Song of Soweto: The Mallory Hall Band (1974)

Two more tight and enticing offerings this week from the twelve-piece band of U.S. jazz musicians that backed Lovelace Watkins on his extended stay in southern Africa during 1974. This time guitarist Charles Mallory and trombonist Al Hall jnr come to the fore with excellent compositions that reflect their time on the sub-continent.

Al Hall in Cape Town - 1974

UPDATE: Since commenting on this post below, Al Hall has been in regular contact with Electric Jive. Al has been trying to get hold of the original master tapes of these recordings from Gallo (IRC/Teal originally owned these, but Gallo would own them now) - but he has had no joy from the company. To hear a recent interview with Al Hall, during which he talks about his music, and his time and recordings in South Africa, and the African roots within jazz, visit the Jake Feinberg show HERE and download the MP3 recording (right click and "save as").

A friend of Charles Mallory (Sharon Hall), and Charles' brother Richard have written to EJ to inform us that Charles passed on in February 2012. See a letter from Richard below in the comments section.

L to R: Tommy Cab Cortez, Pearl Ukumane, Delbert Hill,
Julius Billy Brooks, Sanifu Al Hall, Jr; Ray Nkwe (pic supplied by Sanifu Al Hall Jnr



If you have not had chance to connect with Kirk Lightsey and Rudolph Johnson’s “Habiba”, and Monk Montgomery’s live set in Soweto – do yourself a favour - here and here. These four recordings should really be enjoyed as one volume expressing a growing and shared experience which results in a funky soul-jazz interpretation of southern Africa at the time. Johnny Boshoff very ably again steps in for a contractually tied Monk Montgomery on bass.

Despite an impressive list of credits, this particular Charles Mallory is surprisingly scarce on the internet. He appears along with Herman Riley on a 1968 “Big Black” album with Caiphus Semenya ; and then on a 1973 funk-soul offering: “Hodges, James and Smith – Incredible”.

 The record sleeve credits Mallory as having been musical director of Martha and the Vandellas, two years as guitarist for Diana Ross, and as guitarist and conductor for Dusty Springfield’s band for a similar period. Other credits include playing for Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder Tuijuana Brass, John Lee Hooker, O.C. Smith, and so the list goes on. On these sessions he treats us with five sensitive and strong funky soul-jazz compositions. I would love to know what became of him.

Al Hall jnr already showed us what he could produce with his great “Blues for Nkwe” track on the Monk Montgomery live offering. Hall went on to arrange, conduct and lead Johnny Hammond’s 1977 jazz-funk offering “StormWarning: on Milestone Records. Hall’s writing, arranging and playing pedigree can be checked out here.

The two albums being showcased this week (the second one will come through in a few days) are surprisingly rare, and should really be better known. The tracks were recorded over three days from 7^th to 10^th December 1974 at the Video Sound studios in Blairgowrie, Johannesburg.

Recorded by Nino Rivera and John Lindemann.
Re-mixed by Johnny Boshoff and Nino Rivera.
Cover Art from original paiting by Eli Kobeli.

Marshall Royal (Alto sax and flute)
Herman Riley (Tenor Sax and flute)
Kirk Lightsey (Keyboard);
Rudolph Johnson (Tenor Sax / Flute);
Johnny Boshoff (Bass - and Congas over-dubbed on Hamba Samba);
Curtis Kirk (Drums);
Charles Mallory (Guitar);
All Hall jnr. (Trombone);
Delbert Hill (Clarinet);
Danny Cortez (Trumpet).
Tommy 'Cab' Cortez (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
George 'Buster' Cooper (Trombone)

1. Song of Soweto (9.24) - Mallory
2. Hamba Samba (9.34) - Hall
3. Cape Town Blues (9.11) - Hall
4. Moroka Rock (4.34) - Hall
5. The African Night (8.10) Mallory

Rapidshare here

Mediafire here