GWIGWI'S BAND – KWELA (77 RECORDS, 1967)

 

A1. Good News
A2. Nyusamkhaya
A3. Lily Express
A4. Rough Deal
A5. Kwazakhele
A6. Mini Mthembo
A7. Hayini Bo
A8. Nick Thethe

B1. Mra
B2. Kweleentonga
B3. Botyana
B4. Ndaqmbayo
B5. Zangomva
B6. Zobongo
B7. Keleketle
B8. Ezindongeni

Dudu Pukwana, alto saxophone
Gwigwi Mrwebi, alto saxophone
Coleridge Goode, bass
Laurie Allan, drums
Chris McGregor, piano
Ronnie Beer, tenor saxophone

77 Records – 77 AFRO / 101

LP Rip

Dudu Pukwana & Spirits Rejoice, Nyon 1980 and Elton Dean Qt, London 2004

SPIRITS REJOICE
DUDU PUKWANA  soprano saxophone
EVAN PARKER  tenor saxophone
KENNY WHEELER  trumpet
RADU MALFATTI  trombone
IRENE SCHWEIZER  piano
HARRY MILLER  bass
LEON FRANCIOLI  bass
PIERRE FAVRE  drums

1. 33:05
2. 4:46 w. outro

1st June 1980.. Nyon Festival, France

Thanks to Bozo for this tape.  Once you get used to listening to this from inside one of the basses it's ok.  The saxes are a little on the quiet side but this is a stupendous grouping with some fabulous playing. Pretty wild (no township).  Something happens (?) at 33:05 so I put a track break in.

_________________________________________


ELTON DEAN  saxello 
JEROME      trombone
JOHN EDWARDS  bass
MARK FLETCHER  drums
compere Sybil Madrigal

3. 36:41

26th July 2004.. Boat-Ting, London
Gus recording

If anyone knows the surname of the trombonist, let me know - he's GRRREAT!!
Thanks to Gus for this very happening gig.  Enjoy

CHRiS McGREGOR GROUP :: Ronnie Scott's, London 1967

I don't remember where I found this, maybe in contributions section. Anyway here it is remastered, very early version of Brotherhood of Breath, albeit not yet using that moniker.

CHRiS McGREGOR GROUP - 31 December 1967, Ronnie Scott's, London

1. White Lines (5:30)
2. Travelling Somewhere (6:05)
3. New Year Carnival (10:40)
4. Nick Tete (10:42)
5. The Bride (12:32)

Chris McGregor - piano
John Surman - baritone saxophone
Ronnie Beer - tenor saxophone
Dudu Pukwana, Mike Osborne - alto saxophone
Jimmy Phillips - soprano saxophone
Mongezi Feza, Pat Higgs, Mick Collins - trumpet
Malcolm Griffiths, Chris Pyne - trombone
Dave Holland - bass
Alan Jackson - drums

UPCOMING & RECENT RELEASES XIX

The Corbett vs. Dempsey label keep going on reissuing rare and very interesting music. On June they will publish two cd reissues of classics lp from the Instant Composers Pool.

The first is the ICP Tentet « Tetterettet » with rare appearance from Gilius Van Bergeyk, Peter Bennink and also Alan Silva and John Tchicai to name a few.

http://www.corbettvsdempsey.com/2019/05/22/album-tetterettet/

The second cd reissue is the fantastic trio of Dudu Puckwana, Misha Mengelberg and Han Bennink, the great meeting between south African saxophonist and the two co-founders of the ICP.

http://www.corbettvsdempsey.com/2019/05/22/album-yi-yole/

I have also recently discovered this limited edition cd only available through the record store Downtownmusicgallery. It is a live performance done in 2012 in the store with Adam Lane, Oliver Lake, Viny Golia and Ross Hammond. Obviously it is a limited 100 copies cd.

https://www.discogs.com/fr/Vinny-Golia-Oliver-Lake-Ross-Hammond-2-And-Adam-Lane-Live-At-The-Downtown-Music-Gallery-NYC/release/9793318

Tete Mbambisa - Did You Tell Your Mother - 1979

Here is one record by one of the most unknown hero of the south African jazz. Tete Mbambisa has been considered as a major reference by musicians like Johnny Dyani or Dudu Pukwana. But Mbambisa have recorded only few records, less than ten for a man who is more than 80 years old. Here we have some very beautiful cape jazz, relaxed music with positive vibrations. Some of the musicians on this session can also be found on some records by Dollar Brand recorded and published by the same label like « Cape Town Fringe » or « Mannenberg Is Where It’s Happening ».

