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.Little Charlie And Organ Grinder Swing
Skronky Tonk
Rachelle Garniez & the Fortunate Few
Luckyday
JAKE SHIMABUKURO
Dragon
PAT METHENY
WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT
JACK DEJONETTE AND BILL FRISELL
The Elephant Sleeps But Still Remembers
LENNY MARCUS TRIO
Sun Ray - A Tribute to Ray Bryant
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