I’m definitely behind the curve on this one! Went to check out Searching For Sugar Man at the Curzon in Soho yesterday and was blown away. I like to see documentaries on the big screen… it’s a different experience… you get immersed in the story and when it comes to Searching For Sugar Man I have to say. “Brilliant story!”.

Basically, this is how it goes. Rodriguez made two albums in the early Seventies for Sussex / Buddha in the States. Though the producers and musicians like Dennis Coffey loved them both ‘Cold Fact’ and ‘Coming From Reality’ bombed in the US and Rodriguez vanished into the cold, harsh working class neighbourhoods of Detroit without a trace. However, in South Africa, as the struggle against apartheid grew, Rodriguez’s music and lyrics found a place in the hearts and minds of the young Afrikaaneers who were ready for change and opposed to Botha and the apartheid regime. Sixto Rodriguez was bigger than Elvis and way bigger than the Rolling Stones in South Africa but nobody knew anything about him. He was an enigma and that where this documentary kicks off.

I’m not going to blow the story ’cause you need to check the film… but I can say that Rodriguez is alive and well, despite rumours that he’s killed himself onstage with a pistol to head. In fact, he is playing the Royal Festival Hall in November and the reason I say I’m lagging behind on this one is the concert is already SOLD OUT!

This is a deep story and Sixto Rodriguez is a very deep and humble man. Check him out.