Hedzoleh

Hedzoleh (meaning freedom) were one of the most original bands of the 1970s, playing a mix of traditional music from across the country tinged with western rock. They emerged at the beginning of a decade that saw great changes in the West African music scene. At that time, the sight of a band playing music at clubs in the city (as opposed to the countryside), dressed in traditional costumes was fairly radical and typified the new feeling for afrocentric roots and culture which was gaining popularity amongst the youth of the day. The band went onto record an album with south african trumpeter Hugh Masekela entitled Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz regarded as one of his best from the 70s and it is this album by Hedzoleh that 4 tracks were re-recorded for that purpose. This album however has since almost vanished from public domain and whilst the masekela album has become an afro-jazz classic, the original trumpetless hedzoleh sound hasn't had a chance to be heard for nearly 40 years...until now.