Homeland (Collection of Black South African Music) - Various Artists

Advantages: Shows us what we are missing musically - superb music at all times
Disadvantages: none to be found

...century , when groups of Zula males left their homelands in search of work , living near to mines etc , in all male hostels . In the western world , sucjh groups would form the likes of football / rugby teams etc. , but these migrants formed small singng groups , to remind them of their roots . In 1973 Ladsmith Black Mambazo released their first album in Africa , and have gone on to release over 30 more. Success in Africa was found , however International stardom was to be found when Paul Simon decided to approach and use the group during the recording of his famed ‘Gracelands’ album . This was further enforced with the use of their music in the Heinz Soup ads , and later on as the theme for the Rugby World Cup. Musical type : As previously stated mainly of Zulu background , and heavily reliant on accapela only rhythms . The songs... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: The Western world's introduction to African music on a commerical scale
Disadvantages: Probably not generally recieved at the time for what it was really worth..

.... This time, we experience some wonderfully produced backing vocals by The Gaza Sisters who were also gathered up in the arms of our host. They sing in a very untreated flat note, but not too harsh that it blocks out the lead vocal from Simon. it's a chant of sorts that features a lot of African words and sounds but not so that we, as the listeners are lost and feel like we're tourists. The basis of this track comes from a South African song from the Northern part of the country by a Shangaan group. These are people who have moved to the south bringing their music with them but on tribes moving to our parts of the country, their cultures mingle with newer customs and their music changes and what we hear on this track is a watered down version of something of the very original. Simon had been given a large collection of South African artists... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Some great music on the tracks
Disadvantages: but some not so good ones - and quite expensive

...This CD contains the music that was recorded at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2000 - the Golden Jubilee Year. The music is recorded live from the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle and the audience 'participation' is heard i.e. rounds of applause at the end of each item. There is great variety in the types of music included on the CD - from traditional Scottish to South African Zulu music, from Military Bands to Steel Orchestras. This variety in music helps create one very good CD to listen to. There are a few disadvantages to this CD though - some of the tracks arent as good and arent really as worth listening to, they just dont get the same feeling without seeing what is going on at the same time, especially with the South African Infantry Zulu Dance Team and another track. Other disadvantages are that the CD is qutie expensive... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful