The Square Set
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | March 1966 |
| Headquarters | Cape Town , South Africa |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Square Set was a rock ensemble from Cape Town, South Africa, active during the 1960s and recognized for chart-topping tracks such as Silence is Golden (which reached number 1 in South Africa in 1967), Carol Corina (peaking at number 10 in South Africa in 1968), and That's What I Want (which achieved number 1 status internationally in Brazil, Argentina, and Portugal between 1971 and 1972).
History
Originating in March 1966 under the name Neville Whitmill and the Humans, the founding members Nol Klinkhamer, Neville Whitmill, Derek Marks, and Keith Moffat dedicated six months to daily rehearsals, during which they composed original pieces including Silence is Golden and Dance With Me. Nol Klinkhamer, a Dutch musician trained at a Conservatoire with backgrounds in jazz and classical music, contributed piano, organ, vibraphone, and harpsichord performances that infused the group’s style with jazz nuances. Vocalist Neville Whitmill brought experience from his time with The Settlers, drawing inspiration from artists such as Buddy Holly and Marvin Gaye. Meanwhile, Derek Marks and Keith Moffat introduced rock influences inspired by groups like The Beatles and Small Faces.
The band refined their performance skills at Cape Town’s Stables Night Club before entering A.V.S studios on Bree Street for recordings in August 1966. It was during this phase that they adopted the name The Square Set. Their musical identity blended soulful vocal delivery and jazz-inflected organ melodies—especially featuring the Hammond organ—with rock-driven bass and percussion.
Produced by Graham Beggs, the then-unreleased track Silence Is Golden was issued on Gallo's Continental label around March 1967 and climbed to number 4 on the Springbok radio charts by August of that year. This accomplishment paved the way for their first album titled Silence Is Golden.
The song That's What I Want, initially recorded by the UK group The Marauders in 1963 and subsequently by Ronnie Singer Sound—a band linked to Derek Marks—was reinterpreted by The Square Set for their album release. Distributed across South America via Decca Records, it reached the top position on music charts in Brazil and Argentina in 1971 as well as Portugal in 1972.
After their debut album, the group released a follow-up titled Loving You is Sweeter than Ever before pausing their activities. During this interval, Nol Klinkhamer furthered his jazz education at Berklee College of Music. Upon his return, Klinkhamer and Whitmill reunited with Johnny Boshoff on bass and Tony Moore on drums to produce Those Many Feelings in 1972—an album reflecting contemporary jazz-rock influences inspired by musicians like Michael Colombier.
Members
- Nol Klinkhamer – Dutch-born pianist/organist specializing in jazz; departed October 1968; returned in 1972
- Neville Whitmill – Lead vocalist from Cape Town; left October 1968; rejoined 1972
- Keith Moffat – Drummer from Port Elizabeth featured on debut album
- Derek Marks – Bassist on first two albums including Carol Carina; exited October 1968
- Mercia Love – Vocalist who joined November 1967
- Don Robertson – Drummer until September 1967; formerly of Gene Rockwell and the Falcons
- Malcolm Postlethwaite – Took over drums starting September 1967
- Mike Faure – Saxophonist active in 1968
- Johnny Boshoff – Bass player joining in 1972
- Tony Moore – Drummer from 1972
Albums
- Silence Is Golden, Continental ZB 8167, released 1967
- Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever, Gallotone GALP 1573, released 1968
- That's What I Want, Continental/Sony SZB 8221, released 1969
- Those Many Feelings, Gallotone SGALP 1657, released 1972
Singles
The Square Set
- "Silence Is Golden" / "It's A Man's World", Continental PD 9222, 1967; reached South African chart position number 3
- "Carol Corina" / "U", Continental PD 9284, 1967
- "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" / "Georgia (On My Mind)", Continental PD 9348, 1968
- "That's What I Want" / "Come On", Jazzville SL.5, 1968
Neville Whitmill
- "Have Mercy On Me" / "Get Me Some Help", Continental PD 9773, 1971; peaked at number 2 in South Africa
- "That's Why" / "Gone Those Days", Continental PD 9796, 1971
- "Silence Is Golden" / "One More Tear, One More Heartache", Continental 9982, 1974
Nol Klinkhamer
- "The In Crowd" / "Critics Choice", Smanje Manje SJM 12, 1967