Rating:
Genre:
World
Release Date: 04/25/2000
A surprisingly comprehensive collection, this album from
Putumayo really does cover nearly every South African musical legend that's made a name for themselves (with the only really obvious exceptions being
Dorothy Masuka and
Dave Matthews, though the latter's music isn't as rooted in African tradition in the first place). The album opens with some nice
jive courtesy of
the Soul Brothers. The great groaner
Mahlathini combines with his favorites the
Mahotella Queens for a bouncing, lilting number that shows off his deep, deep delivery.
Vusi Mahlasela shows off his guitar style on a newer track, and the
Mahotellas return for the classic
"Mbube" (which really kicked off the recognition of African music in the Western world). More
jive comes from the great
West Nkosi, whose saxophone also leads the way into South African
jazz in its modern form, as realized by
Hugh Masekela in the next track.
Lucky Dube evokes
Marley and
Tosh in his light
reggae, and the cross-cultural
Johnny Clegg presents a number. The album closes with two of the biggest stars of South Africa --
Miriam Makeba and a metaphorical song of exile, and
Ladysmith Black Mambazo with their classic iscathamiya sound. Just about every sound that someone may have heard in recent years (or in years past) coming from South Africa is represented here. For a listener curious about the sounds of the country and its strong musical history, this makes for an outstanding introduction. For those already taken with South African music, it will still provide an enjoyable listen, and may even remind you to go look up someone you've forgotten about.
~Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
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