Aloud
Aloud (Sheer)
An elegant collection of laid-back pop-funk from this Parisian duo, more chilled than Modjo and often with a delicious retro synth sound that calls to mind INXS or early George Michael. Perfect for an easy Sunday morning. — Riaan Wolmarans
American Music Club
Love Songs for Patriots (Cooking Vinyl)
They’ve been quiet for a decade after an acclaimed seven-album run, and now return with a focused, intelligent mix of rock, folk and blues (they’ve been called pioneers of what is known as alt.country), topped by Mark Eitzel’s heartfelt (though cynical), piquant lyrics. An extremely likeable effort. — RW
Amor
Amor (Gallo)
In a recent Beeld interview, Amor said this album is a bit like Kylie Minogue. She didn’t say if that would be Slow Kylie or Locomotion Kylie. It’s somewhere in between, actually — she obviously knows how to sell cutesy, dime-a-dozen pop tunes and a few bland ballads to her ever-growing fan base, complete with mini poster in the CD sleeve. Good for her. — RW
Black Cat
Umqulusi (A-Team)
An example of what happens when recording equipment falls into the hands of the connected but untalented. It has a cheesy cover (home-made), weak and patronising dedication (in fact, name dropping), an ugly track-listing font (and bad spelling). The music? Well, listen at your own risk. — Thebe Mabanga
Bongo Maffin
Call Me (Kalawa Jazmee)
Bongo Maffin’s Call Me is testimony to their longevity and solidarity. It is a showcase for raggamuffin rapper Seeed (formerly known as Appleseed) who had the misfortune of having his, and the group’s, career interrupted after being deported. The single proves that they have sustained their momentum and is pretty standard Bongo Maffin sound. — TM
Cutting Jade
Come Back to Life (Authentic)
These Gauteng rockers have matured quite a bit over the past few years, and this album, with its stylish sleeve design and the confident vocals of handsome new member Logan Grobbelaar, is proof. It’s certainly more impressive than their previous offering, the nondescript Between Two Lives. Their no-frills melodic-rock recipe makes for a very accessible album, but leaves room for improvement, too. — RW
Celine Dion and Anne Geddes
Miracle (Sony)
Celine Dion (she of the schmaltzy music) and Anne Geddes (she of the schmaltzy baby pictures) come together for, well, more schmaltz. Celine sings, Anne snapped the pics, and expectant mothers with runaway emotions will surely love it all. — RW
Dammit
When Heads Explode (Rubber Media)
Another Gauteng punk-rock band with heaps of energy and what seems a sincere wish to be something like Tweak. Unfortunately the music is rather predictable and the vocals often off-key and certainly not up to standard. Live, they should get any crowd going, but it all falls flat on CD. — RW
Danko Jones
We Sweat Blood (ASP)
A limited-edition double disc comprising two Danko Jones albums: Born a Lion and We Sweat Blood. They are not yet famous locally, but keep in mind that the Rolling Stones specifically asked for Danko Jones to be their opening act. They play a feisty, loud and irresistible blend of blues-rock and old-fashioned rock’n’roll, dripping sex appeal and testosterone. They take no prisoners (“Nail you to the cross!”, Danko screams on The Cross) and the good news is that they are bringing the action to Jo’burg’s The Doors in February next year. Be there. — RW
DJs Gizmo and Storm
Needle Damage II (Gallo)
The second in the series after Speedy’s upbeat effort. Gizmo mixes the overly eclectic first half; Storm takes over on track 11 and shows more direction. There are some good thumpers included, but it’s not the album of the year. — RW
DJ Kanunu
House Afrika I (House Afrika)
A trend among this summer’s house-music releases is that the sound aspires to be a mature, nod-your-head-while-sitting-down-type sound, rather than a get-up-and-dance groove. An example is House Afrika I: after a mild start, it picks up tempo with outstanding tracks including Scott Grooves’s The Journey and Copyright featuring Tasita D’Amour on Release Yourself. It belatedly kicks into lyrics mode in the second half with Groovefinder featuring Imogen Ryall on Summer Sun. A solid effort, overall. — TM
Embrace
Out of Nothing (Independiente)
