Assagai - Assagai (1971)
This is a Afrorock group led by the fantastic alto player Dudu Pukwana, and he got with him
the marvelous conet/trumpet player Mongezi Feza and the supreme drummer Louis Moholo,
this wonderful trio of very skilful musicians came all from South Africa, and they had play
together a very long time in The Blue Notes in the 60's and in London The Blue Notes changes
their name to Chris MacGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath and recorded an abum of free jazz at the
same time as this album was recorded, but the music on this album is not any free jazz,
no not at all, it's just some nice Afrorock, so taste it yourself if you like that kind of music.
Mongezi Feza - Cornet
Dudu Pukwana - Alto Sax
Bizo Mngqikana - Tenor Sax
Fred Coker - Guitar
Charles Ononogbo - Bass
Louis Moholo - Drums
Produced by David Watson
Released on Vertigo in 1971
This release Repertoire 1994
The Telephone Girl was written by Duhig-Field-Harvard, which was known as Jade Warrior,
and they made three albums themself on Vertigo, and we know that they were guest musicians
on the second Assagai album Zimbabwe, so it's a big chance that they guesting on this album too,
even they aren't credit for more than the two songwritings, and on this album the made indeed
an African version of Hey Jude, and that is a version thats needs to be heard.
Tracklist:
1. 01 - Telephone Girl (3:26) (Duhig-Field-Harvard)
2. 02 - Akasa (4:17) (Coker-Ononogbo)
3. 03 - Hey Jude (3:46) (Lennon-McCartney)
4. 04 - Cocoa (4:04) (Coker)
5. 05 - Irin Ajolania (4:23) (Duhig-Coker)
6. 06 - Ayleo (5:15) (Coker)
7. 07 - Beka (4:06) (Pukwana)
8. 08 - I'll Wait For You (2:19) (Coker)
Assagai - Afrorock (1971)
The second Assagai album has an interesting and somewhat schizophrenic history. It was initially released in late 1971 under the name Zimbabwe - a test pressing was made on the Vertigo "swirl" label (#6360 058) but the actual release of the album took place on the Philips label. The album's cover and sleeve were designed and draw by noted album-artist Roger Dean. All musicians are credited on the back cover; Jade Warrior members Tony Duhig, Jon Field, and Glyn Havard are credited for both performance and song-writing.
At some later date, the album was re-issued by the "Music For Pleasure / Sounds Superb" label, under the name AfroRock, with a completely different cover and sleeve. The back cover makes mention of the fact that the album had been released previously, but doesn't explain (or even mention) the change of name. No musician credits are given.
Like Assagai's first album, Zimbabwe includes a mix of original tunes written by members of the band (including newcomer Martha Mdenge, who has one of the loveliest voices I've ever heard) and cover versions of Jade Warrior tunes - specifically "Barazinbar" (from Released) and Sanga (from "Eclipse"). There's also a new song "Kinzambi" written by Tony Duhig.
Tracklist:
1. Barazinbar 6:05
2. Wanga 2:50
3. La la 4:26
4. Dalani 4:37
5. Bayeza 3:22
6. Sanga 4:22
7. Come along 3:59
8. Kinzambi 5:44