a discography: presented by douglas payne
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KING KONG - ALL AFRICAN JAZZ OPERA 
Original Cast

Letta And The Safaris
prob.Los Angeles: c. 1966
prob. Hugh Masekela* (tp, vcl); Jonas Gwangwa (tb); Caiphus Semenya (prob. org, sax, vcl); Stewart Levine* (sax); Charlie Smalls* (p); Eric Gale* (g); John Cartwright* (b), Herbie Lovell* (d); Letta Mgulo (sic), Mamsie Gwangwa, Ernest Mohlomi also

a. (JZSP 114543) Walkin' Around (Jonas Gwangwa/Stewart Levine) - 2:15
b. (JZSP 114544) For God And Country (Caiphus Semenya/Stewart Levine) - 1:58

Note: * indicates personnel identified by Hugh Masekela in his autobiography, STILL GRAZIN' (Crown, 2004).

Issues: a & b on Columbia 4-43675 [45] (issued July 1966).
Producer: 0o-Bwana Productions (Stewart Levine and Hugh Masekela)

Letta Mbulu
prob. Los Angeles: c. 1967(?)
Letta Mbulu (vcl) poss. with Cecil Barnard (aka Hotep Idris Galeta) (p); unknown (b); unknown (d).

a. (101-A) What's Wrong With Groovin' (aka What Is Wrong With Groovin') 
     (Hugh Masekela) - 2:50
b. (101-B) Ushaka (Letta Mbulu) - 2:14

Note: (1) Special thanks to Jazzman Gerald (Short) of Jazzman Records for the detail that provided this listing. (2) It is assumed that the Cecil Barnard Trio, which accompanied Ms. Mbulu in performance at this time, accompanies her here.  

Issues: a & b on Random 67 BC [45].
Singles: a on Jazzman (E) JM.005 [45].
Samplers: a also on Hubbub (E) HUBLP9, Hubbub (E) HUBCD9 [CD] titled JAZZIER RHYTHMS VOL. 1, Jazzman (E) JMANCD.004 [CD] titled WHAT IS WRONG WITH GROOVIN', JDJ (E) JDJCD15 titled JOURNEYS BY DJ - DESERT ISLAND MIX: GILLES PETERSON & NORMAN JAY, Shelter JDJCDS006 [CD] titled JOURNEYS BY DJ SPECIAL RELEASE - GILLES PETERSON DESERT ISLAND MIX, Comet (Fr) 009 [CD[ titled OUELELE - ANOTHER COLLECTION OF MODERN AFRO RHYTHMS, SPV 812 [CD], SPV (Ger) 9000812 [CD] titled AFROTRONIC: AFRO FLAVOURED CLUB TUNES, Schema (It) FIN 003 [CD] titled FINDOMESTIC JAZZ EXPLORING VOLUME 3 - CHANGE and Sony (Jap) AICP 269-70 [CD] titled MAKE THE STYLE "DRIVIN' SLOW".

Covers: "Ushaka" (aka "U Shaka") also performed by Miriam Makeba on ALL ABOUT MIRIAM (Mercury MG 21095, Mercury SR 61095).

LETTA MBULU SINGS
Letta Mbulu
Los Angeles, California: November 13, 1967
Letta Mbulu (vcl); H.B. Barnum (arr, cond).

a. (58656) Wacha (Caiphus Semenya) - 2:15
b. (58657) Sexwaxwa (Caiphus Semenya) - 2:00
c. (58658) Thokoza (Caiphus Semenya) - 2:20
d. (58659) Qhinebe (adapted by Letta Mbulu) - 3:00

Los Angeles, California: November 14, 1967
Letta Mbulu (vcl); H.B. Barnum (arr, cond). 

e. (58673) Aredze (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:06
f. (58674) Magwalandini (Letta Mbulu/Gibson Kente) - 3:02
g. (58675) Banoyi (Letta Mbulu/A. Momela) - 2:50

Los Angeles, California: November 15, 1967
Tony Terran, Freddie Hill (tp); Bill Green (sax, picc); Jim Horn, Plas Johnson (sax); Don Randi (p, org); Neil Levang, Les Buie (g); Arthur Wright (prob. b); John Guerin (d, tamb); Frank Guerrero (vib, tymp, perc); Gene Estes (tymp, vib, perc); Joe Clayton (bgo, cga); Letta Mbulu (vcl); Allen DeRienzo, R.C. Elsey (copyist); H.B. Barnum (arr, cond). 

h. (58681) Pula Yetla (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:30
i. (58682) My Son (Caiphus Semenya/J. Du Bouis) - 4:35
j. (58683) Zola (Mra) (Letta Mbulu/C. Ncokana) - 2:05
k. (58684) Where Does It Lead (G. Davis) - 2:25

Note: Special thanks to Michel Ruppli and Debra Fresquez.

Issues: a-k on Capitol ST 2874. a-k also on Stateside (E) 8603372 [CD] titled LETTA MBULU SINGS/FREE SOUL.
Singles: a & h on Capitol 2070 [45]. h (alternate mix) & h (instrumental) also on Capitol Jazz/Now-Again (E) BTE 34323 [12] (issued 2005).
Samplers: h also on Capitol Jazz 0946 3 11617 2 8 [CD], Capitol (Jap) TOCJ-66282 [CD] titled THE EDGE: DAVID AXELROD AT CAPITOL RECORDS 1966-1970. i &k also on Capitol (S)PRO 4485/(S)PRO 4486 titled THE CAPITOL DISC JOCKEY ALBUM - FEBRUARY 1968. 
Producer: David Axelrod

Covers: "Aredze" also performed on AFRICA '68 (UNI 73020).

AFRICA '68
prob. Los Angeles: c. 1968
unknown prob. inc. Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa, Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu.

a. Uyaz' Gabisa (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:15
b. Noyana (Jonas Gwangwa/Caiphus Semenya) - 2:45
c. Pretoria (P. Hou) - 2:07
d. Joala (E. Mohlami/C. Semenya) - 2:00
e. Aredze (Caiphus Semenya) - 2:35
f. Kedumetse (Caiphus Semenya) - 2:53
g. Umoya (Miriam Makeba) - 2:08
h. Thokozile (P. Hou) - 2:52
i. Bopedi (Hugh Masekela/E. Mohlomi) - 6:15
j. Za Labalaba

Issues: a-i on UNI 73020.
Samplers: a, e, f & g on Tamla Motown (SA) TMC 5242 titled I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME (as by Letta Mbulu). d, e & j (as by "The Zulus") on BBE (E) BBELP069, BBE (E) BBECD069 [CD] titled HUGH MASEKELA PRESENTS THE CHISA YEARS 1965-1975 (RARE AND UNRELEASED). e & f also on Motown TMH (Eu) 5903 titled LETTA MBULU - GOLD (as by Letta Mbulu).
Producer: Hugh Masekela and Stewart Levine
Engineer: The Doctor and Ed Rice
Notes: Hugh Masekela

FREE SOUL
Letta
Los Angeles, California: June 12, 1968
Tony Terran, Freddie Hill (tp, flhrn); Dick Nash, Dick Leith (tb); Jackie Kelso (ts, f); Dick Houlgate (sax, cl); Bill Green (f, recorder); Don Randi (p); Mike Melvoin (org); Louis Morell, Barry Rillera, Les Buie (g); Ray Pohlman ( b); Butch Rillera (d); Joe Clayton (cga); Frank Guerrero (timbales); Gene Estes (mallets); Ken Watson (tymp, mallets); Letta Mbulu (vcl); Allen DeRienzo, Leonard Gordon, Kenneth Mitchell (copyist); H.B. Barnum (arr, cond). 

