Via Afrika exploded onto a jaded and unsuspecting public in 1983. Fusing dance beats, whistles, chants, nu-wave synths, dub bass and ethnic rhythms, their eponymous debut album was an instant hit with both (white) pop and (black) African radio, a rarity in those musically segregated times. Says vocalist/bassist René Veldsman, "Via Afrika was a living force that encapsulated sex, politics, magic and imagination - a freedom of expression that was us. We didn't make Via Afrika happen. It happened to us." "We were banned on radio - something to do with the lyrics of Hey Boy. They, the broadcasting authorities, didn't understand! The music was happening and it was changing." The band folded during 1985, after having released several singles and only two albums: "Via Afrika" in 1983 and "A Scent Of Scandal" in 1984 (although the single "Vice in Bombay" did receive international airplay after it was remixed in New York). René Veldsman: vocals and bass Lukas Luislang (Crous): keyboards (died April 2002) Michele Rowe: dancer and percussionist Spider Wider (Kitty Cooper): vocals, percussion
1985
EMI
7", Single
1984
1983
1983
1983
1983
1985
1985
1985
2021
Milestone Records
LP, Comp, Ltd, Ora
2016
The David Gresham Record Company
2xCD, Comp
2015
Boss Music (7)
2xCDr, Comp
2012
EMI
2xCD, Comp
2010
Not Not Fun Records
Cass, Ltd
2010
Macadam Mambo Podcast
File, MP3, Mixed, Promo, 192
2010
Gallo Record Company
CD, Comp
2006
Fresh Music (2)
CD, Comp
2002
Fresh Music (2)
CD, Comp
2001
Sting Music
2xCD, Comp
2001
Fresh Music (2)
CD, Comp
1994
1985
EMI Music SA
12", Comp
1985
1984
EMI America, EMI America
LP, Comp, Promo
1984
EMI
LP, Comp
1984
Music For Pleasure
LP, Comp
1984
1983
EMI America
Cass, Comp
2010
Milestone Records (2)
3xCD, Comp, Unofficial
2009
Milestone Records Ltd
CD, Comp, Unofficial
1986
Not On Label
LP, Comp, Unofficial
Electric Funky Afro Sound Records
LP, Comp, Unofficial
Cosmic Communications
LP, Comp, Unofficial
Not On Label
Cass, Mixed, RE, Unofficial
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