Malombo Jazz Makers
Down Lucky's Way
Back in stock - the unknown third album "Down Lucky's Way" by The Malombo Jazz Makers. The band formed after guitarist Philip Tabane left the original Malombo Jazzmen in 1965, with Ranku joining Bahula and Abbey Cindi. Building on their predecessors' success, the Jazz Makers became a sensation, recording two albums and winning multiple jazz competitions. Now "Down Lucky's Way" from 1969, has been reissued for the first time. The release includes liner notes with interviews featuring Julian Bahula and the late Lucas "Lucky" Ranku (1941-2016), one of Africa's greatest guitarists. "Down Lucky's Way" marked a shift in their sound, incorporating organ bass and soprano saxophone alongside Lucky's innovative guitar work. This album's hypnotic, extended compositions made it their most visionary and atmospheric work. However, due to the apartheid era's erasures, the album was barely distributed, and original copies are extremely rare. Ranku himself was unaware it had ever been released. Fully licensed from Bahula, this reissue finally brings the album to light.