RETRO FRESH is an imprint
label dedicated to the preservation of classic South African pop & rock
music of the last 30 years…each release, many available for the first
time on cd, has been digitally remastered with bonus tracks including live,
studio out takes, demos and unreleased songs. Where possible the original artwork
has been retained but has been extended to include great pics, in-depth liner
notes written by some of the country's leading music journalists, rare memorabilia
and artist commentary. All releases are artist approved.
So from the Afro rock sounds
of Hawk and the bluesy wail of Otis Waygood to the ethotronic funk of éVoid
and the psychotic psychedelia of Falling Mirror RETRO FRESH brings
you the best musical memories...
Download RetroFresh Catalogue as a PDF
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Various Artists |
| Astral Daze 3 - Snapshots Of The South African Rock Underground Volume 3 of our acclaimed Astral Daze series find us in the company of some well known 'underground' bands (Freedom's Children, Abstract Truth, The Bats) and some lesser known luminaries of the psych rock era (The Gentle People, Finder's Keepers, 004's, Wakeford Hart). The compilation is rounded off with some real classics including engineer Peter Pearlson's 2011 remix of Hawk's ‘Here comes the sun’ and Sharon Tandy's psych collaboration with UK rockers Fleur De Lys. | |
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Wild Youth |
| A Leopard Never Changes Her Spots Released for the first time on CD is the long awaited retrospective of South Africa's legendary original punk band, Wild Youth. This massive 23 track set includes all of Wild Youth's late 70`s seminal singles, live and demo tracks plus several songs from the band's alter ego outfit, The Gay Marines. Wild Youth are prominently featured in the film documentary “Punk in Afrika”, currently showing in key US and European film festivals. | |
| Pics Track List Listen Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) | |
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Impi |
| Impi Rare sole 1971 album by African influenced progressive rock band which included members of The Bats and The Square Set; elements of pastoral flute / pennywhistle tinged folk mixed with psych guitar, jazz rock brass, soulful vocals and thundering percussion. Comparisons with Vertigo prog rockers Jade Warrior, early Gravy Train, Assegai and jazz rockers like Chicago and Greatest Show on Earth. | |
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Pics biography Track List Listen Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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Hedgehoppers |
| Hey! UK beat combo's sole South African album, originally released in 1970 includes the No.1 smash “Hey” plus all the original LP tracks and 2 bonus songs. Elements of early psych meets West Coast with quirky pop tunes. A real collectors item. | |
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Pics biography Track List Listen Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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Face To Face |
| Face To Face Face to Face's self titled debut album captured the eyes and ears of the pop public in 1984 with Number 1 hits like “Here we are“ and “Night of the long knives”. Released for the first time on CD, this reissue also includes their 1985 single “Too young b/w Sad but true” plus 5 bonus tracks from their unreleased second album. | |
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Pics biography Track List Listen Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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The Flames |
| Ummm! Ummm! Oh Yeah!!! / That's Enough Throughout the '60s The Flames were South Africa’s biggest selling band: This double disc set highlights the band’s many hits from 1964 to 1966 and includes the “Ummm! Ummm! Oh Yeah” and “That's Enough” albums on Disc 1 and 16 non-album A & B sides singles on Disc 2. This release is a companion to the Retro best selling “Soulfire”/”Burning Soul” reissue. | |
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National Wake |
| National Wake Originally banned in 1981 by the apartheid government as seditious and inflammatory, National Wake's self titled sole album is a invigorating mix of punk, ska, African dub reggae and rock. Songs like “International News” and “Wake of the nation” echo the spirit of early Clash / Talking Heads and roar with unbridled energy, passion and fury whilst “Bolina” and “Supaman” draw on the revolutionary zeal of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh as influences. A must for fans of the aforementioned artists as well South African music collectors. | |
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Various Artists |
| Concert In The Park (DVD & CD) 25 years ago Ellis Park hosted the biggest concert seen in South Africa featuring the cream of South African rock, pop and soul including Evoid, Via Afrika, Brenda Fassie, Juluka, Ellamental, Hotline and many more. Available for the first time on a combination DVD/CD release, Concert in the Park features 22 artist performances and bonus interviews. Relive the magic of Concert in the Park! | |
| Pics Track List Listen Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) | |
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The Flames |
| Burning Soul! & Soulfire!! The most famous South African group of all time, The Flames recorded these psychedelic soul rock albums in 1967 and 1968 and are officially released for the first time on one CD. Highly prized by 'beat'and early psych collectors worldwide. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Biography Website Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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The Third Eye |
