Monday 14 May 2012

Tete Mbambisa :: Black Heroes (2012)


It’s an arresting image, the extreme close-up portrait that graces the cover of South African jazz legend Tete Mbambisa’s Black Heroes (2012), his sixth commercially released album. Insomuch as the frame, and by extension the recording, can barely contain the immensity of the subject, it is a fitting accompaniment to this raw and immediate solo piano set recorded at the University of Stellenbosch in August 2010.

The album’s charm lies in the unfettered composure of Mbambisa’s performances. Stripped arrangements dispense with ensemble, stage and spotlight and gather listeners around the piano with vocalisations and foot stomps adding intimacy and grit. Black Heroes pits nostalgia against the blues but it’s ultimately the redemptive power of music with soul that wins.

Black Heroes is produced by Jonathan Eato, curator of the JISA (Jazz in South Africa) Project, which aims “to develop a critical understanding of jazz in South Africa that is informed by the thinking of the musicians who make the music.” The album’s liner notes are lovingly assembled, featuring archive photography and a comprehensive discography. All rights to the compositions and recording are held by Bra Tete and all revenue from CD sales goes directly to him.


Tete Mbambisa at the Black Heroes album launch in Cape Town
22 April 2012 | UCT College of Music | Photo © Calum MacNaughton

Wednesday 9 May 2012

Bruce Langhorne :: Tambourine Man (2011)


“Back there was something ELSE!” writes Bob Dylan in a 2004 handwritten note reproduced on the inner sleeve of Bruce Langhorne’s 2011 solo release Tambourine Man. “Like they say,” Dylan continues, “it was better to be in chains with friends than in a garden with strangers.”

The “back there” of Dylan’s message refers to New York in the 1960s, where Langhorne forged a reputation as one of the most important session guitarists of the emerging folk-rock scene. Toting a Turkish frame drum around the studio, he inspired the song “Mr. Tambourine Man” and features prominently throughout Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home (1965). “Friends” included the likes of Joan Baez, Richie Havens, Peter LaFarge, Odetta, Buffy Sainte-Marie and even Hugh Masekela. Check the credits for Bra Hugh’s signature 1968 single “Grazing in the Grass” and you’ll find Bruce Langhorne on guitar.

Although he composed film scores in the 70s and 80s, Tambourine Man is essentially Bruce Langhorne’s first solo album in a fifty year recording career. It’s an eclectic set that reflects a myriad of world influences traversing Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s also laced with the kind of devilish humour that could only come from a man who invented an African Hot Pepper Sauce. Be sure to check out Langhorne’s slow maskanda treatment of “Mary Had a Little Lamb“ (replete with slide bass, spoken word bridge and blues harp in lieu of accordion).

Big up to George Madaraz and Debbie Green of George-Green Studios for producing and many thanks to Maureen Nathan (who attended the CD launch in the US) for bringing an autographed copy back to Cape Town. A friend of the Tambourine Man and a champion of South African music, Maureen Nathan watched Mama Goema with Bruce Langhorne in Los Angeles. Bruce sent this wonderful message back to the Goema Orchestra:

“Clothe the Naked
Feed the Poor
Keep on Playing Together”

Thursday 3 May 2012

Mama Goema :: Spine Road High School


There’s nothing like getting to watch a film at school! 136 Grade 10s at Spine Road High in Mitchells Plain got to kick back and enjoy Mama Goema at their Tuesday morning assembley after the Freedom Day long weekend. There was, naturally, a pedagogical spin to the screening as learners were encouraged to consider Cape Town’s ever-growing film industry as a potential career choice. Moreover, the learners were reminded that they don’t have to look any further than their own communities to tell compelling stories that the rest of the world wants to hear. And they also missed 10 minutes of Maths (sorry teachers)!

“The movie was quite interesting. There were various types of intruments and that was gevaarlik.”

“The movie did rock! I learnt about all the different instruments and how musicians act funny.”