One of our last scheduled reissues exploring South African jazz (until 2027 most likely), and years in the making. The album has been remastered from a vinyl-to-vinyl transfer as the original masters are unfortunately no longer available. We’re proud to share this limited run release of 300 copies with you for pre-order starting today.
The album Allen’s Soul Bag by the Allen Kwela Octet was originally released in 1972 on the Atlantic City, which also released seminal works by Philip Tabane And His Malombo Jazz Men, Chris Schilder, and The Flaming Souls label is a significant work in South African jazz history.
This debut album showcases Kwela’s transition from kwela music to modern jazz, blending soul jazz elements with South African musical influences. The octet features prominent musicians from the Johannesburg jazz scene, including trumpeter Dennis Mpale, who also contributed to Kwela’s later album Black Beauty.
The album is noted for its soulful arrangements and the interplay between guitar, horns, and rhythm sections, highlighting Kwela’s innovative guitar work and compositional skills. Allen’s Soul Bag is considered a landmark recording that set the stage for Kwela’s subsequent works, including the previously noted 1975 album Black Beauty, reissued recently by Matsuli.