Bokani Dyer (pno/keys/synth); Shane Cooper (bs); Marion Witbool (dms); Buddy Wells (ten); Justin Bellairs (alt); Robin Fassie-Kock (tpt); Sakhile Moleshe, Lee-Ann Fortuin (vcls); John Hassan (perc/vcls).
(Review by Lance).
Botswana born, South African based pianist, Dyer encompasses the many moods of expression that have embraced and influenced him. From Bach to Soul, from Ellington to Mbira music justifying the somewhat ambiguous album title of World Music.
The compositions are Dyer's (Outro in conjunction with Moleshe) and display fully the breadth of his imagination. Sometimes it's foot tapping township (Vuvuzela), funereal (Waiting, Falling), pensive (Reflection), synthesised (Transit), lyrical (The Artist), emotive (Interlude - See my People Through), probing (Recess), swingy (Keynote), majestic (Master of Ceremony), compelling (Motho Wa Modimo),
Dyer's piano is always well featured with meaningful solo lines and strong chording behind the horn solos. African Piano - Water, sounds like Dyer's playing a thumb piano. Maybe he is! The horns acquit themselves admirably. Pithy angular solos inspired as much by New York as by Jo'burg.
To reiterate, an album of much variety which is both it's strength and it's weakness. Every track didn't knock me out but, in fairness, most of them were impressive or at least worth hearing.
Lance.
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