The well-known singer with the husky voice, Dozi, and the seasoned songwriter Stef Kruger have always been a winning combination. Dozi recorded no less than 59 songs of Stef up to date - many of these songs like Tussen Jou en My, Ma se Song en Grassade in die Wind became big hits. These two ‘music-ghoeroes’ in the local music industry formed a successful collaboration since Dozi’s first Afrikaans album Op aanvraag for which Stef penned numerous songs. (Op Aanvraag sold more than 100 000 copies and received double-platinum status.) Their successful partnership elaborated in another popular album Siyaya (platinum-status) for which Stef composed ten songs and Dozi’s album Kruispad boasted no less than ten songs written by Stef.
Since then Stef moved to Oudtshoorn Dozi worked on other projects and therefore their working relationship came to a standstill.
“We decided recently that it is time to work together again - and therefore the title of the new album Terug by die begin”, explains Dozi.
Stef composed no less than 14 songs for Terug by die begin and Dozi composed one song, Wasifela (a Zoeloe gospel song which means ‘He died for us’ ).
Dozi loves Stef’s style of song writing. “Stef’s lyrics are meaningful and the songs also tells beautiful stories,” he says and refers to the songs Mot and Leelatjie on the new album. “One can identify with Stef’s songs.
Some of the songs on the new album suits Dozi’s style and husky voice perfectly.
Stef admits his inspiration for his songs stem from incidents and people who cross his path.
“I love photography and was taking picture recently in a coloured area when a little boy approached me and asked me where his mother and father are. This incident lead to the song Weggooikind. “I get an idea and finish the story by myself. The song Leelatjie is about a women on the streets who tries to make a living. I heard the story five years ago on a plane and composed a song afterwards about this extraordinary woman.”
Stef said it was wonderful to pick up his old partnership with Dozi.
“While working on the new album, it just felt like we never stopped working together.”
Top musicians like Denny Lalouette (bass) Vinnie Henrico (drums) and talented trumpet- and saxophone players support Dozi on his twelfth album. The angel voices of children choirs also compliment Dozi’s distinctive voice on a few songs.
Terug by die Begin will be released at this year’s Klein Karoo National Arts festival in Oudtshoorn. Festivalgoers van also catch Dozi in action at the festival where he will sing old favourites as well as his latest songs. Prior to the KKNK he will also tour in the Cape to promote his latest album.
Besides his new solo-album Dozi will also collaborate with Nianell for another duet-album. (Their previous duet-album Take Two has been a big hit). They will also perform together at various occasions. Dozi (44) admits he is in a ‘very happy spot’ at this stage of his life. “When I am not performing, you will catch me at my home near the Hartbeespoortdam where I will practice guitar or sweat it out in my home gymnasium.”
He hasn’t become tired of performing at all. “I am the happiest person when I sing. I don’t mind how many CD’s I sell or how many people are in the audience.
“Whether I sing for two people - like I used to do in my younger days - or for 4000 people, that is not important. As long as I can sing - music is my life and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
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