Gideon Nxumalo was a key figure during the formative years of South African jazz in the 1950s, helping shape the emerging South African jazz sound as a pianist and composer and contributing to the scene as a radio presenter, music teacher and arranger. His recorded output as bandleader/composer is comprised of three iconic albums from Jazz Fantasia (1962) to Gideon Plays (1968) to Early-Mart (1970).

Early-Mart was Gideon Nxumalo's tribute to his friend and musical compatriot, drummer Early Mabuza (Castle Lager Big Band, Mankunku Quartet), who died in 1969. Nxumalo assembled what journalist and observer 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.

Opening the album is the 15-minute title suite "Early-Mart," a journey through the life of Early Mabuza that is epic in scope and varied in form and that reconciles moments of great joy with others of deep pathos. As a precursor to our 50th anniversary vinyl repressing of the album and its full digital release, we present the composition's two distinct musical parts accompanied by an archival portrait of Early Mabuza from 1970 by artist Winston Saoli.

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). Winston Saoli's painting was not used for the original release of Early-Mart in 1970 but his work does appear on Dollar Brand + 2 - Peace (KRS 110) in 1971.