• Bea Benjamin with Dollar Brand – africa
    • Bea Benjamin with Dollar Brand – music
    • 1. africa
    • 2. music
    • 3. african songbird

    Limited vinyl available!

    Re-issue of African Songbird, the masterpiece from South Africa’s greatest jazz singer, Sathima Bea Benjamin. Originally released in 1976, African Songbird was a debut long overdue.

    A 1959 recording debut, which would have been South Africa’s first ever LP, was shelved. Her 1963 recording with Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn was put aside by Reprise’s then head of A&R, Frank Sinatra, for not being commercial enough. African Songbird is a tour-de-force, and arguably the most dramatic and powerful release on Rashid Vally’s As-shams label

    Other Releases on Matsuli Music

    HarariRufaro / HappinessMatsuli Music
    Reissue of this sought-after, psychedelic Afro-rock album from 1976!
    • – Ola Kai
    • – Rufaro
    • – Afro Gas
    • – Musikana
    • – Uzulu

    People also bought

    Dean Blunt The Redeemer Hippos In Tanks
    Hype Williams collaborator Dean Blunt returns with another amazing solo LP for Hippos In Tanks. Turning any pre-conceived ideas you had of him on its...
    • – The Pedigree
    • – The Redeemer
    • – Seven Seals Of Affirmation
    Oneness Of JujuSpace Jungle Luv (1976)Now-Again Records
    Amazing sought-after record from the brainchild of one J. Pluncky Branch and one of the greatest underground jazz groups. Space Jungle Luv goes...
    • – River Luv Rite
    • – Follow Me
    • – Soul Love Now
    • – Space Jungle Funk
    • – The Connection
    • – Love's Messenger
    Black DiscoNight ExpressMatsuli Music
    Back in stock! Black Disco’s Night Express arrived to instant acclaim in South African townships in 1976. Part Philly-soul, part Cape Jazz and part...
    • – Yasmeen's Blues
    • – Night Express
    • – Super Natural Love
    • – Oh Happy Day
    • – Echo On The Delay
    Batsumi BatsumiMatsuli Music
    Back in stock! 2016 repress of this landmark afro-jazz album from South Africa! Matsuli follow up their brilliant Dick Khoza reissue with a deep spiritualised...
    • – lishonile
    • – emampondweni
    • – mamshayana
    • – itumeleng
    • – anishilabi
    Demdike Stare TESTPRESSING #003 - Eulogy / Dyslogy Modern Love
    Demdike Stare channel the spirit of Chicago and Detroit on the third 12" from their Testpressing series. "Eulogy" - an optimistic Mr Fingers b-line and...
    • – Eulogy
    • – Dyslogy
    Jah ShakaDub Salute 2Jah Shaka Music
    This is a great dub album.  Jah Shaka is to be listed with the masters of dub like King Tubby, Augustus Pablo , Mad Professor and Lee Perry. I recommend...
      Shamek FarrahFirst ImpressionsPure Pleasure / Strata-East
      An absolute stone cold killer on Charles Tolliver’s Strata-East label, originally released in 1974. Check the haunting, funky title track ‘First Impressions’...
      • – Meterologicly Tuned
      • – Watch What Happens Now
      • – Umoja Suite
      • – First Impressions
      Art Blakey & The Jazz MessengersHard Bop (1980)CBS
      Original = Original UK Vinyl VG+/Sleeve VG+ 100% Guarantee on this and all Original Vinyl at Sounds Of The Universe - 'if you're not happy we're not happy'...
        Erika Hexagon Cloud Interdimensional Transmissions
        Debut solo album from Ectomorph member and co-conspirator of Interdimensional Transmissions Erika.  Fluid analogue synthesis from the Detroit native...
        • – North Hex
        • – Early Warning Starfield
        • – Gardners
        • – Tow Ride
        Cedric Im BrooksUnited AfricaWater Lily
        Classic roots / funk / jazz album from Cedric Im Brooks. Long out of print. "Satta-Masa-Ganna" & the killer "Silent Force". Essential purchase !
          The SupremesThe Magnificent 7 (1971)Tamla Motown
          Original UK Vinyl VG+ /Sleeve VG+ 100% Guarantee on this and all Original Vinyl at Sounds Of The Universe - 'if you're not happy we're not happy' or your...
            Johnny Clarke Dread A Dub Jamaican Recordings
            Legendary jamaican vocalist Johnny Clarke's dub album. Featuring Sly Dunbar, Carlton "santa" Davis, Jackie Mittoo, Bobby Ellis. Robbie Shakespeare, Aston...
            • – none shall escape the dubment
            Esther PhillipsFrom A Whisper To A Scream (1971)Kudu
            This is a killer funky soul fusion album on Kudu featuring Phillips' great version of the Gil Scott-Heron classic "Home Is Where The Hatred Is". Line-up...
              The Dave Brubeck QuartetAngel Eyes (1965)Columbia
              Produced by Teo Macero Original = Original 1965 UK Vinyl VG+/Laminate Sleeve VG+ 100% Guarantee on this and all Original Vinyl at Sounds Of The Universe...
                Vakula You've Never Been To Konotop (Selected works 2009-2012)Firecracker
                Vakula's long-overdue album arrives, focusing on material produced over a 3 year period. Combining elements of Ukrainian folk melodies, cosmic murk, afro-electronic...
                • – Jazz Mutants
                • – New Romantic
                • – We Have Soul
                • – Mama Said Go Slow (Album Dub)
                • – Sleepy Vision
                • – Hope Soon To Be There
                • – In My Head
                • – Was
                • – Exp Techno
                • – For Juju & Jordash
                • – You've Never Been To Konotop
                • – Still Time (Album Dub)
                Mikey DreadAfrican Anthem Dubwise: The Mikey Dread Show DELUXE EDITIONDread At The Controls
                This deluxe edition of the 1979 dub classic features 5 bonus killer Sly and Robbie dubs and extra jingles The most sampled reggae record of all time...
                  Irma ThomasWish Someone Would Care (1964)Imperial
                  Excellent southern female soul from New Orleans legend on this rare LP
                    Stan GetzMickey One S/T (1965)MGM Records
                    60s Jazz soundtrackOriginal = Original UK Vinyl VG+ /Sleeve VG High-end Audio Desk Systeme Pro Machine Utrasonic cleaned+100% Guarantee on this and all...
                      _moonrakerLowjit Vagrants EPThe Trilogy Tapes
                      It's _moonraker to take their turn on Will Bankhead's excellent The Trilogy Tapes label. Warped techno and bitcrushed house music make for this essential...
                      • – Oronimbus
                      • – Plot Query
                      • – Cyan Lean
                      • – Tilt March
                      U RoyDread In A BabylonVirgin
                      Classic 70s DJ album from the Front Line classics series
                        Herbie HancockSound-System (1984)CBS
                        Original = Original UK Vinyl VG+ /Sleeve VG+ High-end Audio Desk Systeme Pro Machine Utrasonic cleaned+100% Guarantee on this and all Original Vinyl at...
                          Lord Of The IslesGalaxy Near You - Part 01Little Strong
                          Dreamy, post-club tracks from Lord Of The Isles, who has graced the likes of Unthank and Shevchenko prior to this one. Four cuts that weave between intricate...
                          • – Fey Folk (intro)
                          • – Ossian's Hall
                          • – Xatsiv
                          • – Nustron