Into the groove we slide, again
Mango Groove's hit song Special Star could arguably be one of South Africa's post-apartheid theme songs. Now the group is dazzling both young and old at festivals ahead of their latest album release.Lead singer Claire Johnston, who has been with the group for over 30 years, said that since joining Mango Groove at 17 she had lost none of her passion for performing."You almost don't realise how much time has gone by, especially if you keep your passion and you still want to do it."Times may have changed but the essence of performing is the same. You're still on stage having fun and that has remained the ethos of Mango Groove," she said.The band will perform at the Emmarentia Live festival on Women's Day next month alongside Freshlyground, Gangs of Ballet, Beatenberg and MiCasa.Fans can expect hits like Special Star, Hellfire, Dance Sum More and their latest single Faces to the Sun.During their hiatus the group have been working on new music. Johnston wasn't ready to elaborate on details of the new album but explained that it would be released in a few months." This album has taken longer because a lot of us went through a rough personal time, it's been very emotional but that has made it a very special album."Faces to the Sun , which was released late last year, is authentically Mango Groove and sounds fresh.Johnston said: "Mango makes more sense live" and that people still loved their older hits."Twenty years ago I got annoyed that people only wanted to hear Special Star, but I realised that people love it so much and I shouldn't question it."Even though people know the song, they are still surprised every time we play it."The 11-member group has performed at a few local music festivals this year but remains selective about how often and where to perform.Johnston said this was because they realised the importance of taking a break."Mango Groove is not everyone's cup of tea but, to the extent that it is, we can't barge into people's living rooms every day. We have to give people time and space to fall in love with us."..
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