Lovers of contemporary jazz will be fascinated by the work of these guitarists, the most accomplished in South Africa.
As in his previous pieces Jimmy Dludlu has made certain his fans are not disappointed. Evidence of this is found when listening to Common Dialogue, in which the inspiration of George Benson is prevalent.
Ma Modiegi by Selaelo Selota has strong Northern Sotho lyrics and instruments that can link well with traditional indigenous music of the particular language.
Lonely received much airplay and skepticism when it was released by rookie and award-winning Ernie Smith. The song shows strong maturity and the arrangement is good considering that it came off his first album.
Internationally acclaimed Jonathan Butler’s I Found Myself in You is a slow song that has a strong message. He is world class in his normal mould. Zimbabwean-born guitar master Louis Mhlanga’s Take Me will take you on a memorable ride, while your feet will be kept busy by Sipho Gumede’s Stokvel Gumba. The track was included in his compilation released late last year.
African Guitar Kings also features Musa Manzini, Errol Dyers, Tony Cox, the Moss Mogale Unit, Music Ye Africa, Allen Kwela, Alvin Dyers, Kampi Moto and George Phiri, Gito Baloi and Black Sonshine.
Kwela Tebza: The Journey; the Past, Present & Future of Kwela (Gallo)
Come and join the journey of a music form that is being reborn — the unique sound of the pennywhistle called kwela, which was popular in the Sixties and Seventies. Brothers Tebogo, Mpho and Tshepo Lerole are the three young members of Kwela Tebza. The depth they have with playing the pennywhistle is amazing, simply excellent. The 14-track album also features their mother, Thembi Lerole on vocals in most songs. The young men have remastered popular songs like Ayabizwa Amagama, Tsie Keo and Libambe Lingashoni. The Journey: The Past, Present & Future of Kwela follows their debut Six Faces of Dr Kwela, which was very successful. — Reggy Moalusi