• Trane Ride - Past Time - Winter time - Irene

Bass: Zulu Bidi

Drums: Monty Weber

Piano/composition: Tete Mbambisa

Tenor Sax/Flute: Basil Coetzee

The Sun ml4258 published in 1979

Recently the label Matsuli Music have reissued the first session by Mbambisa under the name « The Soul Jazzmen »

https://matsulimusic.bandcamp.com/album/inhlupeko-distress

In 2012 independent producer Jonhattan Eato have recorded and published a superbe solo piano by Tete Mbambisa that can be found here

https://jisarecords.bandcamp.com/album/black-heroes

or

http://ev2.co.uk/jisa/records/content.html

Last but not least: a recent recording by Tete with British musicians have been published in south Africa in the end of 2017 in a very limited quantity, it will probably be issued in the world very soon. In preparation is also the first time issue of an unreleased session from 1978.

DUDU PUKWANA / JOHN STEVENS ‎– RADEBE - THEY SHOOT TO KILL (P-VINE RECORDS, 1989)

A. Mbizo Radebe Part 1 (They Shoot To Kill)

B. Mbizo Radebe Part 2 (They Shoot To Kill)


Dudu Pukwana, alto and soprano saxophone, piano, vocals

John Stevens, drums, mini trumpet


Recorded at The Glass Trap, Southall, Middlesex, England, January 14 1987.

P-Vine Records ‎– PLP-6505

LP Rip

DUDU PUKWANA & SPEAR ‎– IN THE TOWNSHIPS (CAROLINE, 1974)

A1. Baloyi
A2. Ezilalini
A3. Zukude

B1. Sonia
B2. Angel Nemali
B3. Nobomvu
B4. Sekela Khuluma


Dudu Pukwana, alto saxophone, piano, congas, percussion, vocals
Harry Miller, bass, bass guitar
Louis Monolo, drums, percussion
Bizo Mngqikana, tenor saxophone, percussion, vocals
Mongezi Feza, trumpet, congas, percussion, vocals


Recorded and mixed at the Manor Studio on 25th August and 10th November, 1973.

Caroline ‎– C1504

LP Rip

Atté - Sondela (feat. Dudu Pukwana)

One thing can lead to another. The last Dudu Pukwana post was based on a request and as a token of appreciation for our response Robert from the UK offered this blog yet another Pukwana-related recording. This one is a genuine obscurity and not even featured in Wallofsound's extensive discography. Well, actually it is, but you have to plow down to the comments section to spot it, to comments 7 - 9.

This was out on an Irish folk label, Calagh Records. The core is a South African vocal quartet which does a mix of traditional songs and newer tunes composed by Pukwana and fellow Blue Notes member Mongezi Feza. For accompaniment, Dudu has brought along his regular crew and solos alongside Atté on several of the tunes. Others are finely rendered accapella versions. Listeners well-known with African songs and the Blue Notes may easily recognise "Malaika" and the title tune, composed by Mongezi Feza. Altogether, a delightful album.

For details on each tune, please consult the scans of the back sleeve in the files attached to this post in the comments section.

The tunes:

01 Suganga
02 Malaika
03 Suliram
04 Nomeva
05 Sithi Gwaza
06 Sondela
07 Ngomso
08 Soon One Morning
09 Siphamandla
10 Saduva

Atté are:

Sonia Bonolo Lekhela,
Lindiwe Thonko Conco,
Tiny Neliswa Conco,
Mphiwa Yengwa

plus

Dudu Pukwana (keyboards, alto sax),
Churchill Jolobe (drums, percussion),
Ernest Mothle (bass),
Sello Josh Makhene (congos),
Frank Roberts (keyboards).

Produced by John Wood, Rec in March 1977 for Claddagh Records.

Robert has reportedly more aces up his sleeve, so we're only too anxious to find out what may come next.

Baden Baden-Free Jazz Meeting ,Dec 1971-Dudu Pukwana,C.Mcgregor,B.Phillips, T.Rypdal, B.Greene,M.Pilz, H.Joos, M.Falay.A.Skidmore

Here's ,an Incredible document of several
concerts recorded over a few days in Dec 1971.


Got this from an online acquaintance recently , who Sourced it from soul seek , Unfortunately all i have is an Mp3 Version ... we would certainly welcome a loss less share of this.. if anyone who has it is willing to oblige.


This set sort of ties in with the numerous,quality South African selections on offer here recently...

Not much point talking about the performers themselves ,since most have already been introduced here and elsewhere.
As far as i Know The free jazz meetings in Baden Baden ,were inaugurated in the mid 60'S by Critic Joachim E. Berendt.. and are still an occasional feature of the live scene...

Herbert Joos may be unfamiliar , he's probably best Known as a mainstay of the Vienna Art Orchestra , though back in the 70's , he made a few interesting solo albums ,and even recorded in trio format for FMP.

Fans of GUO, Alan Silva's Celestial Orchestra, Francois Tusques inter communal music and other Sonic LOVE fests will Find plenty to enjoy! .. a gamut ranging from 'Afro Rock,' Qwela Tinged pieces through to freebop, psychedelicious 'Bitches Brew 'style rock vamps... great percussion jams,and best of all ferocious Free improv over long droning horn ostinati ... this has it all!

Among the highlights featuring Some of the most electryfying performances in this set, for me are the trio-to quintet pieces featuring Terje Rypdal in completely free mode..taking it beyond Hendrix and even early Sonny Sharrocks fiercest sonic abstractions.
Splendid stuff which clearly presages the material on Rypdal's Great album 'What comes after' ECM 1031, a few of which pieces are present in skeletal form.

There's also a magnificent sprawling version of Barre Phillips, just 8.. (disc-2) which some may remember from the unique, Japo LP 'For all it is'( Japo, 60 003) recorded in March of the same year.

Grab it, enjoy.. and consider buying some of the performers discs .... Early Rypdal for example is on the whole pretty special.
Kudos to whomever taped this ... !


va - Baden Baden Free Jazz Meeting 1971
recorded in Baden-Baden, Südwestfunk Studios
(Dec 1971, bootleg)

Herbert Joos, Marc Charig, Maffay Falay - trumpet, flugehorn
Malcolm Griffiths, Nick Evans - trombone
Elton Dean - soprano sax,sss, saxello ,Alan Skidmore - soprano sax, tenor sax Dudu Pukwana - alto sax, saxello
Karlheinz Wiberny - alto sax, Michel Pilz - bass clarinet
Terje Rypdal - guitar Chris McGregor, Burton Greene - electric-piano, piano
Barre Phillips, Adelhard Roidinger, Roy Babbington, Ron Mathewson - bass
Stu Martin, Alan Jackson - drums ,Okay Temiz - percussion

-Disk 1:1 Titel [Unknown personnel] 11:59 2 Titel [Unknown personnel] 19:44 3 The Serpent's Kindly Eye (ChMcG,comp) [rehearsal] [Joos, Charig, Falay, Griffiths, Evans, Dean, Skidmore, Pukwana, Wiberny, Pilz, Rypdal, McGregor, Greene, Phillips, Roidinger, Babbington, Matthewson, Martin, Jackson, Temiz] 22:21 4 Announcement 1:54 5* The Serpent's Kindly Eye (ChMcG,comp) (incomplete) 12:46

-Disk 2:6 Announcement 0:10 7 Marco (DP,comp) [Charig, Pukwana, McGregor, Matthewson, Jackson] 13:52 8 Announcement 0:13 9 Announcement 0:30 10 Just 8 (BPh,comp) [Phillips, Babbington, Martin (L); Matthewson, Roidinger, Temiz (R)] 10:26 11 Announcement 1:5912 Preshrev Yavos (OT,comp) [Falay, Pukwana, Babbington, Temiz] 10:3013 Announcement 1:01 14 Wiberny's Piece (KHW,comp) [Charig, Griffiths, Wiberny, Pilz, Greene, Roidinger, Martin] (incomplete) 5:16 15 Announcement 0:23 16 Unknown Title 22:25

-Disk 3:17 Announcement 1:58 18 From Love to Hate (HJ,comp) [Charig, Griffiths, Wiberny, Pilz, Greene, Roidinger, Martin] 10:3819 Announcement 1:53 20 Room for Everybody (BG,comp) [Part 1] [Charig, Griffiths, Wiberny, Pilz, Greene, Roidinger, Martin] 8:3121 Room for Everybody (BG,comp) [Part 2] 17:58 22 Room for Everybody (BG,comp) [Part 3] 7:18 23 Announcement 1:5924 The Serpent's Kindly Eye (ChMcG,comp) [Joos, Charig, Falay, Griffiths, Evans, Dean, Skidmore, Pukwana, Wiberny, Pilz, Rypdal, McGregor, Greene, Phillips, Roidinger, Babbington, Matthewson, Martin, Jackson, Temiz] 14:37 25 Announcement 0:33

-Disk 4:26 Announcement 2:04 27 Come On (BPh,comp) [Griffiths, Skidmore, Rypdal, Phillips, Roidinger, Martin] 10:25 28 Announcement 2:34 29 Hypnosis (TR,comp) [Joos, Charig, Griffiths, Evans, Dean, Skidmore, Wiberny, Pilz, Rypdal, Phillips, Roidinger, Babbington, Matthewson, Martin] 17:59 30 Announcement 0:52 31 Your Eyes Are Full of Tears (TR,comp) [Rypdal solo] 7:21 32 Announcement 1:24 33 Turn the Lights Off (RR,comp) [Rypdal, Phillips, Martin] 12:1534 Announcement 0:06 35 Introduction [from stage] 0:19 36* Titel [Rypdal, Phillips, Roidinger, Martin] 19:55

-Disk 5:37 Titel [Rypdal, Phillips, Roidinger, Martin] 17:49 38 Titel [Rypdal, Phillips, Roidinger, Martin] 14:46 39 Titel [Rypdal, Phillips, Roidinger, Martin] 8:0340 Titel [Rypdal, Phillips, Roidinger, Martin] 16:5141 Titel [Rypdal, Phillips, Roidinger, Martin]

Dudu Pukwana and the Spears 1969

There was a request for this one in the comments section of an earlier Dudu Pukwana posting, so we are only too happy to respond. This one was out on the Quality label in 1969, but info on the time and location of recording and the members of the Spears are lacking on the actual record (see reproduction of the back sleeve), so any fill-in information would be welcome.

Chronologically, I think we're talking about the latter part of the sixties, which might indicate it was recorded in Europe, most likely London. Stylistically, it falls in with the Gwigwi Mrwebi Band, steeped in the township dance music of the time, which came out on an album in the mid-60s and recently rereleased on vinyl. An essential item for any South African collection. This one has little of the experimentation that characterised the Chris McGregor group and the "Very Urgent" record from the late 60s.

The facts, scanty as they may be:

Side A

1. Pezulu (Way Up)
2. Thulula (Fill It Up)
3. Kuthwasi Hlobo (Spring)
4. Half Moon
5. Yima Mjalo (Stick around)

Side B

1. Kwa Thula (Thula's Place)
2. Joe's Jika (Joe's Groove)
3. Nobomwu (Red Head)
4. Qonqoza (Knock)
5. Pho La (Cool It!)

This was up on another blog, but has apparently disappeared. So, therefore, I thought it fit to put it here as it ties nicely in with other recent Dudu Pukwana posts.

Dudu Pukwana - Zila '86

Here is the third of the Zila records on the Jika label and it's a studio recording, in contrast to the two earlier ones. Perhaps because of that, it sounds more polished and arranged than the others. To these ears, also a more deliberate attempt to cross over in order to reach the mainstream, to appeal to the dance club scene and to the emergent audience for so-called world music. In any event, it's an eminently danceable and well-groomed set of tunes, and I'm particulary happy to encounter yet another version of the Dudu classic "Mra", here neatly intertwined with another tune. I think we must be up to about half a dozen versions by now and everyone's a pure delight!

