Recent Reviews
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KG Omulo: Ayah Ye!: Moving Train
A synergy of funk, rock, reggae and traditional African sounds from this inventive, young singer/songwriter. -
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Mamadou Diabaté: Courage
Mamadou Diabate, the kora master, takes a fresh look at Mali instrumental music with his new CD Courage. -
Various Artists: The Kankobela of the Batonga, Vol. 2
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Kiran Ahluwalia: Aam Zameen: Common Ground
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Sona Jobarteh: FASIYA
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Sia Tolno: My Life
Kissi singer releases a strong second album full of pop-infused star power over songs of strife and triumph. -
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Guelewar: Halleli N Dakarou
Re-released and remastered live CD from this 80's experimental Senegambian outfit. -
Tinariwen: Tassili
Touareg desert legends return with an offering that is meandering, sorrowful and proud. -
Los Rakas: Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada
Oakland/Panamanian rappers -call it "Panabay"-- return with good results. -
Cheikh Lo: Jamm
The unique Senegalese singer and multi-instrumentalist crafts an eclectically excellent record. -
David Rudder: Random Notes
Calypsonian David Rudder returns with an album that covers various styles with excellent results.
Soweto Gospel Choir
Blessed
Shanachie, 2005
In many African countries, gospel is the biggest selling music. If you haven’t heard much of it, that’s because few African gospel acts rise to the level of the Soweto Gospel Choir. The group’s second international release spans African song, American classics (“I Bid You Goodnight,” “O Happy Day,” “Khumbaya”) and even a combined cover of Johnny Clegg and Peter Gabriel, “Asimbonanga/Biko.”
South Africans have long been astute at adapting Western, especially American music, and these covers are spirited, strong, and distinctive. But the rafters really get loosened on more distinctly African numbers like, “Masigiye’bo,” with its lush layers of vocal harmony and exhilarating hand clapping. On “Njato,” the group pulls out electric guitars and pumps out township mbaqanga. There are familiar African songs here as well, like the timeless “Mbube” and the South African National Anthem. This group has the vocal power to do justice to American gospel, the authenticity to venture into various realms of ’s rich music, and the breadth to combine all of that with their own compositions without a trace of unevenness. The Soweto Gospel Choir is the gold standard for African gospel music today.Contributed by Banning Eyre
Originally published in: Boston Phoenix
