West Nkosi

With the death of pennywhistle and alto saxophone player and record producer West Nkosi, in October 1998, from injuries sustained in an auto crash, South Africa lost one its true musical visionaries. While his playing was a major factor in the early-'60s success of Spokes Mashiyane and His All Star Flutes, Nkosi made his greatest impact as a producer. In addition to producing internationally released albums by Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mahalthini and the Mahotella Queens, he oversaw recordings by Abofane Base Ohudeni, Patience Afrika, Mpharanyane With the Cannibals Featuring...