Customer Reviews

Time

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

You can hear centuries of struggle being neutralized in the joyous celebration of dance overcoming oppression in Hugh Masekela's remarkable music. Here is a man who never wavered in his outspoken condemnation of Apartheid, even though for many years it was dangerous for him to do so. Here is a man who has experienced living and laboring under the most difficult personal and musical circumstances who nevertheless operates in the most rarified precincts of felicity. Here is a man who has know international fame as well periods of great difficulty and who has now emerged as a kind of elder statesman for that most glorious of musics, Township pop/jazz.

When I, a white America, listen to this transcendent music, I am transported to the heart of black South Africa, a place where the depredations of colonialism still manifest deep scars both personal and societal, but also a place where exuberance trumps oppression, hope wins out over despair, and the indomitability of the human spirit shines forth perhaps more purely than anywhere else in the entire world.

Paying homage to past masters like Elijah Nkwanyane, Dudu Pukwana, and Miriam Makeba, this whole project is suffused with the pure magic that comes from one who is firmly connected to the past yet is entirely in touch with the present. Though he must be in his seventies, Masekela has lost none of his prowess on flugelhorn, his chosen instrument. He sings with a great deal of authority as well, his voice somewhat gruff and gravelly, but entirely appropriate for the sentiments he wishes to convey. Top it all off with infectious arrangements and a supremely swinging brass section and you have music to die for. Not to be missed.

Well, I first heard of Hugh whilst watching a really dodgy recording of a Paul Simon concert. One minute, Paul Simon was singing away, sounding fine... the next minute, I could hear the rawest, most passionate voice I have ever heard fill the room!

On closer inspection, it was Hugh Masekala. For ages, that was all I could find of Hugh; trumpet for P.S and the odd solo piece in his band. Then I stumbled on this album!

From the very first track, you are presented with the passion that Hugh has for music, and the human condition! This man has a real heart for people, and it comes across in his music with a weightiness that cannot be ignored or deemed cliche.

Hugh manages to capture experience and emotion, and somehow puts it on CD. Most musicians will manage this for a track... maybe two or three; Hugh, however, packs a punch on every note!

This CD is a journey. Some of it is fun to listen to, whilst some of it is close to home. Whether or not you relate to Hugh's social mindedness, this CD will affect you. This man has a gift that should not be ignored!

I happened upon this album..the more i listen the more i like it. The raspy voice is memorable along the his excellent horn. Good compositions, interesting topics, solid rhythyms....a hidden gem in the jazz world..

As a lover of African music I thought Hugh Masekela's Uptownship cd was about his best work until I heard the Time compact disk. This is another very pleasing release by the veteran trumpeter, even if a few of the songs sound like "knock offs" of earlier songs. Now, how do we get Hugh to release the "Hedzoleh Soundz" album and the entire "Colonial Man" album on cd?

Once again Hugh releases another timeless piece. The selection of tracks is superb, and each song brings about a different musical sensation. After sampling only one track, you will feel guilty for pausing or fast-forwarding any of them because each track builds in intensity. The clarity of the music is sublime, and Hugh merges his usual Township signiture with contemporary sound very well, thus appealing to traditional and new fans. A fantastic musical investment. There are not enough stars to rate this product!

I have heard four of his earlier albums and this one is more consistent than all of them. The song writing is impeccable. The execution is excellent. There are no weak links in the band. And contrary to what one of the other reviewers says, there is variety in terms of mixing the old with the new.