The title, Safrojazz gives a fair indication of what it's all about - Township jazz, merged with its American counterpart, at its best. South African born Goldberg, in fact, had a long association with the legendary Hugh Masekela and he shines, not only on alto but on penny whistle. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't play jazz on a whistle - just let them listen to Goldberg.
Chris Botti too is a revelation. Not the cool, easy listening, player he's often pigeonholed as but a fiery trumpet player who you wouldn't want to lock horns with on a jam session. Likewise Tenconi who blows some searing tenor on Sophiatown Society.
It's an album that's ideal for listening or dancing. Such hypnotic rhythms that I found it difficult to keep still - I guarantee you too will be shaking your booty!
Lance
Available May 28 on Sunnyside Records (samples shortly).
Station Road Strut; Forward Motion; Harare; Madagascar; Dolphin Jive; Little Song; Cape Doctor; Rockwela; Sophiatown Society.
Tracks 1 - 7: Morris Goldberg (alto sax/penny whistle); Anton Fig (drums); Bakithi Kumalo (bass); Chris Botti (trumpet); Cyro Baptisto (perc.); Tony Cedras (keys) + Dan Carillo (guitar tks 1,2); Kofo (talking drum - tk 1.)
Tracks 8 - 9: Morris Goldberg (alto, sax/penny whistle); Anton Fig (drums); Chulo Gatewood (bass); Diego Urcola (trumpet); Cyro Baptisto (perc.); Richard Cummings (keys); Cecilia Tenconi (tenor sax); John Guth (guitar).
4 comments :
As an aside from shaking my booty to this, I’d also like to say how interesting the cover artwork is!
Graphic design by Christopher Drukker.
As a penny whistle player, I've always contended that you can play jazz on it. I may even turn up at a jam session with my whistle, when venues open again! Just don't encourage me, or I might even bring the bodhran and ukulele as well!
Don't worry Ann, I won't give you any encouragement...
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