DUDU PHUKWANA AND THE SPEARS

L'album di debutto di Dudu Pukwana del 1968, registrato a Londra, è uscito solo in Sud Africa.Un secondo album di registrazioni per lo più inedite del 1969 con Richard Thompson, Simon Nicol, Joe Mogotsi, Chris McGregor, Mongezi Feza, Louis Moholo, membri di Osibisa e altri.Prodotto originariamente da Joe Boyd.Audio rimasterizzato, doppio album apribile, vinile pesante da 180 g.Fotografie inedite di Val Wilmer.Nuove note di copertina di Richard Haslop si uniscono ai punti storici.Dudu Pukwana and the Spears ha registrato a Londra, ma è stato pubblicato solo in Sud Africa. La storia dietro questa musica straordinaria e i nomi famosi coinvolti sono documentati in questa edizione estesa dell'album di debutto di Dudu Pukwana.Nel 1964 i Blue Notes lasciarono il Sudafrica per suonare all'Antibes Jazz Festival in Francia, e più o meno rimasero per sempre. Nel gennaio 1969 il sassofonista contralto Dudu Pukwana tornò a casa brevemente insieme al produttore Joe Boyd che persuase la casa discografica di Johannesburg Trutone a concedere in licenza le registrazioni per il rilascio in Sud Africa.La scoperta di Matsuli Music di una seconda sessione di registrazione inedita a Londra, dopo la visita di Dudu in Sud Africa, rivela musica e storia fino ad allora sconosciute. Oltre a Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention) e Joe Mogotsi (Manhattan Brothers) che danno il loro contributo a successi mbaqanga come Sibuyile, si possono ascoltare anche il leggendario Church Mouse dei Blue Notes e una prima versione di Andromeda.Con lo stile esplosivo e l'energia di Pukwana evidenti dappertutto, questo album riempie un emozionante e importante pezzo perduto delle Blue Notes e della storia del jazz in esilio in Sudafrica. MATSULI MUSIC

KOKO JONES "WHO'S THAT LADY?"

Koko Jones, the master percussionist and band-leader, makes her international debut in 2011. Koko brings a ton of experience to her new band. This talented percussionist has played and recorded with great artists such as Whitney Houston, The Isley Brothers, Carlos Santana, Reggie Workman, Louie Vega and Luisito Quintero. Leading a talented rhythm section and accompanied by 4 beautiful vocalists, Koko blazes a fresh trail through lush territories of soul, jazz and Latin music. Musically Koko has studied in a wide range of educational settings. From her days as a student at UMASS/Amherst where she studied with Jazz legends Max Roach and Archie Shepp to her days in New York City studying at the famed Jazzmobile and Tanawa Drum & Dance. Koko has certainly developed a strong musical upbringing. KOKO JONES
 

RON RAHSAAN WARWELL & SHAMEK FARRAH " FLOWERS FOR MOM"

Shamek Farrah is an alto saxophone player, who was featured on many Strata-East Records albums, and released two albums on the label as leader. Reviewing First Impressions, Allmusic said: "This is the standard spiritually intense new jazz one learns to expect from the label, soaked in some Eastern influences but always with its ear to the street.". He was born Anthony Domacase in New York City, New York. He began studying the alto saxophone under Garvin Bushel at age 12. In the late 1960s he began performing with upcoming Latin and Latin-jazz groups around the New York area. In the mid 1970’s and 80’s when live loft jazz was popular in New York City, He performed with his own groups and other prominent jazz musicians such as Sonelius Smith, Rashid Ali, John Stubblefield, Carlos Garnett, Walter Davis Jr.. In late 1972, at age 25, he signed with Strata-East Records and in 1974 his first jazz album "First Impressions" was released. In 1977 his second Strata-East Records album, Shamek Farrah/Sonelius Smith-The World Of The Children. In 1979, he signed with RA Records and the album Shamek Farrah And Folks-La De La La was released in 1980. Each of those recordings have since been re-released. First Impressions and The World Of The Children were re-released in 1996 on the Japanese record label, Bomba Records and Shamek Farrah And Folks-La De La La was re-released in 2002 on the Quadraphonic Sound Modules Records label. His legendary composition "First Impressions" performed on the album of the same name continues to fascinate listeners around the world many years after its inception. In 1992, Soul Jazz Records, a British record label, released the original recording of "First Impression" on a compilation CD "Soul Jazz Loves Strata-East" featuring other Strata-East Records artists as well. In 2006 the British record label Soul Brothers Records re-release "First Impressions" again on a compilation CD "Fusion With Attitude" featuring jazz greats Joe Henderson, Nat Adderley and Walter Bishop Jr. performing on their own selections. 
 

ABAHAMBI "BALOMHLABA"

Due longtime registrati per Tom Roskow, che ha deciso finalmente di esaudire il suo sogno, e formare cosi l'etichetta discografica Black Pearl Records. Condividendo in questo modo le sue infinite  conoscenze musicali, acquisite attraverso 20 anni di esperienza di registrazioni, e da queste impegnarsi nella loro interminabile ricerca del brano perfetto. Con un grande ambizione: quello di poter dare alle persone, l'opportunità di condividere questo circolo musicale e diffondere la grande musica, che cosi hanno scoperto! Qui un assaggio di un nuovo album, intriso di jazz funk, groove e afro, di appunto Abahambi, intitolato "Balomhlaba", per un buon ascolto in relax, senza giramenti di testa.