From South Africa to South Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids From South Africa to South Carolina
Studio album by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
Released	November 1975
Recorded	June–July 1975
Studio	D&B Sound in Silver Spring, Maryland
Label	Arista
Producer	Perpis-Fall Music, Inc., Jose Williams, Midnight Band
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson chronology
The First Minute of a New Day (1975) From South Africa to South Carolina (1975) It's Your World (1976)

From South Africa to South Carolina is a studio album by American artists Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson. It was released in November 1975 by Arista Records. This album blends music with important messages.

Gil Scott-Heron performed two songs from the album, "Johannesburg" and "A Lovely Day," on Saturday Night Live in December 1975. The album reached No. 103 on the Billboard 200 chart. The song "Johannesburg" also became a popular "disco" hit.

Making the Music

The music for this album was created by a group called the Midnight Band. This band was led by Brian Jackson, who played many instruments. The album was recorded in June and July of 1975.

Songs on the Album

This album features several songs with strong messages and interesting stories.

Side One Songs

• "Johannesburg" 4:52
• "A Toast to the People" 5:47
• "The Summer of '42" 4:42
• "Beginnings (The First Minute of a New Day)" 6:23

Side Two Songs

• "South Carolina (Barnwell)" 3:45
• "Essex" 9:17
• "Fell Together" 4:30
• "A Lovely Day" 3:29

Special Bonus Tracks

Later versions of the album included extra songs. These bonus tracks often came from live performances or other special projects.

Live Performances

• "South Carolina (Barnwell)" (Live from the No Nukes concert at Madison Square Garden) 6:29
• "Save the Children" (Live from Blues Alley, Washington DC) 4:23
• "Johannesburg" (Live from Gil Scott-Heron: Black Wax) 11:14

Songs for a Cause

• "Let Me See Your I.D." (from Sun City: Artists Against Apartheid) 7:30

This song was part of a project where many artists came together to speak out against apartheid. Apartheid was a system of unfair racial separation in South Africa.

The Musicians Behind the Album

Many talented musicians helped create From South Africa to South Carolina.

Main Performers

• Gil Scott-Heron - vocals, electric piano
• Brian Jackson - vocals, flute, keyboards, synthesizer

The Midnight Band Members

• Victor Brown - vocals, tambourine, bells
• Bilal Sunni Ali - saxophone, flute, harmonica
• Danny Bowens - bass
• Bob Adams - drums
• Charlie Saunders - congas, Chinese drum
• Barnett Williams - congas, djembe drums, shekere
• Adenola - congas

Guest Artists on "Let Me See Your I.D."

The song "Let Me See Your I.D." featured a group of amazing artists:

• Big Youth
• Ray Barretto
• Brian Jackson
• Duke Bootee
• Peter Garrett
• Grandmaster Melle Mel
• Gil Scott-Heron