This is trombonist Raph Clarkson’s latest band and its first release is a mixture of social and political themes and an acknowledgement of the contribution made by South African musicians. A comprehensive explanation of the music in pianist Yonela Mnana’s liner notes references the earlier generation – Dudu Pukwana, Chris McGregor, Mankunku Ngozi, Bheki Mseleku, Hugh Masekela, Pinise Saul and many others – and this comes out in the music, never more so perhaps than in Hymn, led by Nigerian Amaeshi Ikechi’s deep, heavy, acoustic bass and with church-like piano, vocals and a spoken tribute to Mongezi Feza.
Mnana’s piano style typifies South African marabi music in supporting and leading the brass and horn ensemble lines on Chorale. He also features extensively on the upbeat Back Again and the anthemic Hymn, takes over from the strings on Travail and plays the solo track, Recitative. Other imposing solos appear elsewhere, by Chris Batchelor, Mark Lockheart and Clarkson himself, his solo on Travail a delight.
There are extended sections of spoken word throughout the album. Dancing Under The Sun’s observation of living under oppression is underpinned by improvisational elements which create an unstructured backdrop of textures, disturbing and disconcerting; vocal interjections give social messages regarding internal relocation (on Egoli Affirmation), impermanence and identity (Closing) and global issues (Phezulu and Ezulwini).
The South African connection permeates the whole album. The brassy To Jo’burg features Lockheart’s strong tenor; Tlang Re Keteke gradually gains momentum before changing gear with Batchelor’s understated, laidback flugelhorn solo; the slowly constructed Wise And Waiting, introduced and given continual direction by bass and rhapsodic piano, has a rich choral backing for Nosihe Zulu’s heartfelt vocals quoting Ecclesiastes. The SA effect is heard to some extent on Skip, although the close harmonies here bear a striking resemblance to those of Philadelphia soul groups.
An interesting and all-encompassing piece of work that, like earlier South African jazz, draws on other strands. Here they include elements of electronica, vocals and strings that are well integrated.
Discography
Back Again; Egoli Affirmation; Skip; Dancing Under The Sun; Hymn; Tlang Re Keteke; Closing; Phezulu, Ezulwini; Recitative; Chorale; To Jo’burg; Wise And Waiting; Travail (76.32)
NoZaka, Nosihe Zulu, Chloe Morgan, Rosie Middleton, Michael Solomon Williams, Ben Rowarth (v); Raph Clarkson (tb); Yonela Mnana (p); Amaeshi Ikechi (b); Siphiwe Shiburi (d); Chris Batchelor (t); Mark Lockheart (ts); Judy Treggor (f, piccolo); Sophie Cameron, Naomi Burrell (vn); Alison D’Souza (vla); Zosia Jagodzinska (clo); Phil Merriman (kyb, syn, org); Jeremy West (c); Sue Addison (sackbut); Rosie Bergonzi (tubular bells, handpan); Junior Alli-Balogun (pc); Yuval “Juba” Wetzler (eld); Elliot Galvin (samples, elec). Various places, inc. Johannesburg & London, 2020, Leeds & London, 2021.
Ubuntu Music UBU0157
