| Colour of Me | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by Tasha Baxter | |
| Released | 9 June 2007 |
| Recorded | RP Studios, SABC, Johannesburg |
| Genre | Pop |
| Length | 46:13 |
| Label | EMI South Africa |
| Producer | Noisia |
Colour of Me is the debut studio album by South African singer-songwriter Tasha Baxter. It was released on 9 June 2007 through EMI South Africa. Produced by Noisia, the album blends elements of pop, electronic and dance music. [1]
Tasha Baxter, a prominent figure in the South African music scene, gained recognition for her work as a vocalist, DJ, and performer before releasing her solo debut. [2]
Baxter's career trajectory, spanning over a decade prior in the South African music scene, culminated in the release of "Colour of Me." Originally recorded in her lounge, the album produced the local radio hits, "Who's Sorry Now" and "Fade to Black" and "The Journey". Noisia, a Dutch production outfit, produced the album, contributing to its electronic soundscape. [3]
Baxter's musical journey traces back to her meeting with Noisia in an online dance community. Impressed by her innovative approach to dance, trip-hop, and drum 'n' bass music, they collaborated on demos that eventually led to Baxter's deal with EMI South Africa. Baxter collaborated with Andre Scheepers over several months to craft the album's demos. [4]
The final instrumentation and vocals were recorded at RP Studios, SABC by engineer Neal Snyman and production elements were completed by Noisia at De Noisia Kantoor, Holland. The album was mastered at the Wisseloord Studios, Holland by Darius van Helfteren. [5]
Colour of Me features a diverse range of musical styles, including electronic, reggae, drum 'n bass', trip hop, pop, and rock. The album's lyrics explore themes of love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and personal growth.
"Colour of Me" showcases Baxter's immense artistic diversity, with tracks ranging from upbeat pop to dark and dramatic. The album's lead singles, "Who's Sorry Now" and "Fade to Black," highlight Baxter's versatility as an artist, offering a glimpse into her multifaceted musical persona. Baxter's refusal to conform to generic labels is evident throughout the album, with each track presenting a unique genre-blending experience. [6] [7]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Useless" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers | 3:54 |
| 2. | "Who's Sorry Now" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers | 3:47 |
| 3. | "All That I Can Think About" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers | 3:30 |
| 4. | "Don't Believe In Love" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers | 2:56 |
| 5. | "Fade to Black" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers | 3:31 |
| 6. | "Freefall" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers, Mark Sinclair | 3:20 |
| 7. | "The Journey" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers | 4:29 |
| 8. | "Fusion" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers | 2:19 |
| 9. | "Don't Need Money" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers | 2:56 |
| 10. | "Colour of Me" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers | 2:54 |
| 11. | "Paradise" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers | 3:09 |
| 12. | "Keep on Moving" | Tasha Baxter, Andre Scheepers | 2:45 |
| 13. | "The Visitor" | Tasha Baxter, Noisia | 5:02 |
| 14. | "Play With Me" (hidden track) | Tasha Baxter | 1:34 |
"Colour of Me" was exclusively released in South Africa in 2007 through traditional distribution channels. The album was made available on physical CDs, with singles receiving airplay on local radio stations.
The single "Fade to Black" has a fully filmed music video that aired on local TV channels, and is also not available worldwide or on any digital streaming to present day.
However, it wasn't until 2020, thirteen years after its initial release, that "Colour of Me" was digitally distributed worldwide by Universal Music. This digital release allowed the album to reach a wider audience beyond South Africa, marking a new chapter in its availability and accessibility to music listeners worldwide. [10]
The album received widespread acclaim, with critics praising its substantial lyrical content and diverse sonic palette.
