Dollar Brand + 2: Peace (1971)

Ten years after Abdullah Ibrahim had left his homecountry he was able to record in South Africa again, resulting in two albums that are now considered classics.

Again, i wasn't able to find any review or further background on this album. With the exception of this excerpt from an article at Electricjive:

"Dollar Brand sent Kippie Moeketsi, Victor Ntoni and Nelson Magwaza a telegram asking them to come to Johannesburg and join him in making what were his first commercial recordings in South Africa since 1960. Produced by Rashid Vally, those records are now lauded as classics:  Dollar Brand + 2 with Victor Ntoni and Nelson Magwaza (Gallo-Soultown KRS110) and “Dollar Brand + 3 with Kippie Moeketsi” - with Ntoni and Magwaza as well. (Gallo-Soultown KRS113)."

Since i'm not too familiar with Ibrahim's work, i feel unable to put these sides in context. What i can say is, that Brand's playing is pretty muscular, with a strong rhythmic element and the intense use of repetition, especially of course, on the two very long jams. There's an uplifting, almost jubilating quality combined with a deep melancholy in Brand's music. Though standing firmly in the jazz tradition, his very distinctive and unique style shows his South African background very clearly.


Dollar Brand + 2: Peace
Soultown, KRS 110, South Africa, 1971
This issue: The Sun SRK 786137, South Africa, 1976

A1 Shrimp Boats (P. M. Howard, P. Weston) 11:50
A2 Salaam (Peace) (Dollar Brand) 2:06
A3 Cherry (Dollar Brand) 5:10
B1 Tintinyana (Dollar Brand) 12:00
B2 Just A Song 4:09
B3 Little Boy (Dollar Brand) 2:50

Dollar Brand (p) Victor Ntoni (b)  Nelson Magwaza (d)

Artwork – Winston Saoli
Liner Notes – Gordon Siwani
Producer – Rashid Vally