Customer Reviews

Zebra Crossing

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Zebra Crossing is an absolute masterpiece! After seeing SSQ perform with the Dance Theatre of Harlem (The South African Suite) at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, I immediately ordered the ZC for my collection. The music is absolutley wonderful and uplifting. I feel a true sense of pride for these musicians who have profoundly harmonized both the struggle and celebration of South Africians triumphs over apartheid - Mbayi Mbayi!

It's what Africa does with classical music - it energizes, moves and stirs the listener. It puts you in the heart of the South African township and lets you feel the pulse of a new nation, with all its agonies, triumphs and hopes. Truly inspiring, by any standards

I first heard the Soweto String Quartet when they came to Maputo, Mozambique to do a performance back in the early 90's. I wasn't too enthused about going at first, however, after their performance I was awestruck. I looked for something by them for years and purely by accident found this when I was on leave in South Africa. I've played it over and over and still get the same thrill as I did when I saw their live performance all those years ago. I've bought their other CDs since then, but this one has a special meaning for me.

I have never heard such a beautiful blend of classical, pop and African rhythms as on this album. But despite the fact that they are a string quartet, this is not a classical album. The intonation, many of the chord structures and a lot of the rhythms are uniquely African. "Bossa Baroque" is a particularly imaginative piece, and SSQ do a wonderful job of combining bossa rhythms with a Bach touch. This is one album that everyone should have a chance to listen to. Who would have thought that 18th century European instruments could beat with the pulse of Africa like they do here. Some of the pieces are contempory, some traditional. Paul Simon's 'Graceland' album is saluted in a medley, and Sting's "St. Agnes and the burning bed" is given the SSQ touch, and all are wonderful. Highly recommended.

SSQ now have a new compilation album called Rhythms of Africa - it is brilliant

One of my favourite local groups, and I think their best CD yet . . .

As a seasoned listener of classical and classical-contemporary music, and one who has enjoyed the - as the editorial reviewer has it - "ponderous classicism of Kronos's African explorations" (and the non-African ones too, see my reviews of Pieces of Africa, Terry Riley: Cadenza on the Night Plain, Terry Riley: Salome Dances for Peace, String Quartets 2 & 3), this Zebra is not cross-over ENOUGH for me. I mean: as the same editorial reviewer underlines, it stays WAY beyond the line of Classical music, and well into the territory of easy-listening pop music, with a south-African tinge. In fact, other than the gratuitousness of that comment on the supposed "ponderousness" of Kronos (what's ponderous about it?), I find the editorial review fair enough and well-balanced. So this is not for me, but my 4 and 7-year olds are gonna love it, what a change from Beethoven and Brahms, the poor kids!

Unlike other reviewers, I just happened to pick this CD up at a store because I like African harmonies, and thought it looked intriguing. What a treasure I got! Their music is so intricate, yet just goes to the soul and makes it dance. This CD has gotten me through a lot of life's badness. I almost use it as a drug...if I'm down, I know this will immediately make the moment just beautiful. As for the Western pop influence, I do detect that a bit, but it doesn't detract from all the vast amounts of gorgeous African harmonies and rhythms. A human triumph!

Zebra Crossing is a wonderful mix of styles from a group of very talented strings,along with a little help from their friends. These four guys from outside of Johannasburg are classically trained,yet mix their African 'music roots' superbly in a true treat!!

I too bought the CD immediately after having seen the Dance Theatre of Harlem, in Seattle. I was disappointed at the "pop" nature of several songs though. I think they have compromised their brilliant roots at times with a trashy western pop sound. Maybe I just remember "Zebra Crossing" differently from the performance, or perhaps it was just enhanced perfectly by the dancers, but I don't recall the cheesy bass rifts and commonplace, predictable drum rhythms. Which is unfortunate -- their string playing is so beautiful and evocative, anything but predictable! They are strongest when left to their own devices. Worth buying if you get a good price.