Tropical Chill

Perhaps the evolution from Afrocentric free jazz towards “smooth” – and its clearest connection – is best exemplified by reedman Plunky Nkabinde.  His first album from 1971 is the Afrocentric blasts of Ndikho Xaba And The Natives. That group then evolved into the funky and free blowing of Oneness of Juju. As that decade slid into the 1980s, Plunky kept at the fore, moving towards dancefloors with Every Way But Loose and smoother repertoire on 1988’s Tropical Chill. The past few years have seen a renaissance in his career arc, with his many albums seeing reissue, but this smooth side remains under-appreciated.