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CD
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JMAN 080CD
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One of the most important African records of all time released worldwide for the first time. Chris McGregor's Jazz/The African Sound (originally released in 1963) is a lost global jazz classic, and a true holy grail for collectors of afro-jazz. A cornerstone of South Africa's illustrious jazz history, it has been out of print since before the end of apartheid. This painstakingly restored reissue is the long-delayed first chance to hear Chris McGregor's debut recording as leader. In addition to fully restored audio, the package features previously unpublished photographs by Basil Breakey and new sleeve notes by author Francis Gooding. Ten years before the Brotherhood of Breath blew the cobwebs out of British jazz, Chris McGregor had already recorded as a leader with a big band composed of South Africa's leading jazz lights. Put together in 1963, The Castle Lager Big Band was a multi-racial group, a risky endeavor in apartheid South Africa. Modernist in outlook and dedicated to showcasing South African composers, the 17-piece band featured a galaxy of South African jazz stars, including Dudu Pukwana, Mongezi Feza, and Kippie Moeketsi. Though the band lasted only a few weeks and played a just a handful of shows, they made it into the studio to record, and the result was Jazz/The African Sound, a unique masterpiece of afro-Ellingtonia that the band hoped would put South African jazz on the international map. But history intervened, and their jazz message to the world never arrived -- until now.
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CD
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FLED 3081CD
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Fledg'ling Records proudly presents the long-overdue CD release of this remarkable solo performance from 1987 by Chris McGregor. Sea Breezes was recorded during an emotional visit to his homeland by the great South African composer and pianist. McGregor played "an energetic mixture of Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and Sun Ra, but always retained a unique feel due to his South African influences and the intelligent arrangements." Over the last four years, Fledg'ling has been collaborating with the Chris McGregor estate to reissue his most important albums and, through a series of unreleased recordings, help to reveal the full extent of his musical activities: from the small-scale trio improvisations through to the majestic large ensemble works of the mighty Brotherhood Of Breath. Carefully mastered from the original master tapes, Sea Breezes is an exciting opportunity to hear McGregor's solo readings of repertoire familiar from the acclaimed final Brotherhood Of Breath album Country Cooking.
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LP
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STAM 1005LP
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"Deluxe gatefold sleeve with 180 gram LP. First time on vinyl since the Neon release. Hand numbered limited 500 edition. The Brotherhood of Breath was an exuberant big-band created by South African born pianist and composer Chris McGregor. In South Africa, McGregor had formed the racially mixed Blue Notes in the early 1960s. By 1964, finding it very difficult to work at home; they left for Europe, finally settling in London in 1966. The Blue Notes -- Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana, Mongezi Feza, Johnny Dyani and Louis Moholo made a huge impact on London's jazz scene and befriended many in London's emerging avant-garde jazz community." CD version released on Fledg'ling (FLED 3062CD).
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CD
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FLED 3070CD
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Another previously-unreleased gem from South African pianist/composer Chris McGregor and his cohorts in '60s UK free jazz. Our Prayer was culled from the same sessions that produced the also never-released Up To Earth in 1969 and was produced by Joe Boyd and engineered by John Wood at Sound Techniques studio. The previous year they had signed to Joe Boyd's illustrious Witchseason production company alongside Fairport Convention, John and Beverley Martyn, Nick Drake and the Incredible String Band. Our Prayer comprises a magical trio set, focusing on McGregor's piano playing, accompanied by the Blue Note's Louis Moholo on drums and Barre Phillips on double bass. Both Our Prayer and Up To Earth records were planned for release in 1969 before being shelved as the McGregor group morphed into the spectacular big band, the Brotherhood of Breath, and all energies were transferred to recording the Brotherhood's debut album.
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CD
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FLED 3069CD
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Circulated among collectors, but up until now never released, Chris McGregor's Up To Earth is now issued on Fledg'ling. In 1969, The Chris McGregor Group (spearheaded by South African-born pianist and composer Chris McGregor) were riding high on the London jazz scene, playing and hanging out with all the rising stars of British free jazz. Sessions for the previously-unreleased Up To Earth brought together a dream team of South African exiles and some of the finest young players on the British scene -- Chris McGregor (piano), Dudu Pukwana (alto saxophone), Mongezi Feza (trumpet), Louis Moholo (drums), John Surman (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet), Evan Parker (tenor saxophone), and Barre Phillips/Danny Thompson (double bass). Up To Earth was produced by the legendary producer Joe Boyd and engineered by John Wood at Sound Techniques studio in London, during the same months they were also working with several other luminaries of the Witchseason label -- Fairport Convention, Nick Drake and the Incredible String Band. The album was mastered and test pressings produced before the project was shelved. The group morphed into the spectacular big band the Brotherhood Of Breath, and all energies were transferred to recording the Brotherhood's debut album. Fledg'ling Records are very proud to release this remarkable album as part of their campaign to reissue Chris McGregor's wonderfully creative recordings from the late '60s and early '70s.
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