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.
KEN CLARK ORGAN TRIO
Mutual Respect
Kate McGarry
The Target
DON BYRON
“Do the Boomerang,” the Music of Junior Walker
LAVAY SMITH & HER RED HOT SKILLET LICKERS
MISS SMITH TO YOU
Joel Frahm with Brad Mehldau
Don't Explain
Sounds Of April & Randall
S.O.A.R.
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