SPAZA is a South African Jazz Collective. UPRIZE! is the new album which is out now via Mushroom Hour Half Hour. Improvised over several days along to projected footage from the unfinished (at the time) documentary (also titled UPRIZE!) about the 1976 Soweto uprising.
The resulting record continues the magic of their initial LP, with a deeper and more mournful sound that honors those who lost their lives fighting against apartheid.
Part of the principle of SPAZA is that the lineup shifts each time, so you’ll note that while the rhythm section of bassist Ariel Zamonsky and percussionist Gontse Makhene remains intact, Malcolm Jiyane (piano/trombone/vocals) and Nonku Phiri (vocals) have stepped in for the first time here. Audio from the documentary is also included on some tracks.
Check the full streaming below.