Mankunku Quartet - Yakhal' Inkomo (1968) [vinyl]

“Ah... at last it's done. I mean the recording of South Africa's number one tenor sax player, Winston "Mankunku" Ngozi. This is the LP that every jazz fan has been waiting for. Listen to it from side one to the last note on side two then you'll agree with me that this is jazz, dished out by the son of the soil in a soul/jazz bowl. On the first side of this LP is "Yakhal Inkomo" (one of his original works), literally translated "Bellowing Bull." The sound of a bull bellowing mournfully at the loss of one of his kind, is one from deep down in the heart. It is with this sound captured musically, that Mankunku expresses his deep grief at the loss of one of the greatest tenor players in the world, Daddy Trane, as he calls the late John Coltrane. If you listen to the early recordings of John Coltrane - for example "Blue Train," "Moments Notice" and Wayne Snorter's "Johnny's Blues" and "Noise in the Attic," you will agree with him that he was influenced by them. The second tune is also his own composition - "Dedication" (to Daddy Trane and Brother Shorter). It is a 4/4, which is so well arranged that I could hardly believe that it is his original work - with this tune he really plays his part. He plays himself. I remember during the recording session he didn't want anyone to move about because such movements disturb his feelings and concentration. The other tunes are his choice. From Horace Silver's works he chose "Doodlin'" and from Coltrane's "Bessie's Blues." About the trio that provided the background, he said "they are fabulous dad, they are with me all the time. When I reach the climax, they are there with me - I love working with them." That, I myself believe, because while recording "Yakhal' Inkomo", I saw tears rolling down his cheeks after Lionel Pillay's piano solo. Everyone there was thrilled to hear Lionel play with such feeling, a real down-to-earth feeling. The Early Mabuza Trio played and played - they deserve full marks." ~ Extract by Ray Nkwe, Liner Notes. 

World Record Co., ORL 6022, 1968
Recorded 23rd July, 1968 at Studios of Manley Van Niekerk, Johannesburg, SA 

Musicians:
Winston "Mankunku" Ngozi - Tenor Saxophone
Lionel Pillay - Piano
Agrippa Magwaza - Bass
Early Mabuza - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. Yakhal' Inkomo {Winston Ngozi} (8:53)
A2. Dedication [To Daddy Trane And Brother Shorter] {Winston Ngozi} (10:14)
B1. Doodlin' {Horace Silver} (6:05)
B2. Bessie's Blues {John Coltrane} (7:37) 

Total Time: 32:49 

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Ray Nkwe
Recording Engineer - Dave Challen
Photography - Alf Khumalo