a. (59965) Mamani (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:49
b. (59966) West Wind (Caiphus Semenya/William Salter) - 2:52
c. (59967) Ade (Caiphus Semenya) - 2:53

Los Angeles, California: June 13, 1968
Tony Terran, Freddie Hill (tp, flhrn); Lew McCreary (tb, t-tb); Jackie Kelso (ts, cl, f); Dick Houlgate (sax, cl); Jim Horn (sax, cl, f, recorder); Don Randi (p, el-p, harpsichord); Mike Melvoin (org); Les Buie, Louis Morell, Carol Kaye (g); Bob West (b); Earl Palmer (d, tympani, bells); John Guerin (d, vib, tympani); Joe Clayton (cga); Gene Estes, Ken Watson (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl); Allen DeRienzo, Leonard Gordon, Kenneth Mitchell (copyist); H.B. Barnum (arr, cond). 

d. (70001) Olu Ati Ayo (C. Semenya/A. Koster) - 4:30
e. (70002) Gumba Gumba (Caiphus Semenya) 
f. (70003) Welele (Caiphus Semenya) - 2:50

Los Angeles, California: June 14, 1968
Tony Terran, Freddie Hill (tp, flhrn); Charles Loper (tb); Dick Leith (tb, b-tb); Jackie Kelso (ts, f); Jim Horn (ts, ss, f, oboe, recorder); Dick Houlgate (bs, f); Don Randi (p, el-p, harpsichord); Mike Melvoin (org); Al Casey, John Gray, Les Buie (g); Bob West (b, el-b); Earl Palmer (d, tympani, bells); Joe Clayton (cga); King Errison (bgo); Gary Coleman (boo bams, tamb); John Guerin (bells, tympani, mallets); Ken Watson (mallets, traps, Latin perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl); Allen DeRienzo, Leonard Gordon, Kenneth Mitchell (copyist); H.B. Barnum (arr, cond). 

g. (70014) Gumba Gumba (Caiphus Semenya) - 2:12
h. (70015) Kukuchi (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:02
i. (70016) What More Could Be Right (G. Fisher/C. Semenya) - 4:12
j. (70017) Only When You're Mine Again (H.B. Barnum/B. Raleigh) - 2:30

Note: (1) Because it is not certain which issue of "Gumba Gumba" here was issued on Capitol ST-2929, it is assumed the latter version is the one that was used. (2) Special thanks to Michel Ruppli, Carol Kaye, David Axelrod and Debra Fresquez for detail here.

Issues: a-d & f-j on Capitol ST-2929, MFP (Eu) SRSJ 6042. a-d & f-j also on Stateside (E) 8603372 [CD] titled LETTA MBULU SINGS/FREE SOUL.
Singles: g & c on Capitol (Ven) 4-2152 [45].
Samplers: b & h also on Stateside (E) 7243 4 99045 2 9 [CD] titled DAVID AXELROD 1968 TO 1979 AN AXELROD ANTHOLOGY. c & j also on Capitol SPRO 4637 titled THE CAPITOL DISC JOCKEY ALBUM - OCTOBER 1968. 
Producer: David Axelrod
Notes: (Caiphus) Semenya

Covers: "Mamani" and "Ade" also performed by Hugh Masekela on HUGH MASEKELA AND THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA (Chisa CS 808, MoJazz 31453-0330-2 [CD]). "Mamani" also performed by Joy Denalane on MAMANI (Four Music (Ger) FOR 508079 1, Four Music (Ger) FOR 508079 2 [CD].). "Gumba Gumba" also performed by The Cannonball Adderley Quintet on ACCENT ON AFRICA (Capitol ST 2987).

Letta
prob. Los Angeles: c. 1968
prob. Hugh Masekela (tp, vcl); Letta (Mbulu) (vcl).

a. (CH 002-1) Little Star (Masekela & Levine) - 2:50
b. (CH 002-2) I Haven't Slept (Masekela) - 2:17

Note: Hugh Masekela's UNI performance of "I Haven't Slept" credits both Hugh Masekela and Letta Mbulu as composer.

Issues: a & b on Chisa CH 002 [45]
Producer: Hugh Masekela

RECONSTRUCTION
Hugh Masekela
Los Angeles: c. 1970
Hugh Masekela (tp, vcl); Larry Willis (p); Joe Sample (el-p); Arthur Adams (g); Wilton Felder, Monk Montgomery (b); Al Foster, Wayne Henderson (d); Francisco Aguabella (cga); Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Philemon Hou (background vcl); Dale Frank (orchestration) with strings.

a. You Keep Me Hangin' On (Brian Holland/Lamont Dozier/Edward Holland Jr.) - 3:38 

Hugh Masekela (tp, vcl, arr); Larry Willis (p); Joe Sample (el-p); Arthur Adams (g); Wilton Felder, Monk Montgomery (b); Al Foster, Wayne Henderson (d); Francisco Aguabella (cga); Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Philemon Hou (background vcl).

b. Make Me A Potion (Caiphus Semenya) - 5:31  
c. Leave Us Alone (Hugh Masekela) - 4:24

Note: Other titles without Letta Mbulu.

Issues: a-c on Chisa CS 803 (issued July 1970), MoJazz 31453-0329-2 [CD] (issued August 1994). 
Singles: a (3:10 edit) & b also on Chisa 8009 [45] ("Produced by Chisa").
Producer: Stewart Levine
Engineer: Larry Cox and Rik Pekkonen

LETTA
Letta Mbulu
Los Angeles, California: May 1970
collective personnel inc. Hugh Masekela (tp, background vcl); Wayne Henderson (tb, d); Wilton Felder (sax, el-b); Joe Sample (key); Arthur Adams, Wayne West (g); "Stix" Hooper (d); Francisco Aguabella (cga); Letta Mbulu (vcl); Murray Adler, Carroll Stephens (vln); Barbara Simons (viola); Nathan Gershman (cello); Frank Dale (string arr).

a. Mahlalela (Lazy Bones) (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:51
b. Use Mncane (Little One) (Letta Mbulu) - 3:27
c. I Won't Weep No More (C. Semenya/O. Drake) - 2:42
d. You Touched Me (C. Semenya/M. Dancy) - 3:41
e. Melodi (Sounds Of Home) (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:29
f. I Need Your Love (C. Semenya/O. Drake) - 2:45
g. Macongo (Hugh Masekela) - 3:15
h. What Shall I Do? (Hugh Masekela) - 2:30
i. Jigijela (Don't Throw Stones) (aka Jikijela) (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:19
j. Qonqoza (Knock) (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:39

Issues: a-j on Chisa CS805P, Tamla Motown (SA) TMC 5213 (issued September 1970). 
Singles: c (2:35 edit) & d (3:18 edit) also on Chisa C 8012 [45]. h on Tamla Motown (SA) TMS 393 [45].
Samplers: a also on Strut (E) STRUTLP007, Strut (E) STRUTCD007 [CD] titled CLUB AFRICA 2 and Ether (E) ETHCD006 [CD] titled GILLES PETERSON IN AFRICA. a, b, e & g on BBE (E) BBELP069, BBE (E) BBECD069 [CD] titled HUGH MASEKELA PRESENTS THE CHISA YEARS 1965-1975 (RARE AND UNRELEASED). c & d also on Tamla Motown (SA) TMC 5242 titled I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME and Hip-o Select B001157902 [CD] titled THE COMPLETE MOTOWN SINGLES VOLUME 11A: 1971. c, d, f, i & j also on Motown TMH (Eu) 5903 titled LETTA MBULU - GOLD. f & i also on Columbia (SA) CDCOL 8109 P [CD] titled GREATEST HITS. i also on SonyBMG (SA) CDBSP3177 [CD] titled COLLECTIONS.
Producer: Stewart Levine and Hugh Masekela
Engineer: Not Listed
Notes: Hugh Masekela

