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.Q-BURNS
Abstract Message
TICKLAH
Ticklah Vs. Axelrod
BILLY BANG QUINTET FEATURING FRANK LOWE
Above & Beyond: Live in Grand Rapids
MADEiLINE PEYROUX
Half the Perfect World
Mike Longo And The New York State Of The Art Jazz Ensemble
Live From New York
Aaron Goldberg
The Now
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