?UESTIONS: Kahil El'Zabar

Legendary jazz multi-instrumentalist and composer, Kahil El’Zabar has been at the forefront of the spiritual jazz, avant-garde scene since the 70s. He's performed with legends such as Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone and Pharoah Sanders.

A jazz innovator, Kahil's past and present music embraces the traditional and spiritual sounds of our African Ancestors.

Can you tell us what it was like to create and perform in the 70's?

The 1970’s were a very exciting time to create music! This period was an extension of late 60’s, where spiritual consciousness was the epicenter of creative thought and expression.

The arts were the focus for an entire generation of musicians that I was fortunate to be a part of. Whether it were jazz bands like Pharoah Sander’s groups or popular music bands like Earth Wind and Fire, all the musicians were striving for a greater sense of being through their music.

One special memory is when we had the opportunity to play and open for Alice Coltrane, Sun Ra, and Pharoah’s bands at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago in 1970. There were 4,000 plus in attendance that night, with everyone focused and committed to the Spirit.

Those days were quite special. I have tried to contain and convey that kind of energy in my work from then to now.

What impact has Jazz had on your life? Yesterday, today and tomorrow?

This music is at the core of my being, I knew at a very young that if I wanted to really play this music , I would have to completely embrace the life that comes with it and from it. I had many noble examples around to look up to and immolate.

Where do you drawn energy from?

I draw energy through the Spirit. This enables me to tap into the ancestors and listen and feel things deeply. I then try to share with others, heartfelt offerings.

How important is the message of change?

If you don’t change constantly, you’ll develop a tendency to be stagnant. I want be fresh and completely in the moment, which only happens when you let go of all the things that you think you know.

Bandcamp: Kahil El'Zabar

Website: kahilel'zabaris.com

Instagram: @kahilelzabar

?UESTIONS: Music of African Heritage

African inspired music provides a heart beat, a powerful voice documenting social movements, campaigning for racial justice and equality.

Nteboheleng Madibo tells us more about Music of African Heritage, a record store that features new and old African music on vinyl.

Please tell us about Music of African Heritage...

Music of African Heritage is an ambition of collecting music of African inspired music and African afro, hip-hop, Latin, and experimental music. We are born out of sound; heritage is the passing on to others and the learning from the past to take into the future.

The simple message of Music of African Heritage is learning and experiencing music from other countries and people, that’s the true meaning of what its meant to be African to me.

African music in African hands, can you share the importance of this?

It’s the totem of passing our history through music, the likes of Hugh Masekela, Pete Rock, Sampa The Great. We in South Africa (not sure about other African countries), find it hard to gain access to African musicians or music.

Digital is all good but nothing is better than having it in your hands and sharing with friends and family, less screen watching and more eye contact I say!

What is powerful about having music on Vinyl?

This question reminds me of when I started to sell records at my first vinyl fair In Soweto. It was at Vilakazi street where Nelson Mandela spent the first couple of nights upon his release, after 27 years of imprisonment, with his former wife, Winnie Mandela. Number 8115 Orlando West was also where he lived between 1946 and 1962.

Having just one crate, the customer saw MF Doom - Born Like This, the first thing he said with a smile and near to tears of joy was 'I was listening to this in the car just yesterday'. He picked it up, held it close to his chest and then looked at the price tag. He then said 'are you going to take my grocery money?', I laughed a little and he ended up buying.

The moral of that story is vinyl links to memories. Physically having that memory is a reminder of the artists you love and music which made a difference in your life. That's why it’s important.

What 'Fresh Drops' should we look out for on the site?

Looking forward to bringing to the store...

THE MASTER BY ORLANDO VOORN

“The Master” - This album brings something special and is influenced by the deeper sounds of soul and funk.

SISONKE XONTI -UGABA THE MIGRATION

"Migration Suite" - is his boldest work to date, exploring rural and urban identity and the perilous spiritual journey from homeland to the global village.

Website: Music of African Heritage

Instagram: @ntebohelengmadibo

Facebook: MoahRecord

C*LTURE: Marcus Garvey

Marcus Garvey, a political activist and speaker for the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements. His leadership influenced a global mass movement, known as Garveyism. His work called for Black repatriation to Africa, such philosophy inspired both the Nation of Islam and the Rastafari movement.

Born in Jamaica in 1887, Marcus Garvey was involved in promoting the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) which he founded in 1914. In the 1920s Garvey organised the Black Nationalist movement in America.

Teachings of Black self empowerment and powerful speeches were inspirational to every Black Movement of the 20th Century, laying the foundations of Black pride.

Marcus Garvey died in London in 1940, he was returned to Jamaica where he was declared the country's first national hero.