JOHNNY CLEGG: 2016
CLASSIC HITS TAKE ON A NEW ADVENTURE
South African musical legend Johnny Clegg has just released his brand new album – JOHNNY CLEGG: 2016.
Comprised of some of his best loved classics including Great Heart, Scatterlings of Africa, Take My Heart Away and many others, this 17 track release boasts some of the freshest remixes that not only pay homage to the original hits, but transform them into fresh, larger-than-life dance-floor anthems at the hands of some of the finest global EDM producers.
Clegg, who has topped charts around the world for over 40 years, is no stranger to moving with the times, yet his repertoire has many loyal fans hesitant as to whether or not his tracks will benefit from, or indeed even require remixing.
The truth is, they don’t – they are, and always will be remarkably strong pop songs, and JOHNNY CLEGG: 2016 only goes to prove just how accessible these songs from the 80’s, 90’s and early millennium truly are.
What these remixes do generate is a freshness that will not only appeal to die-hard Clegg fans, but see new audiences relating to his songwriting.
Clegg himself, has been excited about this project and stated, “As a singer/songwriter, with published works going back as far as 1976, I have always been fascinated and moved by other artists who have covered my work in some way, whether using my lyrics or doing their own versions of my songs. This set of dance mixes is particularly exciting because my song structures have often been a bit complicated, with lots of bridges, pre-choruses and a strong cultural cross-over using characteristic Zulu and other ethnic influences.
Each song has a different contributor and so creates a really interesting set of approaches to my music and gives them a new audience whilst expanding their interpretation and musical horizon. I hope my audience enjoys this collection”.
JOHNNY CLEGG: 2016 boasts some heavy-weight international and local electronic dance talent including:
Protoculture
“Everything Protoculture turns to gold” – Armin Van Buuren.
Protoculture is one of the world’s most revered producers and has been on the forefront of the Psy-Trance scene for many years, seeing him perform from London to Tokyo, to Brazil and beyond. His single Naked received global support from top industry players such as Markus Schulz, Max Graham, Paul Oakenfold and Armin Van Buuren. He is also a regular on the Beatport Top 10 Trance charts. His remix of Scatterlings is a massive smash hit waiting to happen.
Pascal & Pearce
Electronic wizards Pascal & Pearce have been one of the most successful production duos to emerge from South Africa in musical history. They have performed internationally and at home alongside Avicii, Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, Martin Garrex, Alesso, Steve Aoki, Paul Oakenfold, Paul van Dyke and numerous other top names in the business. At home they have worked with huge acts such as Goldfish, Da LES, Flash Republic, Duck Sauce, Locnville, Louise Carver, Zebra & Giraffe and countless others – making them the go-to dup for electronic production. Their remix of Great Heart is an epic EDM anthem.
High Society
Also known as Aron Freidman, High Society achieved massive success as a songwriter in the UK before conquering the dance scene as a producer/writer/remixer. He has had hits and worked with many artists over the last 25 years including Elton John & Ru Paul, Back Street Boys, Take That, Rozalla, Jodeci, Alexander O’Neal and many others.
Chris Sen
Chris Sen is a hot new talent from South Africa that has been receiving fantastic global recognition. He was remixed tracks for top local and international producers/DJ’s such as DJ Fresh, Euphonik, Ryan Murgatroyd, Tasha Baxter, Fedde La Grand and many others. He is a staple on dance compilations and he is highly supported by the South African dance community and industry.
BreakDLaw
BreakDLaw had an international hit with their single Paint me Like A French Girl and have lent their magic to Kilimanjaro.
Andyboi
Andyboi is a vocalist, producer, songwriter and a DJ from South Africa that has worked with popular SA acts including Shimza, Nakhane Toure, Bricks, Kid Fonque, and a host of international artists including Tony Touch - one of the worlds biggest hip-hop and house DJ’s from New York. Andyboi has remixed Heart Of The Dancer.
Bobby Summerfield
English born, but LA-based Summerfield is a top producer and engineer, having worked with artists such as Robbie Williams, Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson, Matt Bianco, Foreigner, The Jackson 5 and many others, including Johnny Clegg’s earlier works.
Alongside the release of the album is the brand new video created by Clegg’s other talented son, Jaron, who studied at The Vancouver Film School and currently works in LA as a film-maker.
Take My Heart Away is the first single from the album and creating the accompanying video was a great experience for the younger Clegg.
