{"title":"Dennis Mpale","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"paying-my-bills","title":"Paying My Bills","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"When one of South Africa’s most sought after trumpet players steps forward after a career alongside the very best in the International jazz scene, you know it’s going to be a special record. Dennis Mpale was one of South Africa's heavyweights. You’ll find his name springing up on every important South African jazz record and billing since the 1960’s. Chris McGregor’s iconic Jazz\/The African Sound LP, Abdullah Ibrahim’s Dollar Brand, Barney Rachabane in the highly influential ensemble Roots, and early work in house bands appearing alongside Nick Moyake in The Soul jazz Men to name just a few. His trumpet playing had character, an extension of the body and amplifier of that great South African sound.  Leaving South Africa during Apartheid as a strong supporter and member of the ANC, Dennis made London his home, joining the newly established SA Jazz scene and standing  in solidarity against the oppressions back in Africa.  Moving between London and South Africa during the 70’s and 80’s It wasn’t till the  early 1990’s when Dennis finally settled again to make his biggest transition to solo artist, redefining his Jazz past and putting a heavy kwaito infused house slammer on the agenda. 1994s \u003ci\u003ePaying My Bills\u003c\/i\u003e (a title maybe more appropriate now than it ever has been) is a mighty jazz kwaito house effort: From the heavy synth beat and  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGorgeous floating solo opener of \u003ci\u003ePaying My Bills\u003c\/i\u003e, to the highly infectious vocal phrasing on thumping house anthem ‘Take My Time’. \u003ci\u003ePaying My Bills\u003c\/i\u003e takes the sensibilities of a jazz maestro and pairs it with one of South Africa’s biggest producers Peter ‘Hitman’ Moticoe, creating the perfect recipe for a certified summer slammer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHaving previously only ever been released on CD, this is the first ever vinyl pressing of the album (hazy early test pressings lurk on a small number of lucky shelves). Vinyl mastering is handled by The Carvery’s very own Frank Merritt here in London, with the resulting tracks generously split over 2 discs to fully appreciate the swampy heavy dub bass drolls for full dancefloor effect. It’s loud and punchy and makes space for those glorious trumpet improvisations while keeping the synth refrains and heavy bass thumping.  Early plays include resident NTS DJ’s and a feature on Palms Trax Radio 1 residency with surely more support to follow. \"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sticky Buttons Records","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50531133063499,"sku":"2053922","price":39.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Paying_My_Bills_3febdb37_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728095981"},{"product_id":"our-boys-are-doing-it","title":"Our Boys Are Doing It","description":"\u003cp\u003eBy the mid-1970s, trumpeter Dennis Mpale was a consummate musician with an auspicious resume that located him at all the key turning points in the evolution of modern South African jazz. In his mid-20s, he led the trumpet section of Chris McGregor’s Castle Lager Big Band and participated in the ensemble’s landmark 1963 album Jazz\/The African Sound. 1968 saw him recording I Remember Nick with The Soul Giants, which joined a wave of notable late-1960s releases, including The Mankunku Quartet’s Yakhal' Inkomo and The Chris Schilder Quintet’s Spring, that ignited the ambitions of South African jazz artists and producers in the 1970s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1975, Mpale co-founded the “rock jazz” ensemble Roots, inaugurating the era of jazz fusion in South Africa and opening the door for Pacific Express and Spirits Rejoice. By 1977, Mpale had earned the right to an album of his own and, having participated in the 1975 recording of Abdullah Ibrahim’s African Herbs, turned to producer Rashid Vally of the As-Shams\/The Sun label for his solo debut. Vally financed the project and seized an opportunity to license it to the local subsidiary of a major international label. As such, \u003cem\u003eOur Boys Are Doing It \u003c\/em\u003ewas issued in South Africa on the Mercury label in 1977. Featuring saxophone heavyweight Kippie Moketsi, the album was a response to the global direction taken by trumpeter Hugh Masekela on \u003cem\u003eThe Boy's Doin' It \u003c\/em\u003ein 1975. In contrast, seeped in the bump jive style of popular urban township music, \u003cem\u003eOur Boys Are Doing It \u003c\/em\u003ewas a manifesto for an authentic, exuberant, homegrown variety of South African jazz.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"We Are Busy Bodies","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":51308875055435,"sku":"R5288-9955","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/201375015327.jpg?v=1740144993"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/dennis-mpale.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}