(Review by Ann Alex)
Don
Laka, internationally renowned jazz musician, composer, accomplished classical
guitarist, self-taught pianist and also a well-known,
innovative, multi-platinum selling artist in South Africa working with musicians
such as Hugh Masekela, Afro Chopin is
regarded as his most exciting and challenging project to date. Chopin is Laka’s
favourite composer, and his music has been skilfully fused with the multi-instrumentalist's Kwaii
jazz style, South African jazz chords and the rhythms of Marabi and Kwela
music.
But
the best way to enjoy this fine CD is to simply listen; you’ll recognise many
of the Chopin pieces, but you’ll hear them with new ears, Chopin literally off
beat, with African drum rhythms, long piano solos with riffs which could have
come straight from a township band, strong loud sax and a hint of steel pan
samples. A great CD for parties but also
for close listening. Impress your
friends with your classy choice of jazz albums!
For
those of you who know your Chopin, I’ll list the tracks, which all have
evocative and sometimes amusing subtitles:-
Etude
No. 3 (Big Mountain) - an arresting
opening with drumbeats, effective keys, and hints of Caribbean steel pan.
Prelude
No. 20 (Izulu).
Waltz
in A flat Major (I Sing For You) -
a slinky waltz with good use of cymbals.
Prelude
No. 1 (Hope) - listen for an
exciting, fast keys solo.
Nocturne
in F Minor (Oh Such a Beautiful Place).
Prelude
No. 3 in G Major (Ramasedi).
Mazurka
No. 1 in A Minor (Imbazo) - samples of African voices repeating the
title in the background are quite moving.
Prelude
No.15 in D Flat Major (My Heart Sings).
Waltz
in C Major (Pretty Shades Eyes) - a
beautiful slow, meditative waltz.
Mazurka
in F Sharp Minor (Dusty Streets) - with
beat box samples and jazzy riffs, what would Chopin have made of this? Probably he’d have loved it once he became
used to the sounds of the modern world.
Prelude
7 in A Major (Take A Short Left) - the
title fits the tune. Lyrics anyone?
Enjoy!
The CD is currently available and will be released worldwide on October 30 on Bokone Music.
Ann Alex
Don Laka (piano, keyboard, samples, also string bass, percussion on some tracks, arrangements, production, mixing); Pat Mokoka (5 string bass); Oupa Makhubela (guitar); Rob Watson (drums on all tracks); Sello Montoedi (drums); Aiyo Solanke (ten/sop sax on all tracks); Percy Mbonani (ten sax); Julius Nkuna (percussion).
No comments :
Post a Comment