Customer Reviews

Voice of Africa

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For those of you grooving to "Cape Town Fringe" back in the 70's, this is the first and only time I'm aware of it's cd release, under it's Euro name of "Mannenberg..." I had been told by a producer from that label that the masters from the "Cape Town Fringe" record were long lost. I can't vouch for the "original masters" tag most of us nut jobs like to see, but in listening to this CD and my original vinyl, it's the same, or at least so close that I couldn't isolate any real differences. The other inclusions on the disk are all worth it in their own way, with that unique swing of the early Ibrahim. Worth multiple purchases just in case you get generous and hand one to a friend after a night of sitting back and grooving.

Abdullah Ibrahim's music and message fly nimbly across cultures with wings on its feet. From the opening, joyously cacophonous strains of "Black Lightening" to the closing serenity of "The Pilgrim", this CD works on every level, pleasing the ears while nourishing the heart and spirit.

Listen to "Mannenberg Is Where It's Happening," and marvel at Mr. Ibrahim's township-meets-baroque harpsichord, in symbiotic call-and-response with Basil Coetzee's breath-defying, melodic sax solos. The effect is pure rapture.

This entire compilation exemplifies the commonalities of spirit and aesthetic that bind all humanity together. Irrespective of race, creed, or color, Mr. Ibrahim's delightfully transcendant hybrid of Ellingtonian piano jazz and African inflected rhythyms remind us that true communication is possible, and music may often be its most faithful messenger.

Recommended highly for music lovers of all persuasions!

Not having listened to Dollar Brand on a friends LP some 25 years ago, it is brilliant to have tracked Abdullah Ibrahim down and with re-visiting the album Voice of Africa, the sounds are as wonderful as I remembered.

This remarkable album by Cape Town born Abdullar Ibrahim (aka Dollar Brand) epitomises the genius of this Jazz veteran. This album is the "story" an undaunted man who rose to greatest in a country in racial-turmoil. This story telling through the energy of Ibrahim and his Piano come to a head in the tear-jerking performance of Mannenberg: a reminder of days gone by and troubled times to all South Africans.

Like many jazz musicians, Ibrahim found most of his career success playing along the East Coast of the US - yet he never gave up his African routes and most of his work has an unmistakable African flavour to it. Perhaps that was why he has been so highly acclaimed. This album certainly encompasses this. This album works on all levels. It is critically commendedable, an uplifting story, and perhaps best of all: is unintrusive as background music.

Conclusion: A must for all Jazz Collections.