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!