Sixteen Original Sax Jive Hits cover

Sixteen Original Sax Jive Hits

Released

West Nkosi is mostly known for being the producer who helped shape the sound of modern South African popular music, thanks to his work with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Marumo, and countless others. However, before working at the legendary Gallo record label and focusing on producing, Nkosi was a very popular penny whistle player and saxophonist who specialized in the sax jive, a style that was particularly popular in the 1960s and 70s. In true sax jive form, the tracks collected on this record are incredibly catchy, favoring repetitive sax riffs and zesty grooves over extended solos. Underpinned by a tight rhythms section and accompanied by guitars, percussion, bass, and sometimes violin, accordion, or electric organ, Nkosi created joyous, danceable tracks that embody the same spirit as the South African mbaqanga, pop, and funk he’d pioneer years later. 

Megan Iacobini de Fazio

Suggestions
Cubafrica cover

Cubafrica

Manu Dibango, El Cuarteto Patria
Stalemate cover

Stalemate

Africa 70, Fela Kuti
Yellow Fever cover

Yellow Fever

Africa 70, Fela Kuti
Jazz Epistle - Verse 1 cover

Jazz Epistle - Verse 1

The Jazz Epistles
Up Side Down cover

Up Side Down

Sandra Akanke Isidore, Africa 70, Fela Kuti
African Piano cover

African Piano

Abdullah Ibrahim
Alex Express cover

Alex Express

The Cliffs, Winston "Mankunku" Ngozi
Wakafrika cover

Wakafrika

Manu Dibango
Gone Clear cover

Gone Clear

Manu Dibango