MOSADI
or I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME
Letta Mbulu
Recorded: 1968

ae. Kedumetse (from AFRICA '68)
bf. Moya (from AFRICA '68)
cg. Uyaz Gabisa (from AFRICA '68)
dh. Aredze  (from AFRICA '68)

Hollywood, California: April 2, 1971
Wayne Henderson; Wilton Felder; Joe Sample (key); Arthur Adams (g); Letta Mbulu (vcl).
overdubbed in Hollywood California: April 13, 1971
Allen De Rienzo (tp); Ernie Watts (sax); Murray Adler, Carroll Stephens, Louis Kievman (vln); Nathan Gershman (cello); Wayne Henderson (arr).

ea. Because of You (Adams) - 2:38
fb. Now We May Begin (Joe Sample)
gc. I'll Never Be The Same (Adams/Semenya) - 2:35
hd. We've Got To Learn To Love
     (Caiphus Semenya/Letta Mbulu/Wayne Henderson) - 2:49

Note: See LETTA for two additional titles on Tamla Motown (SA) TMC 5242.

Issues: a-h on Tamla Motown (SA) TMC 5242 titled I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME (also scheduled as Chisa CS 809 titled MOSADI but not issued).
Singles: g on Tamla Motown (SA) TMS 393 [45] (issued 1973).
Samplers: f & g also on Motown TMH (Eu) 5903 titled LETTA MBULU - GOLD.

BELAFONTE...LIVE!
Harry Belafonte
Live at O'Keefe Centre, Toronto, Canada: June 1972
Letta Mbulu (vcl) with unknown accompaniment.

a. Mahlalela (Lazy Bones) (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:30
b. Nonqonqo (To Those We Love) (Miriam Makeba) - 3:00
c. Mamani (Caiphus Semenya) - 5:15
d. Qonqoza (Knock, Knock) (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:03

Note: Other titles without Letta Mbulu.

Issues: a-d on RCA VPSX-6077.
Producer: John Cartwright and Jack Pleis
Engineer: George Semkiw

NATURALLY
Letta Mbulu
Hollywood, California: August 2, 1972
Joe Sample (key); Arthur Adams, David T. Walker (g); Wilton Felder (b); Stix Hooper (d); Mailto Correa, Milt Holland (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl).
overdubbed later
horns, background vcl, Wayne Henderson (arr, hrn orchestrations).

a. Kube (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:17
b. Noma Themba (aka Nomathemba) (Letta Mbulu/Caiphus Semenya) - 3:28
c. Hareje (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:06

Hollywood, California: August 2, 1972
Joe Sample (key); Arthur Adams, David T. Walker (g); Wilton Felder (b); Stix Hooper (d); Mailto Correa, Milt Holland (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl).
overdubbed in Hollywood, California: December 19, 1972
Jay DaVersa, Larry Ford (tp); Maurice Spears, Britt Woodman (tb); Herman Riley, Fred Jackson (reeds); Wayne Henderson (hrn orchestrations); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbed in Hollywood, California: December 21, 1972
Carroll Stephens, Barbara Durant (vln); Leonard Selic, Carole Mukogawa (viola); Nathan Gershman (cello); Marion Sherrill (music preparation); Jimmy Jones (string orchestrations); Caiphus Semenya (arr, cond).

d. Never Leave You (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:05

Hollywood, California: August 3, 1972
Joe Sample (key); Arthur Adams, David T. Walker (g); Wilton Felder (el-b); Stix Hooper (d); Mailto Correa, Milt Holland (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl).

e. Oluwa

Hollywood, California: August 3, 1972
Joe Sample (key); Arthur Adams, David T. Walker (g); Wilton Felder (el-b); Stix Hooper (d); Mailto Correa, Milt Holland (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl).
overdubbed in Hollywood, California: December 19, 1972
Jay DaVersa, Larry Ford (tp); Maurice Spears, Britt Woodman (tb); Herman Riley, Fred Jackson (reeds); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbbed in Hollywood, California: December 21, 1972
Carroll Stephens, Barbara Durant (vln); Leonard Selic, Carole Mukogawa (viola); Nathan Gershman (cello); Marion Sherrill (music preparation); Caiphus Semenya (arr, cond).

f. Afro Texas (Wayne Henderson/Caiphus Semenya) - 3:31
g. Now We May Begin (Joe Sample) - 3:35

same, add poss. Nat Adderley (tp); Cannonball Adderley (as); background vcl.

h. Setho (Wayne Henderson) - 4:20

Hollywood, California: August 4, 1972
Joe Sample (p); Joe Pass, David T. Walker (g); Wilton Felder (b); Stix Hooper (d); Mailto Correa, Milt Holland (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl).
overdubbed later.
strings, Jimmy Jones (string orchestrations).

i. Saddest Day (Caiphus Semenya) - 5:00

overdubbed later.
horns, Wayne Henderson (hrn orchestrations).

j. Learn To Love (Caiphus Semenya/Letta Mbulu/Wayne Henderson) - 3:33

same, add Cannonball Adderley (as), strings, Jimmy Jones (string orchestrations).

k. Zimkile (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:15

Note: Special thanks to Terri Hinte and Debra Frequez.

Issues: a-d & f-k on Fantasy F-9428, BGP (E) CDBGPM 214 [CD], Magic of Music (SA) MMT 1082, Munjale Music (SA) ZMUN 2003 [cass], CCP/EMI (SA) CDFAT (WM) 88 [CD].
Samplers: b also on SonyBMG (SA) CDBSP3177 [CD] titled COLLECTIONS. f also on BGP (E) BGP1 05, CDBGPD095 [CD] titled THE 'NEW JAZZ' SPECTRUM 3 and BGP (E) BGP2 140, BGP (E) CDBGPD 140 [CD] titled LIVING IN THE STREETS 2. a, b & k also on Columbia (SA) CDCOL 8109 P [CD] titled GREATEST HITS.
Producer: Caiphus Semenya for Junat Productions
Notes: Dean Rudland (BGP (E) CDBGPM 214 [CD]).

Covers: "Kube" (with added music by Lebo M) also performed by Lebo M on RHYTHM OF THE PRIDE LANDS (Walt Disney 60871-7 [CD]).

A WARM DECEMBER
[film]
c. 1973
Letta Mbulu (vcl).

unknown titles

Note: Sidney Poitier starred in and directed this film of an American doctor living in England who comes to the aid of Anderson, the niece of an African ambassador. Letta Mbulu appears in the film as a club singer.

Issues: None

BELAFONTE CANADA
[TV Special]
Toronto: 1974
Letta Mbulu (vcl).

a. Carry On / We Are Going
b. Cook With Honey
c. Hareje (Caiphus Semenya)

Note: other titles without Letta Mbulu.

Issues: None.

