Saggy Saggila - Endless Love Racing

Richard Siluma is one of the few people who could lay claim to the title of father of South African reggae. As one of the first black producers at Gallo, shortly after signing future stars Stimela, he convinced his cousin Lucky Dube to start recording reggae songs, a move that the young mbaqanga singer (and his label) was initially reluctant to take. Siluma produced most of Lucky’s seminal releases in the 80s, as well as the star’s satirical Afrikaans alter-ego Oom Hansie, and many others. Siluma also had a solo bubblegum hit with ‘African Dance’ as Richie S. Following Lucky’s murder in 2007, as well as that of another cousin, Tiny, the following year, Siluma threw himself back into his work as a solo performer, rebranding himself Saggy Saggila, backed by his Ras Band. He released his debut Wanna Be With You in 2012 and has now returned with a new album, Endless Love Racing. And true to the saying, you just can’t keep a good man down!

Setting Saggila apart from many other performers is his wealth of experience and his uncanny ability to create timeless melodies with relevant, heartfelt lyrics. Unlike many new albums today, each song on ‘Endless Love Racing’ has its own theme, with lyrics meant to inspire and provoke thoughts and actions. These are printed in full in the album’s liner notes – proof that they’re crafted with care and meant to be digested and appreciated by the listener.

The album’s title refers to the partnerships we make in life, how marriage does not always continue to the end of one’s life, and the need to pick oneself up after heartbreaks and learn to love again. This is a message that comes not from recycling old clichés, but rather deep from the heart, after Siluma’s own recent divorce. ‘Sleeveless Gun’ also addresses the pain of love. On ‘Country Side’, Saggy takes us back to his roots, growing up on a farm during apartheid. ‘A Man’s Toys’ considers what it takes to make us happy in the age of commercialism (‘beautiful woman, a car and a bike’ is Saggy’s suggestion). Besides these autobiographical musings, there are songs of tribute: ‘Cousin Brother’ considers the powerful bond between Siluma and Lucky, a bond that not even death could break. ‘Bob and Peter’ pays tribute to the international reggae community’s role in the struggle against apartheid in South Afirca. ‘Thanks Africa’ gives thanks to all African states involved in the same struggle, while ‘Ole Mama’ is dedicated to his mother.

Social injustice is another common thread running through much of the album, on tracks like ‘Vice Versa’ and ‘Innocent. On ‘I’m An Enemy To Myself’ Saggy urges everyone to take responsibility for themselves instead of depending on others, while ‘Vice Versa’ is about the justice system favouring offenders rather than the victims of crime. A synth-fuelled, reggae-fied cover of Phil Colllins’ 'Another Day In Paradise’ is on a similar tip.

Endless Love Racing is a powerful, personal album fuelled by hardship and a lifetime of experiences in love, politics and music. There’s an element of personal catharsis to it, but without seeming self-indulgent - such is the power of Siluma’s songwriting that these messages will be instantly relevant to many listeners, and be able to offer hope and inspiration, or at least plenty of food for thought. With his latest album, Siluma shows that he has lost none of the creativity and vitality that have defined his career.