Spear

Not rare at all any more, due to its reissue and long availability on Earthworks LP and now CD (Earthworks CDEWV5), but the version illustrated is the original issue on Richard Branson's (pre Virgin Records) Caroline label, from 1973. Dudu Pukwana had been leading the Afro-Rock band Assagai (see link below) for a while, and Spear consisted largely of the same musicians who had formed the later line-up of that band. With Spear, though, you get the impression that they're doing what they really want to do, and the result is musically much more satisfying. This is a high energy and highly imaginative take on township jazz, featuring some truly stunning playing by all concerned, on six of Pukwana's own compositions, and one by Mongezi Feza. Certainly one of the essential albums of African music recorded in the UK in the 1970s, it is now properly recognised as a classic.


Dudu Pukwana & Spear: In The Townships - Caroline C1504 Not rare at all any more, due to its reissue and long availability on Earthworks LP and now CD (Earthworks CDEWV5), but the version illustrated is the original issue on Richard Branson's (pre Virgin Records) Caroline label, from 1973. Dudu Pukwana had been leading the Afro-Rock band Assagai (see link below) for a while, and Spear consisted largely of the same musicians who had formed the later line-up of that band. With Spear, though, you get the impression that they're doing what they really want to do, and the result is musically much more satisfying. This is a high energy and highly imaginative take on township jazz, featuring some truly stunning playing by all concerned, on six of Pukwana's own compositions, and one by Mongezi Feza. Certainly one of the essential albums of African music recorded in the UK in the 1970s, it is now properly recognised as a classic.
	Dudu Pukwana - alto, congas, percussion, vocals, arranger. Mongezi Feza - trumpet, congas, percussion, vocals. Bizo Mngqikana - tenor, percussion, vocals. Louis Moholo - drums, percussion. Harry Miller, bass, bass guitar.
Side One Baloyi Ezilalini Zakude	Side Two Sonia Angel Nemali Nobomvu Sekela Khuluma
Assagai: Zimbabwe back to rare LPs index