Piet Botha en sy groep Jack Hammer gaan eersdaags weer ‘n nuwe album opneem. Die album sal “Highway 13” heet en bevat ‘n deurlopende tema wat van die titel afgelei kan word. Van hierdie nuwe werke sal gehoor kan word wanneer Piet en Johnathan Martin teen middel Februarie vir tien dae deur die Kaap rits.

Benewens die nuwe oorspronklike werke is daar ook baie toevoegings tot hulle repertoire van nuwe materiaal soos bv. ‘n paar Johnny Cash interpretasies van Ameridan Redordings reeks, asook hulle eie verwerkings van werke deur Nick Drake, Warren Zevon, Neil Young en andere.

“Ons wil die nuwe tunes inspeel voor April, dan moet dit ateljee toe”, het Botha gesê. “Ons klank het weer sy eie rigting ingeslaan, soos wat elke paar jaar gebeur, ‘n tipe metamorfose as jy wil, en dis baie opwindend, die nuwe klanke en temas en ritmes. Daar blyk ook ‘n tipe “country” spook rond te dwaal, maar dis ‘n donker karakter!”

Tydens hulle vinnige toer sal hulle darem ook van die ou gunstelinge vir gehore in gereedheid hê. Hulle sal op baie van die vertonings bygestaan word deur ‘n ou kollega. Mnr. Schalk van der Merwe, ‘n meester van die baskitaar.

Alhoewel Jack Hammer verlede jaar maar min in die Kaap was hoop hulle om later vanjaar ‘n behoorlike Kaapse draai te maak met die vrystelling van “Highway 13”. Die planne tans is om die album in Mosambiek te “launch” met die STRAB fees (www.strab.co.za ), wat einde Mei plaasvind. Botha het ook belowe om die webwerf www.jackhammer.co.za op datum te hou in die komende jaar.

2004 saw the band returning to their roots, so to speak, with the release of a double live CD, 'Piet Botha and Jack Hammer - Live at the Nile', followed by a long-awaited studio production, 'The Pilgrim', the first full Jack Hammer studio album since 1996’s ‘Death Of A Gypsy’. ‘The Pilgrim’ is a strong album with hauntingly different harmonies and textures showcasing the bands rich experience and talent. The title track includes Siya

Makuzeni, Jacob Wulana and Samuel Shoai. Jacob and Sam are members of the reggae band ‘Tidal Waves’. ‘The Pilgrim is the story about a traveler who has to make certain decisions at a turning point on his journey as he also reminisces about the road so far.

The album was produced by Lanie van der Walt, who was also responsible for award-winning ‘Die Mamba’ (SA Rock Digest Best rock album 2003). Throughout the many years of performing and recording, the band has refused to compromise or bow to commercial pressure and that is why their work is timeless. This is evident when listening to their earlier work as far back as 'Jack Of All Trades'.

Botha has this to say, "Jack Hammer was a rock band performing in the English language when we started and the swing to Afrikaans was a lovely and vibrant thing at the time, but now it's time to go back , in order to move forward. ‘The Pilgrim’ marks the return to our roots and the start of a new journey".

Piet Botha was one of the first musicians inducted into the SA Rock Hall of Fame in January 2002, alongside James Phillips (who died in 1995). Other media highlights over the years include performing with Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and ZZ Top on their SA tours, and of late with the legendary Shawn Phillips, and also with Vusi Mahlasela. Last year also marked the band’s 10th anniversary gig at Oppikoppi, the most prestigious festival on the SA Rock calendar. Piet has been making music for over 30 years and celebrates a 25 year recording career this year.

Piet Botha and his band Jack Hammer are truly Legends of South African Rock