Customer Reviews

Grazing in the Grass: The Best of Hugh Masekela

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A misleadingly titled collection, but one that turns out to be a very, very nice surprise even so. Eight of the 14 tunes here appear to be recently recorded studio tracks that (to my knowledge) were never previously released: Caiphus Semenya's excellent "Ha Le Se Le Li Khanna" (originally from 1967's THE EMANCIPATION OF HUGH MASEKELA), the title track and only real "hit" here, "Grazing In The Grass" (originally from 1968's PROMISE OF A FUTURE), "Market Place," "African Secret Society" and "Stimela (Coal Train)" (all three originally from 1974's I AM NOT AFRAID), "Vasco Da Gama (The Sailor Man)" (originally from 1976's COLONIAL MAN), "Don't Go Lose It Baby" (from 1984's TECHNO BUSH) and "Bring Him Back Home" (originally from 1986's superb TOMORROW). These new recordings are all exceedingly well done by Masekela and his seven-piece African band, updating much of the joyful exuberance of the originals. The remaining six songs come from the trumpeter/vocalist's recent releases: "Mama," from 1998's unmemorable NOTES OF LIFE; "Khauleza," "Chileshe" and "Strawberries" from 1999's BLACK TO THE FUTURE; and "Thanayi" and Caiphus Semenya's lovely "Ziph' inkomo" from 2000's invigorating SIXTY. This collection, good as it is, is not a real "best of" set. Where's "U, Dwi" or "Soweto Blues"? How about "Bo Masekela," "Languta," "Uptownship" or even "She Been" and "Makonko"? But, all quibbles aside, it has the great feel of one of Hugh Masekela's better outings - celebrating his catchy songmanship, rather than his too-little featured trumpet. And after four decades of hits and misses and some great music that never fails to please year after year, it's about time that Hugh Masekela gets his due.

Deflating a very promising line-up of vintage Masekela material, six of the tunes here are recent remakes, including "Vasco de Gama," "Market Place," "African Secret Society," "Don't Go Lose It Baby," "Stimela" and (an especially crusty gesture) the title track. They're not bad, and Masekela's liner notes are frank and informative, but still ....

This cd is titled "Grazing in the grass: The best of Hugh Maskela. okay, now I would like to know why the other to songs that were release right after grazing in the grass are not on the cd? "Riot" came out on 45rpm right afterwards and the next song that was played on 45rpm was "Puffin on down the track" Where are these songs? Why aren't they on this cd? I will admit "Grazing in the grass" is Hugh Masekela's most successful commercial success, most of his work isn't commercial, and if you're not a fan you probably haven't heard any of his other music. Anytime you title something "Greatest", or the best of,
well..... at least include all of those songs or most of them on the cd. Maybe this is the recording co. or a representative from the company's personal best of. I'll give this cd 4 stars, only because Grazing in the grass is on it, and that song is one of the best instumentals tunes that has been recorded.

Very high audio quality, beautiful lush production, emotional and wide-ranging tour-de-force for Mr. Masekela. 30+
years ago, Hugh introduced millions, including myself, to a genre of music that didn't even have a name then, but later came to be known as "world music". His music combines the best of african percussion and melodies with western instruments-horns,keyboard,bass, and drums- and achieves a sysnthesis that is greater than the sum of it's parts. Moving vocals, emotional melodies with the highest levels of musicianship, and even danceable! Not to be missed for any fan of world music.

I not only have to agree with everything said by the reviewer who gave this 2 stars, I have to go one worse and reduce it to 1 star. I'd go lower if I could.

This is not to be construed as a knock against the music of Hugh Masekela, nor even necessarily a condemnation of the songs in this compilation and their performances. BUT, this IS after all labeled as his "best" and given the fact he only had four charted Pop hit singles from 1967 to 1969, along with two others that scored only on the R&B charts, one in 1978 and the other in 1984, would it not reasonably be expected that a compilation so titled would at least include ALL of those? And in their original format?

For the Uni label he had four hits, his first being an instrumental version of The 5th Dimension's Up-Up And Away which reached # 47 R&B/# 71 Billboard Pop Hot 100 in early 1968 b/w Son Of Ice Bag. Then came his smash Grazing In The Grass which peaked at # 1 on both the Hot 100 and R&B charts that summer, spending four weeks at the top R&B position, as well as # 16 on the Adult Contemporary charts, b/w Bajabula Bonk (The Healing Song).

In October 1968 Puffin' On Down The Track would go to # 71 Hot 100 b/w Do Me So La So So, and early in 1969 Riot would peak at # 21 R&B and # 55 Hot 100 b/w Mace And Grenades. As that other reviewer points out, Grazing In The Grass is NOT the original, and the other three Uni sides are omitted, as are all the B-sides. This in a volume blaring "best of."

After a long absence from the charts he would return in 1978 for the Horizon label with Skokiaan, a hit in 1954 for Ralph Marterie & His Orchestra (# 3), The Four Lads (# 7), The Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band (# 17), and Ray Anthony & His Orchestra (# 18), which he would take to # 87 R&B in conjunction with Herb Alpert b/w African Summer. Six years later he would have his final hit with Don't Go Lose It Baby for the Jive Africa label which tapered off at # 67 R&B in July 1984 b/w a dub mix.

What is it with majors like Sony who think that all they have to do is crunch out stuff like this under misleading titles and that the gullible buying public will snatch it up, no questions asked. Maybe at one time. But no more.

If you like the musical styling of Hugh Masekela and don't really care one way or the other that these are not original renditions, or even representative of his best, then by all means go for it. As I said at the beginning, there is nothing wrong with the music in and of itself. But if you are expecting his "best" stay well clear because this is false advertising by any definition.

What a cool sensation this record is! Just let it wash over you like a warm summer breeze. The sophisticated, jazzy horn and outrageously melodic pieces on this CD are just wonderful - most notably Grazing In The Grass, with its infectious joy and Strawberries, with its interesting melody and wonderful, melancholy vocals. A must for everyone.

I was a very little girl when I'd hear Grazing in the Grass playing on the radio. I always loved the song and when I happened accross the CD on Amazon, I couldn't pass it up. Listening brought back so many fond memories, but the best part is that after listening to Grazing in the Grass several times, I decided to let the CD play all the way through. WOW! I LOVE every song! I've always been a fan of Coal Train (Stimela) also. I've listened to the CD daily since receiving it.

The delivery to far flung Australia was excellent, perfect condition.
The album is also good listening.

This is a fantastic CD for anyone who enjoys trumpet, African pop, and who is or is NOT familiar with the amazing Hugh Masekela. He was lost to his fans for a long long time due to substance abuse; and I, for one, am THRILLED that he's back on track. I lost my first H.M. LP (yes, LP) years ago and have thought about it frequently ever since --kept hoping I'd come across it. When I finally realized It Is Gone, I bought this, and I am one happy camper. It is simply tremendous.
I love Miriam Makeba, too, who was once married to Hugh Masekela --they were African musical royalty in the 60s and early 70s. They're no longer together, but this CD alone or along with one of the astounding Miriam Makeba's would make a great gift. Young folks with big ears will absolutely love this.

i heard one of hugh masekela's songs on a cab one day and i almost immediately feel in love with it i jumped on amazon and found several of his works and since then this cd has been in my car from the time i bought it up until now, my favorite is the marketplace ....wonderful cd get it express ship it "smile"