Cape Times lauded Baxter's versatility and the album's meticulously crafted appeal to a broad audience, noting its potential to succeed internationally. [11]
The album received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Baxter's vocals, songwriting, and the album's production quality. [12]
In a 4-star review from Heat magazine praised Baxter's "sweet, soulful voice" likening "Fade to Black" as a Kylie Minogue track. Neveling described the album as having "playful melodies with electronic beats" that would "hook" listeners. [13]
Randall Abrahams review from Financial Mail commended Baxter's "silver-toned pipes" hearing Baxter sing live at the studio before hearing the album. Abrahams commented the main focus is Baxter's "mellifluous voice" and uses it "gracious effect" throughout the album. At times the 'Colour of Me' reminds him of the pop-art of Sophie Ellis Bextor. Abrahams praises the album's production by Noisia, though noted some inconsistency in the overall flow of the final product due to the changing genres. However, Abrahams that selection of singles would ensure Baxter's continued success on radio. [14]
Baxter toured heavily during this period, performing nationwide throughout South Africa. Some of the festivals and performances include:
Colour of Me garnered significant recognition, receiving four nominations and winning two awards at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) in 2008.
The nominations included:
Winning:
Two tracks from Colour of Me, "The Journey" and "Don't Believe in Love," were featured in the soundtrack of the 2009 South African film White Wedding . [25] [26]
In 2017, the single "The Journey" was sampled on Lil Wayne's track "Hittas" on Tha Carter V album, which plays throughout the track. A testament to the longstanding influence across music culture. [27] [28]
The music of South Africa exhibits a culturally varied musical heritage in conjunction with the multi-ethnic populace. Genres with the greatest international recognition being mbube, isicathamiya, mbaqanga, afrofusion, kwaito, South African pop music, afro house, South African hip hop, Shangaan electro, bacardi house, bolo house, gqom and amapiano.
Zolani Mahola is a South African singer, actress, storyteller and world-renowned inspiration speaker, now also known under the stage name The One Who Sings. She is most famously known as lead singer of the internationally-acclaimed pan-African South African music group Freshlyground since 2002. On 15 August 2019, Mahola officially announced the launch of her solo career while the Freshlyground band went on to have their last performance after 17 successful years together on 31 December 2019 at Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town.
The Parlotones are a renowned South African indie rock band hailing from Johannesburg, formed in 1998. The ensemble features Kahn Morbee on vocals and rhythm guitar, Paul Hodgson as lead guitarist, Glen Hodgson handling bass guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals, and Neil Pauw on drums and percussion. Originally rooted in Britpop, The Parlotones' music has evolved to encompass a diverse range of genres, with lyrics centered on relatable themes such as love and everyday life, complemented by engaging and memorable melodies.
Lark are a South African glitch electronica band from Cape Town. Formed in 2003, the group consists of Inge Beckmann (vocals), Paul Ressel, Simon "Fuzzy" Ratcliffe, and Sean Ou Tim. They are often cited as "groundbreaking musicians", who were the key contributors to establishing experimental and intelligent dance music in South Africa. Their name has become synonymous with musical experimentalism, and are one of the country's best loved acts. Lark has released 3 studio albums, and won a SAMA for their debut album, Razbliuto!. Their music videos have been consistently met with admiration for their technically ability, and have received two MK Awards.
Foto Na Dans was a five piece Afrikaans progressive rock band from Bellville, South Africa, fronted by singer/songwriter Le-Roi Nel. Other band members are Neil Basson, John Havemann (bass), Alex Fourie, and Dirkie Uys (drums).
Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo is a South African singer, actress, and television personality. Born in Vosloorus and later moved to Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal, where she grew up.
GoldFish is an electronic duo originating from Cape Town, South Africa, now residing in San Diego, California consisting of Dominic Peters and David Poole. They create dance music containing elements of house, pop, jazz and African music. The band has released a number of albums, including their latest If Summer Was A Sound and previous albums: Late Night People, Three Second Memory, Perceptions of Pacha, Get Busy Living. and their Debut album Caught in the Loop. They were named "Best Pop" at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2014. Their 6th album If Summer Was A Sound is out on 29 September 2023.
