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LP
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COSMR 014LP
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Reissue, originally released in 1971. South-African jazz-rock worshippers alert! Assagai was an Afro-rock band, active in the early 1970s in London, whose relatively short career produced two albums recorded in 1971. It has been described as "the second best-known African group of the late '60s/early '70s in Britain" after Osibisa. The original band consisted of five members, three from South Africa and two from Nigeria: drummer Louis Moholo, trumpeter/flautist Mongezi Feza, alto saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, tenor saxophonist Bizo Mngqikana, and guitarist/bassist Fred Coker Assagai's self-titled debut album was released in 1971 on Vertigo; among the African musicians who played with the group on the recording was Terri Quaye. Previously, in the 1960s Pukwana, Feza, and Moholo had been members of the jazz band The Blue Notes alongside Chris McGregor.
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LP
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PT 8027LP
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Prog Temple present a vinyl reissue of Assagai's self-titled album, originally released in 1971. Assagai's debut for Philips's progressive subsidiary Vertigo was realized in 1971 to quiet applause. Critics soon became favorable as Afro-rock gained a foothold as the "next big thing" and it wasn't long before they would make their (only) appearance on Top of the Pops. Their journey in London's predominantly progressive underground music scene was brief, but also established a further chapter in the annals of Afro-rock alongside Black Velvet, Osibisa, Thor's Anvil, Uhuru and the Cosmic Grass Band. Numerous musical figures were assembled from the South African and Nigerian communities resident in London at the time with contributions from Dudu Pukwana, Fred Coker, Ayinde Folarin (Demon Fuzz) and Fred Fredericks (Jimmy James And The Vagabonds). An unlikely partnership with progressive-folk legends Jade Warrior would provide backing on their 1971 Zimbabwe LP (KH 9012CD), co-writing material for their self-titled debut. Unbeknownst to Jade Warrior at the time, they were part of a combined contract with their label mates. Assagai is as fresh and alive as it was when it was recorded in 1971, hypnotic in its rhythm and tantalizing in its mix of punctured brass and provocative vocals. Their ruthless brand of handsome rhythm offers copious potent vibes, but simultaneously employs a simple narrative achieving an elementary perspective of London's rapidly changing times.
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LP
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PT 8060LP
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Prog Temple present a reissue of Assagai's Zimbabwe, originally released in 1971. Led by South African saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, Assagai spearheaded the UK's so-called "Afro-rock" movement in the early '70s. The lost classic Zimbabwe is their second and last album, and originally appeared in the UK only in 1971. Featuring guest appearances from Jade Warrior (who also contribute some songs), Zimbabwe is an extremely funky blast from start to finish. Includes insert. "This is a blast, and will definitely appeal to Afro-rock heads" --Galactic Ramble.
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CD
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PT 8027CD
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Assagai's debut for Philips' progressive subsidiary Vertigo was realized in 1971 to quiet applause. Critics soon became favorable as Afro-rock gained a foothold as the "next big thing" and it wasn't long before they would make their (only) appearance on Top of the Pops. Their journey in London's predominantly progressive underground music scene was brief, but also established a further chapter in the annals of Afro-rock alongside Black Velvet, Osibisa, Thor's Anvil, Uhuru and the Cosmic Grass Band. Numerous musical figures were assembled from the South African and Nigerian communities resident in London at the time with contributions from Dudu Pukwana, Fred Coker, Ayinde Folarin (Demon Fuzz) and Fred Fredericks (Jimmy James And The Vagabonds). An unlikely partnership with progressive-folk legends Jade Warrior would provide backing on their Zimbabwe LP, co-writing material for their self-titled debut. Unbeknownst to Jade Warrior at the time, they were part of a combined contract with their label mates. Assagai is as fresh and alive as it was when it was recorded in 1971, hypnotic in its rhythm and tantalizing in its mix of punctured brass and provocative vocals. Their ruthless brand of handsome rhythm offers copious potent vibes, but simultaneously employs a simple narrative achieving an elementary perspective of London's rapidly changing times.
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CD
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KH 9012CD
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Led by South African saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, Assagai spearheaded the UK's so-called "Afro-rock" movement in the early '70s. The lost classic Zimbabwe is their second and last album, and originally appeared in the UK only in 1971. Featuring guest appearances from Jade Warrior (who also contribute some songs), it's an extremely funky blast from start to finish. Includes background notes.
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