Bringing together Johannesburg’s two saxophone titans for a supergroup recording project was a visionary move by Jo’Burg Records in 1976. Following the success of Makhalemele’s debut The Peacemaker and Mankunku’s long-awaited sophomore release Alex Express, which both appeared in 1975, the bar had been set very high. Enamoured by their jazz contemporaries, the session was concocted by members of an exciting new South African rock group called Rabbit, who formed a backing group consisting of guitarist Trevor Rabin, bassist Ronnie Robot and drummer Neil Cloud alongside jazz pianist Tete Mbambisa. Recorded at the state-of-the-art Satbel Music Recording Studios, the inspired performances of this diverse cast of young South African artists at the height of their powers was captured with exquisite fidelity. Packaged as The Bull and the Lion, the album title references Mankunku’s signature composition “Yakhal’ Inkomo” (which means “the bellow of the bull”) and Makhalemele’s stage name “Ratau” (meaning "lion"). The pairing of Mankunku and Makhalemele stands with Moeketsi/Matshikisa and Pillay/Coetzee as one of the epic collaborations of South African jazz in the 1970s.
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
-
Edifier R1280DB Powered Speakers
Combining classic design with modern Bluetooth connectivity, built-in amplification and versatile inputs, these speakers deliver rich, balanced sound.
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Audioengine A2 Plus
Precision-engineered 2.75-inch woofers and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, featuring built-in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration.
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Soul Blind Red Sky Mourning
Closed Casket Activities
October 10, 2025 -
Spiritual Cramp RUDE
Blue Grape Music
October 24, 2025 -
Cusp What I Want Doesn't Want Me Back (Ice Blue)
Exploding In Sound Records
October 17, 2025 -
Penitent Melancholia Redux (Clear & Black Splatter)
Circle Music
September 12, 2025 -
Ronan Keating Ronan25 [2xLP]
Universal UK
September 12, 2025 -
Lord Of The Lost OPVS NOIR Vol. 2
Napalm Records
December 12, 2025 -
Pinks The Reds & Purples The Past is a Garden I Never Fed (Sky Blue)
Fire Records
October 24, 2025 -
SPACED No Escape
Pure Noise Records
November 7, 2025 -
Various Artists No Life 'Til Leather - A Tribute To Metallica's Kill 'Em All
Silver Lining Music
November 14, 2025 -
The Cords The Cords (Baby Blue)
Slumberland Records
September 26, 2025 -
Dark Tranquillity Live Damage
The Circle Music
November 7, 2025 -
Marcus King Darling Blue
Republic Records
September 26, 2025 -
Leith Ross I Can See The Future (Tangerine; Signed Insert) [2xLP]
Republic Records
September 19, 2025 -
HAAi HUMANiSE (Crystal Clear) [2xLP]
Deko Music
October 10, 2025