Tales Of South African Jazz CD - Import

As far as it goes, this 15-track overview, Tales of South African Jazz, is well thought out. There are tracks by many artists here who are either completely unknown to American audiences, or who have been heard so infrequently only connoisseurs of the genre know their names, let alone their music. So here is a slab with the beautiful airy sound of the townships as it was, and as it is. The music collected here crosses decades. For instance, there is Hugh Masekela's (easily the most well-known artist included) read of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" from the early '70s, and Jimmy Dludlu's smooth jazz "Linda," which could have been recorded last week. But these cuts are more exception than the rule. The music of the townships is reflected mightily in cuts such as "Across Africa" by Jack "Big Voice" Lerole, and Sipho Gumede's "Township Jive," Prince Kupi's "Bosotsi," is another excellent example of the joyous, dancing harmonics and rhythms that are a trademark of South African jazz. While there is nothing to complain about on this set, there are important people left off it. For one, where is Dollar Brand (or rather, as he is known today, Abdullah Ibrahim)? He exported the music wholesale form South Africa to the world. Also, the great saxophonist Dudu Pukwana is missing from this set, as is bassist Johnny Dyani. These are big, big names who played with all manner of Western and European music and exported the rhythmic and harmonic traits central to South African jazz, and even recorded in their homelands before leaving. Ibrahim actually moved back to the region after it was liberated! This is confounding and no small complaint. That's no reason not to purchase the collection -- far from it -- it's very fine, but in no way should it be regarded it as comprehensive. ~ Thom Jurek

Arranger: Zim Ngqawana.