Hugh Masekela - Hope

Now available as a 45 RPM 4LP set!

As originally recorded, with all 12 tracks included!

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from the original analog tape

45 RPM mastering enables full dynamics present on the tape

Pressed at RTI!

Gatefold tip-on jacket by Stoughton Printing

Packaged in a custom-designed slipcase

Includes insert containing interview with David Hewitt, original recording engineer for Hope

Praise for the Analogue Productions 33 1/3 2LP edition of Hope

"How sad, if timely: this stunning reissue of the 1994 live album arrived in the very week that trumpeter Masekela passed away. One of the most successful ambassadors ever for African music, his fusing of the continent's rhythms and instruments with contemporary jazz and rock proved irresistible. Nearly every one of you has heard him, thanks to guess spots with The Byrds and Paul Simon. His breakthough hit from 1968 — the infectious "Grazing In The Grass" — is here, along with another 11 tracks recorded at Blues Alley, the U.S. club that gave us Eva Cassidy. Notably, despite its early-1990s origins, this is all-analogue." — Sound Quality = 90% - Ken Kessler, HiFi News, May 2018

"...Hope is one of those intensely visceral, large as life, and immediately present recordings that will make pretty much any system sound at least very good, and will cause better ones to raise goose bumps." - Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, August 2008

"...The high quality original mix plus Analogue Productions' superb mastering has resulted in a terrific, very transparent sonic with great impact." - John Henry, Audiophile Audition

What more can be captured from the masterpiece that the late trumpet great Hugh Masekela left devoted fans, the effervescent Hope. Now cut at 45 RPM and spread over four 180-gram premium LPs, you're about to discover the answer to that question. The eight sides of vinyl reduce distortion and high frequency loss as the wider-spaced grooves let your stereo cartridge track more accurately. 

A longtime audiophile demonstration disc. Hope will show off your system's dynamic range as well as any record ever released. Hugh Masekela, the outstanding South African trumpeter, assembled a seven-piece group and recorded this great set live at Washington, D.C.'s Blues Alley. The songs stretch over a period of nearly five decades and serve as an informal guided tour of Masekela's life. The songs are honest and bare, and as for the sound — WOW!

Unlike a prior 45 RPM version that included seven songs, this 45 RPM reissue contains the full program as originally recorded with all 12 tracks included! Plus, as an added bonus, we've included a special insert — featuring an exclusive interview with Grammy/Emmy Award-winning engineer David Hewitt, who recorded Hope originally.

"Hugh's record is right up near the top for a lot of reasons," Hewitt says.

Hewitt and his team were afforded the time they needed, and they pulled out all the stops to pull off what's now recognized as an all-time great recording. They used better-quality microphones, they were micing the room for ambient sound, and Masekela was performing for a sophisticated and appreciative audience.

"We used stuff from our stash of mics as opposed to what you'd find typically at a jazz club. We actually had control via the record label and producers, so we could take our time. We had the ability to mic the room for abient sound. ... you've got people that actually know and appreciate the music and respond accordingly. What you've got there is all the right stuff at the right time and the right people, and then something magical happens."

Listen to that magic unfold — put on this Analogue Productions 45 RPM 4LP reissue of Hope, and be transported.

Side 1

1. The Abangoma (The Healers)

2. Uptownship

Side 2

1. Mandela (Bring Him Back Home)

2. Grazing in the Grass

Side 3

1. Lady

Side 4

1. Languta

Side 5

1. Nomali

Side 6

1. Market Place

2. Ntyilo Ntyilo (The Love Bird)

Side 7

1. He le Se (The Dowry Song)

2. Until When

Side 8

1. Stimela [Coal Train]

Customer Reviews (5.00 Stars) 5 person(s) rated this product.

This is the one posted on 09/27/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Mike Absolute a gem! Totally run all over the double 33 version!

Killer bass -- posted on 08/07/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Cal Having owned the previous AP 45rpm version (APJ 82020) for several years this four LP 200 gram 45rpm version is a clear step above. Both versions are mastered by Kevin Gray (probably from the same lacquers as there is no indication that Kevin re-cut this version) but this four LP version has a much deeper sounding bass. The extra tracks make this version a complete representation of the concert but my huge take away lies in the percussion throughout the recording. The bass has a deeper thump and a sharper thwack. This attribute makes more tracks "audition" worthy -- not just Stimela. Very glad I bought this version.

A Must Have! posted on 08/04/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Michael What a master piece of a Album! The sound is unbelievable it like your at the concert! The different instruments and the separation and no background ground noise makes this a spectacular album! Get it before it's gone. The bass is punchy and so lifelike.

Are you sure it’s live!? posted on 07/31/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Johnnymics This reissue sounds absolutely amazing. At first I had forgotten it was recorded live, that’s how incredible it sounds. Excellent job all around.

Amazing live gig posted on 10/27/2019 5 Stars I've got the original AP45 and this just gives me more amazing music from Hugh to listen to. Dynamics and sound stage is incredible. A++

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