South Africa

South Africa's music is a vital part of that nation's rich multicultural heritage; and one of the many virtues of Putumayo's 2010 album "South Africa" is the manner in which the album demonstrates how, since South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy in 1994, the nation has become a center of recording for artists from other nations of southern Africa as well. The upbeat, optimistic tone of many of these songs demonstrates well how, in spite of the problems that face South Africa today (persistent economic troubles, a high rate of HIV infection, disillusionment with a series of presidents who have not managed to live up to the high standards set by Nelson Mandela), music is one of many cultural elements that demonstrate well the South African people's unquenchable hope for a better future.I like the rolling organ and the complex, polyrhythmic quality of Soul Brothers' "Ujaheni," the song that opens the album. Bhojola, from the neighboring Kingdom of Swaziland, contributes "Mbombela" ("Many People Together in a Small Place"), a gentle, evocative, hopeful song characterized by deft guitar work and wonderful harmonies. On Mahube's "Oxam," the combination of celestial harmonies and complex underlying percussion is intoxicating. I particularly like this song's deployment of the mbira (thumb piano), an amazingly beautiful instrument that brings together elements of rhythm and melody. The song's flute solo is also a nice touch.Bik Sonshine's "Nkosi" (meaning "song of thanks") is a fun cultural combination; it brings together African-American hip-hop (voiced in English) in the verses, and Xhosa musical textures in the chorus. The following song, Nibs van der Spuy's "Beautiful Feet," was a real surprise to me. When I travelled in South Africa, much of the Afrikaans music I heard was amazingly antiquated, a good 50 years behind the times -- think Engelbert Humperdinck with a Dutch inflection. But this melancholy, acoustic-guitar-based folk song, with violin in a supporting role, is quite powerful, and its subtly spiritual lyrics work well. Steve Dyer's "Mananga" is characterized by a jaunty, jazzy saxophone melody, with smooth supporting guitar work by the Zimbabwean musician Louis Mhlange.I am glad to see Miriam Makeba's work represented on this collection; she is a true founding figure within South African music, and her brave anti-apartheid stance compelled her to spend many years in exile from her home country. This older song from the 1950's has a lovely jazz-swing texture; Makeba's rich lead vocals are complemented by fine harmonies from her supporting band, the Skylarks. Phinda's "Tiki Tiki," like many of the other songs from this album, is smooth and upbeat, with rich harmonies. With Johannes Kerkorrel's "Halala Afrika" ("Hurrah Africa"), a fine, folksy-sounding, accordion-inflected song from an Afrikaner musician, we are reminded that, even in the grimmest days of apartheid, there were anti-apartheid voices like Kerkorrel's within the Afrikaner community, and others from that community who supported his call for equal rights for all.Zoro's "Work," with its reggae sound and its political edge, reminds us of the role that reggae has played throughout the African diaspora as a musical medium of protest against injustice. "Vulamasango" ("Opening Doors"), by Kaya, like many of the other songs on this collection, offers an upbeat tone and rich harmonies. And the album closes on a particularly strong and suitable note, with the Soweto Gospel Choir's "Ngahlulele" ("Redeem Me"). This gorgeous a cappella song reminds one of the importance of unaccompanied vocal music within South African musical traditions, and of the work that faith communities did to combat apartheid and facilitate the beginnings of democracy in the Republic of South Africa.Like all Putumayo albums, "South Africa" includes helpful liner notes and some nice photographs (Cape Town and Kruger National Park -- both places that you should visit when you travel to the R.S.A.). If you really want to get to know South African music, the best recommendation that I can make is that you visit the African Music Store on Long Street, near Green Market Square in the heart of Cape Town. If such a trip is not convenient for you at this point in time, then the second best recommendation that I can make is that you check out Putumayo's "South Africa" album.

I am a longtime fan of Putamayo collections and this one is very good. There are some familiar people on the CD, such as Miriam Makeba and the Soweto Gospel Choir. There are also some people and groups new to me that I really enjoyed. Steve Dyer plays the sax beautifully and at times it sounds almost flute-like it's so smooth. You can hear the American jazz influence in Miriam Makeba's piece. My favorite track is sung by Johannes Kerkorrel, a folk song about apartheid, It is sung in Zulu and Afrikaans. I enjoyed the Afro-pop group Kaya who sing about a repentant man who has been unfaithful to his girlfriend.This is an album to listen to carefully as the music styles and groups are very different. There is rap, all musical, folk, jazz, and Afro-pop. It is a nice selection from a country so well-known for their great music.

Putumayo is my very favorite for unique, beautiful & exciting music! I probably have over 30 of their albums & still checking out new ones. This album is fabulous as are so many.

This is another excellent sampler of music from Putumayo. This is a happy, bouncy collection of songs from a variety of musicians in a variety of genres. Listen to this, and then explore the artists' other works.

Putumayo is Great Music.... for any occasion to listen to anytime. Love all their CDs and buy them whenever possible. Their library is extensive and worth owning a collection.

Again, great music, fast ship/great packaging/quick delivery. I would recommed any of these Putumayo CDS to any an all parents/grandparents that have little ones who go to sleep with music as their background.Thanks

beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! i love this cd so much, and will share it with everyone I know. Thank goodness for the healing music from africa

I recently started to enjoy African music,ever since the TV series No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.It something different and I find it to represent joy and happiness,which is a good thing.This is a nice way to get exposure of Africa's music

I first heard this album in the World Music section of the entertainment provided in British Airways cattle class. I liked the album so much that I ordered it on the internet soon after arriving in Los Angeles. If you have enjoyed listening to Paul Simon's 'Graceland' album you will find this album full of similar uplifting rhythms, but by largely unknown (in the UK) artists.The presentation by Putumayo World Music is superb. The album comes in a gatefold sleeve with liner notes in 3 languages, English, Spanish and French. They not only tell you about the historical perspective of each song but the artists as well. The music is primarily South African, although some of the artists are now based as far away as Sweden or USA.I would like to have known the musicians on each track, if only to discover what instruments are being played, but this is a minor omission. I strongly recommend a little visit to www.amazon.com where you can read 2 excellent reviews (at the time of writing) and have a listen to samples from each track. You will then not have to rely on my word of how good this album is.

A good variety of tracks but it feels like they ran out of inspiration half way through, we got bored before the last few tracks. Might be better for random mixing.

Très bien !

Excellent service et excellent produit

Putomayo hat auf dieser CD eine sehr schöne Mischung von Südafrikanischen Musikern zusammengestellt. Von ruhig bis Uptempo ist etwas dabei.