DESCRIPTION:
Reggie Msomi's Hollywood Jazz Band - 'Midnight Ska' featuring Chris Songxaka (Baritone Sax), Reggie Msomi (Tenor), Lazarus 'Kid' Moncho (1st Alto), West Nkosi (2nd Alto), Almon Memela (Lead Guitar), Lucky Monama (Rhythm Guitar), Paul .....(Bass), Wilfred 'November' Mosebi (Drums).

Anybody who imagined that Jamaican-influenced local music only began with Lucky Dube's reggae will find 'Midnight Ska' a revelation. Ska was a Jamaican style that flourished in the early 1960s and then found its way to South Africa via imported 45rpm 'seven singles'. Reggie Msomi, a Gallo talent scout who organised many fine instrumentally-orientated jive sessions, wrote and produced a number of songs that capitalised on the distinctive Ska rhythm. He remembers having to 'speed up the beat' of the typical Jamaican offering to suit local jivers and of course the saxophone harmonies could only be South African! An interesting comparison can be made between the baritone sax on 'Midnight Ska' (track 18) and the alto solo on 'Thulandville' (track 14) by the Elite Swingers. Both are by the very same Christopher Songxaka.

"Midnight Ska' , originally recorded in 1965, is taken from the CD 'The History of Township Music' issued in 2001 by Wrasse Records Ltd, a British record label started in 1998 by Ian and Jo Ashbridge. Its offices are based in the UK, but it distributes its CDs all around the world. Wrasse Records specializes in world music, with artists such as Fela Kuti, Rachid Taha, Ismael Lo, Souad Massi, Angélique Kidjo and Pink Martini. Seu Jorge's album 'Cru' established Wrasse with the release of the film, 'The Life Aquatic'. Featuring Steve Zissou it is a 2004 comedy-drama film directed, written, and co-produced by Wes Anderson.