Still Grazing (Hugh Masekela album)

Still Grazing is a 2004 compilation album by South African jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela. The album is a retrospective collection of his compositions recorded over the period 1966–1974.[4] The album is the soundtrack to Masekela’s autobiography of the same name.

Still Grazing
Compilation album by
ReleasedMay 11, 2004
RecordedOctober 1966 – April 1974
GenreJazz
Length59:54
LabelBlue Thumb Records B002442-02
ProducerStewart Levine
Hugh Masekela chronology
The Collection
(2003)
Still Grazing
(2004)
Revival
(2005)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[2]
All About Jazz[3]

Reception

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Eric Ianelli of All About Jazz wrote: "Musically speaking, Still Grazing is strong; but then, in making a case for Masekela's career, it ought to be. It starts off with 'Child of the Earth,' something of an acquired taste when it comes to vocals, and it features the vibrant 'Ha Lese Le Di Khanna' and the noteworthy cover of Antonio Carlos Jobim's 'Felicidade,' all from The Emancipation of Hugh Masekela (1966). There is, of course, 'Grazing in the Grass,' and the equally rousing 'Up, Up, and Away.' Recorded in the early 1970s, 'Languta,' 'Been Such a Long Time Gone' and 'Stimela (Coal Train)' draw on reggae as much as jazz and Masekela's characteristic musical flavorings of the townships. Thus Masekela's growth is in evidence, although the disc's twenty unused minutes could easily have been filled to provide a more complete view. Together 'Puffin' on down the Track' and 'Riot' total under five minutes."[3]

Hunter Felt of PopMatters said: "Still Grazing fails as a comprehensive collection, but it does provide what the album’s subtitle suggests: a true 'musical journey' through a variety of styles."[5]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Child of the Earth"Masekela4:43
2."Ha Lese le Di Khanna"Caiphus Semenya6:47
3."Felicidade"Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes10:14
4."Up, Up and Away"Jimmy Webb5:35
5."Bajabula Bonke (The Healing Song)"Miriam Makeba6:31
6."Grazing in the Grass"Harry Elston, Philemon Hou, Hugh Masekela2:38
7."Gold"Masekela4:10
8."Mace and Grenades"Masekela3:56
9."Languta"Masekela4:51
10."Been Such a Long Time Gone"Masekela4:01
11."Stimela (Coal Train)"Masekela6:28
Total length:59:54

Notes

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Recording locations

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  • Tracks 1 2 3 were recorded in October 1966 at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood.
  • Track 4 was recorded on September 19, 1967, at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles.
  • Track 5 was recorded on March 14, 1968, at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood.
  • Track 6 was recorded on March 13, 1968, at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood.
  • Tracks 7 8 were recorded in September 1968 in Los Angeles.
  • Track 9 was recorded in July 1973 at EMI Studios in Lagos, Nigeria.
  • Tracks 10 11 were recorded in March–April 1974 at Wally Heider Studios in Los Angeles.

Previous releases

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References

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  1. ^ Ginell, Richard. "Time". AllMusic. allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (27 May 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 1203. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  3. ^ a b Iannelli, Eric J. (11 July 2004). "Hugh Masekela: Still Grazing: The Musical Journey Of Hugh Masekela". All About Jazz. allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Still Grazing". Discogs. discogs.com. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  5. ^ Felt, Hunter (10 August 2004). "Hugh Masekela Still Grazing: The Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela". PopMatters. popmatters.com.
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