Chisa

Chisa Records was founded in 1968 by jazz musician and producer Hugh Masekela and his partner, producer and entrepreneur, David Rubinson. Based in Los Angeles, the label aimed to promote South African music and jazz, reflecting the cultural and political landscape of the time. Notable artists associated with Chisa included Masekela himself, as well as the influential jazz saxophonist, Wayne Shorter, and the South African band, The Jazz Epistles. Chisa's catalog featured a blend of jazz, funk, and world music, contributing to the fusion of African sounds with American genres. The label's most prominent era spanned the late 1960s to the early 1970s, during which it gained recognition for its innovative recordings. Although Chisa ceased operations in the mid-1970s, its legacy endures through its contributions to the global music scene and its role in bringing African music to a wider audience.