PAUL HANMER & UNOFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Primal Steps

Julian Fairall

So you think you can play the bass? Well, if you can play anything like Pete Sklair then I’d agree that you can…but if not, like the rest of us mere mortals, then I’d suggest maybe the triangle!!! Seriously, Pete is a monster, and not a lot of South Africans, let alone SA bassists even know who he is. Man, that’s a tragedy of note. Do yourselves a favour and check out everything this man does. I’m a huge Paul Hanmer fan as it is, so having this already is no surprise, but this particular Hanmer album is one of my favourites for another reason - ex-Tananas drummer/percussionist, Ian Herman lays down the thickest grooves with Pete. This is one of those albums that every music lover should own, and every bass player should steal from. A beautiful blend of local music styles, combined with Hanmer’s unique playing gives us an album that 13 years later still excites and still is a necessary addition to any collection:

Overall: Buy it!