Gideon Nxumalo was a key figure during the formative years of South African jazz in the 1950s and 60s, helping shape a modern African jazz sound as a composer, arranger and pianist and contributing to the scene as a music teacher and radio presenter. His recorded output as solo artist/bandleader is comprised of a trilogy of iconic albums from Jazz Fantasia (1962) to Gideon Plays (1968) to Early-Mart (1970).
Early-Mart was Gideon Nxumalo's tribute to friend and musical compatriot, drummer Early Mabuza (Castle Lager Big Band, Mankunku Quartet), who died in 1969. Nxumalo assembled what embedded journalist Leslie Sehume reports was a 14-piece band for the album, which was recorded during a legendary overnight session in February 1970 and released just months before Nxumalo's own death on 24 December 1970.
Produced by Rashid Vally, Early-Mart (KRS 107) was released on Soultown Records, which would evolve into As-Shams/The Sun in 1974. It was Vally's first foray into avant-garde South African jazz and would lead to his label's fertile relationship with Abdullah Ibrahim (recording as Dollar Brand).
The ensemble that recorded Early-Mart was uncredited. We have no authoritative list of participants and the composition of the brass section is subject to differing accounts. We combine credible anecdotal sources to offer the following:
Piano - Gideon Nxumalo
Guitar - Allen Kwela
Bass - Morris Manana
Drums - Gordon Mfandu
Flute - Dennis Nene
Trumpet - Stompie Manana • Kleinkie Rubushe • Johnny Selilo • Dennis Mpale
Trombone - Blyth Mbityana
Alto Sax - Peter Mokonotela • Zacks Nkosi
Tenor Sax - Timothy Ndaba • Mackay Davashe
Baritone Sax - Valley Ngwenya • Conny Khumalo
Composed & Arranged by Gideon "Mgibe" Nxumalo
Recorded at Ster Studios, Johannesburg
Engineer: Trevor Evans
Produced by Rashid Vally
