Home Is Where The Music Is

One thing I’ve learnt from 1001’ is that I can’t really handle Jazz in most forms.

This is the jazz album I didn't know I was looking for, but definitely was. Blown away. 1. Love the groove. The trumpet/flugelhorn riff is fun. The sax quality has a Canterbury scene sound, which I'm into. Here's the trumpet solo---what a intro!!! Holy cow I am so into this... Piano solo ugghhgbfffnnn 2. Slowing things way down---lovely cocktail bar/impressionistic style piano to start. Trumpet solo starts to heat up... tasty alto sax solo. The band is so in sync, it just feels incredible. The technical imperfections are part of the magic. 3. Another tasty groove holding us down with the winds blowing strong in the skies. The break before the piano solo stops you cold, and in fact you notice the bass before you realize the piano is even taking it, but it gets going. Could be a stronger climax here though. A minor complaint about a great track. 4. Fun bass line. Quiet and kind of mysterious. This doesn't sound like American jazz---it's just more fun. This song by itself doesn't go anywhere new... Except into a fun solo to start the next track! 5. This has a Mariachi/Super-Mario vibe! Moving into a hard swing. To be honest this isn't my favorite part---it almost sounds like the band is having trouble holding it together. But now we're onto solo piano... And back to impressively high speeds. Really in sync at the end here---still a satisfying close to the weakest track so far. 6. Dreamy dark piano. oOOh mmmhm into a funky funky funk! This track is definitely not disappointing. 7. Drum solos! 8. Sounds like a lazy summer day in Mr. Rogers' neighborhood. I'm into it. The piano solo adds a just a hint of mystery, drums add some edge, open up some new dimensions. I love the unison melody that takes us out. 9. Rhodes piano? Mellow opening into a triumphant wall of horns. back to the mellow groove... Lovely keyboard solo, and now we have a groove going. Very nice. Mmm heatin up. I'm bobbin my noggin. Ready for the trumpet solo when it comes---hits perfectly. I love the topography of this piece. 10. Jungly drum intro with some wanton sax. And vocals! Bantu? Love this as a cap to the album. I assume the vocals are placing the album in South Africa, where Masekela grew up. It's a departure from the rest of the album, but a good one. The final trumpet note leaves you hanging---there is definitely more to come for me: I am going to check out the rest of Masekela's catalog.

Nothing quickens the pulse but then again it's not meant to. By the end you realise that what's seemed like exceptionally good background music has actually occupied the forefront of your mind for an hour and a quarter. Hell of a trick, that.

Too long. A few highlights. Mostly not for me.

Great walking album. Sunset album. Goood vibes all around

Clearly talented but couldn’t really get into it

5/5. Funky and Jazzy, rambles from awesome big band blues to more mellow, wandering piano solos. A new favorite. Big horns, jammy piano and lots of hi hats. Feels like Art Blakey with slightly more blues/rock influence.

Listening to anti-apartheid jazz while watching ICE trucks barreling down my street towards the the farms is definitely making me feel a type of way…

A great listen, love it!

Slick and cool. Not normally my thing (I know little about jazz) but this was an easy and smooth listen. I quite enjoyed Ingoo-Pow-Pow with some vocals. The album had some touching pieces and some uplifting ones. Grab a scotch and let this album play.

This was a fun one to explore. Big fan of jazz and while I love my jazz to be “unstructured” from time to time, there is nothing more satisfying than a properly laid out jazz tune. Enjoyable from start to finish.

What a great feast of music this is

What a great album. It's an amazing blend of jazz with african rhythms and instruments. So glad I found this album and this artist!

Now that's what I call background music. I've been listening to these albums mostly as I do my daily walks, and while this wasn't the best album I've heard so far, it was probably the most enjoyable walk I've had. Energetic but serene, with killer horns, drums and bass, this is exactly what I want to hear out of jazz musicians. You could probably cut a track or two, but at the very least, the ones that feel more like filler make me appreciate the standout deviations more. Key Tracks: Minawa, Maseru, Maesha

Warm, soft jazz perfection-- I can actually feel the waves of calm come over me as I listen to this, it's incredible.

