Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz

{{Short description|1973 studio album by Hugh Masekela}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz

| type = studio

| artist = Hugh Masekela

| cover = Introduction Hedzoleh Soundz.jpeg

| border = yes

| alt =

| released = 1973

| recorded = July 1973

| venue =

| studio = EMI Studios, Lagos, Nigeria

| genre = Jazz

| length =

| label = Blue Thumb BTS 62

| producer = Stewart Levine

| prev_title = Home Is Where the Music Is

| prev_year = 1972

| next_title = I Am Not Afraid

| next_year = 1974

}}

{{Album ratings

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|title=Hugh Masekela – Hugh Masekela Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/masekela-introducing-hedzoleh-soundz-mw0000871490|website=Allmusic|publisher=allmusic.com|accessdate=7 May 2016|first= |last=}}

|rev2 = Sputnikmusic

|rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|title=Hugh Masekela: Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/soundoff.php?albumid=135040|website=Sputnik Music|publisher=sputnikmusic.com|accessdate=31 October 2017}}

}}

Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz is the fifteenth studio album by South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela.{{cite web|title=Hugh Masekela – Biography|url=https://www.amoeba.com/hugh-masekela/artist/116209/bio|website=Amoeba Music|publisher=amoeba.com|accessdate=13 July 2017}} It was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, and released in 1973.{{cite web|title=Masekela Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz – Masekela Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz|url=https://www.discogs.com/Masekela-Introducing-Hedzoleh-Soundz-Masekela-Introducing-Hedzoleh-Soundz/release/1570223|website=Discogs|publisher=discogs.com|accessdate=7 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=DISCOGRAPHY: 1970–1979|url=http://www.dougpayne.com/hmd7079.htm#RECONSTRUCTION|publisher=dougpayne.com|accessdate=7 May 2016}} The track "Languta" was later included in Masekela's 2004 album Still Grazing.

Background

Hedzoleh Soundz were a band from Accra, Ghana, formed in the late 1960s. The word Hedzoleh means "freedom" in the Ga language.{{cite web|title=Hedzoleh Soundz: Artist Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/hedzoleh-soundz-mn0001008867|website=Allmusic|publisher=allmusic.com|accessdate=7 May 2016}} The album contains eight tracks: six are written by Hedzoleh, one by Masekela, and one is traditional. Their original melodies were based on traditional Akan and Ewe music and employed dark, organic-sounding African drums instead of modern western congas. Hugh Masekela was introduced to Hedzoleh by Fela Kuti. In addition to this album, Masekela recorded two more with Hedzoleh: I am Not Afraid and The Boy's Doin' It.{{cite web|last1=McDavitt|first1=David|title=Masterpiece of Afro-Jazz, "Introducing Hedzoleh Soundz"|url=http://afrofunkforum.blogspot.ru/2006/07/masterpiece-of-afro-jazz-introducing.html|publisher=afrofunkforum.blogspot.ru|accessdate=3 May 2017|date=18 July 2006}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| collapsed =

| headline =

| title1 = Languta

| writer1 = Hugh Masekela

| length1 = 4:49

| title2 = Kaa Ye Oya

| writer2 = Nii Morton, Sam Nortey

| length2 = 4:36

| title3 = Adade

| writer3 = Nii Morton, Obo Addy, Sam Nortey

| length3 = 4:16

| title4 = Yei Baa Gbe Wolo

| writer4 = Nii Morton, Sam Nortey

| length4 = 5:40

| title5 = Patience

| writer5 = Nat Hammond, Richard Neesai

| length5 = 3:50

| title6 = When

| writer6 = Nat Hammond

| length6 = 7:31

| title7 = Nye Tamo Ame

| writer7 = Nat Hammond

| length7 = 5:25

| title8 = Rekpete

| writer8 = adapted by Hedzoleh Soundz

| length8 = 3:48

}}

Personnel

  • Congas, vocals – James Kwaku Morton
  • Congas, vocals, flute – Nat "Leepuma" Hammond
  • Design, cover – Milton Glaser
  • Drums – Acheampong Welbeck
  • Electric bass, vocals – Stanley Kwesi Todd
  • Engineer – Rik Pekkonen
  • Guitar – Richard Neesai "Jagger" Botchway
  • Mastered by – Arnie Acosta
  • Percussion, vocals – Samuel Nortey
  • Producer – Stewart Levine
  • Talking drum, vocals, percussion – Isaac Asante
  • Bass guitar- Isaac Paajoe Amissah-Aidoo

References

{{Reflist}}