The Jazz Clan: Dedication (1973)

 Another South African jazz rarity eventually makes an appearance. This is one of those albums where, in my searching I had found the cover, but could not find the vinyl or the music. So thank you Vusi for coming through with the audio!

Gordon Mfandu at Dorkay House. Pic by Ian Bruce Huntley

Producer Mothobi Mutloatse’s liner notes tell us that Gordon Micky Mfandu was the original leader of “The Clan”, founded as a sixteen-piece band by trombonist Reuben Boy Radise in 1970. This 1973 recording was made following the untimely murder of Mfandu outside his home in Pimville, Soweto. The last track written by Peter Segona and Dimpi Tshabalala is dedicated to Mfandu. Mfandu was also the drummer for the Soul Giants’ “I Remember Nick”, recorded in 1968. 

Segona (trumpet) and Tshabalala (piano) are responsible for penning five of the six tracks featured on this album.

From the liner notes: “According to the band, their music is no carbon copy of somebody’s. ‘We’re trying to be ourselves as much as possible’, they explained hurriedly as they did not want to be categorised as ‘just another township jazz band’ trying to emulate the Americans. 

The Jazz Clan. Pic by V. Ntuli

Here I must point out that it is the Americans who have to learn from us about African rhythms. I mean there are so many Black American groups nowadays which are claiming to be playing Afro-jazz. To my mind, the Clan can teach them a thing or two! That’s African pride for you”.

Reuben Boy Radise (leader, trombone); Peter Segona (trumpet), Dimpi Tshabalala (piano) Jeff Mpete (drums), Sipho Mabaso (tenor sax), Mongezi Velelo (bass), Corney Kumalo (barritone sax).

Recorded in May and June of 1973. Published  on 10^th December 1973.

Cover photo: Mike Mzileni

Back cover photo: V. Ntuli

Engineers: Peter Thwaites and Peter Ceronia.

 Download link here

The Headquarters: "Sweetie" (1977)

Some seriously funky and soulful dance-floor filler noticeably South African music lurks under the very competent disco veneer of this album.  This band is certainly up there with anything Reggie Msomi and Almon Memela were able to produce at the time.

In addition to a strong seven-piece outfit featuring Lemmy ‘Special’ Mabaso on alto sax  and Joe Zikhali (Chapita) on lead guitar, Zane Cronje takes credit for the string arrangements. I cannot find further reference to alto sax player Boikie Piliso, and do not know if he was related to the famous Ntemi and Shadrack Piliso brothers.

When Cambridge Matiwane started his illustrious music career I am certain he could not have foreseen producing a 1977 disco date, heavy breathing included.  

 Joe Zikhali wrote “Sweetie”, the most ‘disco’ of the tracks, replete with the rhythmic moans and grunts that seemed popular to this genre at the time. From there it is three tracks of upbeat funky guitar and horns, with occasional strings holding onto that disco dance-floor and mirror-ball feel.  

The two tracks on side two are penned by keyboard player Dimpy Tshabalala, who in 1987 went on to join the reformed Elite Swingsters. “Moshate” features an eleven-minute fusion, funk and disco workout. “Lazy Bones” is my personal favourite, looping, loping and driving. Enjoy!

If there are enough 70s disco lovers still lurking 'out there', let me know and I will make the effort to dig out some more South African disco from that era.

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