From the beginning of his career, trumpeter and flugelhorn player Hugh Masekela has bridged the divides between pop, jazz, and his native South African music. He'll always be remembered for his 1968 multiplatinum hit "G... more »razin' in the Grass," but his 40-year career has been a fruitful one. Recorded live in 1993 at Washington, D.C.'s Blues Alley, Hope finds Masekela in fine form. He's celebrating, playing with an African band for the first time in more than three decades. As such, we're regaled with tunes from the entire spectrum of his career--everything from the pop ("Grazin'") to the political ("Mandela"), with a cover of Fela Kuti's "Lady" thrown in for good measure. Although it is almost too polished sounding, the eight-piece band is hot, working through the set with outstanding musicianship, particularly on the part of the drummers. A fine portrait of a great artist simply doing his thing, Hope is a good starting point for the curious and a touchstone for the longtime fan. --Tad Hendrickson« less
From the beginning of his career, trumpeter and flugelhorn player Hugh Masekela has bridged the divides between pop, jazz, and his native South African music. He'll always be remembered for his 1968 multiplatinum hit "Grazin' in the Grass," but his 40-year career has been a fruitful one. Recorded live in 1993 at Washington, D.C.'s Blues Alley, Hope finds Masekela in fine form. He's celebrating, playing with an African band for the first time in more than three decades. As such, we're regaled with tunes from the entire spectrum of his career--everything from the pop ("Grazin'") to the political ("Mandela"), with a cover of Fela Kuti's "Lady" thrown in for good measure. Although it is almost too polished sounding, the eight-piece band is hot, working through the set with outstanding musicianship, particularly on the part of the drummers. A fine portrait of a great artist simply doing his thing, Hope is a good starting point for the curious and a touchstone for the longtime fan. --Tad Hendrickson
"This album of well known South African songs was recorded live at the Blues Alley in Washington with an array of great South African jazz musicians like Themba Mkize, Lawrence Matshiza and Bakithi Khumalo. Masekela is a master of the horn, his virtuosity brilliantly demonstrated on the brilliant tracks Stimela (Train), Grazin' In The Grass and Ntyilo Ntyilo. Other standout track tracks include Nomali, Marketplace, Fela Kuti's Lady and the Miriam Makeba composition Abangoma. The atmosphere is wonderful and the rhythms are superb. This warm, heartfelt music should appeal to all lovers of jazz and African crossover music. I wish I were there.
"
His best cuts here are rooted in marabe traditions.
WorldDiscoveries.Net | Petaluma, California | 09/01/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Hugh Masakela crosses over into pop and mixes South African music with pop and his usual jazz roots: this makes him much more accessible than the usual jazz trumpet work - and makes his latest cd HOPE shine."
Long live Africa
Leigh Hibbins | Brisbane, Australia | 02/25/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's funky, it's passionate, it's African, it's jazz. Turn this up loud and listen, especially the last track "Stimela". Excellent recording of a wonderful live event."
Oh, If I Had 7 Stars to Give.....
J. King'oi | Netherlands | 11/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a long-time fan of Hugh Masekela, I have heard just about everything he has recorded. So keen is my attraction to his sound, that I can recognize a Hugh flugelhorn solo within 2 bars by his signature licks and playfulness. Of course, there have been albums that were not up to par for my spoilt ears, but I dismiss that with the acceptance that he is only human and entitled to moments of mediocrity, just surviving with his art....
Just as I had began to get the feeling that the old lungs were not powerful enough, the chops not as practised, and the gravelly voice tired, Hugh brought out Hope.
It was a stunning surprise!! It is arguably the best ever live recording from Hugh. It ought to be required reference material for any budding audio engineer seeking to capture a concert perfectly.
The dynamics are spot-on, from rumbling drum rolls to gunshot snares, as Hugh intersperses vocal play with horn solos accompanied by a very tight combo (Baghiti Kumalo on bass!). The playfulness is still there, in particular as Hugh plays the naughty old man in the "Marketplace", to the delight of what must have been an audience of insiders.
If you do not know Hugh Masekela, buy this CD. If you know him, do not leave it out of your collection. It spans tunes from the 60's days to the early 90's, performed in a timeless way (i.e. without sythesizers, drum machines and other studio clutter). The material also covers his topical range very well. Too bad I cannot give more than 5 stars. I might be forced to give 3 and 4 to other perfectly deserving work!"