Stimela – I hate telling a lie
https://amf.didiermary.fr/stimela-hate-telling-lie/
Stimela is a South African Afro-fusion band, founded by Ray Phiri (Raymond Chikapa Phiri) in 1982.
In 1985 Paul Simon asked Ray Phiri (RIP) and drummer Isaac Mtshali (RIP) to join his Graceland project, which was successful but also helped the South Africans to make names for themselves abroad. Ray was to collaborate with Paul […]
Sankomota - Now or Never (1987)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSffSzDxN_Q
About Sankomota: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankomota
Louis Moholo-Moholo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/louis-moholo-moholo/
Louis Tebogo Moholo, known in later life as Louis Moholo-Moholo, legendary South African drummer, passed away recently.
If you’re into FreeJazz / AvantGardeJazz, you should check his discography.
Born March 10, 1940 in Cape Town, South Africa, he died June 13, 2025 in South Africa. He was in exile from 1964, as the Blue Notes, the […]
Sikiza Matshikiza – Pat Matshikiza
https://amf.didiermary.fr/sikiza-matshikiza-pat-matshikiza/
Pianist, singer and composer Pat Matshikiza (10 November 1938 – 29 December 2014) will go down in the annals of South African music as one of the jazz pioneers who played a pivotal role in the birth and evolution of jazz in the country. Born in Queenstown in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province in 1938, […]
Ola Onabulé – What The Heck
https://amf.didiermary.fr/ola-onabule-what-the-heck/
British-Nigerian singer/songwriter Ola Onabulé released his album “Point Less” in 2019, with strong musical and thematic connections to Nigeria, following his critically acclaimed 2015 recording “It’s The Peace That Deafens.”
Onabulé has built an enviably solid music career through a relentless schedule both in the recording studio and as an international touring performer. [...]
Ghana Special (updated)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/ghana-special/
As of 11/20/2025, this “old” compilation isn’t available on Bancamp anymore, replaced by a new one, called “Ghana Special Highlife”.
Tete Mbambisa – Tete’s Big Sound
https://amf.didiermary.fr/tete-mbambisa-big-sound/
An often ignored classic of South African jazz, “Tete’s Big Sound” by Tete Mbambisa was released in 1976.
The album Tete’s Big Sound emerged during a golden age for local South African jazz recordings in the 1970s. Issued by the independent As-Shams/The Sun label in 1976, it was the […]
Cheikh Ndoye – A Child’s Tale (live)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/cheikh-ndoye-child-tale-live/
Bassist and composer Cheikh Ndoye, originally from Senegal, West Africa, has been described as a “Young Lion” with the path he embarked upon so early in his career. The multi-instrumentalist revealed the depth of his artistry with his first CD release (2008), A Child’s Tale, in which musical giants such as Randy Brecker, Russell Ferrante, […]
Spirit Of Malombo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/spirit-of-malombo/
Next Stop Soweto presents Spirit Of Malombo: Malombo, Jabula, Jazz Afrika 1966-1984
The influential and heavily political music of drummer Julian Bahula since the mid-’60s who appeared with the Malombo Jazz Makers, Jabula and Jazz Afrika bands.
Bahula’s first group was the Malombo Jazzmen, led by guitarist Philip Tabane with flautist Abbey Cindi. They broke the […]
Assa Matusse - Aprendeste aonde?
https://youtu.be/dTufgpX6sQA
Live version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHhMmgLHf68
Robin Fassie – Intwasa: The Becoming
https://amf.didiermary.fr/robin-fassie-intwasa-the-becoming/
Robin Fassie became known for his inspired performances on Listening to the Ground by Nduduzo Makhathini in 2015. “Intwasa: The Becoming” was released in 2023.
Robin Fassie, nephew of SA Pop legend Brenda Fassie, moves steadily towards becoming one of the finest young jazz musicians on the scene today. Already an outstanding trumpeter, his relaxed […]
Zoë Modiga - Uyakhazimula
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0_ZwC7D7yw
More on AMF: https://amf.didiermary.fr/zoe-modiga-lengoma-tubatsi-mpho-moloi/
BLK JKS & ALEKESAM – The Boy’s Doin’ It
https://amf.didiermary.fr/blk-jks-alekesam-the-boys-doin-it/
Featuring Masekela’s son, Sal Masekela (aka ALEKESAM) and his nephew Selema, here’s an homage to the late musical icon Hugh Masekela, with a cover of his classic 1975 Afro-funk-rock “THE BOY’S DOIN’ IT!”
#70smusic #AfroFunk #Cover #HughMasekela #SouthAfrica #AfroJazz
Mopao Swahili Jazz – Msewe Hybrid
https://amf.didiermary.fr/mopao-swahili-jazz-msewe-hybrid/
Mopao Swahili Jazz, founded by Emmanuel Abraham Mwandemelela aka Emma Mopao, is from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The band play original jazz songs blending beats and rhythms from various African music traditions. They released their first album Taswira (Reaction) in 2019.
