C.L. Blast -Made In Africa- 1981 Johannesburg

C.L.Blast is a long lasting American soul veteran whose career spans a few decades. He never enjoyed many hits but his LP from 1980 “I Wanna Get Down”, was a big number one smash in South Africa where Blast spent 3 very profitable months touring the country on the strength of it.

While he was there he recorded an LP– “Made In Africa” – now easily his rarest disc as it never got a release anywhere else.

Musicians on this album are Keith Hutchinson on keyboards, flute, Tony Moore on drums, Denny Lalouette on bass and Joe Willis on guitars. The sessions were recorded in Johannesburg at the Universal studios, probably in 1981.

Although this album differs from previous released material by C.L.Blast, the tracks on it work perfectly well with the South African influences. There is even an effective gospel choir on “Standing Together” (long before Paul Simon would discover SA harmony singing) and “I Found Love” and “It’s You That I Love” are strong ballads.  Another real stand-out track  is  ‘I Can’t Stand A Liar’.  C.L. Blast must have enjoyed his collaboration with South African singers and musicians tremendously as one can hear on this rare album.

Made In Africa -C.L.Blast WEA International 1982 South Africa

Track-listing

side 1

I Can’t Stand A Liar

Call Me At The Same Number

I Found Love

Love Vibration

side 2

The Lord Will Make A Way

Standing Together

It’s You That I Love

Can’t Leave It Alone

Arranged and produced by Keith Hutchinson.

thanks to Sir Shambling’s Deep Soul Heaven