Sunday, September 18, 2016

Shabaka and the Ancestors - Wisdom of Elders (2016)



“The grand scheme of this album is to present the musical language that I normally associate with my UK bands in the context of SA musicians and musical sensibilities,” explains Shabaka Hutchings. 

8 men in a studio in Johannesburg; one tenor sax, one alto sax, one trumpet. One on vocals, one on ivory, one bass, one on percussion and one the drums. 800 million voices. 700 years. Millions of bones cracking under the weight of 22 false free years. Innumerable tiny sparks. One uncontrollable blaze.


Released September 16, 2016

01. Mzwandile 13:31
02. Joyous 06:38
03. The Observer 09:02
04. The Sea 11:47
05. The Observed 01:43
06. Natty 09:57
07. OBS 05:14
08. Give Thanks 08:09
09. Nguni 09:29

Shabaka Hutchings - Tenor Sax
Mthunzi Mvubu - Alto Sax
Mandla Mlangeni - Trumpet
Siyabonga Mthembu - Vocals
Nduduzo Makhathini - Rhodes, Piano
Ariel Zomonsky - Bass
Gontse Makhene - Percussion
Tumi Mogorosi - Drums