ABOUT THIS ITEM

Strut conclude their essential three-part excursion into the archives of South African music with the third and final volume of the "Next Stop… Soweto" series.

Jazz has a deep heritage in South Africa, dating from the early 20th century. The country’s jazz scene flourished during the 50s, despite the increasing restrictions of apartheid, with musicians like the Jazz Epistles and Chris McGregor influenced by Charlie Parker & Duke Ellington before adding local marabi and kwela to their be bop. During the 60s, the Sharpville Massacre, radio restrictions and police clampdowns made the life of a black musician often untenable. Major names like Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba left to live abroad. "Next Stop... Soweto Vol. 3" is the story of the music that survived in South Africa during this mid-60s to mid-80s era. The album features many of the recognised South African jazz greats like saxophonist Dudu Pukwana and drummer Early Mabuza, the potent soul jazz grooves of The Heshoo Beshoo Group and The Drive and some of the many artists creating unique fusions like Philip Tabane’s Malombo mixing African drums and hand percussion with guitar, vocal and flute. There's even an unreleased track, Dollar Brand’s "Next Stop... Soweto" from the archives of the South African Broadcasting Corporation. This is important music, a defiant statement in the face of unimaginable cultural repression.