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Tete Mbambisa
Did You Tell Your Mother
As-Shams - Cat No: ML4258
- updated:2026-07-14
A masterful fusion of African groove and the elegance of American modal jazz, this is the worldwide reissue of one of the greatest albums in the history of South African jazz, released in 1979. In addition to Tete Mbambisa, one of the founders of the Cape jazz sound, on piano, Basil "Mannenberg" Coetzee on tenor saxophone and flute, Zulu Bidi, also known as Batsumi, on bass, and Monty Weber, drummer for Abdullah Ibrahim, on drums. The acoustic quartet is flanked by Monty Weber, who played with Abdullah Ibrahim as a drummer and bassist for Zulu Bidi, also known as Batsumi.
Track List
Self-taught in piano, Tete Mbambisa formed the vocal group The Four Yanks in his teens. He later devoted himself to piano with the encouragement of Abdullah Ibrahim, and while many musicians defected, Tete Mbambisa deepened his own jazz expression from within South Africa. The Sun" is a completely acoustic work released on his own independent label, "As-Shams/The Sun" at a time when electronic instruments were becoming more and more popular. The deep African breathing is repeated and circulated, while approaching free improvisation reminiscent of John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders. The 2026 reissue features flat transfers faithfully reproduced from the master tapes. Beyond being an important work, this is a piece that invites you to the charms of spiritual jazz〜deep modal. (Original Japanese text by Adachi)