music. Not only did he often spend the little money that he had on an extensive collection of first editions by local authors, he rarely missed the opening night of any locally penned play. It was perhaps this uniquely SA philosophy that allows many important actors, writers and musicians to quote him as an influence. James Phillips was a complex human being who, at the same time as having an almost sage-like philosophical outlook, could also show naivety, and be selfish whilst showing extraordinary selflessness, often giving time and what little money he had to those in need. He drew people in; everyone was a friend of James. He lived the rock & roll lifestyle; his capacity for the jol was legendary and abstention was foreign to his nature. Despite his often arrogant and undisciplined way of approaching many aspects of his life, the legacy he leaves is that of one of the most aware, articulate and passionate artists to have been produced by South Africa. His life ended early when he died of injuries sustained in a motorcar accident, just outside Grahamstown, where he'd been doing a series of solo concerts at the National Arts Festival. He died never having gained recognition from the public over an important body of work. In his memorial concert a few weeks after his death, Vusi Mahlasela, Johnny Clegg, David Kramer, Lesego Rampolokeng with the Kalahari Surfers, Johannes Kerkorrel and others gathered to pay tribute to James' influence as an artist. And yet to the majority of South Africans, he remains completely unknown. He had been working on film music and television commercials with Warrick Sony (of the Kalahari Surfers) in the year before his death and seemed to find some satisfaction in applying his vast musical expertise to problem-solving in the commercial environment. His love of Beethoven was something that few people knew about but he often cited the master as an influence on his sense of light and shade. IN 1995 Shifty Records released a career retrospective compilation Made in South Africa. In 1997 the same label released Soul Ou, a collection of demo tapes of mostly new songs that Phillips had planned to perform at Grahamstown in 1995. These stark, unaccompanied recordings show that Phillips was still evolving as a songwriter and player, and are regarded as some of his best work. Discography All titles were released on the Shifty