Sixteen Original Sax Jive Hits

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 rhythm 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.