Hugh Masekela: 66-76

Wrasse Records   

Limited to 1,000 copies!

Albums that Masekela recorded from 1966 to 1976

Hugh Masekela was one of the world´s finest and most distinctive horn players, a musical celebrity who built up a dedicated global following thanks to his unique blend of jazz, South African styles, and music from across the African continent and diaspora.

The albums that Masekela recorded in this period, from 1966 to 1976, were impressively varied. He was already a fine horn player and powerful singer, and his songs ranged from exquisite to angry and experimental. It may seen extraordinary that these tracks have been allowed to disappear, but this remarkable set helps to put that right. Compiled by Hugh and his friend and producer Stewart Levine, it includes tracks from 11 albums, with two of the finest — Masekela Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz and I Am Not Afraid — re-released in full.

A powerful trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, singer and songwriter, Masekela used his music to attack apartheid. Upon returning to a free South Africa after 30 years in exile — and until his death in 2018 — he was an outspoken commentator on global events.