Product Details

• Actors: Hugh Masekela
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: SHANACHIE
• DVD Release Date: August 8, 2000
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004W5WG
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #100,691 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Jazz trumpet virtuoso Hugh Masekela was born in South Africa and first played in bands there before being exiled from his native land for more than 30 years. After achieving musical success and a following in the U.S., Masekela celebrated the downfall of apartheid by returning to South Africa and embarking on a triumphant concert tour. This DVD captures a joyous night on that tour, as Masekela performs before a joyous, dancing audience in Johannesburg. Backed by saxophone, electric guitar, electric bass, keyboards, and a multitude of drums and percussion instruments, Masekela unleashes inspiring trumpet solos. At one point, a troupe of South African vocalists takes the stage, and the heartfelt songs of freedom make it obvious that Masekela's shows were about much more than music. Masekela cheerfully sings along and seems to be making a profound connection with his homeland. Throughout the concert, a number of South African guest artists, both singers and dancers, share the stage with Masekela's brilliant band, making what begins as a jazz concert an ebullient sampler of native rhythms. The music is brilliant, and the lively performers and audience make this a concert that deserves to be seen. --Robert J. McNamara

From the Back Cover
South African trumpeter and composer Hugh Masekela spent thirty years away from his homeland in self-imposed exile. When freedom came to South Africa, Hugh returned and played a series of legendary sold out concerts, calling the tour "SEKUNJALO -- This Is It." The tour lasted for three months, selling out venues of ten to twenty thousand seats.

The music Hugh brought back consolidated his position as the planet's most eclectic exponent of "Afro-Soul-Jazz." During his years away, Masekela had absorbed American jazz, R&B and funk, and woven these sounds together with African polyrhythms. Out of this irresistible groove, Masekela's trumpet solos, peppery and sermonizing with jazzy inflection, rock with the dancing energies of Township jive. On this Homecoming Concert video, shot at Johannesburg's Standard Bank Arena, Hugh is joined by an all-star line-up of South African musicians, including Bayete, Bone, and Sankomota.

Masekela expressed his delight in being back in a press release: "Now that there is hope of peace and a new freedom in our land, it is time to exploit our rich cultural heritage in musical expression. It is time to dance, to celebrate.

1. Opening Poem
2. Ntyilo Ntyilo
3. Sekunjalo (inst)
4. District Six
5. Dobbshire
6. Johannesburg
7. Sekunjalo (vocal)
8. Inkhaya Lami
9. Uptownship
10. Ha Le Se
11. Stop the War
12. Stimela Sa Se Zola
13. Zabalaza
14. Lahl' Umlenze
15. Stimela
16. Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Avoid this horrendous digital transfer! Get the VHS..., March 4, 2002

By A Customer

While this is a great VHS- (amazing sound) - the DVD version has increadibly awful audio (tinny, tons of hiss, echo, difficult to hear)! It sounds like someone dubbed it with a cheap portable stereo in front of a TV playing the VHS! Avoid the DVD edition- stick with the video. I do not know WHAT Shanachie was thinking with this one.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masekela shines in his return home, August 21, 2000

By	Ralph Sappington (Billings, MT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hugh Masekela - Homecoming Concert [VHS] (VHS Tape)

South African musician Hugh Masekela returned home after a self imposed exile of thirty years but South Africans never forgot Masekela or his music. In this performance Hugh Masekela features some of the great musicians of South Africa, including the sax and penny whistle player Morris Goldberg, and moves the audience to tears with an emotional and inspiring performance closing with the new national anthem. A must for lovers of South African music, a must see for trumpet players, and a must see for anyone who has followed the struggle for freedom in South Africa.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars DVD can do better, August 12, 2000

By A Customer

The first thing I will say is the sound is of very good quality. The music is enjoyable, the picture fine. I am really dissapointed in the lack of support for the extra abilities DVD has when it comes to music concert titles, and this DVD does little to change this. I want to be able to see it from multiple angles, get backstage footage, interviews, after party with the groupies etc etc. This DVD is fine, but come on, DVD deserves more.