| The Third Eye Long acknowledged by psych-prog fans worldwide as one of the most important South African groups of that genre, Durban's The Third Eye recorded 3 landmark albums between 1969 and 1970. Gathered together for the first time on a double disc set are the three albums PLUS 6 newly discovered, unreleased studio tracks and rare singles. Packed with photos from the band’s archive and insightful, updated liner notes this release is the complete Third Eye collection. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Biography Website Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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Hawk |
| Live And Well Originally released in 1974, Hawk's “Live and Well” is the band’s third and final release rounding off a trilogy of phenomenal Afro rock albums. This officially sanctioned reissue includes all the original songs plus 4 bonus tracks taken from the SA vinyl version of “Africa, she too can cry” and a rare live song from 1971. With updated liner notes, including the final days of Hawk as told by singer Dave Ornellas, plus never-before-seen photos and poster artwork, “Live and Well” is a must for fans of '70s progressive rock. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Biography Website Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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Invaders |
| There's A Light There's A Way Released in 1971 and available for the first time on CD, “There's a light, there's a way” is The Invaders psychedelic/ prog-rock tour-de-force. Featuring the original line up with added input from Lionel Petersen on vocals and Spewey Pillay on Hammond organ, the album includes a blistering soul rock version of the Stones classic “You can't always get what you want” plus 2 bonus tracks. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Biography Website Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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Lesley Rae Dowling |
| Lesley Rae Dowling - 2 Albums On 1 CD - Split / When The Night Comes Unquestionably the finest singer songwriter in SA pop history, this is the second release in the reissue of her extensive catalogue: Combining her third and fourth albums including some of her biggest hits “Living without conversation”, “No time”, ”When the night comes’ and “Innocent child”. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Biography Website Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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Wildebeest |
| Wildebeest - Bushrock 1 Recorded in 1981, “Bushrock 1” is the sound of a truly African progressive rock band in full flight –thundering African percussion, hard rock guitars, swirling Celtic violin and soaring vocals all combine to form a heady musical brew. Wildebeest featured ex Freedom's Children drummer Colin Pratley, bassist Piet Botha (now fronting Jack Hammer) and violinist Dave Tarr. Tracks include unique takes on Freedoms's ‘The kid he came from Hazareth”, “Slowly from the north” and “Tribal fence”. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Biography Website Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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McCully Workshop |
| McCully Workshop - The Best Of McCully Workshop Possibly one of the longest lasting bands in South African history, McCully Workshop have dominated music for over 4 decades. Gathered together for the first time is a collection of their greatest songs drawn from their multiple musical influences over the years including tracks from their prog-rock epics and pop rock chart material. Featuring “Buccaneer”, “Chinese Junkman”, ”Why can't it rain “, ’Avenue” and “Reaching for a dream”. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Biography Website Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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SA Rock Gold |
| SA Rock Gold For the first time ever…a 59 track, 3 CD set of the cream of South African rock, from the early '70s through to the '90s….Killer tunes from the likes of Evoid, Tribe after Tribe, Stingray, Hawk, Baxtop, The Sweatband, Squeal, Freedoms Children, Ellamental, Wild Youth, Julian Laxton and many more. | |
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| Rock Of Ages Presents Footstomping Music Vol 2 Finally it’s here….Footstomping Music Vol. 2 – 18 rip roaring, earth shattering classic rock tunes from some of the greatest rock bands of all time… compiled by yours faithfully it includes many tracks suggested by ROA fans over the past months. Go to www.rock.co.za/rockofages for more details. | |
| Listen Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) | |
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McCully Workshop |
| McCully Workshop - Ages Following on from their psych pop tinged debut “Inc” and the brass rock energy of “Genesis”, McCully Workshop reinvented themselves as progressive rockers on “Ages” with it's keyboard driven direction with elements of Celtic jigs and hard rockers. Includes seven previously unavailable bonus tracks, updated liner notes and photos. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Website Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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Otis Waygood |
| Otis Waygood - Ten Light Claps And A Scream The third and final Otis Waygood album found the band jettisoning it's blues roots entirely and embracing a harder rock sound with elements of jazz and reggae starting to creep in. “Ten light claps and a scream” includes all the original songs plus a rare 1977 bonus track, updated liner notes and some newly discovered UK photos. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Website Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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John & Philipa Cooper |
