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.BILLY BANG QUINTET FEATURING FRANK LOWE
Above & Beyond: Live in Grand Rapids
DIANA KRALL
The Very Best of Diana Krall
Various Artists
Upstairs at Larry's: Lawrence Welk Uncorked
Azar Lawrence & Al Mclean
Frontiers
STEVE SWALLOW with ROBERT CREELY
So There
Mike Longo And The New York State Of The Art Jazz Ensemble
Live From New York
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