Noisia was a Dutch electronic music trio consisting of members Nik Roos, Martijn van Sonderen, and Thijs de Vlieger from Groningen, Netherlands. They produced a wide variety of music including drum and bass, dubstep, breakbeat and house. They released music under labels including Skrillex's Owsla, deadmau5's mau5trap and Jay-Z's Roc Nation. Noisia previously combined with the group Foreign Beggars to form the supergroup side project, I Am Legion. They released their collaborative self-titled album on 2 September 2013. Noisia also has production credits under the pseudonym Nightwatch, such as when they worked with Alexis Jordan, Hadouken!, Wiley and Wretch 32. They produced Hadouken!'s album, For the Masses, that charted at number 19 on the UK Albums Chart.
Jan Adriaan Hoogendyk, known professionally as Elvis Blue, is a South African musician and songwriter.
Prime Circle are a South African rock band, based in Johannesburg. The band has released 7 studio albums and achieved either gold or platinum status in South Africa. The band has expanded its audience to England and Europe where they are represented by a German agent and have signed an international recording deal, performing at festivals and their own shows in Germany.
Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, better known by his stage name Black Coffee, is a South African DJ, record producer and songwriter. His accolades include eight South African Music Awards, four DJ Awards, two Metro FM Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
Natasha Tameika Cobbs Leonard is an American gospel musician and songwriter. She released the extended play Grace in 2013 with the hit lead single "Break Every Chain". The EP reached No. 61 on the Billboard charts.
BlackByrd is a South Africa pop trio from Cape Town. Formed in 2012, the group currently consists of Tarryn Lamb, Axene Chaberski and Tamsyn Maker. BlackByrd’s sound is firmly rooted in pop-country with ballads about love and heartbreak. The band formed after Tarryn Lamb posted an advert on Gumtree in 2012, looking for other musicians to start an all-girl group. Within a couple of months, they were signed by EMI and released their debut album, Strong. Blackbyrd disbanded after member Tamsyn passed in 2022
Shekhinah Thandi Donnell, known mononymously as Shekhinah, is a South African singer-songwriter, Shekhinah was among the Top 32 of M-Net's Season 7 of SA Idols in 2011 and among the Top 6 of Season 8 of SA Idols in 2012.
Amanda Benedicta Antony, known professionally as Amanda Black, is a South African singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Gcuwa, her career began in 1999 at the age of 6 singing in church choirs. Amanda was a contestant on Idols South Africa season 11. Black relocated to Johannesburg in 2016 to pursue her music career. She signed a record deal with Ambitiouz Entertainment in 2016 and achieved recognition in the same year following the release of her hit single "Amazulu", which was nominated for several music awards.
Faces to the Sun is the sixth studio album by South African Afropop band Mango Groove. Released in October 2016, Faces to the Sun is a double album with more than a dozen featured artists. The first disc comprises renditions of major South African pop songs. Lead singer Claire Johnston described the selections as "personal favourites of ours" that are about what it means to be South African. The second disc features eight original songs, plus a remix of Mango Groove's cover of "Durban Road".
Greatest Hits: The Queen of African Pop (1964–2004) is a posthumous greatest hits album by South African Afro-pop singer Brenda Fassie. The album was released on November 30, 2004 via EMI Music Distribution.
Tasha Baxter is a South African singer-songwriter. Baxter has 5 South African Music Awards nominations and won "Best Pop Album" and "Newcomer of the Year" for her album "Colour of Me".
Mukengerwa Tresor Riziki, best known by his stage name Tresor, is a Congolese-born singer, songwriter, music producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He gained prominence in 2015 after releasing his single "Mount Everest" from his debut album, VII. His name "Tresor", when translated from French, means "treasure".
Jackie Queens is a Zimbabwean-born singer and songwriter. Her music is a combination of House containing elements from deep house and soulful house. She’s also the founder of Bae Electronica, a record label she launched to release her own music and also showcase other black women house musicians.