Search - Various Artists :: African Jazz N Jive

Full title: African Jazz 'N' Jive-An Authentic Selection Of South African Township Swing Classics From The '50s & '60s. Shuffling drumbeats, serene horn lines, and sweet vocal melodies all come together in the vintage sounds of township jive and South African Jazz. From traditional Kwela flute music and improvisatory Marabi, to bass-heavy Mbaqanga and very influential American Jazz recordings, both township jive and South African Jazz were born. 24 cuts from prominent South African artists who contributed to the scene are presented. A self-described "mix of Mbaqanga, Marabi, and North American swing music," the CD includes cuts by alto sax player Kippie Moeketsi, tenor sax player Mackay Devashe, Hugh Masekela, and Jonas Gwangwa. Celebrated vocalists the Manhattan Brothers, Dolly Rathebe, and the Skylarks (including a young Miriam Makeba) punctuate the cuts on the CD. Check out the Swing-Ska number by Reggie Msomi's Hollywood Jazz Band and a choral recording by Solomon Linda's Original Evening Birds (from 1939). As stated in the CD's liner notes, "If you don't tap your feet to this music, you're probably dead." Gallo. 2007.