|
Released simultaneously, this could just be a clever marketing ploy to cash in on Chris’ appearance in popular soapie 7de Laan. But this is so much more than that. Yes, maybe if Chris didn’t appear as a troubled singer in the hit TV series, he would sell less of these CD’s. But he already established himself with his first solo CD “Ek herhaal jou,” with Ingrid Jonker poems being adapted into some of the best Afrikaans music in years. He’s also had a loyal following with English fans from his days where he wore a dress on stage and fronted the band Boo. But enough about the past. This is the sound of the future. Let me just say this upfront. At the moment there are two CD’s battling it out in my eyes for the best album of 2006. And both of them are by Chris Chameleon.
I’ve recently had the priviledge of seeing Chris perform live at Oppikoppi. If there was a power failure that night (and if the back-up generators for some reason decided not to work) the sheer electricity from this singer’s performance would’ve lit up the immediate surrounds. This guy knows how to entertain. And the amazing thing is that he even managed to get people who would otherwise probably never listen to Afrikaans music, dancing, jumping, singing and swaying (although the last bit could also have had something to do with sweet smell that filled the air).
Some people are put off by the funny things Chris does with his voice on some of the songs. But if you have a sense for adventure, your ears are in for treat (and it’s not everyday you find someone who can teach birdlife a thing or two about range…) Every track is a surprise… just when you think you’ve got the Chris Chameleon sound pinned down, the CD player spews out the next song and you just end up sitting in utter amazement. Shine starts off with a “turn the volume up all the way to 11” track called “Blue.” Once you’ve recovered from that, move on to subtler things with the sincerity and raw emotion of tracks like “Garden,” “Sad Heart” and “Anywhere.” As Chris points out in the lyrics of “Anywhere,” you’ll find him anywhere there’s sunshine or where it rains at the right time, anywhere near the smile of a neighbour or anywhere in a home of love… the exact places I picture hearing Chris’ music.
7de Hemel, the Afrikaans CD, proves that there are still new frontiers that could be reached and crossed in Afrikaans music without getting stuck in lyrics dealing with some Leeuloop or Skarumba (whatever that is). This is deep, meaningful stuff from a singer who thanks his creator for making him the happiest person he knows, his fans for simply liking his music and those who don’t like him for bringing out the best in him. Standout tracks are “Vlerke” and “Wagtyd,” both playlisted on Jacaranda 94.2. Be adventurous, reward yourself with someone whose music keeps changing with every note… almost like a chameleon…
|