First, double albums are notoriously hard to produce with high levels of quality. There are a handful of 5 star examples ("The Beatles" "London Calling" "1999"). This is a solid 4, and some may say 5, because it changed direction and did something new and important -- the fusion of African and American spiritual/soul into jazz.

Mostly pretty inoffensive light 70s jazz. Much of the material was already sounding a bit dated by 1972. Not as funky and edgy as I would like; kind of early 1960s Miles Davis lite. Very lite. Inner Crisis is the best of the bulk of the album. The real highlight in Ingoo Pow-Pow (Children's Song), which is much more like African music with a jazz inflection. If only the rest of the album was more like that.

I used to think jazz was for white men with Art Garfunkel afros who wore burgundy turtlenecks and swirled red wine in a glass presumptuously. Either that or a heroin-addicted black musician who wore shades inside and at any time of the day or night. How wrong I was. Bad jazz is Kenny G or Harry Connick Jr. in an elevator. Good jazz is more than notes on a sheet or sound from a speaker, it’s a feeling, a vibe, a transubstantiation of something intangible into as tangible as music can be. Or whatever. I won’t pretend I ¨get¨ jazz, but I do know what I like and ¨Home is Where the Music Is¨ is a great soundtrack to another morning in the big city. Looking down, seeing the traffic, people walking, the skyline. It paints a picture. Isn’t that what good art is- either painting a picture, taking you out of the moment or making you feel what the artist is feeling? This album does all three. Best songs: ¨Part of a Whole,¨ ¨Inner Crisis,¨ ¨The Big Apple¨

This is a kick ass jazz album. His connection to Fela Kuti is fascinating as well. Weirdly it reminds me of SimCity 3000 music a bit!

I don't think of myself as a jazz fan... but this site is going to make me one. I don't listen to jazz often and I'm not too familiar with classic records in this genre but so far I've been enjoying most of the jazz records this site is throwing at me. This is another good one.

This album is exactly what I needed to hear at the time that I did. This is a record that takes you through a journey of emotional and geographic artistry. The instrumentation is not over the top, it’s precisely structured that the artists play to each other and never leave an empty void in their sound (even in times of silence). The accompanying keyboard is such a nice addition and shake-up to the traditional piano jazz sound. This is probably one of my favorite jazz records ever, I never want it to stop. Favorite Song: Inner Crisis Least Favorite: Legitimately don’t have one…

Nice and refreshing album. Not my usual style but I wouldn't mind listening to it while reading or working.

South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who has been described as "the father of South African jazz". Great living room lounging album.

Good but a bit too long and repetitive.

This grooves hard as hell! And it’s anti-apartheid?! I’m here for it! Some of the melodies/chord progressions actually remind me a little of Steely Dan, be less white and cheesy. The traditional African stuff mixed with the jazz piano at the end is super cool too.

Great listen, Hugh played on Graceland with Paul Simon. Slow jazz, perfect for work/study

What an album! it's jazz... but it's world music as well... Masekela, known for his flugelhorn playing and composing... with two African musicians... sax man Dudu Pukwana, and drummer Makhaya Ntshoko... match them with jazz veterans, Larry Willis on piano (Blood, Sweat & Tears, Nat Adderley, Lee Morgan, Jackie McLean, etc), and Eddie Gomez on bass (Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Billy Cobham, and too many more to mention)... bad ass, thought provoking, groovin', interplay... Masekela only wrote one song, "Maseru"... five songs written by Hugh's fellow South African exile, Caiphus Semenya... and a few others... all well crafted... and STIMULATING to listen to... Five Stars!

