CHRIS MCGREGOR - JAZZ THE AFRICAN SOUND 1963 orig

$

1,261

Here it is!! I'm proud to present one of the rarest (South African) jazz records in existence! The original 1963 South African press of Chris McGregor and the Castle Lager Big Band: Jazz / The African Sound. See scans.

The best players from several bands which performed at the 1963 Castle Jazz Festival were gathered together under the direction of Chris McGregor and
produced a classic LP, "Jazz The African Sound", perhaps the finest single product of a brilliant era.  Sadly, it also proved a swansong.  A general wave of oppression had followed the Sharpville massacre of 1960 and, as the government dug in with its new order, many of South Africa's best minds and talents fled the country into exile. The progressive jazzers were badly affected as apartheid regulations designed to seperate mixed-race bands [McGregor was white, I believe] became increasingly onerous.  In the face of this dispiriting onslaught, McGregor, Pukwana and their entire band, the Blue Notes, including Louis Moholothe, left the country for good in 1964. The Blue Notes, and their later manifestation, the Brotherhood of Breath, added a distinctive touch to the rather moribund European jazz scene but, as was the case with other exiles, their influence on musical development in South African ceased at that point."

Players: Dudu Pukwana (lead alto sax), Barney Rabachane (2nd alto sax), Nick Moyake (tenor sax), Christopher Columbus Ngcukane (baritone sax), Kippie Moeketsi (alto sax & clarinet), Bob Tizzard (lead sax), Blyth Mbityana (trombone), Willie Nettie (trombone), Dennis Mpali (lead trumpet), Ebbie Creswell (trumpet), Mongesi Feza (trumpet), Noel Jones (trumpet), Sammy Maritz (bass), Early Mabusa (drums) and Chris McGregor (piano).

The nucleus of the band would eventually reform as the Brotherhood of Breath.

Tracks: Switch, Kippie, Eclipse at Dawn // Early Bird, I remember Billy, Now. Superb stuff!!!  Recorded September 16 & 17, 1963.

This album constitutes some of the most glorious moments in the history of South African jazz and is especially noteworthy for the solo contributions of Kippie Moeketsi who, in the opinion of many, was the country's single greatest jazz talent.

Label: New Sound NSL 1011. Handwritten matrixnumbers: ABC - 23613 / ABC - 23614. Condition record/cover: vg to ex- (side one has several marks, mainly on the first track that play with some soft pops and some ticks, side two however is close to excellent) / vg (fragile flipback cover has several wrinkles and four small tears at opening side, some ringwear but is complete, no writings or tape). This record is incredible rare in any condition. I wonder how many copies are left! They can probably be counted on one hand...

NOTE: This is not the 1991 re-issue (that is also very in demand and valuable already). Genuine 1963 original !!! Never offered on Ebay before !!!

GREAT ARTEFACT FROM THE EARLY SOUTH AFRICAN JAZZ SCENE !!!

One of the world's greatest jazz rarities!!! Once in a lifetime opportunity !!! Essential item for any modern jazz fan or collector !!!

No reserve price!!!

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Check out my other collectible jazz vinyl !!!