Luxury Gideon Nxumalo: Early-Mart (Vinyl LP) | Freebird Records

Early-Mart was Gideon Nxumalo’s tribute to friend and musical compatriot, drummer Early Mabuza (Castle Lager Big Band, Mankunku Quartet), who died in 1969. Nxumalo assembled what embedded journalist 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.

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).

1. Early–Mart
2. Frustration
3. Slow Blues
4. When The Saints Go Marching In