The Paul Simon 'Graceland' Collection: Homeless, Diamonds In The Soles Of Her Shoes, Garaceland, You Can Call Me Al
Bossa Baroque
Shut Up And Listen (Thul'u Lalele)
St. Agnes And The Burning Train (St Agnes Nokusha Kwe-Stimela)
Kadeni Kwazulu
Ntyilo Ntyilo
Where Were You Taking Me To? (Uno'Ntsonkisa Kae?)
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica (God Bless Africa)
Mbayi Mbayi (reprise)
This is neither the throbbing mbaqanga of the townships nor the ponderous classicism of Kronos's African explorations. The Soweto String Quartet offer a light, poppy sound that mixes their cello, viola, and violins with a ... more »South African rhythm section and some touches of winds and brass. They move seamlessly between the scratchy, throbbing sound of Soweto (especially in some of the violin solos that really do grasp the wonder of the township fiddle sound) and the FM radio accessibility of Paul Simon (who they pay tribute to in a medley from Graceland). They are good players but they seem to have been advised to hide behind a slick production approach instead of showcasing their own skills. While there are pieces for just the quartet, they tend to be lighter, romantic works that lack much innovation. Some kwela or mbaqanga pieces with just the strings, using the cello for bass and the viola for punch, would have given the album a better sense of place than the incessant, if pleasant enough, bass-drum-keyboard backing band. Fans of Graceland or recent Mahlathini recordings should take the ride, because Zebra Crossing offers a different view of this popular music form. For those hoping for a radical departure: this is not your train. --Louis Gibson« less
This is neither the throbbing mbaqanga of the townships nor the ponderous classicism of Kronos's African explorations. The Soweto String Quartet offer a light, poppy sound that mixes their cello, viola, and violins with a South African rhythm section and some touches of winds and brass. They move seamlessly between the scratchy, throbbing sound of Soweto (especially in some of the violin solos that really do grasp the wonder of the township fiddle sound) and the FM radio accessibility of Paul Simon (who they pay tribute to in a medley from Graceland). They are good players but they seem to have been advised to hide behind a slick production approach instead of showcasing their own skills. While there are pieces for just the quartet, they tend to be lighter, romantic works that lack much innovation. Some kwela or mbaqanga pieces with just the strings, using the cello for bass and the viola for punch, would have given the album a better sense of place than the incessant, if pleasant enough, bass-drum-keyboard backing band. Fans of Graceland or recent Mahlathini recordings should take the ride, because Zebra Crossing offers a different view of this popular music form. For those hoping for a radical departure: this is not your train. --Louis Gibson
"Zebra Crossing is an absolute masterpiece! After seeing SSQ perform with the Dance Theatre of Harlem (The South African Suite) at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, I immediately ordered the ZC for my collection. The music is absolutley wonderful and uplifting. I feel a true sense of pride for these musicians who have profoundly harmonized both the struggle and celebration of South Africians triumphs over apartheid - Mbayi Mbayi!"
String quartet with a distinctive, addictive African sound
Isla Morley (morlynk@aol.com) | Honolulu, Hawaii | 10/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's what Africa does with classical music - it energizes, moves and stirs the listener. It puts you in the heart of the South African township and lets you feel the pulse of a new nation, with all its agonies, triumphs and hopes. Truly inspiring, by any standards"
SSQ is a great South African Band
Isla Morley (morlynk@aol.com) | 06/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"SSQ now have a new compilation album called Rhythms of Africa - it is brilliant"
Still Enjoy the CD After All These Years
Isla Morley (morlynk@aol.com) | 01/18/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard the Soweto String Quartet when they came to Maputo, Mozambique to do a performance back in the early 90's. I wasn't too enthused about going at first, however, after their performance I was awestruck. I looked for something by them for years and purely by accident found this when I was on leave in South Africa. I've played it over and over and still get the same thrill as I did when I saw their live performance all those years ago. I've bought their other CDs since then, but this one has a special meaning for me."
Brilliant
G. Sawaged | Canada | 01/10/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have never heard such a beautiful blend of classical, pop and African rhythms as on this album. But despite the fact that they are a string quartet, this is not a classical album. The intonation, many of the chord structures and a lot of the rhythms are uniquely African. "Bossa Baroque" is a particularly imaginative piece, and SSQ do a wonderful job of combining bossa rhythms with a Bach touch. This is one album that everyone should have a chance to listen to. Who would have thought that 18th century European instruments could beat with the pulse of Africa like they do here. Some of the pieces are contempory, some traditional. Paul Simon's 'Graceland' album is saluted in a medley, and Sting's "St. Agnes and the burning bed" is given the SSQ touch, and all are wonderful. Highly recommended."