Home is Where the Music Is My liking for Jazz is definitely increasing in inverse proportion to my disinterest in metal, and I thought this was great. The piano-flugelhorn tandem is fantastic, particularly when it's the electric piano, like on Part of a Whole, Inner Crisis or Maesha, and the drumming is absolutely fantastic, it’s definitely jazzy, but combined with South African rhythms and phrases it gives a brilliant dynamism and variation in tone and feel. Part of a Whole is excellent, it has a great feel, hitting a lovely low key groove, reminding me a bit of Rikki Don’t Lose That Number by Steely Dan, with some great horn and piano interplay. Minawa is excellent too, a great smoky number with some great drumming and The Big Apple continues the superb run of tracks, as does Unhome, the nagging bass and forlorn piano and horns giving it a great, sad, rainy feel. I’m not familiar with Miriam Makeba's original but will check it out Maseru goes a little too jazz-frantic, take the bass for a walk about halfway through, and it is probably the only track I wasn’t keen on, especially as Inner Crisis does a similar thing but better and with a great soul influence, quite Curtis Mayfield-esque. Blues for Huey is perhaps a little too drummy, but there are some great tones and sounds to the recording of it. Nomali is another superb track, the bass is fantastic, kind of loping and stuttering, but keeping things anchored while the piano plays around it. Maesha also has a rainy, soulful feel, the electric piano rippling away a little like Ray Manzarak, before it hits a great up tempo groove. Ingoo Pow-Pow is the most overt display of their South African origins and is great, the tom toms punctuated by the solitary snare and the percussive piano is a superb combination, another excellent track. It was a 4 initially, but it got better and better the more I listened. Apart from Maseru and possibly Blues for Huey, every track is superb, combining piano, rhythms, horns and great production brilliantly, so much so it ends up a 5. 🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹 Playlist submission: Nomali or Part of a Whole, I’ll go with Part of a Whole

Masekela's afrobeat-jazz-funk fusion double album creates such a welcoming sonic home that you'll never want to leave its irresistible grooves, making even a sprawling 76 minutes feel too short.

Beautiful, soulful, uplifting every single second.

another i'd never heard of, and would totally have missed - but holy cow, does this album RIP. there's a lot to love here, but i especially liked the panning of the drums at the very end of the last track. it was the best kind of unnecessary.

I’m 223 albums in, and the biggest revelation so far is how much I’ve enjoyed the jazz albums. This was no exception - I especially loved the funkier tracks like Inner Crisis.

Generating a jazz album doesn't excite me. Generating a double jazz album REALLY doesn't excite me. However, I really quite enjoyed this (in fact I listened to it twice!). I appreciate the variety, with every musician getting tracks where they get to shine.

Maybe it's just the fact that I'm lying in bed on a sunny Oxford spring morning and enjoying some nostalgia literature while I listen to this, but yeah, I'm Extremely digging this

I just pulled an Elf: "I know him! I know him!" LOL. I met him once at my old job. He and his whole group was nice and he included me in the pre show song circle :)

Exactly the beta blocker some of us needed today.

Perfect soundtrack on a slow Sunday afternoon with a coffee and a book.

Super solid jazz/funk/soul record with a touch of Afro-Beat thrown into the mix. Very reminiscent of similar era Crusaders, Mizell brothers, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Headhunters and so forth. As good as anything in this vein from any of those artists and the era in general. You can play this as background music, or you can really dig in and listen to the musicianship. Either way is rewarding. Also check the horns on ‘Inner Crisis’ that Theo Parrish sampled.

T'as un peu commencé à m'agacer sur la fin mais je t'en tiens pas rigueur.

I actually really liked to work to this. Lots of character in his playing.

Hugh Masekela is a giant of the African jazz scene. This record exemplifies this, with tons of character and dynamics. No two songs sound the same and the 70 minute run through is a breeze. Best Tracks: - Maesha Worst Tracks: N/A Rating: 7/10

good jazz music, great for feeling like chuck mcgill

This is comfortable, familiar and long, like an amiable work Christmas party conversation that, despite similar will on both sides, neither of you can bring to stop, though you are really very tired and just want a slice of cold pizza and to go home.

