Jive Explosion (South African Township Music) - Soul Brothers (African)

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..

...Paul Simon's 1986 album, 'Graceland,' released on the 13th September, marked a tuning point in music history. It was the moment that signified a shift in the way we listen to music, or at least, it changed our listening limitations. We opened our ears up to world music and for the first time, we heard African musicians like the South African vocal group, Ladysmith Black Mombazo. Paul Simon's ear for collaborating South African sounds gave us arrangements within tracks that were never before heard in our singles or album charts. Up until then, viewers of Western music had been blinkered from the rest of the world. Steeped in swarms of new romantics, there seemed little escape from frilly shirts and lip gloss. Music, as we knew it in the mid eighties was on the brink of a new genre. However it was grunge and techno that was on the way... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Modern and Back to the roots
Disadvantages: Ambient Africa is not the right title for this CD

...Although the clearly African direction of this album, you can as well notice the western influences in this music which is not so simple to achieve. This is the real South African music but treated with respect . this music really speaks to everyone, it's modern and roots at the same time. It's not so easy to live with our past, Living Souls is a proof that even during the sad era of apartheid, the music kept people alive. (Bazoyidela - Bayajabula). I love all these voices, the atmosphere, the music goes straight to the heart. it's a long back trip home. I come from South Africa and I would like to listen more albums like this one. Long life to Living Souls. Mark... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great mix of musical styles with something to suit everybody
Disadvantages: Several songs are a bit repetitive

...-race Johannesburg township, whose trends and fashions drew on the Al Capone era, which was demolished by the Apartheid government in the mid 1950s. The guys look extremely dapper in sharp suits and ties paired with basketball shoes, and beautiful Nhlanhla always looks fabulous in Argyll jumpers, Trilby hats and Elton John-worthy sunglasses. THE HISTORY I first heard Mafikizolo in summer of 2003, when they stormed the South African charts, with their anthemic single "Ndihamba Nawe", the second track on this album. "Sibongile", the group's fourth album, sold in droves and heralded the start of their career success, after a difficult beginning. Their first three albums "Mafikizolo (1997), "Music Revolution" (1999), and "Gate Crashers" (2000) didn't really make it that big outside of the circles of serious kwaito followers. Then in 2001, Nhlanhla and Theo... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful