In what is heralded as the most exciting night of the year – a night where only the very best in the business unite – finalists were announced in the race to win one of the most esteemed awards in the SA recording industry – the MTN SAMA.



Lead singer Ross Learmonth, drummer Dale Schnettler, lead guitarist Dirk Bisschoff, bass guitarist Marco Gomes and keyboard player Neil Breytenbach are all blown away by their multiple nominations at the MTN SAMA 17 nominee launch celebration held on Wednesday evening, 13 April, at La Toscana, Montecasino.



Prime Circle came up trumps with nominations in the following, highly contested categories:

· ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Jekyll & Hyde)

· BEST DUO OR GROUP

· RECORD OF THE YEAR (for Jekyll & Hyde ‘s first single “Breathing”)

· BEST ROCK ALBUM – ENGLISH (Jekyll & Hyde)

· BEST PRODUCER (Theo Crous)

· BEST ALBUM PACKAGING (Jekyll & Hyde)



Prime Circle released Jekyll & Hyde, their fourth studio album, last September. Besides sell-out shows and high-rotation on playlists right across the country, the album has already sold a staggering 36 000 copies – eight short months after release.



“This was a risky album for us to release,” Ross says of Jekyll & Hyde. “It was less commercial sounding than the previous three, with an overall harder edge. Being nominated in six categories is the coolest and wonderful recognition for an album that represents who we are and where we’re headed.”



The current singles, “Never Gonna Bring Us Down” (currently #20 on 5FM) and “Turning in My Sleep” (which is peaking at regional radio stations such as Highveld, KFM and Jacaranda), sees the band humbled by the multiple, multifaceted acknowledgements.



“Every band and artist aspires to get a MTN SAMA nomination,” says Kevin Grenfell, EMI Music’s New Music Marketing Manager. “For Prime Circle to be nominated in six categories bares testament to their addictive aptitude. Their success is something we are very, very proud of.”





The now many accomplishments of Jekyll & Hyde began the week the album was first released when it sold an unprecedented 20 000 copies in a little over seven days. Since then Prime Circle has maintained extraordinary momentum that is now realised with six MTN SAMA 17 nominations – testament to their musical distinction that looks to grow further and impress beyond this remarkable high point in their career.



For more information on the band check out: www.primecircle.co.za or www.facebook.com/prime.circle