VARIOUS ARTISTS - CHAKALAKA JAZZ - A SELECTION OF SOUTH AFRICAN GEMS [2LP]

HEAVENLY SWEETNESS

£29.25

Format: 2 x LP
Catalogue No.: HS263
Barcode: 3521381591422
Release Date: 11 Nov 2024
Genre: Jazz

01 the sacred lion dance - clarence wilson
02 saduva - gibson kente
03 what you say - the soweto boys
04 zone no.6 - the drive
05 revelation - the cliffs feat. mankunku ngozi
06 seven steps lament - the four sounds
07 zandile - the jazz ministers
08 tail feathers - the tailfeathers
09 doctor al - cassidy clarke band
10 kubi - zim ngqawana
11 magwaza - johnny dyani

While music traditions are often defined by established and protected sets of characteristics, popular music in South Africa betrays a willingness to adapt homegrown styles and an enthusiasm to adopt new influences. Musical currents like marabi, goema and mbaqanga help define what makes indigenous jazz unique, but it’s the eclecticism and hybridisation found in South African crates that keeps vinyl archaeologists like Fred “Voom Voom” Spider digging deeper. If we consider jazz to be a global musical dish, it follows that South Africa brings a distinct sonic salsa to the table. Spider calls it “Chakalaka Jazz” after the local tomato, onion and chilli relish that frequently accompanies South African meals. It’s the essential ingredient that unites and spices this diverse selection of tracks spanning the years 1969 through 2003. Featuring locals, exiles and expats with a reverent nod to the golden years of the 1970’s, these rare musical treasures are held together by that magical South African flavour.

Compiled by Fred Spider, Notes by Calum MacNaughton, Executive Producer: Franck Descollonges for Heavenly Sweetness