Colonial Man

Colonial Man
Studio album by
Hugh Masekela
Released30 January 1976
Recordedc. 1975–76 in New York and Chicago
StudioCapricorn Studios (New York), Good Vibrations Studios (New York), The Hit Factory (New York), Regent Sound (New York), Curtom Studios (Chicago)
GenreJazz
LabelCasablanca NBLP-7023
ProducerHugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela chronology
The Boy's Doin' It
(1975) 		Colonial Man
(1976) 		Melody Maker
(1976)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[1]

Colonial Man is the eighteenth studio album by South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela.[2] It was recorded in New York and Chicago and released on LP[3] and eight-track cassette[4] on 30 January 1976 via the Casablanca Records label.[5][6] The album's title song "Colonial Man", "Vasco Da Gama" and "Cecil Rhodes" express African anti-colonial sentiments.[7] At the time of its release, it was referred to variously by reviewers as a concept album[8] and a protest album.[9]

Reception

A reviewer of Dusty Groove wrote: "A later album from Hugh Masekela – but still plenty darn hip, way more so than most of the other artists on the Casablanca label at the time! Hugh's South African groove is still very firmly in place here – mixed with a slightly warmer LA soul sound, but expanded with loads of great arrangements that get a lot more complicated than before – and which bring in some great keyboard and percussion bits. Sivuca makes a wonderful appearance on 1st and 3rd tracks – using that blend of voice and accordion that sounds so great – and the whole record's got a depth and sense of soul that you'd never guess from it's [sic] silly title and cover!"[10]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."A Song for Brasil"Hugh Masekela4:13
2."Vasco Da Gama" (The Sailor Man)Hugh Masekela5:28
3."For the Love of You"O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley8:25
4."Colonial Man"Hugh Masekela5:04
5."Witch Doctor"Hugh Masekela7:31
6."Cecil Rhodes"Hugh Masekela5:13

Personnel

  • Art direction, design – Gribbitt!, Stephen Lumel
  • Backing Vocals – Deborah McDuffie (tracks: 1 3 6), Maeretha Stewart (tracks: 1 3 6), Patti Austin (tracks: 1 3 6)
  • Bass, vocals – Yaw Opoku
  • Director – Stewart Levine
  • Drums (traps) – Papa Frankie Todd
  • Electric piano – Adaloja Gboyega
  • Accordion and voice - Sivuca (track 1)
  • Engineer – Rik Pekkonen
  • Guitar – "Jagger" Botchway
  • Guitar, vocals – Stanley Todd Kwesi
  • Mastering – Bernie Grundman
  • Photography – David Alexander
  • Saxophone, percussion, vocals – O. J. Ekemode
  • Shekere, percussion, vocals – Odinga "Guy" Warren
  • Talking drum, percussion, vocals – Asante
  • Trumpet, vocals – Hugh Masekela

Re-releases

As of 2018, the album has not been released in its entirety on CD or as digital downloads. Compositions "Colonial Man" and "A Song for Brazil" were re-released on CD in 1998 on Verve Records as part of The Boy's Doin' It. "A Song for Brazil", "Colonial Man" and "Witch Doctor" feature on the 2018 posthumous compilation of original recordings: Masekela '66–'76.[11]

References

  1. ^ Larkin, Colin (27 May 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 1203. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  2. ^ "Hugh Masekela - Biography". Amoeba Music. amoeba.com. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Masekela* - Colonial Man". Discogs. 1976. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Hugh Masekela - Colonial Man". Discogs. 1976. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Hugh Masekela: Colonial Man". Discogs. discogs.com. 1976. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  6. ^ "DISCOGRAPHY: 1970–1979". dougpayne.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  7. ^ Smith, Tymon (22 November 2015). "Hugh Masekela's still pushing buttons at 76". The Sunday Times. timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  8. ^ "4 May 1976, Page 15 - Tucson Daily Citizen at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  9. ^ "16 May 1976, Page 125 - Green Bay Press-Gazette at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Hugh Masekela: Colonial Man". Dusty Groove. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  11. ^ "Hugh Masekela - Masekela '66 –'76". Discogs. Retrieved 25 August 2018.