vinyl (Greece). Single sleeve with a fine Roger Dean inspired cover. Purchased new online a few years ago. The reissue includes the original insert but unfortunately leaves out the liner notes that came with the Fresh Music CD - even though this was directly licensed from them. This is one of those albums where the cover makes a difference, though if the CD comes my way at a good price, I'll probably snap it up as a supplement.

Abstract Truth ~ South Africa

Silver Trees + Totum (1970)

Abstract Truth were an underground band from South Africa during the heady days when Johannesburg looked to rival London and New York for global rock supremacy. Their debut Totum is named after a club the group labored in to eek out a living. The folk pieces here are a bit ordinary and the abundance of cover tunes doesn't help convince. All the same, there are some extended cosmic journeys and other odd compositions that go a long way to making this a desirable listen, especially considering the sitar drenched closer.

Silver Trees sees Abstract Truth improving the composition and inventiveness quotient. Here you'll find a mixture of song based folk rock and lengthy instrumental journeys. The album contains some real gems including the title track, and in particular, 'In a Space'.

Ownership: 2005 Fresh Music (CD). Booklet with extensive liner notes. In order to fit both albums on one CD, Fresh left off 'Jersey Thursday' and 'Ain't Necessarily So / Take Five'. At 52 minutes, the Totum original was quite lengthy for its time. Acquired in 2006.

1997; 2006; 8/21/18; 1/18/20 (review / new entry)

McCully Workshop - Genesis. 1971 South Africa

McCully Workshop were one of the more well known bands coming out of the late 60s South African psychedelic scene. On their sophomore effort Genesis, the band adopted their psych background and combined that with the then-popular horn rock movement. It's a fascinating blend, as McCully Workshop created something wholly original within a familiar space. The McCully brothers hold down the rhythm section and lead vocals, while new guitarist Bruce Gordon provides the fiery psych toned solos. The key member here is Ian Smith who plays trumpet, flute, flugelhorn, and trombone. They multitracked his instrumental sections, so he sounds like a full horn section! I don't think I've ever heard one person contribute so much brass sounds on a record like this. And the flute sections are sublime.

The compositions are decidedly progressive rock oriented, with multiple tracks carved up in sections very much in the same spirit of the early King Crimson albums. The music itself still has its psychedelic provenance and I was most reminded of The Moody Blues, but with the songwriting of Chicago Transit Authority instead. Very much in line with some of the more progressive oriented UK horn rock bands such as Brainchild, Greatest Show on Earth, and Galliard. If any of these bands push your buttons, then Genesis is a must own.

Personal collection
CD: 2009 Fresh Music

Originals are very rare, much more so than the debut. This CD was my introduction to the album, which I purchased not long after release. It comes complete with full liner notes and masters tape sound. Fresh Music is by far and away the best reissue label from South Africa.

Duncan Mackay - Chimera. 1974 South Africa

One cannot speak of Duncan Mackay's debut without at least a passing mention of England's finest ivory tickler's of the era. Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Graham Field, Morgan Fischer, and the lot of them, all can be heard on Chimera. In addition to that, if you're familiar with the Italian artists of the day who were doing similar (Le Orme, The Trip, Metamorfosi, Triade, etc...), then you will hear the variation of that theme as well. In effect, Chimera could be marketed as Tarkus Extract - it's Hammond organ heaven. 3 long tracks that feature more keyboards than you shake a stick at (an interesting phrase isn't it? Why would I shake a stick at something anyway?). I've read in many a place that Chimera is nothing more than keyboard exercises for warm up, but I completely disagree. Perhaps the opener 'Morpheus' is a bit grandiose, but how can one deny the beautiful melodicism of '12 Tone Nostalgia'? The side longer 'Song for Witches' provides both the melody and the 200 notes per minute aspect. This is a very fine album that borders brilliance. Perhaps a bit more sonic palette would have bumped this up a point, but nothing to complain about here. For fans of purely keyboard driven progressive rock, Chimera is tough to beat.

Ownership: LP: 1974 Vertigo; CD: 2009 Fresh Music. The LP was a birthday gift last year. The CD was acquired online new upon release. The original LP comes in a fine gatefold cover featuring surreal fried egg artwork. Personally I think surreal fried eggs are something we need more of... It's of course the spaceship variety - which is an interesting story. And that's because if you were to read the liner notes of the CD (and one should after all..), then you would think that was the only pressing. Non Monsieur. The real original has a blue label and the Vertigo swirl moniker at the top. This is a very highly collectible version and almost never offered. As far as CDs go, Chimera was strictly the fodder of pirates until the excellent Fresh Music label of South Africa came along and put the issue to rest. There are fine liners, photos, etc.. The sound is a bit "loud" but not distracting. There is also one bonus track, but it's clearly more modern and doesn't fit with Chimera. Worth hearing once I suppose. The CD also features a different font.

Steve Linnegar's Snakeshed - Classic Epics. 1982 South Africa

What's most telling about Linnegar's album is just how out of sync the album was with its release date of 1982. The psychedelic guitar, optimistic vocals, folky acoustic guitar and violin overlays, and overall songwriting point to an album that could have been released in 1974 England. Classic Epics is a crafty mix of folk, psychedelic, progressive, and AOR. Best track is the lengthy 14 minute psychedelic space rocker 'Desert'. A wonderfully out of touch album, perhaps due to its remote location on the (then) shunned South African subcontinent. The new reissues on Guerssen really open this album up from prior bootleg copies, and even from the typically dirty South African originals. Be sure to hear this album as it was intended before passing quick judgment.

Personal collection
CD: 2014 Guerssen (Spain)

Originals come in a gatefold sleeve. Albums coming from South Africa are hard enough to find, but privately pressed ones are even that much more difficult. I was first sent a cassette of this album in the late 90s, and I've had it in the CDRWL since its inception. And as first reported on that site, via Linnegar's sister Diane, we learned of these Guerssen reissues. The album sounds great (from the master tapes) - much better than my old cassette which came from the crappy bootleg LP I'm sure. The album features a detailed review from Acid Archives contributor Aaron Milenski, as well as the full set of lyrics, newspaper clippings, and photos. The LP reissue, it appears, replicates the original in every way. Don't miss these reissues if there's any interest at all in this album.