Legacy - Live In South Afrika 1964

Recorded live in Durban, South Afrika in 1964, prior to the departure of the Blue Notes to appear by invitation at the Juan-Les-Pins Jazz Festival, this is an historical artefact, not just in the musical development of the Blue Notes, but in the history and dire consequences of that period of the South Afrikan tragedy.

Much credit is due to the far-sighted organisers of the 1964 Antibes -Juan Les Pins jazz festival, who recognised the talent of South Africa's premier jazz combo the Blue Notes and accorded them an invitation to appear at that year's event. The ensuing voluntary exile of the multiracial group from their increasingly racist and violently oppressed homeland led to a seismic impact on the jazz scene in Britain, their adopted home.

The Blue Notes toured South Africa prior to leaving and luckily one of these performances, in Durban, was taped. The six musicians played an exhilarating set of original compositions with one standard (I Cover the Waterfront), their inventive harmonic interplay to the fore. Sound quality is perfectly acceptable and the package includes sleeve-notes by Tony McGregor, brother of pianist/leader Chris McGregor.

Some historical artefacts gather dust, neglected. Legacy - Live in South Afrika 1964 is not one of them. Regular playback of this album breathes life into the memory of the early days of this vital group.