| John & Philipa Cooper - The Cooperville Times “The Cooperville Times” is unquestionably one of the rarest South African albums ever. Released in 1969, it's folk tinged psychedelia, featuring the whimsical vocals of John & Philipa Cooper with guitar by Julian Laxton, has been hailed by collectors worldwide as comparable to the legendary Mellow Candle or early Jefferson Airplane. | |
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Track List Listen Liner Notes
Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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McCully Workshop |
| McCully Workshop - Inc. The Psychedelic-Music.com website had this to say about McCully Workshop's 1969 debut album: "Of all the albums we've heard from South Africa this one scores top! What a beautiful masterpiece. Pepper-influenced underground music with great songs, lovely vocals, strong harmonies, great distorted guitar work." – Includes “Why can't it rain”, ”Séance” and “The Circus”. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Website Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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Various Artists |
| Astral Daze 2 - More Psychedelic Gems From The South African Underground Welcome to Volume 2 of Astral Daze where we once again dip into the vaults of classic South African rock and pop , seeking out long lost psychedelic gems for your edification and earthly delight . Volume 2 finds the listener tripping the light fantastic with some familiar names like Freedoms Children, Abstract Truth, The Flames and McCully Workshop sitting comfortably alongside some lesser known artists like the weird and wacky Falling Mirror and Durban's finest, Finch and Henson. We have also included a couple of post 70's outfits like The Illegal Gathering, whose cassette-only album “The Voice of Nooit” is highly sought after and Robbi Robb's Tribe after Tribe who continue to make challenging rock music. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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Canamii |
| Canamii Concept Originally released in 1980, “Concept” was the sole album by studio engineer/producer Phillip Nel and vocalist Claire Whittaker. Along with guitarist Paul Woodley, this keyboard driven prog rock album is comparable to early ELP, Curved Air and Renaissance with it's fusion flourishes and soaring vocals. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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McCully Workshop |
| McCully Workshop - Genesis Officially released for the first time on CD, McCully Workshop's legendary “Genesis”, is a prog rock concept masterpiece that is loosely based on the biblical book. Packed with psych guitars, brassy interludes ala early Chicago or Blood Sweat & Tears and funky tracks like “Stone man” and “Red light city”, ”Genesis” is highly prized by collectors worldwide. | |
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Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Website Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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Neill Solomon |
| Neill Solomon and the Uptown Rhythm Dogs - The Occupant Long hailed by critics and fans alike as one of South Africa's most experimental singer-songwriters, Neill Solomon's classic debut album is available on CD for the first time. A melange of folk, prog rock and pop with a dollop of Africa to boot, “The Occupant” includes “Roxy Lady”, “Magic man” and “Junk foods and disposable ladies”..plus 2 bonus songs and the long lost video of “The Stranger”. | |
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Track List Listen Biography Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) |
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| Slowly ... From The South A 2 disc compilation of South African classic prog rock from 1970-2008 including many artists previously unavailable on CD. This official release is artist and label approved and has been re-mastered with rare artist photos and information. Highlights include Hawk's “Slowly towards the North suite”, Canamii's ‘Come and fly”, The Third Eye's epic “Awakening“ and many more. | |
| Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) | |
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| Duncan Mackay - Chimera Ex Cockney Rebel / 10cc keyboard wizard Duncan Mackay's classic 1974 debut album “Chimera’ is available for the first time. Re-mastered and approved by the artist with liner notes, rare photos and a bonus track, “Chimera” is essential for fans of keyboard driven prog rock in the vein of ELP and Rick Wakeman. | |
| Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) | |
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| Freedoms Children - Battle Hymn Of The Broken Hearted Horde Recorded in 1968 "Battle Hymn..." is the debut album by arguably South Africa's greatest psych rock band. In keeping with the experimental musical influences of the times the album is a melting pot of pastoral folk, quirky prog, psychedlic pop and beat poetry. Included in this first time officially sanctioned release is the rare track "My death". Also available by Freedom's Children - "Astra" and "Galactic Vibes". | |
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| Spider Spider - Best Of The Tidal Wave The Tidal Wave were one of South Africa's foremost exponents of psych influenced pop music in the late 60's and early 70's with hits like "Spider Spider", "Mango Mango" and "With tears in my eyes". They also experimented with both brass and prog rock influences and although they existed for a relatively short time the band are regarded by many as the bridge between pop and the then developing 'underground' rock scene. This compilation gathers together, for the first time on one album, all the hit singles, b sides and rarities. | |
| Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) | |