The crew is very much the same as on the former posted here, except that Harry Beckett is unfortunately absent from the proceedings. Pinise Saul is in full force and so are Lucky Ranku, Churchill Jolobe, Ernest Mothle and others of the regular crew. And Django Bates is on piano and synthesizer throughout the disc.

Basic info:

Dudu Pukwana - Zila '86
Jika ZL3

Side A

1. Madodana (The Young Ones) (Dudu Pukwana)
2. Hamba (Go away) (Victor Ndlaziwana)
3a. Mra (Dudu Pukwana)
3b. Khali (Columbus Ngukana)
4. Harare '86 (Dudu Pukwana)

Side B

1a. Nonceba /Merciful) (Dudu Pukwana)
1b. Nonmpongo (Ace) (Allen Kwela/Dudu Pukwana)
2. Let's Get Together (Mervyn Africa)
3. August One (Ntulukazi) (Adam Glaser/Dudu Pukwana)

Zila personnel all tracks

Dudu Pukwana Alto & soprano saxophones, Arranger
Pinise Saul Vocals & Cabassa
Lucky Ranku Electric guitar
Churchill Jolobe Drums
Fats Ramobo Mogoboya Congas

plus

Django Bates synthesizer on A1 A2 A3 B1b/B2, piano on B1 B2, tenor horn on A3 B3
Mervyn Africa Piano on Side A/B2, Vocal on B2
Adam Glasser synthesizer on A4/B3
Eric Richards Electric Bass on A1/A4/Side B
Ernest Mothle Electric Bass on A1/A4 Side B
Roberto Pla Timbales on A1/A3/B2
Josh Makhene Backing Vocals on Side A/B1/B2

Rrecorded January 1986 at Wave Studios, London
Engineered by Martin Giles
Produced by Dudu & Barbara Pukwana
Phoography and sleeve design by Jak Kilby
Cover illustration by Nathan Dambuza Mdledle

So get those feet tapping and other body parts shaking! Party time!

Dudu Pukwana and Zila - Live in Bracknell & Willisau

More Dudu Pukwana coming up. I have already posted the first record with Zila and the third will soon be up. On this record, he can draw on veteran Harry Beckett as well as then up-and-coming Django Bates. In my opinion, this one is better than the first, giving both Pukwana and Beckett the chance to stretch out on the fetured pieces, not unrelated to their being performed at jazz festivals in the UK and Switzerland. As I said before, possibly not as interesting from the pure jazz point of view as the 70s combo Spear, but these pieces swing pretty hard, enhanced by the vocal presence of Pinise Saul.

Dudu Pukwana and Zila - Live in Bracknell and Willisau featuring Pinise Saul

Side A

1.Hug Pine (Bambelela) - Dudu Pukwana
2.Mahlomole (Lament) - Thebe Lipere
3.Lafente (Ntabemi - In The Mountains) - Dudu Pukwana
4.Baqanga Bay - Dudu Pukwana
5.Freely - Django Bates

Side B

1.Funk Them to Eriko - Johnny Dyani/Dudu Pukwana
2.Ziyekeleni (Let Them Be) - Mervyn Africa/Dudu Pukwana
3.The Big (Pine)Apple - Hugh Masakela
4.Zama Khwalo (Try Again) - Dudu Pukwana

Zila

Dudu Pukwana - Leader, alto/soprano saxophones, whistles
Harry Beckett - Trumpet/flugelhorn
Django Bates - keyboards
Eric Richards - Electric bass
Paul Gamblin - guitar
Churchill Jolobe - Drums
Thebe Lipere - Congas, percussion, African chanting

A1,A4,B1,B4 recorded live at 1983 Bracknell Jazz Festival, England, by Tim Summerhayes

A2,A3,A5,B2,B3 recorded live at 1983 Willisau Jazz Festival, Switzerland, by Peter Pfister

Assagai Afro Rock Festival

As I promised some weeks ago here's a digitised version of the OOP Afro Rock Festival featuring the Dudu Pukwana-led Assagai along with Simba also featuring Pukwana, some early Osibisa tracks, and two a piece from afro-rock bands Chaka and Grutz.

