We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
For those of you who only know trumpeter Hugh Masakela for instrumental covers of pop hits like “Grazing In The Grass”, the 1972 LP ‘Home is Where The Music Is” should be a revelation. It shows Masakela playing the bop-fusion he was comfortable with layering in some Cuban-Afro beats including the rhythms of his South African homeland.
He surrounds himself with a smoking band for these sessions which ended up as a double LP filled with quality performances. Nobody stands out more than American pianist Larry Willis. His work on both acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes ranges from slow and reflective to propulsive and funky. It really is some great work from him.
South African sax man Dudu Pakwana shines as well and the rhythmn section of American bassist Eddie Gomez and South African drummer Makaya Ntshoko keep things humming.
Most of the songs were written by producer Caiphus Semenya although the band smokes on the Masakela original “Maseru”. They also take a crack at the Miriam Makeba song “Unhome” and ‘Inner Crisis’ by Willis, which will eventually appear on his solo record a year later.
This Willis album is so good…I’ve included the whole thing here…
I’ve read this LP described as a “stone spiritual soul-jazz classic” and I would agree. The material is strong and the band is working at a high level. It came together nicely and stands up 50 years later. Enjoy!
Comments