South Africa music reviews

From the beginning of his career, trumpeter and flugelhorn player Hugh Masekela has bridged the divides between pop, jazz, and his native South African music. He'll always be remembered for his 1968 multiplatinum hit "Grazin' in the Grass," but his 40-year career has been a fruitful one. Recorded live in 1993 at Washington, D.C.'s Blues Alley, Hope finds Masekela in fine form. He's celebrating, playing with an African band for the first time in more than three decades. As such, we're regaled with tunes from the entire spectrum of his career--everything from the pop ("Grazin'") to the political ("Mandela"), with a cover of Fela Kuti's "Lady" thrown in for good measure. Although it is almost too polished sounding, the eight-piece band is hot, working through the set with outstanding musicianship, particularly on the part of the drummers. A fine portrait of a great artist simply doing his thing, Hope is a good starting point for the curious and a touchstone for the longtime fan. --Tad Hendrickson