Despite the uninviting album cover, it remains true that you can’t judge a book by its cover. The title track (and last song on Embrace’s fourth album) starts off soft and melodic and moves into an upbeat tempo that really gets one in the mood. Gravity, penned by Coldplay’s front man Chris Martin, is typical of a Coldplay tune — and Embrace fail to make it their own. This album is supposed to be Embrace’s comeback album after their third, If You’ve Ever Been, flopped. — Cheri-Ann James
Jo Day
The Truth (Authentic)
She has a commanding stage presence, and South Africa’s wildest girl rocker has made a good album, too — produced by co-writer Jon Buckley. It’s not all new; some older tracks have been spruced up a bit here and there (and acoustic versions of Porn and Remember), but it all comes together reasonably well. The hit single Above My Room is also here. Too bad about the cheap-looking CD sleeve design. — RW
Flat Stanley
Of Secrets and Wine (Bowline)
This album won’t hit you in the face. There is no sense of urgency to listen to it, and it won’t jump out at you. Instead, it will gently coax you into becoming a fan of this mellow, Cape Town-based rock group. They caught the ear of Levi’s MD Mike Joubert, and in doing so captured the necessary capital to release this debut album. Of Secrets and Wine is perfect for contemplative nights and long baths. — Nadia Neophytou
Fokofpolisiekar
Lugsteuring (Rhythm)
They’re brash, crude and offensive. They’re also a breath of fresh air in an industry that gets stale quite easily. Fokofpolisiekar have been able to take former members of New World Inside down the corridors of infamy and into the hearts of South African punk fans. The music is sharp, as is the production, on this second release. Rebelling in Afrikaans is their name, playing pranks on stage is their game. Get this second album from the Afrikaans punksters as soon as you can. — NN
Gregorian
The Dark Side (Gallo)
Please, somebody, make them stop. The last thing the world needs is more chanting — this time the works of Alanis Morissette, Nick Cave, Trent Reznor and others are plundered for a “dark” sound. Any of these songwriters’ albums would be a better buy. — RW
PJ Harvey
Uh Huh Her (Universal)
She’s never been a ray of sunshine, but her grungy musings remain oddly enchanting. On this compelling, raw and personal album, she works her way through her dark songwriting, employing distortion, almost mindless guitars (like on the screechy Who the Fuck?), tambourines (the hippyish Pocket Knife) and much more, while sticking to a base of minimalist, bluesy punk. Compelling. — RW
Helicopter Girl
Voodoo Chic (Instant Karma)
Helicopter Girl (Jackie Joyce) first appeared on the scene in 2000 when her debut album, How to Steal the World, was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Thereafter, she almost retreated into oblivion until the release of her follow-up album, Voodoo Chic — which is disappointing. She has an interesting sound, a sultry, sexy voice and out-of-the-ordinary instrumentation, and the album belongs on the shelves among works by Morcheeba, Macy Gray and Erykah Badu, but there is just not enough quality songwriting here to justify picking it above any of those others. — Lloyd Gedye
Korn
Greatest Hits Volume I (Sony)
A sensible gift for those who appreciate crafty, infectious hard rockin’ with attitude and an edge. Get Korn’s hits from the past decade and an informative write-up on the band’s history in the sleeve. As a bonus of sorts, they also threw in their gritty but conventional take of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall and a middling cover of Cameo’s Word Up!. — RW
Shifty
Happy Love Sick (Gallo)
His career skyrocketed as a member of Crazy Town (remember the awesome Butterfly?) and now he’s on his own, fleet-footedly rapping through happy ditties such as Special and the singalong hit Slide Along Side, and with plenty of writing and producing credits just to prove his versatility in the studio. Unfortunately, despite Shifty’s big muscles, it’s all very weak — Paul Oakenfold’s Starry Eyed Surprise is the only track with oomph. — RW
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Live in Paris with the Dennis Bovell Dub Band (Wrasse)
