naturalismo

For years I assumed that my single of Rodriquez’ “Sugarman” served as the beginning and end to his discography. After so many pursuits of entire albums leading from a single song only to be let down by an albums worth of subpar filler, it can feel a bit taxing to repeat the tireless process time and time again. Luckily I happened upon a copy of his 1969 LP Cold Fact a few years back and was completely blown away by the entire album. It’s easy to compare Rodriquez’ music to Donovan, but no more than you can conflate the latter to Dylan. That Cold Fact sank like a rock upon release was less to do with the music and more likely the result of some of his on stage banter and personality, such as the time he was performing at an industry showcase and played the entire set with his back towards the audience. In the mid to late 70’s Cold Fact found a new fanbase in South Africa’s revolutionary inclined youth, unknown to Rodriquez himself, it wasn’t until 2002 that a journalist sought down the long rumored to be dead of a heroin overdose musician. Today, August 19th, marks the first CD release of Cold Fact on the wonderful Light in the Attic records. Hopefully this release will give Sixto Diaz Rodriguez more of a slice of the respect that he unfortunately was never able to fully garner in the West. Really, to be honest, the more I listen to this album the more it works its way onto my regular rotation-go to-shelf.

Buy it here.

Listen to three tracks from the album:

Rodriguez – Hate Street Dialogue *LINK FIXED*

“I tasted Hate streets hanging tree”

Rodriguez – Inner City Blues

Rodriguez – Sugarman

Edvard