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| Rock Of Ages Presents Footstomping Music For a limited period only Retro goes international with Footstomping Music - 17 high voltage, barnstormin', kick ass rock classics on one cd - featuring Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, Thin Lizzy, Santana, Budgie, Free and many more .... order now! ... Listen to Benjy Mudie's Rock of Ages radio show every Thursday 8-midnight on Radio 2000. Go to www.rock.co.za/rockofages for more details. | |
| Track List Listen Buy CD (South Africa) | |
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| Wild Warriors - The Complete Arapaho What four bored guys did when the surf wasn't pumping in Durban made modern rock history – the extent to which none of them could quite believe. | |
| Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) | |
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| Various Artists - Jiving To The Weekend Beat Remember "Scatterlings of Africa", "Burnout","Jabulani", "Hellfire" and all the other 'hits from home'? Well if you want to get your 'jive' party pumpin' get "Jiving to the weekend beat" - 19 infectious South African Afro-Pop classics from Johnny Clegg, éVoid, Hotstix Mabuse, Mango Groove, Hotline, Via Afrika and many more ... a good time guaranteed for all!!!!! | ||
| Pics Track List Downloads Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) Video | ||
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| Album title - Once In A Lifetime Fronted by one of the greatest live performers of the time, Jon Selby, Petit Cheval ruled the pop/rock airwaves and stages of South Africa from 1984-86 with multiple hits including "Magical touch", "It was the wind" and "Once in a lifetime". Newly remastered, this definitive Petit Cheval compilation gathers together all the tracks from the band's two albums plus the debut single as well as new liner notes and rare pics from the band's archive. | ||
| Pics Track List Downloads Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) Website | ||
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| Album title - Boys Will Be Boys (1975) Great rock bands are born young. Three decades ago, Rabbitt ruled South Africa for five short years, they were dazzling on stage, innovative in the record studio and a media phemoneon in the Press. Their debut album "Boys will be boys" includes the smash hit singles "Lifeline", "Charlie" and "Something's wrong with my baby" as well as 2 rare bonus tracks, extended artwork and comprehensive liner notes. Officially sanctioned by the band this extended version of the album is released on CD for the first time. | ||
| Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) Website | ||
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| Album title - A Croak And A Grunt In The Night (1977) Great rock bands are born young. Three decades ago, Rabbitt ruled South Africa for five short years, they were dazzling on stage, innovative in the record studio and a media phemoneon in the Press. Their second album "A croak and a grunt in the night" includes the smash hit singles "Hold on to love", "Dingley's bookshop" and "Sugar pie" as well as a rare bonus track "Morning light", extended artwork and comprehensive liner notes. Officially sanctioned by the band this extended version of the album is released on CD for the first time. | ||
| Pics Track List Listen Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) Website | ||
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| Album title - Scent Of Scandal (1984) Via Afrika's second, and final, album "Scent of Scandal" continues the joyous afrikan dub/dance pop of it's predecessor with songs like the slinky "Vice in Bombay", "Mimi Kama Kanga" and the illegally funky "Zanzibar" .... includes a jivey live version of "Hey Boy" - recorded at the famous Concert in the Park in 1985. | ||
| Pics Track List Downloads Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) Website | ||
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| 2 Albums On 1 CD - Lesley Rae Dowlng / Unravished Brides Since her debut in 1980 Lesley Rae Dowling has been simply called "The Voice", she is without question one of the finest female singers of our generation. Coupled together on one CD are her first 2 classic albums "Lesley Rae Dowling" and "Unravished brides" and includes the hits "The Spaniard", "Grips of emotion", "I'm a woman", "Fallen angel" and many more - 23 songs in total. A perfect companion to "Conspirare" (The best of). | ||
| Pics Track List Downloads Liner Notes Buy CD (International) Buy CD (South Africa) Website | ||
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Various Artists - Psychedelic South African Rock 1968-1972 This real collectors item features 18 classic, rare and obscure tracks from the heydays of South African Psychedelic Rock. 16 of these tracks have never previously been released on official CD. |
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Album Title - The Complete Asylum Kids
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Album Title - Silver Trees & Totum
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Album Title - Urban Creep
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Album Title - Astra
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Album Title - Vox Populi
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Album Title - Africa She Too Can Cry
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Album Title - Power
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Album Title - Slow Rain - The Complete Celtic Rumours
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Album Title - Simply Otis Waygood
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Album Title - The Present Has Passed
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Album Title - Into The Night We Slide
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