AfroJazz sélection n°2 : 🇿🇦
(sur mon blog principal)
Asher Gamedze – Turbulence and Pulse
https://amf.didiermary.fr/asher-gamedze-turbulence-pulse/
Asher Gamedze is a cultural worker based in Cape Town, South Africa, involved in music, education and history.
As an independent musician he works as a drummer, composer and bandleader.
“Turbulence and Pulse,” his 3rd album was released in early 2023 and featured his quartet of Robin Fassie (trumpet), Buddy Wells (tenor saxophone), and [...]
Manu Dibango – Groovy Flute
https://amf.didiermary.fr/african-voodoo-manu-dibango-groovy-flute/
“Groovy flute” appears on “African Voodoo”, an album of rare tracks that were created by Manu Dibango for advertising, TV, movies…
Fantastic and rare album by Manu Dibango, the Afro Soul Maestro!
Theses files were recorded in 1971 at Pathé-Marconi studio (Boulogne Billancourt) for professional sound illustration [...]
#70smusic #Advertisement #AfroFunk #Cameroon #Compilation #ManuDibango #TV #AfroJazz
Tefo Mahola – First Offering
https://amf.didiermary.fr/tefo-mahola-first-offering/
Tefo Mahola (aka “Talking Drum”) is a drummer and composer from Gugulethu, Cape Town. His first album “First Offering” was released in 2020. He’s Mzantsi Jazz Awards “Best Album of 2021” winner.
Thembi (Thembelihle) Dunjana appears on piano.
Vuma Levin – Antique Spoons
https://amf.didiermary.fr/vuma-levin-antique-spoons/
Promising South African guitarist and composer Vuma Levin mixes styles from his home country with Jazz, Pop and Electronics. “Antique Spoons: Chapters on Love, Loss and The Politics of Memory”, his 4th album, was released in 2020.
Born a South African and raised during the unstable interregnum years of Post-Apartheid South Africa, Guitarist Vuma Ian […]
Bokani Dyer – Radio Sechaba
https://amf.didiermary.fr/bokani-dyer-radio-sechaba/
A multi award-winning and established artist, with a growing global reputation, Bokani Dyer’s record “Radio Sechaba” provides an intimate view into South Africa’s multifaceted people – and an opportunity for global connection through music. The album continues Dyer’s creative journey of making rich and immersive music which places him amongst the new wave of South […]
Jonas Gwangwa – Morwa (live)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/jonas-gwangwa-morwa-live/
Trombonist, composer and cultural activist Jonas Mosa Gwangwa, who was born on 19 October 1937 in Orlando East, Johannesburg, died on 23 January 2021 in Johannesburg aged 83. A mainstream player, producer and composer of SouthAfrican Jazz, Jonas Gwangwa chose to lead the Amandla Cultural Ensemble of the African National Congress (ANC) for 10 years […]
Letta MBulu – What Is Wrong With Groovin’?
https://amf.didiermary.fr/letta-mbulu-what-wrong-groovin/
Letta MBulu’s “What Is Wrong With Groovin’?” is a single released in 1967 and written by Hugh Masekela.
Letta is a South African jazz singer who left the country in 1964 to escape apartheid, with her husband Caiphus Semenya.They left South Africa for Los Angeles and worked with many (Jazz) musicians & composers […]
Abdullah Ibrahim – Water From An Ancient Well
https://amf.didiermary.fr/abdullah-ibrahim-water-ancient-well/
“Water From An Ancient Well” features the pianist/composer with a very strong septet. Such superior musicians as tenor saxophonist Ricky Ford, altoist Carlos Ward, baritonist Charles Davis, and trombonist Dick Griffin are heard at their most creative and emotional on these eight Ibrahim originals. [...]
#80smusic #AbdullahIbrahim #Jazz #Madiba #Piano #SouthAfrica #AfroJazz
Ami Taf Ra - How I Became A Madman
Feat. Kamasi Washington
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkj3kBkcA4c
LA-based Moroccan artist, inspired by Khalil Gibran’s seminal work "The Prophet" https://www.kahlilgibran.com/images/The%20Prophet%20Ebook%20by%20Kahlil%20Gibran.pdf
“I woke from a deep sleep and found all my masks were stolen.”
From "The Prophet and The Madman," produced by Kamasi Washington.
https://amitafra.bandcamp.com/album/the-prophet-and-the-madman
Far from Perfection · Etuk Ubong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joHjmoxBzFY
More on AMF: https://amf.didiermary.fr/etuk-ubong-africa-today/