THERE'S MUSIC IN THE AIR
Letta Mbulu
prob. Los Angeles: c. August 1976
collective personnel inc. Richard Tee, Joe Sample (key); Freddie Harris, Lee Ritenour (g); Chuck Rainey or Louis Johnson (b); "Spider" Webb, Jim Gordon and/or James Gadson, Bernard Purdie (d); Erroll (The Crusher) Bennett (perc); Vic Feldman (vib); Emil Richards (vib, marimba, b-marimba, tympani); Letta Mbulu (vcl, arr); Herb Alpert (arr); Caiphus Semenya (arr, orchestration).
overdubbed (?) in Los Angeles, California: September 3, 1976
Bill Perkins, Jerome Richardson, Bernard Fleischer, Jack Nimitz, Ernie Watts (woodwinds); Stan Sheldone, Elizabeth Finch (copyist); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed (?) in Los Angeles: September 7, 1976
John Audino, Bobby Shew, Marion Childers, Gene Goe (tp); Bob Edmondson, Charles Loper, George Bohanon, Dick Hyde (tb); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed (?) in Hollywood, California: September 29, 1976
Benjamin Powell (tb); Bobby Bryant, Reunald Jones (tp); Sidney Muldrow (frhrn); Herman Riley (woodwinds); Donald Cooke (copyist, arr, cond).

a. Music Man (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:37

prob. Los Angeles: c. August 1976
collective personnel inc. Richard Tee, Joe Sample (key); Freddie Harris, Lee Ritenour (g); Chuck Rainey (b); "Spider" Webb, Jim Gordon (d); Erroll (The Crusher) Bennett (perc); Vic Feldman (vib); Emil Richards (vib, marimba, b-marimba, tympani); Letta Mbulu (vcl, arr); Herb Alpert (arr); Caiphus Semenya (arr, orchestration).
overdubbed in Los Angeles, California: August 31, 1976
Wilbert Nuttycomb, Gordon Marron, Marvin Limonick, Bobby Bruce, Mari Tsumura, Marilyn Baker, Shari Zippert, Jay Rosen, Jerome Reisler (vln); Dan Neufeld, Samuel Boghossian (viola); Anne Goodman, Raphael Kramer (cello); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed (?) in Los Angeles, California: September 1, 1976
Marion Childers, Gene Goe, Warren Luening, Bobby Shew (tp); Bob Edmondson, George Bohanon, Dick Hyde, Charles Loper (tb); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed (?) in Los Angeles, California: September 3, 1976
Bill Perkins, Jerome Richardson, Bernard Fleischer, Jack Nimitz, Ernie Watts (woodwinds); Stan Sheldone, Elizabeth Finch (copyist); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed (?) in Hollywood, California: September 29, 1976
Benjamin Powell (tb); Bobby Bryant, Reunald Jones (tp); Sidney Muldrow (frhrn); Herman Riley (woodwinds); Donald Cooke (copyist, arr, cond).

b. Sacred Drum (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:34

prob. Los Angeles: c. August 1976
collective personnel inc. Richard Tee, Joe Sample (key); Freddie Harris, Lee Ritenour (g); Chuck Rainey (b); "Spider" Webb, Jim Gordon (d); Erroll (The Crusher) Bennett (perc); Vic Feldman (vib); Emil Richards (vib, marimba, b-marimba, tympani); Letta Mbulu (vcl, arr); Herb Alpert (arr); Caiphus Semenya (arr, orchestration).
overdubbed in Los Angeles, California: August 31, 1976
Wilbert Nuttycomb, Gordon Marron, Marvin Limonick, Bobby Bruce, Mari Tsumura, Marilyn Baker, Shari Zippert, Jay Rosen, Jerome Reisler (vln); Dan Neufeld, Samuel Boghossian (viola); Anne Goodman, Raphael Kramer (cello); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed in Los Angeles, California: September 1, 1976
Marion Childers, Gene Goe, Warren Luening, Bobby Shew (tp); Bob Edmondson, George Bohanon, Dick Hyde, Charles Loper (tb); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed in Los Angeles, California: September 3, 1976
Bill Perkins, Jerome Richardson, Bernard Fleischer, Jack Nimitz, Ernie Watts (woodwinds); Stan Sheldone, Elizabeth Finch (copyist); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).

c. Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady (Harriet Schock) - 3:32 

prob. Los Angeles: c. August 1976
collective personnel inc. Richard Tee, Joe Sample (key); Freddie Harris, Lee Ritenour (g); Chuck Rainey (b); "Spider" Webb, Jim Gordon (d); Erroll (The Crusher) Bennett (perc); Vic Feldman (vib); Emil Richards (vib, marimba, b-marimba, tympani); Letta Mbulu (vcl, arr); Herb Alpert (arr); Caiphus Semenya (arr, orchestration).
overdubbed in Los Angeles, California: August 31, 1976
Wilbert Nuttycomb, Gordon Marron, Marvin Limonick, Bobby Bruce, Mari Tsumura, Marilyn Baker, Shari Zippert, Jay Rosen, Jerome Reisler (vln); Dan Neufel, Samuel Boghossian (viola); Anne Goodman, Raphael Kramer (cello); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).

d. There's Music In The Air (Caiphus Semenya/Will Jennings) - 6:53

prob. Los Angeles: c. August 1976
collective personnel inc. Richard Tee, Joe Sample (key); Freddie Harris, Lee Ritenour (g); Chuck Rainey (b); "Spider" Webb, Jim Gordon (d); Erroll (The Crusher) Bennett (perc); Vic Feldman (vib); Emil Richards (vib, marimba, b-marimba, tympani); Letta Mbulu (vcl, arr); Herb Alpert (arr); Caiphus Semenya (arr, orchestration).
overdubbed in Los Angeles, California: August 31, 1976
Wilbert Nuttycomb, Gordon Marron, Marvin Limonick, Bobby Bruce, Mari Tsumura, Marilyn Baker, Shari Zippert, Jay Rosen, Jerome Reisler (vln); Dan Neufeld, Samuel Boghossian (viola); Anne Goodman, Raphael Kramer (cello); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed (?) in Los Angeles, California: September 1, 1976
Marion Childers, Gene Goe, Warren Luening, Bobby Shew (tp); Bob Edmondson, George Bohanon, Dick Hyde, Charles Loper (tb); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed (?) in Los Angeles, California: September 3, 1976
Bill Perkins, Jerome Richardson, Bernard Fleischer, Jack Nimitz, Ernie Watts (woodwinds); Stan Sheldone, Elizabeth Finch (copyist); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed (?) in Hollywood, California: September 29, 1976
Benjamin Powell (tb); Bobby Bryant, Reunald Jones (tp); Sidney Muldrow (frhrn); Herman Riley (woodwinds); Donald Cooke (copyist, arr, cond).

e. Maru a Pula (Clouds of Rain) (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:43

add Herb Alpert (flhrn solo).

f. Feelings (Morris Albert) - 2:37

same or similar.

g. Let's Go Dancing (Joan Armatrading) / 

add Caiphus Semenya (vcl); John Barnes (bridge modulation).     

h. You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling (Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil/Phil Spector) - 7:07

prob. Los Angeles: c. August 1976
collective personnel inc. Richard Tee, Joe Sample (key); Freddie Harris, Lee Ritenour (g); Chuck Rainey (b); "Spider" Webb, Jim Gordon (d); Erroll (The Crusher) Bennett (perc); Vic Feldman (vib); Emil Richards (vib, marimba, b-marimba, tympani); Letta Mbulu (vcl, arr); Herb Alpert (arr); Caiphus Semenya (arr, orchestration).
overdubbed in Los Angeles, California: August 31, 1976
Wilbert Nuttycomb, Gordon Marron, Marvin Limonick, Bobby Bruce, Mari Tsumura, Marilyn Baker, Shari Zippert, Jay Rosen, Jerome Reisler (vln); Dan Neufeld, Samuel Boghossian (viola); Anne Goodman, Raphael Kramer (cello); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed in Los Angeles, California: September 3, 1976
Bill Perkins, Jerome Richardson, Bernard Fleischer, Jack Nimitz, Ernie Watts (woodwinds); Stan Sheldone, Elizabeth Finch (copyist); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: September 7, 1976
John Audino, Bobby Shew, Marion Childers, Gene Goe (tp); Bob Edmondson, Charles Loper, George Bohanon, Dick Hyde (tb); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).

