South Africa music reviews

Well, for each listener there is an album that really "nails" it. However, on this one, the only track that I can recommend is the first one called "Tibetan Moon". Ben Lobst's excellent work with the singing bowls reaches deeply into the mind and consciousness and is hypnotic and powerful.

As for "Siesta", and "Rivers of Zimbabwe", I found them limpid and way too long overall, unfortunately. The final song "Affinity" has the zither, and peruvian quena flute that bring some interest to the violin and fretless bass. To me, the album feels unfinished and I have a sense of waiting to hear the rest of their message or perhaps a direction for the music. On the other hand, perhaps, for its proposed use in hypnotherapy, that is exactly what they wished to put forth.

If you only buy this CD for the first two tracks it is well worth it. I agree that the last two are anti-climatical and the CD seems to be missing one more like the first two, but overall, This CD makes you feel like you resonate with the world.

Jorge is so talented...a must buy!

This is an awesome album. I am someone who is not terribly familiar with music from Africa, and it has been accessible and enjoyable. The only reason I gave it for stars was because I didn't like the last couple of tracks. Other that those two, it is a great CD.

This is truly an amazing compilation. Juluka's(Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu) first album : "Universal Men" has to have been a defining moment in the history of world music. They successfully blended two totally different languages and music styles into a unique sound, living within a system that struggled to keep cultures separated, in Apartheid South Africa.
They suffered bannings and censorship,their music spread by word of mouth and live performance(the regime controlled all radio and TV), breaking through with their second album "African Litany".

Here's an opportunity to buy an album which contains some(ONLY SOME) of the best of : "Universal Men", "African Litany", "Ubuhle Bemvelo", "Work For All", "Scatterlings" and others. Also check out Savuka(a continuation of Juluka sound), Cleggs subsequent band, and his solo album : "New World Survivor", as well as unique, pioneer SA groups : "Amampondo" and " Tananas".

Want all to know it is ludicrous that it is so hard to find Juluka cd's in the USA, when they are so easily and cheaply available from South Africa and Europe(not as cheap as SA). Do yourself a favour, do some surfing and get what you need brand new !

This is like an anthropological museum of African music. The ancient instruments that the band has always used, such as the Ugandan akadina xylophone, various types of marimba and the umtshingo flute are here augmented by Reunion's kayomba rattle and the Nigerian talking drum (dundun). The tracks equal the ambitious use of instruments: Majola boasts great choruses with much ululation; Tshikombela is a relaxed rap with social comment about taxes, accompanied by mbira, guitar and bass marimba; Mamaliya - a tribute to mothers everywhere - would be perfect for daytime radio with its singalong melody; the instrumental track Wandenza showcases the akandimba to captivating effect, and Mujiba (a Zimbabwean song) with its lush cascades of marimba and catchy hook is prime hit material. Special mention must be made of musician Matotiana Mantombi from Tsolo in the Eastern Cape, who contributes the tracks Umfana Ndini and Umfana Kabawo. On the former she plays the "umrubhe" mouth bow while simultaneously whistling out of the side of her mouth; on the latter she churns magic out of the sitolotolo (jew's harp); both songs sound strangely like Australian digeridoo music - tender, haunting and otherwordly. That could also be said of the album as a whole - turn off the lights, put on the headphones an savour the rich heritage of Africa with Amampondo. You'll get the picture!

I have seen this group live and this CD is a great reflection of the raw ethnic energy that this outfit generate. No half baked attempts to mix their sound with "western" instruments and "modern" trends. Real Africa stuff.

I liked this album a lot, particularly after visiting South Africa; however, this album is missing some of his more famous songs. For example, how can you have a "best of" without "Impi".

Being a South African I love to get back to my roots and hear the wonderful rhythms and sounds of Johnny Clegg. Johnny Clegg as always has a very distinctive 'african-type beat' to his music and you just cant help getting up and joining in. This is great compilation of his work and a must for all Johnny Clegg fans.

I liked this album a lot, particularly after visiting South Africa; however, this album is missing some of his more famous songs. For example, how can you have a "best of" without "Impi".

Being a South African I love to get back to my roots and hear the wonderful rhythms and sounds of Johnny Clegg. Johnny Clegg as always has a very distinctive 'african-type beat' to his music and you just cant help getting up and joining in. This is great compilation of his work and a must for all Johnny Clegg fans.

I was expecting to hear some of the old songs with the same arrangements and backup bands. I was surprised to find not one single piece the same as I remembered. If you have no comparison, you would probably enjoy this gifted songstress. I found the quality overall to be disappointing.

As the previous review says, this is a good collection. However, as I was trying to replace songs from two albums which apparently haven't been released on CD (1960's "Miriam Makeba" RCA album and the early '60's Kapp Records album "The Many Voices of Miriam Makeba"), this CD wasn't what I was looking for. Most of the songs sound nothing like the arrangements I loved on those albums. They would be great for a new audience, but for those who are looking to replace those early '60's records, don't expect this to be the same. If your intention isn't to replace 40-year-old albums, though, I would definitely recommend this CD.

Mama Africa! What a proper name for the Queen of African Song. This collection has all the great songs from Miriam. It plays choronoligically from her earliest recording up to her most recent records. The melodies are infectious and Miriam makes you want to know more about the plight of the people of Africa she describes in her songs. This is a must-have for lovers of South African music.

"Oh Baby Baby" is so-o moving, it will touch your romantic soul and transend you to another place.

"Oh Baby Baby" is so-o moving, it will touch your romantic soul and transend you to another place.

Some of my favorite songs come from this album. I loved the horns and energy.

Johnny Clegg and his band put together many stunning performances on this album. Known in South Africa as The White Zulu, Clegg, his band and their music have done so much to unite the once shattered South Africa. "Scatterlings of Africa", "Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World", "Impi" and especially "The Crossing" bear witness to this. The music is very accessible and will make a valuable part of any music collection.

Enjoy!

I think that Noise Khanyile's the Art Of Noise is very suprising. I think that it really takes your breath away. If you do not like or have never heard world/African music then you should listen to this because you will almost never think about not liking it. I think that this album is great.The first time i heard this was on Encarta when i was listining to sound clips in the subtitle "Music of Africa". So if you want to hear it to see if you like it go on to the 2000 version of Microsoft Encarta under the subtitle audio and then type in "Music Of Africa".

Super bassist,Sipho's "the best-vol 1" are previously released songs that were redone on this album (not remastered)and can be best described as contemporary afro fusion/jazz at its best! Very light on the ear, very pleasant, danceable and good for soul-searching and introspection as well. Whatever your music genre, it is worthwhile to "experiment" with the sound of this cd. I have most of his cd's and also recommend "new era" available on this website.