After almost 20 years, Linton Kwesi Johnson has released another live album. For those that treasured 1985’s Grammy-nominated LKJ Live in Concert with the Dub Band, this one does not disappoint. Released in celebration of LKJ’s 25 years in reggae, Live in Paris is a terrific performance of classics such as Sonny’s Lettah, Dread Beat an Blood and Reggae fi Radni. British reggae maestro Dennis Bovell is the dub master providing the platform for guitarist John Kpiyae, saxophonist Steve Gregory and LKJ to strut their stuff. This tight band kick out some scintillating jams on top of which LKJ waxes lyrical as only the alternative poet-laureate can — and he has lost none of the political fire that burns beneath his dub rhythms. — LG
Mfaz’omnyama
The Best of Mfaz’omnyama (Gallo)
He was one of the greatest proponents of Zulu folk music, maskanda, but like so many great artists, Mphatheni Khumalo (his real name) died too soon, succumbing to cancer about three years ago. But true to the tag of greatness, the left-handed guitarist continues to evoke emotions and influence the genre beyond his grave. If you have never really understood what the big deal was about Mfaz’omnyama, this CD is for you. For fans, it is one-stop shopping of the legend’s greatest works. — Fikile-Ntsikelelo Moya
Themba Mkhize
Hands On (Sony)
Themba Mkhize is one of those artists who write a biography each time they release their music. Here, this talented pianist tells the listener that confining his music to jazz could be the easiest, yet most incomplete, way of defining him. Sometimes Mkhize is a jazz pianist (such as when he renders the South African jazz standard Lakutshon’ilanga); at other times, he is into folk music, showcased by his rendition of Wamthinta uPhefeni, a song written by the great Princess Magogo. In all, there is more music variety on this CD alone than one would find in many others put together. — FM
MXO
Peace of Mind (Sony)
The last thing this cool cat wants is to create music that fits neatly on to one CD-store shelf — which is why you’ll find a range of styles on this, his full-length debut album. MXO mixes pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz and a bit of the blues to deliver an album worthy enough of loads of summer airplay. He’s even remixed the first single that got him attention, Sista Kunjani, for the third time — with a Latin twist. The album ends with the stylin’, radio-friendly single Rebel Girl, featuring Tumi from Tumi and the Volume and Arno Carstens. — NN
The Music
Welcome to the North (EMI)
Purveyors of emotive indie rock The Music have created a grand album, filled with tunes both epic and lullaby-like. Pleading guitars and vocals dripping with sincerity make Welcome to the North a welcome addition to the collection of Brit-rock fans. A stand-out track is the emotive Bleed from Within, an anthemic song for our times, with its “burn, burn, burn” chorus and defiant lyrics. — NN
The Narrow
Travellers (Alter Ego)
At the core of this Pretoria-based rock band lies the musical brotherhood of Hanu and Emile de Jong. Complemented by band members Lias, Jow and Deon, this strength sets The Narrow apart from all the others. They know how to pause, reflect, give the music the space to breathe, to sink in, to knock out. Professional and potent, this second offering pulls the punches and should be broadcast across the world to show what South African rock really has to offer. — NN
Pestroy
Counterattack (Alter Ego)
Counterattack is a solid second musical attempt from this rap-rock group. Although at times it sounds derivative and suffers from the usual challenge of translation from stage to CD, there is enough here to show that these guys have what it takes to make it within their chosen genre. Aim to Please is just one highlight, a ballad with enough of an edge to keep Pestroy credible within the rap-metal genre. — NN
The Roots
The Tipping Point (Universal)
The Roots return with album number six, The Tipping Point, which is the seminal hip-hop group’s diatribe against “musical mediocrity”. Retro samples and thought-a-second rhymes keep The Roots on top of their game. Highlights include the volume-pumping I Don’t Care and the lyrical poignancy of Why. Oh, and watch out for label mate Jean Grae. — NN
Seal
Best: 1991-2004 (Gallo)
Blessed with one of the most distinct voices in the industry, Seal’s pop-with-a-backbone never seems to lose its appeal. Here he is at his best: Crazy, Kiss from a Rose, Killer, the beautiful Don’t Cry and Fly Like an Eagle, as well as the easygoing funk of his new one, Burt Bacharach’s Walk on By. Try looking for the double-CD edition, which comes with newly recorded acoustic versions of nine of his hits. — RW