“The video is based on passion and yearning to have dreams come true. It was quite an emotional project for me – making a film for my dad,” he says, “and I treated it as a once in a lifetime opportunity and pushed really hard to make the script come to life. I took away a lot of insight and skills that will be crucial as I pave my way forward as a film-maker.”
The video was shot at Maropeng Cradle of Humankind and in Diepsloot township in Johannesburg and will be released in July.
The Bodyguard - Musical coming to Australia
The Bodyguard musical is heading to Australia from April 2017 and its first stop is Sydney!
STARRING PAULINI AS RACHEL MARRON - With her incredible voice, stunning looks and engaging personality, Paulini is one of Australia’s most uniquely talented performers. The Fijian-born singer songwriter first enthralled the nation on the inaugural series of Australian Idol. Audiences instantly fell in love with Paulini’s impressive five octave range – a voice still unrivalled and like no other in this country. Since then Paulini has forged a hugely successful career. Her debut album ‘One Determined Heart’ and smash single ‘Angel Eyes’ achieved double platinum status, both hitting the #1 spot. She is still one of only 10 Australian female solo artists to have a #1 album on the Australian ARIA Charts.
Based on the Warner Bros. film written by the acclaimed, Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Big Chill, The Empire Strikes Back), with a book by Academy Award-winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), this extraordinary production is currently dazzling audiences in London's West-End, Germany and Utrecht. THE BODYGUARD has just completed a sell-out tour throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe and later this year productions will open in Korea, Italy and the US.
Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don't expect is to fall in love.
A ‘BRILLIANT!’ (The Times), breathtakingly romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a whole host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, Greatest Love Of All, Million Dollar Bill, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and one of the greatest hit songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.
Les Miserables - Australian Season
Sydney season at Capitol Theatre opens in March 2015
Perth season at Crown Theatre opens 31st December 2014
On Thursday 3 July 2014 Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Les Misérables opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne
Cameron Mackintosh has announced that his acclaimed new production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, will open at Perth’s Crown Theatre in January 2015 followed by Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in March 2015.
The new production features glorious modernised staging, orchestrations and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. It has been praised by critics, fans and new audiences, breaking box office records internationally and inspiring filmmakers to make the outstandingly successful movie which went on to win 3 Oscar’s®, 3 Golden Globes® and 4 BAFTAs.
“I am so thrilled with this new Australian production of Les Misérables and even more so now that we can confirm the show will travel to Perth after a six-month season in Melbourne,” Cameron Mackintosh said. “I am also very excited to announce that this new Australian production of Les Misérables will open in Sydney in 2015.”
“Sydney holds a very special place in the history of Les Mis, opening to our very first Australian audiences in 1987 and we are delighted to be bringing this new production to Sydney next year.”
The Australian production premiered in Melbourne on Thursday 3rd July with much anticipation and fanfare.
This new production of LES MISÉRABLES made a triumphant return to Her Majesty Theatre in Melbourne earlier this month.
‘The stunning original has now been surpassed.’ Time Out
‘Powerful and enduring….will hold a new generation of fans in thrall.’ The Age
‘An ensemble of Star Quality.’ The Australian
Cameron Mackintosh has assembled an extremely talented cast for this production of LES MISÉRABLES consisting of some of Australia’s brightest stars.
Playing the iconic role of Jean Valjean is established actor and musical theatre star Simon Gleeson. NIDA-trained Hayden Tee will play Valjean’s lifelong antagonist Javert while starring as Fantine is Patrice Tipoki. Playing Madame Thénardier is Lara Mulcahy and joining her in the role of Monsieur Thénardier is Australian theatre and cabaret favourite, Trevor Ashley. Recent WAAPA graduates Kerrie Anne Greenland and Emily Langridge play Eponine and Cosette respectively. Chris Durling takes on the role of the passionate student leader of the revolution, Enjolras and Euan Doidge plays Marius the love struck revolutionary.
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century revolutionary France, LES MISÉRABLES is a much loved blockbuster musical which has been seen by over 65 million people worldwide in 42 countries and in 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly one of the most popular musicals of all time. Having won more than 100 major awards around the world it has been hailed as the most stirring, moving musical ever. Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, it is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream”, “On My Own”, “Stars”, “Bring Him Home”, “Do You Hear the People Sing?”, “One Day More”, “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”, “Master of the House” and many more.
© 2014 Rhythm Safari Pty Ltd