"Early-Mart Suite", by Gideon Nxumalo

"Early-Mart Suite"

by Gideon Nxumalo

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

€3 EUR or more

	1.	Early-Mart Part 1 04:54
	2.	Early-Mart Part 2 09:12

about

Gideon Nxumalo was a key figure during the formative years of South African jazz in the 1950s, helping shape the emerging South African jazz sound as a pianist and composer and contributing to the scene as a radio presenter, music teacher and arranger. His recorded output as bandleader/composer is comprised of three iconic albums from Jazz Fantasia (1962) to Gideon Plays (1968) to Early-Mart (1970).

Early-Mart was Gideon Nxumalo's tribute to his friend and musical compatriot, drummer Early Mabuza (Castle Lager Big Band, Mankunku Quartet), who died in 1969. Nxumalo assembled what journalist and observer Leslie Sehume reports was a 14-piece band for the album, which was recorded during a legendary overnight session in February 1970 and released just months before Nxumalo's own death on 24 December 1970.

Opening the album is the 15-minute title suite "Early-Mart," a journey through the life of Early Mabuza that is epic in scope and varied in form and that reconciles moments of great joy with others of deep pathos. As a precursor to our 50th anniversary vinyl repressing of the album and its full digital release, we present the composition's two distinct musical parts accompanied by an archival portrait of Early Mabuza from 1970 by artist Winston Saoli.

Produced by Rashid Vally, Early-Mart (KRS 107) was released on Soultown Records, which would evolve into As-Shams/The Sun in 1974. It was Vally's first foray into avant-garde South African jazz and would lead to his label's fertile relationship with Abdullah Ibrahim (recording as Dollar Brand). Winston Saoli's painting was not used for the original release of Early-Mart in 1970 but his work does appear on Dollar Brand + 2 - Peace (KRS 110) in 1971.

credits

released December 24, 2020

The ensemble that recorded Early-Mart was uncredited. We have no authorative list of participants and the composition of the brass section is subject to differing accounts. We combine credible anecdotal sources to offer the following:

Piano – Gideon Nxumalo
Guitar – Allen Kwela
Bass – Morris Manana
Drums – Gordon Mfandu
Flute – Dennis Nene
Trumpet – Stompie Manana / Kleinkie Rubushe / Johnny Selilo / Dennis Mpale
Trombone – Blyth Mbityana
Alto Sax – Peter Mokonotela / Zacks Nkosi
Tenor Sax – Timothy Ndaba / Mackay Davashe
Baritone Sax – Valley Ngwenya / Conny Khumalo

Composed & Arranged by Gideon "Mgibe" Nxumalo
Recorded at Ster Studios, Johannesburg
Engineer: Trevor Evans
Produced by Rashid Vally

Album Artwork by Winston Saoli

Cat. No. KRS 107
℗ 1970 Soultown Records © 2020 As-Shams Archive

license

about

As-Shams/The Sun Records Johannesburg, South Africa

Champions of South African Jazz • Independent Record Label Established in Johannesburg in 1974

North America Archive Series Link: as-shams-busy-bodies.bandcamp.com

contact / help

Contact As-Shams/The Sun Records

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like "Early-Mart Suite", you may also like:

Ndikho Xaba and the Natives
by Ndikho Xaba

supported by 11 fans who also own “"Early-Mart Suite"”

fantastic label releasing fantastic music from south africa! jonathan
go to album
Spring
by The Ibrahim Khalil Shihab Quintet

supported by 11 fans who also own “"Early-Mart Suite"”

I just cant stop listening to this album! Big love!!! DJ Kobayashi
go to album
Dudu Phukwana and the "Spears"
by Dudu Pukwana

supported by 11 fans who also own “"Early-Mart Suite"”

A forgotten classic of timeless feel-good South African jazz! What's not to love?? Charlie Moonbeam
go to album
Rainbow Revisited
by Thandi Ntuli with Carlos Niño

featured on Bandcamp Radio Oct 17, 2023
go to album
Turbulence and Pulse
by Asher Gamedze

The Cape Town–based drummer explores the parallels between jazz and the growth and movement of historical forces on his latest LP. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 8, 2023
go to album
Finish The Sun
by Shane Cooper & MABUTA

On “Finish the Sun,” Shane Cooper & MABUTA explore the many musical influences that make up their native South Africa. Bandcamp New & Notable May 16, 2022
go to album
Inhlupeko: Distress
by The Soul Jazzmen

supported by 10 fans who also own “"Early-Mart Suite"”

This has slowly and sneakingly turned into one of my favorite jazz albums in recent past. Great label. Michael Feihstel
go to album