The story of Love & Miracles genesis goes back some 14 years ago when, in 2007, RJ Benjamin, a then-rising star, singer and prolific music producer, met the already legendary Vicky Sampson. At the time, the two were building a strong working relationship and friendship. Benjamin acted as the producer for several songs Sampson had penned.
One track she presented was a ballad titled Love & Miracles, a song she had written with another celebrated musician and bassist, Trevor Donjeany, best-known and respected for his work with the late-great Johnny Clegg. The song was perfectly penned to be a duet and naturally, Benjamin agreed to sing alongside Sampson.
Sadly, the original recording of Love & Miracles was shelved, never to be heard and with it, the growing relationship these two great South African musicians had forged to that point. Fast forward to 2020 when a pandemic and a national lockdown gripped the world. For many artists, this became a time of reflection, and for Benjamin a chance to finally dig into the “what ifs” around his unpublished and unreleased archives.
Upon re-listening to one such gem, Love & Miracles, it became clear to Benjamin that the song deserved to be heard by both his fans and the many loyal followers of Sampson. On a phone call that saw the two artists reconnected and a unique friendship rekindled, the duo agreed to re-record and re-release it three weeks ago. The song is out now on all streaming platforms.
I caught up with the legendary Vicky Sampson last week:
Performing artist, composer and singer.
Music opens doors to the minds and the hearts of people all around the world.
Bringing to life my experiences and many experiences of those who do not always have a voice to express themselves.
Be careful as you climb the stairs how you treat others as at some point you have to come down those same stairs.
A dream for the world to know who you are and hear your music, but to me it goes much deeper than that - it’s about changing lives.
I die.
Big egos and unkind behaviour.
Adele, Seal and Oleta Adams.
To the mountains or alternatively climb mountains of my own.
It’s connecting with people after a performance and hearing their stories.
My Afrikan Dream.
I once got stuck halfway between the stage and the floor on a lift coming up onto stage and ended up with my co-singer singing our duet only with our top halves out.
People who stand up for what they believe in, fight against injustice and stand for those who have no voice.
I always tend to follow my own style preferences.
Tina Turner. She has proven that one can overcome the greatest odds and rise above it. This has encouraged me to never give up and to believe in myself.
I don’t have one, but I would say my mind if that were to be considered as a possession.
Tequila.
Radio City Music Hall in New York.
My voice, not just as a singer but as an activist as well.
Vickster, Vickson, Vickles, Vicks, Vikayla, and Sampsonite are just a few.
I really don’t know. I would most likely be working with animals and nature as that was my dream when I was a child.
Patient, humorous, loving, spontaneous and never dull.
Manifest. A series about a group of people who go missing for five years, yet when their plane lands they believe it’s only been a day. They all possess special powers thereafter.
City of Angels directed by Brad Silberling featuring Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage.
Never, Never, Never by Shirley Bassey. At the age of seven, I realised that I had a voice. She remains one of my favourite performers to this day.
I love God, my children and my freedom.
Yasis!
To have a home by the mountain with a river running by.
My kids. What else would it be?
People who don’t have etiquette on social media or via means of telephonic use.
My biggest fear is that I will never have as much fun as I should have or live a life which impacts others positively.
A state of being what I have yet to achieve. But on a more immediate note, it’s seeing my kids happy and fulfilled.
Perspire a lot and sometimes I tend to talk too much.
Martin Myers 19 Jan 2022
Be kind to others and oneself. There are still many lessons being learned.
My trip to the Serengeti. It was arduous and took an entire day but the outcome was worth it.
I do work for St. Anne’s, which is a home for abused women and children as well as various appearances at some community high schools.
I wish to be completely debt-free, own a home I can call mine and work on my project for peace in Africa.
