Seeking 1930s-60s African music recommendations

[E-dogg]

Hey. This is my first post here. I've been wondering a lot about something I know little about, and that is African popular music from the early-to-mid 20th century that incorporates American jazz, soul, R&B, blues, and even pop (all, one, or several of these genres) along with African folk musics and/or instruments.

For instance, one thing I'd like to check out is some small-band jazz stuff that uses some African rhythms. Bigger-band is ok, but smaller would be preferable. I'm trying to find CDs that are readily available too, not rare stuff.

Any specific suggestions? The quirkier the better.

[matt]

Caluza Quintet on english heritage label
...need to put in the hours to ge tthe stuff you want...do some reading, start with Rough Guide to World Music...and chekc my reply at BAF

[E-dogg]

Thanks Saint, somewhat, although just a few widely respected favorites would be nice, FROM ANYONE. I guess that would be too much to ask. Maybe my request was too specific. I'm just going to check out some ethiopiques things, like #4, and the Negus of Ethiopian Sax disc, because the samples sound good. Also will check out O.B. Pirate's Choice set, but I feel as though maybe I am talking to myself, or into the fucking void or something, so I'll drop it now.

[consciouspilot]

Earlier Ghanian highlife/palmwine stuff, ET Mensah or that sort of thing...not sure if it'll float your dinghy, or if it is what you are after....but it is niiiiiccceee.
Pilot

[E-dogg]

Thanks consciouspilot, I'll look out for this stuff. Mentioned some stuff I am enjoying on alireggae's thread, which was also about African recommendations.

[prajna]

et mensah is a great suggestion.

there is a long south african tradition of jazz influencing the music. a lot of it tended to be larger bands though. one exception is "the jazz epistles", who recorded south africa's first jazz lp. they were a small band, strongly jazz influenced.

although, outside your 20-60's timeframe, you should definitly check abdullah ibrahim (aka dollar brand), south african pianist. imo he fused, better than anyone else, jazz with african, in particular sa, rhythms and melodies. his stuff spans the 60's to present, but his best 'fusion' work happened in the 70s & 80s.

you mention o baobab - again slightly outside your timeframe, but absolutley essential imo. beautiful, beautiful music.

[E-dogg]

Thanks prajna. I'll check this stuff out when I get a chance. I have Pirate's Choice (double cd), and I like it a lot.

[matt]

E-dogg for the time period you're probably best off with the Hugh Tracey recordings. Unfortunately he took a purist approach to music and didn't record anything that mixed modern/urban/foreign elements....

Check out the recently reissued series:
www.cdroots.com/tracey.shtml

www.cdroots.com/tracey.shtml

[matt]

www.cdroots.com/cgi/nopage.cgi?pamap103.html

This article also mentions some good CDs

www.ronniescotts.co.uk/ronnie_scotts/ronniescotts/129/129_08.htm