Name: Balance
Brand: Abdullah Ibrahim

Tax rate EU

Default:19

Supplier EU

The Orchard/SPV (Membran)

Total Cap

Format detail

Colour details

Discogs ID

Limited edition

Colour

Format Music EU

Extended format

Extended format: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Download code

Download code: No

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Release date

2021-04-23

Format multiplier

Catalogue number

GBOBICD1554

UPC / Barcode

5060708610333

GBOBI1554

5060708610326

Artist

Abdullah Ibrahim

Label EU

Gearbox

Genre EU

Jazz

Abdullah Ibrahim, born as Adolph Johannes Brand in Cape Town in 1934, is a legendary South African jazz musician known for his exceptional piano and saxophone skills. He earned the nickname "Dollar" during his youth due to his regular purchases of jazz LPs from US-American soldiers. In 1968, after converting to Islam, he changed his name to Abdullah Ibrahim but continued performing and recording under the *Dollar Brand* moniker for some time.

One of Ibrahim's most significant contributions to South African heritage is his composition "Mannenberg" from 1974, which has been hailed as a seminal piece and even considered an unofficial national anthem. Recognizing his immense talent and influence on music, Mr. Ibrahim was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2009.

If you enjoy artists like *Jacky Terrasson*, *Brad Mehldau Trio*, or *Esbjörn Svensson*, then Abdullah Ibrahim's music will surely captivate you with its unique blend of jazz elements and cultural influences.

Gearbox is a British independent label founded in 2009 by Darrel Sheinman. Based in London and Tokyo, Gearbox releases new music by contemporary artists as well as previously-unreleased archival recordings. They are well known for their jazz releases, including the "BBC Jazz For Moderns" series taken from jazz programmes on the BBC. The label also has a series called Japanese Editions featuring legendary performances at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London.

In addition to their record releases, Gearbox operates a mastering studio located at Tileyard Studios in King's Cross, London. Equipped with vintage analog equipment, including a 1967 Haeco Scully lathe with Westrex amplifiers, they offer high-quality lacquer cutting and mastering services. The studio also provides direct-to-disc or tape recording using the adjacent recording studio.

For its own releases, Gearbox Records collaborates with Optimal Media GmbH. Known engineers associated with the label include Darrel Sheinman (Daz), Caspar Sutton-Jones (caspar@gearbox), Cicely Balston (2013-2016), Carla Iannace (since 2021 - carla@gearbox), and Kristina Rhodes (2021-2023). The studio is credited on releases as Gearbox Records Studio or Gearbox Recording.

Newest Listed Items

Abdullah Ibrahim (who has also recorded as Dollar Brand) is one of South Africa's most famous musicians. His music is often referred to as representing freedom. His major anti-apartheid anthem Mannenberg (released as Capetown Fringe in the US) thas come to be regarded as an unofficial national anthem in South Africa. He even performed at Nelson Mandela's inauguration, where Mandela referred to him as "our Mozart”. He's played with everyone from Duke Ellington to Max Roach, John Coltrane to Ornette Coleman, and is the father of underground rapper Jean Grae. Encompassing Township-Jazz, solo piano, Highlife and plentiful modern jazz styles, this brand new studio album (recorded with his band Ekaya at RAK Studios in London,) is a major return for a genuine living Jazz legend.

Balance

Music EU