Travis
Singles (Sony)
A clever title for a hits album with few pretensions. Here are perfect Travis moments from four albums, from the wholesome pop of Sing to the gentle poetry of Flowers in the Window, plus the anemic happiness of their new single, Walking in the Sun. It’s not all perfect sailing, though — the whiney U16, for example, may have been a single, but it’s no success. — RW
Tweak
Lost Boys Club (Authentic)
They’re probably the country’s favourite young punk-rockers, and now they’ve dashed off to Europe. Their popularity is due probably more to their boundless live energy, carefree attitude and knack for catchy choruses than particularly original songwriting, and this energy has translated well on to Lost Boys Club. It contains no musical surprises; simply fun rock tunes. — RW
Various
The Hits Volume XII (Gallo)
Predictably, 21 tracks that dashed on to the charts in the past few months. Some deserved their 15 minutes of fame (such as The Darkness’ Love Is Only a Feeling and Danny K’s Love in the Club), but others (such as Jessica Simpson’s sickly cover of Take My Breath Away) should be shunned — and there are a tad too many of the latter type on this compilation. — RW
Various
The Ladykillers (Sony)
Here’s a soundtrack with soul, hailing from the Coen brothers movie starring Tom Hanks. Modern hip-hop (with clean lyrics) and black gospel classics (by such wonderfully named performers as Bill Landford and the Landfordaires, and some hailing from as far back as the Forties) stand here side by side, and there proves to be an unexpected harmony between the two genres. T Bone Burnett is obviously not just a hip producer; he has respect for the past, too, as his award-winning work on O Brother Where Art Thou? proved so well. You don’t need faith to love this album; its merits span religions. — RW
Various
Late Night Moods (EMI)
The first CD of this double disc features the well-known stars of the easy-listening genre (Norah Jones, Katie Melua, Jamie Cullum) but it is the lesser-known gems from Mazzy Star, St Germain and Cassandra Wilson that make this album a treat. Disc two captures a slightly more jazzy feel, with Nat King Cole, Chet Baker’s My Funny Valentine and Billie Holiday’s Trav’lin’ Light. Beautiful. — NN
Various
Maskandi Hits: Enyami Lenduky (Gallo)
Just when it has been concluded that maskanda is what Zulu migrant workers use to remind themselves of the backwaters whence they come, enters a fly young Sowetan, Mbuyiselo Mhlanga (or Zulu Boy as his myriad listeners at the Soweto community radio station Jozi FM know him). Zulu Boy has done much to bring maskanda into mainstream township life. This collection, which includes household names in the genre such as Intomi Zika Mahawukela, Ikhanela no JBC and Mfiliseni Magubane, along with maestros such as Phuzekhemisi and Bhekumuzi Luthuli, gives an inclination as to why maskanda is still one of the best-selling music genres in this country. — FM
Various
My Hits (Sheer)
A compilation album is an easy Christmas gift, and despite its uninspired title, this one has a happy, summery dance sound with contributions from Mousse T, the Shapeshifters and Faithless, as well as Aston Martinez’s anthemic but repetitive Call on Me. Just make sure you skip the DJ Sammy and Phixx drivel. — RW
Various
The Polar Express (Gallo)
A Christmas album for a Christmas movie. Tom Hanks does the eerily cheerful title track, there is the odd contract of back-to-back Steven Tyler and Josh Groban tracks, and — of course — Bing Crosby sings White Christmas (one of six classics on the album). The album’s saving grace is Alan Silvestri’s ebullient compositions, but otherwise it’s a bit of a seasonal mish-mash that young fans of the movie will probably enjoy more than their parents would. — RW
Various
Por Vida: A Tribute to the Songs of Alejandro Escovedo (ASP)