The title of the record shouldn't lead you to think this is a recording of a music festival celebrating the early years of British afro-rock. This is 'festival' as in "a compilation of tracks from bands that are vaguely connected musically to try and capitalise on the popularity of one of the bands after they left our label". The front cover is indicative of the sorts of simplistic notions of African music and musicians commonly deployed in the UK at the time, and thus the way a whole continent of music was rammed into a narrow cultural and economic niche.

This isn't the sort of music which usually gets posted at ISol, but you will enjoy it if you like rythmically-driven jazz improvisations with an afro-beat flavour. If you are a completist for the music of Dudu Pukwana, Louis Moholo and Mongezi Feza then here's one that (as far as I can tell) is not available in blog-land. It has been sitting undigitised in my collection, and it is a very long time since I last listened to it, but it is far better than my memory of playing it last suggested. It did lead me on to Pukwana's Spear records, and then to the Blue Notes and free jazz experiments, and I rather assigned this earlier record to the 'exoticised pop' category

Afro-rock was a marketing term coined in Britain in the early 1970s to describe the music of Osibisa who popularised African music with a dance beat to rock and pop loving Brits. Osibisa were remarkably successful, with chart hits, sell out tours and lots of music press coverage. Pukwana went after the same market with far less success with Assagai, and rock-hybrid Simba.

There's virtually nothing of the Kwela-influenced jazz, let alone free improvisation associated with Pukwana's other projects. However, there is some great playing on both the two Assagai tracks and the collaborations with progressive rock band, Jade Warrior, as Simba (yes, even on the cover of Louie Louie).

1973 Assagai, Chaka, Grutz, Simba and Osibisa Afro Rock Festival

Simba:
Dudu Pukwana (alto and piano)
Mongezi Feza (tenor)
Bizo Muggikana (tenor)
Fred Frederick (tenor/baratone)
Tony Duhig (guitar)
Jon Field (bass guitar)
Glyn Havard (flute/percussion)

Assagai:
Dudu Pukwana (alto and piano)
Mongezi Feza (tenor)
Bizo Muggikana (tenor)
Fred Frederick (tenor/baratone)
Fred Coker (guitar)
Charles Cuonogbo ? (bass guitar)
Louis Moholo (drums)
Terry Quaye (conga)
Smiley de Jonnes (congas/percussion)
Martha Mdenge (vocals)
with: Tony Duhig, Jon Field, and Glyn Havard (from prog rock band Jade Warrior)

1. African Rhapsody Part 1 (by Chaka)
2. Black Ant (by Osibisa)
3. Kotoka (by Osibisa)
4. Movin’ (by Simba)
5. Louie Louie (by Simba)
6. Kondo (by Assagai)
7. Jabula (by Assagai)
8. Tiksh Billa (by Grutz)
9. Listen Here (by Grutz)
10. African Rhapsody Part 2 (by Chaka)

Johnny Mbizo Dyani - Witchdoctor's Son 'Together'

Following Dudu Pukwana's Zila, here's Johnny Mbizo Dyani's Witchdoctor's Son. This is not to be confused with the Witchdoctor's Son that came out on the Steeplechase label with a different line-up, though with Dudu Pukwana in both. This here is a Swedish - South African crew assembled by Mbizo for a session in Stockholm in late 1979 - early 1980. Most of the South Africans on the record were living in Sweden at the time, including Mbizo while Pukwana flew in from London for the session. Kenny Haakonson, guitarist with the prog rock outfit Kebnekajse was roped in as well as drummer Bosse Skoglund, old chums of Mbizo.

What we have here is one side of Mbizo compositions drawing on the popular SA music of the 50s and later, one traditional (in fact the same tune as the one on the Zila album posted previously), one quickie fusion number and then the odd one out, I thought, "Kalahari", named after the Botswana desert. Here Haakonson gets to do a proggish uptempo piece which would not out of place on a Kebnekajse record from the 70s, though normally not associated with Mbizo, though . Mbizo has vacated the bass for keyboards and handles vocal duties on this record.