i. Tristeza (Reunião de Tristêza) (Sivuca (Severino De Oliveira)) - 3:53

prob. Los Angeles: c. August 1976
collective personnel inc. Richard Tee, Joe Sample (key); Freddie Harris, Lee Ritenour (g); Chuck Rainey or Louis Johnson (b); "Spider" Webb, Jim Gordon and/or James Gadson, Bernard Purdie (d); Erroll (The Crusher) Bennett (perc); Vic Feldman (vib); Emil Richards (vib, marimba, b-marimba, tympani); Letta Mbulu (vcl, arr); Herb Alpert (arr); Caiphus Semenya (arr, orchestration).
overdubbed (?) in Los Angeles, California: September 3, 1976
Bill Perkins, Jerome Richardson, Bernard Fleischer, Jack Nimitz, Ernie Watts (woodwinds); Stan Sheldone, Elizabeth Finch (copyist); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed (?) in Los Angeles: September 7, 1976
John Audino, Bobby Shew, Marion Childers, Gene Goe (tp); Bob Edmondson, Charles Loper, George Bohanon, Dick Hyde (tb); Jules Chaikin (contractor); Johnny Mandel (arr, cond).
overdubbed (?) in Hollywood, California: September 29, 1976
Benjamin Powell (tb); Bobby Bryant, Reunald Jones (tp); Sidney Muldrow (frhrn); Herman Riley (woodwinds); Donald Cooke (copyist, arr, cond).

j. Rainy Day Music (Caiphus Semenya/Will Jennings) - 2:27

Note: Special thanks to Debra Frequez.

Issues: a-j on A&M SP-4609, A&M (E) AMLH 64609 (issued March 1977), A&M (Jap) D32Y3589 [CD], A&M (Jap) UICY-3319 [CD].
Singles: a on A&M 1915-S [45]. e (as "Clouds of Rain" - 3:20 edit) & g (3:12 edit) on A&M 1950-S [45]. d (3:16 edit) on A&M 1979-S [45].
Samplers: c, d & e also on Columbia (SA) CDCOL 8109 P [CD] titled GREATEST HITS. c & e also on SonyBMG (SA) CDBSP3177 [CD] titled COLLECTIONS. e also on Columbia (SA) CDCOL 8008 P [CD] titled THE BEST OF CAIPHUS SEMENYA AND LETTA MBULU.
Producer: Herb Alpert. Associate Producer: Caiphus Semenya
Engineer: Steve Mitchell. Assistant Engineer: John Beverly Jones

ROOTS - THE SAGA OF AN AMERICAN FAMILY
Quincy Jones
Los Angeles: c. 1976
collective personnel inc. John Audino, Bobby Bryant, Buddy Childers (tp); Dick Nash, Maurice Spear, Bill Watrous (tb); James Decker, David Duke, Alan Robinson (frhrn); Tommy Johnson (tu); Ernie Watts, Jerome Richardson, Bill Green, Terry Harrington, Ted Nash (woodwinds); Mike Boddicker, Ian Underwood, Richard Tee, Pete Jolly (key); Dave Grusin (key, arr); Lee Ritenour, David T. Walker (g); Alton Hendrickson (banjo); Catherine Gotthoffer, Dorothy Remsen (harp); Arni Egillson, Milt Kestenbaum (b); Chuck Rainey, Ed Reddick (el-b); Zak Diouf, Paul Bryant, King Errison, bobbye Hall, Emil Richards, Tommy Vig, Milt Holland, Shelly Manne, Vic Feldman (perc); Bill Summers (perc, arr); Caiphus Semenya (perc, vcl, arr); Letta Mbulu, Reverend James Cleveland conducting the Wattsline Choir (Rodney Armstrong, Mortonette Jenkins, Charles May, David Pridgen, Sherwood Sledge); Jim Gilstrap, Stephanie Spruill, Paulette McWilliams, Deborah Tibbs, Alexandra Brown, John Lehman, Linda Evans Bobby Bruce, Gerald Vinci, Janice Gower, John Santulis, Sheldon Sanov, Bill Nuttycomb, Ralph Shaeffer, Joseph Livoti, Irv Katz, Erno Neufeld, Harry Bluestone, Bob Sushell, Joe Stepansky (vln); Rollis Dale, Bob Ostrowsky, Alex Nieman, Marilyn Baker (viola); Jesse Erlich, Jeff Solow, Paul Bergstrom, Ronnie Cooper (clo); Quincy Jones, Reverend James Cleveland, Tommy Bahler, John Mandel, Herb Spencer, Dick Hazard (arr).

Africa (The Motherland)

Featuring Bill Summers (beta d).

a. Motherland (Quincy Jones) - 0:29

The Quincy Jones Orchestra

b. Roots Mural Theme (Gerald Fried) - 2:10

Featuring Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya and The Wattsline (vcl).

c. Main Title: Mama Aifambeni (Premier Episode) 
     (Quincy Jones/Caiphus Semenya) - 1:03

Featuring Letta Mbulu (vcl, chant).

d. Behold, The Only Thing Greater Than Yourself (Birth)
     (Quincy Jones/Caiphus Semenya) - 1:30

Featuring Letta Mbulu (vcl); Tommy Baker (choir cond).

e. Oluwa (Many Rains Ago) (African Theme) 
     (Caiphus Semenya/Quincy Jones) - 2:28

Featuring Bill Summers (perc), Zak Diouf (vcl). Tommy Baker out. 

f. Boyhood To Manhood (Q. Jones/B. Summers/Z. Diouf) - 0:53
g. The Toubob Is Here! (The Capture) (Quincy Jones) - 1:06

Featuring Alex Hassilev, The Wattsline (vcl).

h. Middle Passage (Slaveship Crossing) (Quincy Jones) - 1:15

Featuring Lou Gossett (dialogue) with the Quincy Jones Orchestra.

i. You In Americuh Now, African (Gerald Fried/Quincy Jones) - 0:32

America (The Promised Land)

Featuring The Quincy Jones Orchestra & Auctioneers.

j. Roots Mural Theme Intro (Slave Auction) (Gerald Fried) - 0:15

Featuring Lou Gossett (dialogue).

k. Ole Fiddler (Adaptation: Q. Jones/L. Gossett) - 1:12

Featuring Bobby Bruce (fiddle solo).

l. Jumpin' De Broom (Marriage Ceremony) (Q. Jones/B. Bruce) - 0:42

Featuring Richard Tee (p, org); Mortonette Jenkins, Charles May, The Wattsline Choir (vcl).

m. What Can I Do? (Hush, Hush, Somebody's Calling My Name)
     (Adaptation: Q. Jones/J. Cleveland) - 2:17

Featuring The Quincy Jones Orchestra and Stan Haze (dialogue).

n. Roots Mural Theme Bridge (Plantation Life) (Gerald Fried) -1:25

Featuring Richard Tee (org); The Wattsline Choir (vcl).

o. Oh Lord, Come By Here (Adaptation: Q. Jones/J. Cleveland) - 3:25

Featuring Lou Gossett (dialogue) and The Quincy Jones Orchestra.

p. Free At Last? (The Civil War) (Quincy Jones) - 2:24

Featuring Letta Mbulu (vcl solo) with the Quincy Jones Orchestra and The Wattsline Choir; Tommy Baker (choir cond).

q. Many Rains Ago (Oluwa) (African Theme: English Version)
     (Quincy Jones/Caiphus Semenya) - 4:50

Issues: a-q on A&M SP-4626, A&M 82839 4626 2 [CD], A&M (E) AMLH-64626, A&M (Jap) GP-2033
Singles: q also on A&M 1909-S [45]
Samplers: q also on A&M 314 540 556-2 [CD] titled GREATEST HITS, Hip-o HIPD-40168 titled THE REEL QUINCY JONES, Rhino R2 74363 [CD] titled Q - THE MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY OF QUINCY JONES.

