Farrell Adams ¬ Biography
With roots firmly entrenched in the Cape Town underground, Farrell Adams has been an independent voice for South African music since 1991.
Growing up in the 80s he was exposed to typical pop, radio hits, as well as the soul, funk and disco that was being played in the clubs.
While studying journalism at Peninsula Technikon, his musical horizons were broadened in 91 when he met and started playing with James Reynard. The experimental rock/jazz outfit Nine was born.
It was during this 10-year period that he began to explore other, more serious musical styles, and after the likes of Miles Davis, John McLaughlin and John Coltrane touched his soul, he developed a deep-rooted love for jazz.
Grunge, the popular style of the early 90s, introduced him to Jimi Hendrix and Zeppelin among others, as that was the root of that genre, and also pushed him to check out the heavier, more modern acts like The Chilli Peppers, Soundgarden, Pantera and Sepultura etc.
During its 10 year existence, Nine, consisting of James Reynard (guitar), Jerome Reynard (drummer with Arno Carstens) and Grenville Williams (bass player and producer of Godessa, Teba) produced two albums (Nine and Entropy available through Loophole Music) and toured the country extensively.
Having played all the major festivals in the country, including OppiKoppi, Rustlers Valley, Up the Creek, Woodstock and the hugely successful Benson & Hedges Band Slam Tour (with the Nude Girls, Lithium, Squeal and Sugardrive), Nine found a fresh angle through the creation of their alter-ego, The Firing Squad.
This hip-hop/ reggae/ dancehall crossover act became popular as a party band, and was a big draw card on the festival circuit.
It was during this time that Farrell met and started playing with Dj Bob and Blunted Stuntman of the 206 crew, and the Boogieman made his way into the world.
It was this connection that brought him back in touch with his funk roots, as this is the base of his dj style. This style has since branched out to include hip-hop, house, break beat and drum n bass.
"As long as it funks, Ill play it," he says.
It was this dance floor orientated thinking that led to the development of his next band project, the inimitable and controversial Golliwog.
Born on the dance floor of District 206 in Cape Town, Golliwog initially took the form of a freestyle act, taking over from the djs last tune and jamming until the people could not dance any more.
Eventually this freestyle form concretised into a more organised format, with the band writing songs, keeping the funk flavour, and continuing to rock dance floors.
This led to it being a festival draw card as the eight-piece band was visually exciting and the infectious music was extremely danceable.
This phenomenal band consisted of the cream of Cape Towns young jazz
scene, and the line-up included Rob Nel (B-World, Interzone, Flat Stanley), Kesivan Naidoo (Tribe), Lee Thomson (Hog Hoggity Hog, Springbok Nude Girls), Nick le Roux (Errol Dyers, Reenboog), Dan Shout (Johnny Clegg, DSQ), Blunted Stuntman on the decks, and Norwegian maestro Gorm Helfjord on guitar.
In June 2005, Blaze McLeod convinced Farrell to relocate to Johannesburg to start work on his first solo project.
This musical collaboration with Kevin Leicher (Plum), has led to the composition of a number of songs which make up the album, Little Sins, now available in stores.p>The album goes under the style of cosmophonic soul, and is a culmination of all the musical genres Farrell has managed to assimilate over the years. It incorporates old-school song writing values, using modern production techniques.
Farrell has since relocated back to his home town where he has enlisted the aid of some new Little Sinners for his live performance.
His return to the mother city has boosted his creativity, as he has been inspired by a very healthy, fresh scene poised to cause waves in the ocean that is the international music industry.
He has been involved in numerous collaborations with various dance producers, across the genres, and has been co-opted by long time friends, and hot production team, Mix 'n Blend (watch this space), as mc/hype man during their live performances.
This has subsequently led to him being enlisted as the resident mc at the weekly drum 'n bass night, "It Came From The Jungle" at Fiction, as well as performances in both capacities at various festivals, including "Rocking The Daisies"and "Earthdance" among others.
He wears many faces and can put in an appearance anywhere, anytime.
Album is now downloadable from http://farrelladams.calabashmusic.com/
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