Rare 1974 spiritual jazz album ‘Habiba’ released outside of South Africa for first time
London-based reissue label, Outernational Sounds, who has been releasing many incredible albums over the past few years, has just made available for the first time outside of South Africa, one of the most sought-after and obscure international jazz recordings in Kirk Lightsey and Rudolph Johnson with the All Stars’ 1974 funky spiritual jazz holy-grail Habiba.
A masterful recording, that became quickly out of print upon its initial original release on South African’s famous Gallo imprint label, the three track recording dives into post-Coltrane spiritual grooves on the 21-minute title track “Habiba”, to head-nodding jazz-funk flipside track “Here It Is”, and the minor key waltz “Fresh Air”. Led by pianist Kirk Lightsey and saxophonist Rudolph Johnson, who also released a couple of recordings on legendary West Coast indie Black Jazz label, this once forgotten masterpiece unfortunately was hidden in the darkness of the country’s apartheid era.
Recorded when The All Stars were touring South Africa, the session also features trumpeter Danny Cortez, bass clarinetist Delbert Hill, trombonist All Hall Jr, guitarist Charles Mallory, bassist Johnny Boshoff, and drummer Curtis Kirk.
Fully licensed from Gallo Records, Outernational Sounds has unearthed one of the most desired albums to ever come out of South Africa and make it available for jazz fans globally. This might arguably be the most essential reissue release of 2020.
Kirk Lightsey and Rudolph Johnson with the All Stars — ‘Habiba’
(Originally released: 1974 / Gallo)
(Reissued: 2020 / Outernational Sounds)
A SIDE 1: Habiba
B SIDE 2: Here It Is
B SIDE 3: Fresh Air