All in all, this is eminently danceable and groovable, and an appropriate follow-up to Zila, of which there'll be more later (and more Dyani, of course).

Basic facts:

1. Together
2. Johnny's Kwela
3. Marabi Soweto
4. High Priest
5. Kalahari
6. Crossroads
7. Tula Tula

All compositions by Johnny Mbizo Dyani, except 7, traditional, arranged by JMD.

Johnny Mbizo Dyani - keyboards, vocals
Dudu Pukwana - altosax, whistles
Virimuje Shimmy Radise - tenor sax
Kenny Hakansson - electric guitars
Hassan Ban - congas
Bosse Skoglund - drums
Felix Perrera - South African trad. harp

Produced by Stanley Koonin at Sound City Studios, Stockholm, Dec.1979-Jan.1980.

This was released posthumously on the Cadillac label in 1987 and label head John Jack is listed as executive producer, though whether he may have had anything to do with the original sessions is not clear.

Dudu Pukwana - Sounds Zila

Some more dance music coming up here, this time Dudu Pukwana's 80s band, Zila. This was the first of three lps on his and Barbara Pukwana's own label, Jika, and there was a final record, a cd out in 1990. A live recording from the 100 Club in London in 1981, here's the band in a festive mood, some riveting up-tempo numbers, some smoochers and a little traditional South African music adapted for the band. This is Dudu taking his band in a more explicit danceable direction, perhaps not as interesting as his 70s recordings with Spear from the jazz point of view, but as with the Francois Tusques' Intercommunal Free Dance Music Orchestra, attempting to strike a sort of balance between the head and the feet, which is a good combination, particularly for a live performance. Party music, in other words.

Not a top copy, this one - a bit of crackle and some nasty scratches here and there, but it's what I found, so it's what we'll have to make do with for now.

Basic facts:

Dudu Pukwana - Sounds Zila (Jika ZL1, 1981)

A Side
Zila (Dudu Pukwana)
Uyini (Dudu Pukwana)
Chandeliers & Mirrors (Harry Beckett)

B Side
Suite Sweet Nowami (Dudu Pukwana)
Thula Sana (traditional arranged by Dudu Pukwana)
B My Dear (Dudu Pukwana)
Dudu Layi Layi (Dudu Pukwana)

ZILA

Dudu Pukwana - alto, soprano saxes, leader
Harry Beckett - trumpet, flugelhorn
Dave Defries - trumpet, flugelhorn
Errol Clarke - piano
Mark Wood - guitar
Eric Richardson - bass
Churchill Jolobe - drums
Smiley de Jones - congas
Peggy Phango - vocals

Special guests

George Lee - tenor sax, flute
Pinise Saul - vocals
Sonia Matabane - backing vocals
Linda Conco - backing vocals
Tiny Conco - backing vocals
Peter Segono - trumpet
Phil Kember - trombone
Ernest Mothle - bass


Produced by Dudu and Barbara Pukwana
Recorded live at the 100 Club, London, 16th January 1981
Liner notes by Val Wilmer

Suite Sweet Nowami was composed and performed with the support of a Jazz Bursary from the Arts Council of Great Britain

Enjoy! More Zila available from your blogger if you want it!

Dudu Pukwana Diamond Express [aka Ubagile] 1975

Dudu Pukwana Diamond Express 1975 Freedom FLP 41041




also released as Ubagile (Jazz Colours 874744-2)

Dudu Pukwana (Alto Saxophone)
Elton Dean (Saxello track 5)
Nick Evans (Trombone track 5)
Mongezi Feza (Trumpet)
Lucky Ranku (Guitar)
Frank Roberts (Keyboards tracks 1 to 4)
Keith Tippett (Piano track 5)
Ernest Mothole (Bass tracks 1 to 4) ,
Victor Ntoni (Bass track 5)
James Meine (Drums tracks 1 to 4) ,
Louis Moholo (Drums tracks 5)

1. Diamond Express
2. Bird Lives
3. Ubagile (See Saw)
4. Madodana (The Young Ones)
5. Tete And Barbs In My Mind

Recorded in two sessions during Autumn 1975, London

If you are not familiar with Dudu Pukwana, something of his background should indicate his importance in British jazz. He was one of the musicians who came together in the early 1960s South Africa in the multi-ethnic Blue Notes. You can imagine what the official response to such a group would be under the Apartheid regime of that time. The musicians relocated to Europe, and made their base in London. The Blue Notes fused multiple South African forms with African American jazz, and in Europe they engaged with the London, and wider European free movements. Pukwana's music tended to emphasise the rhythmic patterns of both South African popular music, and African American funk with a acerbic emotionally charged alto playing style. His classic In the Townships is one of my all-time favourite records.

