The
Country Conquerors is an Afrikaans reggae band based in Heuwelkroon,
an area located between Greyton and Genadendal. They are a local
band where the festival is taking place.
Their distinctive brand of reggae
is a syncretic fusion of classic seventies “one-drop” style with a more
frenetic, jaggedy rhythm that is native to the Western Cape. This goema
flavour gives their reggae a charming, genuine quality that is completely their
own. The band is a six piece, comprising drums, electric bass, electric guitar,
keyboards and two vocalists.
From a musicological perspective this already
is good enough reason to record their catalogue of compositions but the interest
is exacerbated when one realizes that they are the only Afrikaans medium reggae
band in the country. Unlike most reggae bands who always sing in English, the
Country Conquerors have retained their mother tongue (Afrikaans)
for their songs and therefore they provide a unique example of how music styles
and languages cross-pollinate deep into the countryside.
