Customer Reviews

Home Is Where the Music Is

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just finished listening to this great album again I can't recommend it highly enough! If you're a Masekela fan and you haven't heard this album, you need to. It's that good! There is a unique sound and special quality to these South African melodies. A depth and beauty that will be appreciated even by the casual listener. MVP honors go to pianist Larry Willis whose playing on acoustic and electric piano is superb throughout this 1972 session. This very fine instrumental music should have a broad appeal for jazz, world, and soul music fans alike. Dudu Pukwana is on alto sax, Eddie Gomez on bass, and Makhaya Ntshoko on drums. A great re-issue!

This recording, from the late 1970s, is more in the pure jazz vein rather than Masekela's recordings since the early 1980s where there was the blending of various strains of African tribal/cultural traditions. It features several tracks composed by Caiphus Semenya, for which Masekela has become known for recording rather prolifically. And those familiar with his work will recognize several racks, like "Part of A Whole" (which he re-recorded on the recent "Time") or Minawa or Nomali (included in the very successful "Uptownship").

This is vintage Masekela at his best.

My first Masekela album...I've been trying to find more albums in this vein of funky, laid-back jazz. Very similar in my opinion to Lee Morgan 'Sidewinder' and Cannonball Adderly 'Live at the Club', two of my favorites. He mixes up the tempos nicely, both in track order as well as in each song and all the musicians are really on their game for this one. Definitely worth a spin if you're into funky jazz!

The fine taste in composition, the musicmanship is all here. Between this and the Live At The Market Theater, 2 CD set, most listeners should be able to gain a good appreciation of the breadth and depth of Masekela's musical output. Minawa and Maesha are my favorites, but every track is good here. Must have for all Jazz and African music lovers.