Various Artists - Smooth Africa

Over 100 years ago, Joe Brown & the Brothers Band, a minstrel group from New York, performed in Cape Town, South Africa. To this day, a festival honoring their performance is celebrated there, and ever since that day, South African culture has, more than any African nation, mirrored American culture. So it should come as no surprise that there's a vibrant smooth-jazz scene emerging in the re-building nation. This compilation's marquee talent comes in two of South Africa's most well-known contemporary jazz musicians, Hugh Masekela and Jonathan Butler. In addition, two of the most distinct soloists on the Heads Up roster, keyboardist Joe McBride and the magnificent steel drum player Andy Narell, join with a host of rising South African musicians to deliver a radio friendly American product that could've just as easily been recorded in Los Angeles as in South Africa. The CD's 12 tracks are heavy on the "smooth" and light on the "Africa." In fact, it's not until Jimmy Dludlu starts his haunting scat-guitar vocal on track three, "Point of View," before any true South African music is heard. The middle sections of the album make this record a keeper, including Narell's gem "Mpule," Butler's rendition of "Manenberg"-- written by the famed South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim (formerly Dollar Brand)--and "Tazara Express." The latter tune features trumpeter Ian Smith, who surprisingly comes off sounding better on brass than Masekela. But Masakela--not Smith--beckons smooth-jazz lovers to go back and discover his more authentic South African jazz recordings. --Mark Ruffin

Artist(s): Various Artists

Format: Enhanced