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.MIKE FROST PROJECT
Comin' Straigt At Ya'
Various Artists
European Jazz Stage (Radio Netherlands Worldwide)
The Bill Belasco Trio
Three Musicians
ELISABETH KONTOMANOU
Back to My Groove
JAMBALAYA BRASS BAND
IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE
THE MATT SAVAGE TRIO
Hot Ticket
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