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| As-Shams Archive Vol. 5: Kippie Moketsi - Hard Top |
Hard Top assembles the previously unreleased 1975 recordings of revered South African saxophonist Kippie Moeketsi (credited most commonly during the 1970s using the spelling variation Moketsi). The 2LP vinyl edition is presented in a gatefold sleeve featuring archival artwork by Mafa Ngwenya and comes from As-Shams/The Sun on the heels of Tete Mbambisa's African Day album in 2024.
By 1975, at the age of 50, saxophonist Kippie Moeketsi had already earned his stripes as a South African jazz figurehead. His tenure with the Jazz Epistles and the cast of the "South African Jazz Opera" King Kong in the late-1950s had not only marked his own rise in prominence but also seen him help catalyse the momentum of a younger generation of iconic artists who would go on to become the defining figures of modern South African jazz. While he didn't enjoy the same international attention as his protégés Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and Abdullah Ibrahim, his noble and dedicated career on the local jazz scene until his death in 1983 saw him forge an enduring legacy.
Owing to the efforts of record producer Rashid Vally, Kippie Moeketsi's journey through the 1970s is beautifully documented, most notably on the albums Dollar Brand + 3 (1973), Tshona! (1975) and Blue Stompin' (1977), in which he shares the spotlight with Abdullah Ibrahim, Pat Matshikiza and Hal Singer respectively. As a featured performer on Soul of the City's Diagonal Street (1975) and Dennis Mpale's Our Boys are Doing It (1977), Moeketsi is seen embracing the popular orientations of South African jazz in 1970s but, having come up in the 1940s and 1950s, he never forgot his roots as an admirer and dedicated scholar of Classic American Jazz.
While Moeketsi did write some memorable compositions, it was in the role of interpreter that he shone most brightly. With its title derived from a good-natured nickname that nodded to Moeketsi's elder status by way of his receding hairline, Hard Top is a covers album that looks back in time to the era of rhythm and blues while also indulging 1970s pop and funk with a decidedly South African vibe.
Marking the 100th anniversary of Kippie Moeketsi's brith on 27 July 1925 and officially joining his catalogue 50 years after it was recorded, Hard Top celebrates the multiple dimensions of a veritable South African jazz legend. The release also provides an opportunity to reflect on the unwavering support of his producer, fan and friend Rashid Vally, who passed away in December 2024.
A1. It Was a Very Good Year (E. Drake) 06.50
A2. Swallowin' the Blues (K. Graham) 13.19
B1. New Cambridge Blues (H. Baker, C. Hodges) 11.45
B2. Untitled (By Dennis Mpale) (D. Mpale) 06.08
C. I Can See Clearly Now (J. Nash) 17.18
D1. Black Frost (B. James, G. Washington) 06.44
D2. Wavy Gravy (K. Burrell) 11.22
Alto Sax – KIPPIE MOKETSI *
Tenor Sax – DUKE MAKASI
Bass – SIPHO GUMEDE
Drums – GILBERT MATTHEWS
A1, A2, A3 – Undated / Engineer: Robin Ritchie
Piano – PAT MATSHIKIZA
A4 – Dated 18 August 1975
C, D1, D2 – Dated 2 October 1975
Alto Sax – BARNEY RACHABANE
Piano – JABU NKOSI
Guitar – ENOCH MTHALENI
Trumpet – DENNIS MPALE
Recorded in 1975 at Gallo Sound Studios,
Johannesburg, South Africa
Produced by RASHID VALLY
Cover Artwork by MAFA NGWENYA
ON VINYL EDITION
Gatefold Artwork by MAFA NGWENYA
Back Cover Photo by EVANS MAKAPANA MBOWENI
Tape Transfers by Rob Allingham
Audio Mastering by Noah Mintz
Design and Layout by Rouleaux van der Merwe
Compiled and Produced by Calum MacNaughton
Executive Producer: Rashid Vally
* NOTE ON SPELLING
Moeketsi is the standard version of the South African family name and the spelling most commonly used when referring to Kippie. Physical and digital editions of Hard Top apply the spelling variant Moketsi, which was used for Kippie's artist credits throughout the 1970s, appearing on the albums Dollar Brand + 3 (1973), Tshona! (1975), Sikiza Matshikiza (1976), Blue Stompin' (1977) and Our Boys are Doing It (1977). It is not known why this variant was adopted but it remains in use for his As-Shams Archive discography while general commentary about Kippie defers to the standard spelling.
Cat. No. ASA105
℗ 1975 © 2025 As-Shams Archive
