album · October 11, 1963
Music From the New African Nations featuring The Highlife
CAPITOL CATALOG MKT (C92)See this day
jazzafrobeat
This 1963 album captures Randy Weston at a pivotal moment, fusing American jazz with the burgeoning sounds of West African highlife music. It stands as a significant early example of jazz musicians directly engaging with contemporary African popular styles.
- The album was recorded in New York City. Guest musicians on the album included Melba Liston and the 16-pieceoted Afro-West African Rhythms. The album featured arrangements by Melba Liston.
- The album was released on Capitol Records in 1963. It was recorded at Van Gelder Studios in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Photographer Bob Ciano is credited with the album's cover art.
- The album was reissued on CD in 1995 by Verve Records. It was later reissued again in 2017. The album remains a key document of Weston's lifelong exploration of African musical traditions.
Randy Weston is a pianist and composer known for his work in jazz and African-influenced music. In 1963, he was an established artist exploring the connections between American jazz and the music of the African diaspora.
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