Dudu Phukwana and the Spears

Now this truly is a musical treasure to stumble upon: back in 1969 the noted producer Joe Boyd had befriended a number of exiled South African jazz musicians in London. One of them, the saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, shared with Boyd an enthusiasm to record an album where they updated the kwela (township jive) music that he had grown up with. Kwela was largely played on penny whistles so Pukwana interpreted those tunes on saxophone, recording with South African and Nigerian musicians on the London scene. This album was released in South Africa yet nowhere else and largely forgotten.

Finally, the original album (even including the misspelt title) is receiving an international release and fittingly so: the music here is very warm, well played kwela, albeit with added jazz chops). It is lyrical and great for dancing with Pukwana’s saxophone leading the way. The reissue extends the original ten tunes to 17 with demos and outtakes added. Throughout these instrumental tracks the band play with loose joy – this is music for mind and body. Sadly, Pukwana and most of his fellow exiles have long since left the planet. Some 50 years on, this fine music is finally widely available.