2010-06-14
Strut Records concludes a three-CD set of early South African music by highlighting that country's jazz musicians of the '60s, '70s and '80s. While many prominent artists fled South Africa for the safer and richer shores of the U.S. and Europe, these musicians stayed and kept jazz alive. Some interesting stuff here -- you can hear the roots of what Hugh Masekela wound up doing with "Grazin' in the Grass" in 1968. The Malombo cuts are the ones that fuse jazz and African rhythms the most extensively. That these artists could play so skillfully during a time of great repression is amazing. Such is the power of music. 06/10 Michael J.
Various Artists
Upstairs at Larry's: Lawrence Welk Uncorked
Joe Ferrara
The Tiger Walks Through My Dreams
Dave Potter
You Already Know
CLIFTON ANDERSON
AND SO WE CARRY ON
MADELEINE PEYROUX
BARE BONES
SHAWN LEE'S PING PONG ORCHESTRA
Reel To Reel
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