ProJazz.net

This album is hard evidence of that 1976 musical moment in which Pacific Express forged an entirely new South African sound and musical identity out of what was ‘Cape Town Jazz’, Latin, R&B, soul, pop and fusion.

From the political heat of 1976 come the militant, upbeat and irresistible funk tracks Black Fire and Brother – where singer Zayn Adam calls out for hope and optimism in spite of present difficulties. The pace moves down a gear for heart-felt ballads and Latin-tinged jazz instrumentals. Group leader Chris Schilder, after his deep jazz beginnings with Winston Mankunku Ngozi and the cream of Cape Town’s jazz crop had already spent some time with seminal black fusion group The Drive in the early seventies. Black Fire lays down a fusion of jazz funk and soul that was later picked up on and developed by Spirits Rejoice and others.

Track listing:
SIDE A
A1. Brother
A2. Feelings (Deep In Your Heart)
A3. Sky Ride II
A4. Heaven (I’ve Found In You)
SIDE B
B1. Black Fire
B2. You’re Everything
B3. Love Your Baby Right
B4. Wind Song

Personnel:
Ebrahim Khalil Shihab – Fender Rhodes Electric Piano
Zayn Adam – vocals and percussion
Robbie Jansen – trumpet, alto sax and vocals
Basil Manenberg Coetzee – tenor sax and flute
Issy Ariefdien – guitar and vocals
Paul Abrahams – bass guitar
Jack Momple – drums

__________________

Label: EMI – EMCJ (L) 11528
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: South Africa
Released: 1976