If you are familiar with Dudu Pukwana, but not with this recording a real treat lays in wait for you. For me, it is one of the most interesting record in the Pukwana discography. The first four tracks are by a group of Pukwana's SA collaborators. They feature great rumbling rhythm section the drives the music. 'Madodana' is my favourite, featuring a percussion bridge built around the drummer's 's standard kit [I'm not sure if it's Louis Moholo or James Meine; the CD lists both, but discographies only Meine even though there seems to be more than one percussionist], and all the band on assorted clatter and shake. Frank Roberts' Fender Rhodes gives it a funky feel, and Pukwana and Feza are great if a little in the sidelines. 'Ubagile' is typical of Pukwana's township jive, although his playing is a little more laid back, and Roberts' keyboards are mixed up higher than the alto. Sometimes Pukwana sounds like he's fighting to be heard. 'Tete and Barbs in my Mind' is completely different. This is obviously due to the addition of Elton Dean on saxello and particularly Keith Tippett on piano. Pukwana is now far more strident, and higher in the mix, and matches Tippett's discordant but very grand playing and the bands unison rich SA melodies. Mongezi died soon after this recording; a great loss to a great community of jazz players.

I'm not sure how this came to be originally issued on Arista's Freedom label, but copies of the original LP are quite hard to find. It was rereleased on by the German DA music label Jazz Colours as Ubagile. Now seemingly OOP, I thought a few more people should hear this great music.

You can find a developing discography of Pukwana's music at my blog wallofsound

Dudu Pukwana & Spear - Flute Music

Here's my first "official" contribution to the blog (and thanks to Sotise for inviting me).

I have a long-lasting fascination with the whole South-African expat scene that started back in the mid-60s when the members of the Blue Notes came to the realisation that it was no longer possible for a racially mixed band to play in South Africa. They came to Europe and with the sole exception of Louis Moholo-Moholo, none of them survived to see and experience liberation.

Spear was one of the many groups or combinations started by members of the Blue Notes, in this case Dudu Pukwana & Mongezi Feza. All in all, they released three albums, "In the Townships", "Diamond Express (reissued as "Ubagile") and this one, which has never been rereleased. Origninally out on the Caroline label in 1975, a subsidiary of Virgin (yep, that's right!) I dunno whether the first one is easily available anymore, but if there's an interest, I can always put it up here.

This is off a cdr version acquired in NY last year (which conveniently saves me the time and effort of ripping my own slightly worn vinyl copy). This is Dudu and Mongesi in an afro-funk-jazz mode, music as appealing to the heart and feet as to the head. And this particular release has the added interest of featuring John Stevens on the drums, in a very different style from what he's normally associated with (the SME etc.) Funk 'em, John!

Tracks:

1. Flute Music (Mongezi Feza)
2. Shekele (Dudu Pukwana)
3. Ko-didi (Victor Williams)
4. Sondela (Mongezi Feza)
5. Freeze (Dudu Pukwana)
6. You Cheated Me (Mongezi Feza)
7. Flute Music (Mongezi Feza)

Line-up:

Dudu Pukwana - alto, piano, percussion, voice
Mongezi Feza - trumpet, flute, congas, percussion, voice
Victor Williams - piano, electric piano, voice
Pete Cowling - bass guitar
John Stevens - drums
"Bob" - congas
"The Princess" - vocals

If this one catches on, I can promise more Dudu afro-funk-jazz kindathing from the 80s (when he had his Zila band and his own label, too). And of course. much more Blue Notes and BN-derived items, too!


Enjoy - heads and feet!