Customer Reviews

South Africa

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I am a longtime fan of Putamayo collections and this one is very good. There are some familiar people on the CD, such as Miriam Makeba and the Soweto Gospel Choir. There are also some people and groups new to me that I really enjoyed. Steve Dyer plays the sax beautifully and at times it sounds almost flute-like it's so smooth. You can hear the American jazz influence in Miriam Makeba's piece. My favorite track is sung by Johannes Kerkorrel, a folk song about apartheid, It is sung in Zulu and Afrikaans. I enjoyed the Afro-pop group Kaya who sing about a repentant man who has been unfaithful to his girlfriend.

This is an album to listen to carefully as the music styles and groups are very different. There is rap, all musical, folk, jazz, and Afro-pop. It is a nice selection from a country so well-known for their great music.

This new compilation features twelve different artists or groups singing and playing many different styles of South African music. Some are as old as mabari - a style related to American swing music, which hit its peak in the 1950s - and some are more contemporary, such as reggae and rap, which get such a South African spin, you'd think they were invented in South Africa. Fans of Paul Simon's GRACELAND should find this interesting, packed with artists classic to South Africa's sounds such as the Soul Brothers or Soweto Gospel Choir. We even get the late great Miriam Makeba, doing some of her best work! Highly recommended!

Putumayo's "South Africa" celebrates the recent FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg, and a musically rich country. It's a spicy and delicious compilation, blending Afropop with jazz and acoustic guitar. There's something for everyone. A portion of the profits goes to ANSA (Artists for a New South Africa) combating HIV/AIDS through the arts, as well as for human rights. To top off it, there's a recipe for vegetarian bobotie,a traditional South African casserole that combines lentils with chutney and a creamy top.

"South Africa" opens with the powerful "Ujaheni" from the Soul Brothers. Bhojola sings in the traditional language of Swaziland. Mahube's "Oxam" is about a fraudulent healer;considering the seriousness of the material, it's a joyous song. Nibs Van Der Spuy's "Beautiful Feet" is gentle acoustic folk. Steve Dyer's "Mananga" is beautiful township jazz. The late Miriam Makeba, who passed away in 2008 after a concert (Homeland), has the jazzy "Orlando" (it's about a Soweto township, NOT Lovin' Bloom: The Unauthorized Story of Orlando Bloom) Johannes Kerkorrel, the flamboyant, openly gay Afrikaan singer who challenged apartheid and tragically committed suicide in 2002, profiles African history in the bittersweet "Halala Africa." The album closes with the Soweto Gospel Choir's "Ngahlulele." Of course, the Soweto Gospel Choir recently gained international fame thanks to the bestselling Songs Around The World (CD + DVD).

"South Africa" is a beautiful musical trip to the Rainbow Nation!

I recently started to enjoy African music,ever since the TV series No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.It something different and I find it to represent joy and happiness,which is a good thing.This is a nice way to get exposure of Africa's music

This upbeat collection of South African music is joyful, rhythmic, and varied. I'd recommend it for anyone with an appreciation for the uniqueness and beauty of non-western music. It's a perfect accompaniment to driving with the windows down on a sunny day.

While I enjoyed all of the tracks on this album, highlights for me included the mellow acoustic sound of Nibs van der Spuy's "Beautiful Feet," and the swinging jazzy strains of Miriam Makeba's "Orlando." The uplifting a cappella harmonies of "Ngahlulele" by the Soweto Gospel Choir made a perfect ending to a lovely collection.

Worthwhile CD, entertaining and sets the mood I was looking for when purchased. Glad to have added this one to my collection