Gifted songwriter Alejandro Escovedo — who effortlessly blends folk-rock, blues, slow rock’n’roll, mariachi, jazz and more, complemented by profound, intensely personal lyrics — was diagnosed with hepatitis C last year, and several United States benefit concerts have been held for him. This double disc — Mojo magazine’s Americana album of the month — is another such recording, but it’s no run-of-the mill pity project. With such performers as Lucinda Williams, Jennifer Warnes, the Cowboy Junkies, Bob Neuwirth, Rosie Flores and John Cale immersing themselves in Escovedo’s creations, each track delivers something new, from hair-raising despair and emotion in Jon Langford and Sally Timms’s slow duet Broken Bottle to hip-grinding, gritty rock on Jon Dee Graham’s Helpless. Por Vida is more than a tribute; it’s a musical monument. — RW
Various
Power Ballads 2: The Greatest Driving Anthems in the World (EMI)
There’s a certain kind of therapeutic quality in singing “woooaaaahh, what’s love got to do, got to do with it” while driving down the N1. And that’s where the collection on this album comes in. Some are sing-your-heart-out tracks (such as Macy Gray’s I Try), while others are meant for more quiet drives (such as Don’t Give Up by Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel). This two-disc CD covers them all, and then some. — NN
Various
Supa House Volume I (What’s Phat)
This has poignantly turned to a tribute to Yfm DJ and music manager Iggy Smallz, who died in a car accident last weekend. Smallz takes his place proudly alongside his peers, and is joined on the decks by the likes of DJs Mbuso, Cleo (a car-accident survivor), Tira and Odwa. The line-up lives up to its billing with mild-tempo beats. Sometimes the transition between tracks is relatively erratic, but that is probably because DJ Troye (as the mixer who contributed a track) and executive producer Mbuso allowed it to be a collection of individual statements rather than a seamlessly flowing standard compilation. — TM
Robbie Williams
Greatest Hits (EMI)
It’s Christmas time, which means it’s greatest-hits time. While there are many releases from groups or artists that are hardly worthy of the title, this one from Robbie Williams does a good job of tracking his career, from ex-Take That outcast to the United Kingdom’s ultimate pop star. You’ll find his soft side (Feel, Come Undone, Angels) along with his playful side (Let Me Entertain You, Rock DJ, Kids), but don’t go looking for his Frank Sinatra impersonations. — NN
Neil Young
Greatest Hits (Gallo)
Young is one of those artists whose fans will probably have all his albums anyway, and thus won’t really need this one. But it’s not just a selection of 16 hits and concert favourites, taken from the original masters, but also a tribute to a career spanning several decades, from 1969’s mellow Down by the River to 1991’s spaced-out Harvest Moon (take note, young bands, here is one performer who really deserves a best-of album). There is also a DVD out, which offers quite a bit more to Youngophiles. — RW
Zamajobe
Ndawoyami (BMG)
There is no doubt that Zamajobe Sithole is a star, so we won’t try to reinvent the wheel. The teenager’s talents and range appear to be hampered only by those who try to find words to describe her music. One word comes to mind: beautiful. On the sleeve of this, her debut album, she wears All Star tekkies and an elegant gown. She may seem wanting when it comes to fashion, but the picture says more about her music than about her wardrobe. She and her voice are as sophisticated as they are quintessentially South African. One of the best things to come out of the South African music industry this year. — FM
Zubz
Listener’s Digest (Outrageous)
On some days you’ll want to listen to this album all in one go, and on others you’ll want to skip to particular tracks to suit your mood. Either way, you’ll find this debut offering from the MC known as “Last Letta” fresh and fulfilling. Straight out of the Outrageous Records stable, and with the help of Battlekat’s killer production skills, Zubz is one MC who will definitely give you more to think about than just girls and gadgets. — NN
Zola
Bhambatha (Ghetto Ruff)
The phenomenal success of TV’s Zola 7 has made a true South African superstar out of Bonginkosi Dlamini, more popularly known as Zola. Bhambatha continues to sell way past the 100 000 mark as its kwaito beats and catchy lyrics keep infusing the country’s speakers with love and rhythm. The crossover appeal of Don’t Cry (featuring a young opera singer who wrote into Zola 7) and X-Girlfriend (featuring Gaz’lam and Muvhango actress Maduvha) is exciting in our society of segregated music interests. — NN