SA: Sheer acquires Neill Solomon’s music catalogues

Additionally, the publishing company – which spent half of last year pursuing Solomon and his works – will also be administering his commercial music catalogue.

“Good things come to those who wait,” Solomon said. “It’s been on the cards for quite some time. Sheer Publishing Africa undoubtedly offers the space and creativity for their members to thrive. I have high expectations of the industry, my craft and myself and Sheer Publishing Africa respects this.”

From fronting Neill Solomon and the Uptown Rhythm Dogs to Neill Solomon and the Passenger, Solomon is regarded as a visionary in the music industry with his distinctive vocal style and musical agility.

“Collaboration is the ability to work with dynamic, powerful and adventurous creatives, advancing a common cause and a vision to determine success,” he said. “This is exactly what the Sheer Publishing Africa team encompasses. It will give me options to explore and create in all spheres with other artists. This is what I am most excited about. This way, I can continue my conversation with music. There is a great deal of value in sharing these conversations with others and seeing where the conversation leads.”

Sheer Publishing Africa managing director Thando Makhunga said: “Sheer works to build relationships with key clients and customers throughout the industry and when the opportunity arose to partner with Neill, we were excited and ready to pursue an agreement. We strive to work with the best creators on the continent and Neill is most certainly a premiere composer.

Eager about their plans for the future, she added: “The catalogue will be part of the Skhumba library of production music, which includes catalogues from of the best composers in the country and is accessible on our recently launched production music portal search.sheer.co.za.”

Solomon is well known for his pioneering work with his bands in the 1980s and 1990s, which produced albums such as The Occupant, Rule of the Swallow, and Gathering of the Beasts. The Occupant, released in 1981, was rated one of the top albums of the year by Billboard.

Having worked with many musical talents around the world, his versatile and distinct sound has taken him on a musical journey around the world. He has scored the music for many internationally recognised film and theatre productions such as the acclaimed Jock: A True Tale of Friendship and Gavin Hood’s A Reasonable Man. Solomon was also responsible for composing the music for six years for the daily South African soapie Isidingo.