The Hal Singer Jazz Quartet - Soweto To HarlemWhen the U. S. State Department announced in the mid 1970s that they were sponsoring a South African tour for the Oklahoma born, Paris based saxophonist Hal Singer, producer Rashid Vally took note. Even though his nascent record label As Shams The Sun (established in 1974) was making waves on the local scene, the idea of commissioning a recording from an international artist was a ballsy idea. With a discography that stretched back to the 1950s, Hal

continues to make her presence felt via new recordings and social media

What does hurt the record is a lack of strong songwriting

fever dream of a track that peaks with big squelchy frequencies and cavernous reverb

The defiantly bloody knuckles inåÊRunnin‰۪ Outta LuckåÊco-written by and featuring Brandon Flowers and the grime of wet dreams inåÊCountry FigsåÊoccupy the same space as the great sadness of the internet in the catchy and contemplative songåÊTrue Lies

' is a lavish tribute to one of the greatest recordings of the last 30 years

and limited blue vinyl

That energy not only keeps (it) vital

The Orchestra

Now that Mergia has released two new recordings along with four classic reissues

“An unusually developed aesthetic vision

Lead single Jackie’s Room is about a dysfunctional yet romantic relationship in which the protagonist believes “as long as she’s desired

A fan cult favorite