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Zebra Crossing
Soweto String Quartet
Zebra Crossing
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

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 »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Soweto String Quartet
Title: Zebra Crossing
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: RCA
Original Release Date: 8/25/1998
Release Date: 8/25/1998
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Classical
Styles: World Dance, Africa, Chamber Music, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830)
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 743212686524

Synopsis

Amazon.com
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

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CD Reviews

Zebra Crossing -SSQ
12/28/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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"