LETTA MBULU - GOLD (HER GREATEST HITS)
Letta Mbulu
Recorded: 1970-1972. Issued: 1977.

a. I Need Your Love (from LETTA) - 2:45
b. Jigijela (from LETTA) - 4:19
c. Kedumetse (from AFRICA '68) - 2:59
d. Now We May Begin (from I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME) - 3:34
e. You Touched Me (from LETTA) - 3:41
f. I'll Never Be The Same (from I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME) - 2:35
g. I Won't Weep No More (from LETTA) - 2:42
h. Aredze (from AFRICA '68) - 3:05
i. Qongoza - "Knock" (from LETTA)  - 3:39

Note: "You Touched Me" (3:41) appears on this album twice.

Issues: a-i on Motown (Eu) TMH 5903.

HERB ALPERT/HUGH MASEKELA
Herb Alpert/Hugh Masekela
Hollywood, California: c. 1978
collective personnel inc. Herb Alpert (tp, flhrn, background vcl, arr); Hugh Masekela (flhrn, background vcl, arr); Donald W. Cooke, George Bohanon (tb); Maurice Spears (b-tb); Sidney Isaac Muldrow, Marilyn Robinson (frhrn); Hotep Cecil Barnard (aka Hotep Idris Galeta) (key); Caiphus Semenya (key, background vcl, arr, horn arr); Ian Underwood (synth); Lee Ritenour, Freddie Harris, Arthur Adams (g); Chuck Domanico, Louis Johnson (el-b); James Gadson (d); Paulinho da Costa (perc); Letta Mbulu, Lani Hall (background vcl); Gerald Vinci (concert master); Jimmy Jones (strings arr); Donald Cooke (orchestration).

a. Skokiaan (public domain) - 3:40

same or similar, Louis Johnson out.

b. Moonza (Caiphus Semenya/Herb Alpert) - 4:40
c. Ring Bell (George Weiss/Jerry Ragavoy) - 3:25

same or similar, add Craig Hundley (synth).

d. Happy Hanna (Hotep Cecil Barnard/Caiphus Semenya) - 4:59

same or similar, Tommy Tedesco (g solo); Carlos Vega (d). Craig Hundley out.

e. Lobo (Edu Lobo) - 7:24

same or similar, Michael Boddicker (synth); Spider Webb (d). Tommy Tedesco, Carlos Vega out.

f. African Summer (Caiphus Semenya) - 3:23

same or similar, Arthur Adams (g solo).

g. I'll Be There For You (Caiphus Semenya) - 7:08

Note: No vocals present on "Moonza," "Happy Mama," "African Summer" and "I'll Be There For You."

Issues: a-g on Horizon SP-728, A&M CD 0819 [CD]. 
Singles: a & f also on Horizon HZ-115 [45], A&M (Ger) AMS-5630 [45]. e also on Horizon HZ-116 [45]. e (3:45 edit) & e also on Horizon SP-17022 [12]. 
Samplers: a also on A&M CD 17767 [CD] titled A&M JAZZ SERIES: SAMPLER SPRING 1989.
Producer: Stewart Levine, Herb Alpert, Caiphus Semenya. Associate Producer: Hugh Masekela
Engineer: Don Hahn. Assistant Engineers: John Beverly Jones and Derek Dunann. 

LETTA
Letta Mbulu
Los Angeles: December 5, 1977
Cecil Barnard (aka Hotep Idris Galeta) (p, el-p); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); James Gadson, Roger A. Bethelmy (d); Paulinho da Costa (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbed in Los Angles: December 21, 1977
Paulinho da Costa (perc).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: December 23, 1977
Lee Ritenour (g).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: December 27, 1977
Arthur Adams (g).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: January 19, 1978
Oscar Brashear, Chuck Findley, Steve Madaio (tp, flhrn); Lew McCreary, George Bohanon (tb); Vincent DeRosa, David Duke, Arthur Maebe (frhrn); Ernie Watts, William Green (reeds); Earle Dumler (horn); Robert Sushel, Henry Ferber, Paul Shure, Stanley Plummer, Ronald Folsom, Arnold Belnick, Anatol Kaminsky, Ambrose Russo, Herman Clebanoff, David Frisina, Dorothy Wade, Assa Drori, Irving Geller, Sheldon Sanov (vln); Alex Neiman, Gareth "Garry" Nuttycomb, Allan Harshman, Pamela Goldsmith, Myer Bello (viola); Raphael Kramer, Armand Kaproff, Douglas Davis, Eleanor Slatkin (cello); Gayle Levant (harp); Harry Bluestone (concert master); Paul Riser (contractor); McKinley T. Jackson (leader).

a. I Can Depend On You (Arthur Adams/Letta Mbulu/Caiphus Semenya) - 3:41

Los Angeles: December 6, 1977
Cecil Barnard (aka Hotep Idris Galeta) (p, el-p); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); James Gadson, Roger A. Bethelmy (d); Paulinho da Costa (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbed in Los Angles: December 21, 1977
Paulinho da Costa (perc).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: December 23, 1977
Lee Ritenour (g).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: December 27, 1977
Arthur Adams (g).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: January 10, 1978
Michael Boddicker (synth).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: January 19, 1978
Oscar Brashear, Chuck Findley, Steve Madaio (tp, flhrn); Lew McCreary, George Bohanon (tb); Vincent DeRosa, David Duke, Arthur Maebe (frhrn); Ernie Watts, William Green (reeds); Earle Dumler (horn); Robert Sushel, Henry Ferber, Paul Shure, Stanley Plummer, Ronald Folsom, Arnold Belnick, Anatol Kaminsky, Ambrose Russo, Herman Clebanoff, David Frisina, Dorothy Wade, Assa Drori, Irving Geller, Sheldon Sanov (vln); Alex Neiman, Gareth "Garry" Nuttycomb, Allan Harshman, Pamela Goldsmith, Myer Bello (viola); Raphael Kramer, Armand Kaproff, Douglas Davis, Eleanor Slatkin (cello); Gayle Levant (harp); Harry Bluestone (concert master); Paul Riser (contractor); McKinley T. Jackson (leader).
overdubbed in Hollywood, California: January 27, 1978
Steve Madaio, Oscar Brashear, Gary Grant (tp); Lew McCreary, Charles Loper (tb), George Bohanon (tb); Jim Horn, Herman Riley, Ernie Watts (sax); Donald Cooke (arr, cond).

b. I Need You (Caiphus Semenya/Letta Mbulu)

