Dollar Brand (Abdullah Ibrahim) - African Piano (1972 Japanese Trio Records Vinyl LP)

Vinyl: VG+
Sleeve: VG+
Obi: VG+

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Dollar Brand (Abdullah Ibrahim) - African Piano | Vinyl LP - 1972 Japanese Trio Records (PA-7057 / JAPO 60002)

Adolph Johannes Brand grew up in Cape Town and learned piano in the South African jazz and church music tradition before taking the name Dollar Brand. By 1969 he had been living in Europe for several years, playing with Duke Ellington's support across Europe and recording for the Danish Steeplechase and German MPS labels. On October 22, 1969, he played a solo set at the Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen. The recording was informal — microphones placed close to the piano, the ambient noise of the room present throughout — and was first released on the Scandinavian Spectator label in 1970, then by JAPO Records (ECM's subsidiary) in 1973, and eventually absorbed into the ECM catalogue.

The music covers nine pieces, all originals, played without pause. The titles range from the direct — "The Moon," "Sunset in Blue" — to the long and declaratory: "Flute Behold The Night And Day Gently They Give Way To Each Other Dear Brother." "Bra Joe From Kilimanjaro" opens with a rolling ostinato vamp that settles the room; listeners who start talking stop. "Kippy" and "Jabulani — Easter Joy" draw on the marabi rhythms of the Johannesburg townships; "Tintiyana" has a hymn-like quality. Brand converted to Islam in 1968 and subsequently took the name Abdullah Ibrahim; the conversion is part of the context for the spiritual register the music moves through.

This 1972 Japanese pressing is on Trio Records (PA-7057), licensed from JAPO 60002. The insert is missing.