Music of the Spirit: Malombo (1971)

Our good friend Matt over at Matsuli has long “lamented the fact that the Malombo back catalogue has fallen into disarray. Currently only five from a total of 13 releases are commercially in print. And of these five there is one obscure release - Silent Beauty - not even credited to Philip Tabane or Malombo.”

Looking at Matt’s Malombo discography here, it seems that today’s offering makes up a complete list of Malombo either available commercially or shared on the blogosphere.
 
Music of the Spirit (1971) shows beautiful growth in the range and depth of the Malombo that recorded without Philip Thabane. This recording was also a venture and risk taken by David Marks of Third Ear who pressed only one hundred copies. He reports that he only managed to sell fifty copies in twenty five years. Read more here. Third Ear did want to re-release this album a while ago, but it seems that this has not happened. David, if you get to read this, and if you do re-release this fine recording – ElectricJive will immediately assist you and champion its sales. Until then, we humbly share this gem in the hope that it whets appetites and motivation for a possible re-release.

1. Heaven's Doorsteps 1:21
2. Birds meet Elephant 5:37
3. Gae Memelodi 11:01
4. Excerpt from Ourang Outang 0:58
5. Malombo Workshop 6:50
6. Inyoni 2:34
7. Dikomeng 4:42
8. Ungaokhala 2:54

 

Note: This album is expected to be re-issued by the end of 2021.