Los Angeles: December 6, 1977
Cecil Barnard (aka Hotep Idris Galeta) (p, el-p); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); James Gadson, Roger A. Bethelmy (d); Paulinho da Costa (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbed in Los Angles: December 21, 1977
Paulinho da Costa (perc).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: December 27, 1977
Arthur Adams (g).
overdubbed in Hollywood, California: January 19, 1978
Oscar Brashear, Chuck Findley, Steve Madaio (tp, flhrn); Lew McCreary, George Bohanon (tb); David Duke, Arthur Maebe, Henry Sigismonti (frhrn); Ernie Watts, William Green (reeds); Earle Dumler (horn); Robert Sushel, Henry Ferber, Paul Shure, Stanley Plummer, Ronald Fulsom, Arnold Belnick, Israel Baker, Marvin Limonick, Jerome Reisler, Joy Lyle, Erno Neufeld, Murray Adler, Nathan Ross, Anatol Kaminsky (vln); Alex Neiman, Gareth "Garry" Nuttycombe, David Schwartz, Allan Harshman, Pamela Goldsmith (viola); Ray Kramer, Armand Kaproff, Douglas Davis, Ray Kelley (cello); Gayle Levant (harp); Harry Bluestone (concert master); Abdul Salaam (copyist); McKinley Jackson (contractor); Paul Riser (arr, cond).

c. Buza (There's A Light At The End Of A Tunnel) (Letta Mbulu/Lamont Dozier) - 3:43

Los Angeles: December 6, 1977
Cecil Barnard (aka Hotep Idris Galeta) (p, el-p); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); James Gadson, Roger A. Bethelmy (d); Paulinho da Costa (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: January 19, 1978
Oscar Brashear, Chuck Findley, Steve Madaio (tp, flhrn); Lew McCreary, George Bohanon (tb); Vincent DeRosa, David Duke, Arthur Maebe (frhrn); Ernie Watts, William Green (reeds); Earle Dumler (horn); Robert Sushel, Henry Ferber, Paul Shure, Stanley Plummer, Ronald Folsom, Arnold Belnick, Anatol Kaminsky, Ambrose Russo, Herman Clebanoff, David Frisina, Dorothy Wade, Assa Drori, Irving Geller, Sheldon Sanov (vln); Alex Neiman, Gareth "Garry" Nuttycomb, Allan Harshman, Pamela Goldsmith, Myer Bello (viola); Raphael Kramer, Armand Kaproff, Douglas Davis, Eleanor Slatkin (cello); Gayle Levant (harp); Harry Bluestone (concert master); Paul Riser (contractor); McKinley T. Jackson (leader).

d. Open Your Heart (aka Baby I'm In Love With You)
     (Caiphus Semenya/Arthur Adams) - 4:04

Los Angeles: December 7, 1977
Cecil Barnard (aka Hotep Idris Galeta) (p, el-p); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); James Gadson, Roger A. Bethelmy (d); Paulinho da Costa (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (arr).

e. Qonqoza (Caiphus Semenya)

Los Angeles: December 7, 1977
Cecil Barnard (aka Hotep Idris Galeta) (p, el-p); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); James Gadson, Roger A. Bethelmy (d); Paulinho da Costa (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: December 27, 1977
James Gadson (d).

f. Happy Hanna (Hotep Cecil Barnard)

Los Angeles: December 8, 1977
Cecil Barnard (aka Hotep Idris Galeta) (p, el-p); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); James Gadson, Roger A. Bethelmy (d); Paulinho da Costa (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: December 23, 1977
Lee Ritenour (g).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: December 27, 1977
Arthur Adams (g).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: January 19, 1978
Oscar Brashear, Chuck Findley, Steve Madaio (tp, flhrn); Lew McCreary, George Bohanon (tb); Vincent DeRosa, David Duke, Arthur Maebe (frhrn); Ernie Watts, William Green (reeds); Earle Dumler (horn); Robert Sushel, Henry Ferber, Paul Shure, Stanley Plummer, Ronald Folsom, Arnold Belnick, Anatol Kaminsky, Ambrose Russo, Herman Clebanoff, David Frisina, Dorothy Wade, Assa Drori, Irving Geller, Sheldon Sanov (vln); Alex Neiman, Gareth "Garry" Nuttycomb, Allan Harshman, Pamela Goldsmith, Myer Bello (viola); Raphael Kramer, Armand Kaproff, Douglas Davis, Eleanor Slatkin (cello); Gayle Levant (harp); Harry Bluestone (concert master); Paul Riser (contractor); McKinley T. Jackson (leader).

g. Mellow Down

Los Angeles: December 8, 1977
Cecil Barnard (aka Hotep Idris Galeta) (p, el-p); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); James Gadson, Roger A. Bethelmy (d); Paulinho da Costa (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbed in Hollywood, California: January 19, 1978
Oscar Brashear, Chuck Findley, Steve Madaio (tp, flhrn); Lew McCreary, George Bohanon (tb); David Duke, Arthur Maebe, Henry Sigismonti (frhrn); Ernie Watts, William Green (reeds); Earle Dumler (horn); Robert Sushel, Henry Ferber, Paul Shure, Stanley Plummer, Ronald Fulsom, Arnold Belnick, Israel Baker, Marvin Limonick, Jerome Reisler, Joy Lyle, Erno Neufeld, Murray Adler, Nathan Ross, Anatol Kaminsky (vln); Alex Neiman, Gareth "Garry" Nuttycombe, David Schwartz, Allan Harshman, Pamela Goldsmith (viola); Ray Kramer, Armand Kaproff, Douglas Davis, Ray Kelley (cello); Gayle Levant (harp); Harry Bluestone (concert master); Abdul Salaam (copyist); McKinley Jackson (contractor); Paul Riser (arr, cond).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: February 7, 1978
Robert Popwell (b); Paulinho da Costa (perc). 

h. Mamani (Caiphus Semenya) - 7:54

Los Angeles: December 8, 1977
Cecil Barnard (aka Hotep Idris Galeta) (p, el-p); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); James Gadson, Roger A. Bethelmy (d); Paulinho da Costa (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: January 10, 1978
Michael Boddicker (synth).
overdubbed in Hollywood, California: January 27, 1978
Steve Madaio, Oscar Brashear, Gary Grant (tp); Lew McCreary, Charles Loper (tb), George Bohanon (tb); Jim Horn, Herman Riley, Ernie Watts (sax); Donald Cooke (arr, cond).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: February 8, 1978
Arthur Adams (g).

i. Baile Baneso (By-Lay Bah-Neh-Su) (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:27

unknown location, unknown date
Letta Mbulu (vcl); Caiphus Semenya (vcl, arr).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: December 27, 1977
James Gadson (d).

j. I Can Depend On You (Arthur Adams/Letta Mbulu/Caiphus Semenya) - 3:41

unknown location, unknown date
Letta Mbulu (vcl); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: January 4, 1978
Michael Boddicker (synth).
overdubbed in Hollywood, California: January 27, 1978
Steve Madaio, Oscar Brashear, Gary Grant (tp); Lew McCreary, Charles Loper (tb), George Bohanon (tb); Jim Horn, Herman Riley, Ernie Watts (sax); Donald Cooke (arr, cond).
overdubbed in Los Angeles: February 7, 1978
Robert Popwell (b); Paulinho da Costa (perc). 
overdubbed in Los Angeles: February 8, 1978
Arthur Adams (g).

k. Hareje (Ha-Ree-Gee) (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:27

unknown location, unknown date
Letta Mbulu (vcl); Caiphus Semenya (arr).
overdubbed in Hollywood, California: January 19, 1978
Oscar Brashear, Chuck Findley, Steve Madaio (tp, flhrn); Lew McCreary, George Bohanon (tb); David Duke, Arthur Maebe, Henry Sigismonti (frhrn); Ernie Watts, William Green (reeds); Earle Dumler (horn); Robert Sushel, Henry Ferber, Paul Shure, Stanley Plummer, Ronald Fulsom, Arnold Belnick, Israel Baker, Marvin Limonick, Jerome Reisler, Joy Lyle, Erno Neufeld, Murray Adler, Nathan Ross, Anatol Kaminsky (vln); Alex Neiman, Gareth "Garry" Nuttycombe, David Schwartz, Allan Harshman, Pamela Goldsmith (viola); Ray Kramer, Armand Kaproff, Douglas Davis, Ray Kelley (cello); Gayle Levant (harp); Harry Bluestone (concert master); Abdul Salaam (copyist); McKinley Jackson (contractor); Paul Riser (arr, cond).

l. Help Me Somebody (Caiphus Semenya/Letta Mbulu)
m. (unknown title)

Note: (1) Special thanks to Debra Fresquez. (2) Background vocals arranged by Caiphus Semenya and performed by "The Waters" (Julia Tillman, Maxine Willard, Luther Waters, Oren Waters).

Issues: a, b, c, d, h, i & k on A&M SP-4688, A&M (E) AMLH-64688, A&M (Jap) UICY-3318 [CD].
Singles: d (3:20 edit) on A&M 2094-S [45]. j on A&M 2038-S [45].
Samplers: c also on Columbia (SA) CDCOL 8008 P [CD] titled THE BEST OF CAIPHUS SEMENYA AND LETTA MBULU and Columbia (SA) CDCOL 8109 P [CD] titled GREATEST HITS. d & k also on A&M SP-17015 titled FOREPLAY #6. d also on A&M SP-17026 titled R&B HIT KIT III. 
Producer: Herb Alpert, Stewart Levine and Caiphus Semenya
Engineer: Don Hahn

Letta Mbulu
Los Angeles, California: July 6, 1979
Howard Pfeifer (p, copyist, arr); Mitch Holder (g); David Shields (b); Alvin Taylor (d); Oliver Brown (perc); Jeffrey Jones, Suzie Katayama (copyist); Letta Mbulu (vcl).
overdubbed in Hollywood, California: July 9, 1979
Stuart Blumberg, Bobby Shew (tp); John Leys, Robert Payne (tb); Tom Peterson (reeds); Margaret Wooten, Michelle Grab, Pamela Tompkins, Richard Greene, E. Marcy Dicterow, Karen Jones (vln); Glenn Grab, Julianna Buffum, Roger Lebow, Carolisa Lindberg (cello); Vera Halligan (contractor); Howard Pfeifer (arr, cond).
overdubbed in Hollywood, California: July 12, 1979
Howard Pfeifer (synth).

a. I Like It (Wayne Henderson?)
b. Don't Let Go Of Me (Randy Edelman)

Note: Special thanks to Debra Fresquez.

Issues: None (A&M) 

SOUND OF A RAINBOW
Letta Mbulu
Los Angeles: c. 1978-80
Howard Pfeifer (p, synth, hrn arr, synth arr, rhythm arr, string arr); John Barnes (el-p, synth); Garey Mielke (synth, synth arr, rhythm arr); Mitch Holder (g); David Shields (b); Oliver C. Brown (cga, perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl, background vcl arr); Alex Brown, Denise Routt, Fred Sawyerf (background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (background vcl, rhythm arr, synth arr, background vcl arr); Danny Jensen (rhythm arr, synth arr).

a. Kiliminjaro Take Us Higher (aka Kilimanjaro) 
     (Caiphus Semenya/Letta Mbulu) - 4:50

Cecil Barnard (el-p); John Barnes (synth); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); Raymond Pounds (d); Paulinho da Costa (perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl, background vcl arr); Alex Brown, Denise Routt, Fred Sawyerf (background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (background vcl, rhythm arr, synth arr, background vcl arr); Paul Riser (hrn arr, string arr).

b. Help Me Somebody (probably from the LETTA session above) 
     (Caiphus Semenya/Letta Mbulu) - 3:45

Michael Stanton (el-p); John Barnes (synth); Donald Griffin, Paul Jackson, Jr. (g); Nathan East (b); Raymond Pounds (d); Paulinho da Costa (cga, perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl, background vcl arr); Alex Brown, Denise Routt, Fred Sawyerf (background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (background vcl, rhythm arr, synth arr, background vcl arr).

c. Everybody Sing Along (Caiphus Semenya) - 5:31

Cecil Barnard (el-p); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); James Gadson (d); Paulinho da Costa (cga, perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl, background vcl arr); Caiphus Semenya (vcl, background vcl, rhythm arr, synth arr, background vcl arr). Alex Brown, Denise Routt, Fred Sawyerf, (background vcl); Paul Riser (hrn arr, string arr).

d. Ndi-Phendule (Caiphus Semenya/Letta Mbulu) - 3:47

Cecil Barnard (el-p); John Barnes (synth); Arthur Adams, Mitch Holder (g); Robert Popwell (b); James Gadson (d); Paulinho da Costa (cga, perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl, background vcl arr); Alex Brown, Denise Routt, Fred Sawyerf (background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (background vcl, rhythm arr, synth arr, background vcl arr); Paul Riser (hrn arr, string arr).

e. Love Beyond (Caiphus Semenya/Letta Mbulu/Pamela Jones) - 4:19

Howard Pfeifer (p, synth, hrn arr, synth arr, rhythm arr, string arr); John Barnes (el-p, synth); Garey Mielke (synth, synth arr, rhythm arr); Mitch Holder (g); David Shields (b); Oliver C. Brown (cga, perc); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl, background vcl arr); Alex Brown, Denise Routt, Fred Sawyerf (background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (background vcl, rhythm arr, synth arr, background vcl arr); Danny Jensen (rhythm arr, synth arr).

f. Don't Let Go Of Me (probably from the unissued July 1979 sessions above) 
     (R. Edelman) - 3:39

John Barnes (p, synth); Michael Stanton (el-p); Donald Griffin, Paul Jackson, Jr. (g); Robert Popwell (b); Raymond Pounds (d); Paulinho da Costa (cga, perc); Dorothy Ashby (harp); Letta Mbulu (vcl, background vcl, background vcl arr); Alex Brown, Fred Sawyerf (vcl, background vcl). Denise Routt (background vcl); Caiphus Semenya (background vcl, rhythm arr, synth arr, background vcl arr).

g. Music Is A Rainbow (Caiphus Semenya) - 4:47 

Issues: a-g on Munjale ?, Disques Esperance (Fr) ESP 165.547, CBS (Du) 85315, Columbia (SA) CDCOL 8014 P [CD]
Singles: b (3:19 stereo edit) & b (3:19 mono edit) on MJS MJS-4501 [45]. b (5:52 vocal) & b (6:00 instrumental) on MJS MJS-101[12]. d & e on Munjale 202 [45]. f on Munjale ? [45].
Samplers: a also on Columbia (SA) CDCOL 8007 P [CD] titled THE VERY BEST OF CAIPHUS SEMENYA. a, c & d also on Columbia (SA) CDCOL 8008 P [CD] titled THE BEST OF CAIPHUS SEMENYA AND LETTA MBULU. b & d also on SonyBMG (SA) CDBSP3177 [CD] titled COLLECTIONS. c also on Columbia (SA) CDCOL 8109 P [CD] titled GREATEST HITS and Sony (Fr) 506262 2 [CD] titled THALASSA - AFRIQUE DU SUD/LE CAP. g also on Columbia (SA) CDCOL8173 [CD] titled BEST OF AFRICAN JAZZ - TRIBUTE TO OUR HEROES.
Producer: Caiphus Semenya. Associate Producer: Letta Mbulu.
Engineer: Reggie Dozier, Donnie Hahn, James Simcik.