Elvis never meant shit to me.

Mostly pretty inoffensive light 70s jazz. Not as funky and edgy as I would like; kind of Miles Davis lite. Very lite. Inner Crisis is the best of the bulk of the album. The real highlight in Ingoo pow-Pow (children's Song), which is much more like African music with a jazz inflection. If only the album was more liek that.

Nothing particularly bad about this album. Also nothing I would call exceptionally good. Just some easy listening music I suppose.

Despite it being jazz, I quite liked it. Nice and easy to listen to, good rhythms and flow.

Jazz...all the notes played at the same time

Vraiment, vraiment, j'essaye, mais le jazz c'est pas mon truc

no jazz pls

boring

Jazz is great

I’m not really a jazz person but this felt less chaotic than most. I really enjoyed it.

Very nice

Perfect chill album. Crisp audio. Smooth all around.

I actually enjoyed this way more than I expected. I had such a fun time listening to this and it stayed interesting throughout even though it is quite long. I’m guessing this might be a surprise 5 star album for me. I can definitely see myself playing this again.

I fuckin love jazz like this. If you don't we don't need to be friends.

Loved this! A perfect album to unwind to. Truly enjoyed each track.

Fantastic jazz album, nice find from the 1001 list. Like the varied instrumentation in this with piano, brass, and african jazz rhythms in the percussion section. Favorite track: part of a whole other picks: the big apple, unhome, blues for huey, nomali

I had heard a few songs by him and knew he was great, but had been introduced as a contemporary of Fela Kuti and I hadn't realized he played more traditional jazz. This album was fantastic front to back, can't wait to dive deep.

One of my favorite albums

This is the kind of jazz I’ve been looking for for a long time.

Delightful my-style jazz, with a tinge of funk. Excellent.

wordless

Si no me equivoco, es jazz improviso y me encanta

Brilliant

A fantastic album, rich, diverse in sounds and instruments it has everything I love in an album. I think it is music that has depth, a point of view and a soul behind it. Everything as a sound and a purpose, and it is a journey to go through, full of excitement and diversity. There is very little to complain about, I may not like the final song very much for example (Ingoo Pow-Pow), but I also love that it is included because it sounds very different from the rest while still being tied together by the same brilliant person behind it. Honestly the blend of different genre is absolutely excellent, it works for me in the smoothest way, and I am really glad I got to hear it.

This is an album that reminds me why I’m doing this. What a jewel. And never heard of Hugh Masekela before. The history, the context is beautiful enough. Let alone the musicianship. But also love the production - the binaural effect of the band listening in headphones on a grey blustery Sunday afternoon. Wonderful stuff. Gets a big fat 5 from me.

Excellent !

Album of my year for me. I’ve listened to it like 10 times already Each song is so unique but so good. There’s such a good balance of technical mastery and soul in the music

I love the chaos that is jazz 😀

So chill and awesome. Perf to listen while I make my breakfast and stretch

Great

I took the time to listen to this album twice, and that really paid off. Although I'm a huge fan of jazz, I had not heard Hugh Masekela's music before - so this album suggestion revealed a big gap in my knowledge and experience and introduced me to some amazing music. The music is just masterful. My first listen I liked it, but was unsure - and it is clear that was just me digesting something new. The second listen really captured me fully. There is something simultaneously calming and invigorating about this album, an aspect that became clearer to me when I listened on headphones and was able to pick up the extraordinary texture and detail in the music. This is music that is great for contemplation, great on a long walk or something where you can just be inside your own head. The final track, Ingoo Pow-Pow (Children's Song) is also worth mentioning. It is completely different from the rest of the album, more explicitly connecting traditional South African music with jazz. I loved this track on many levels, including the ways it uses jazz in a non-western musical form. Go ahead and try and figure out the time signature ;)

Finally, some jazz! "Minawa" is a notable high point, but the whole album is strong. Definitely saving this for a relisten.

Nota 100000

amazing album from an amazing artist. i love Hugh masekela and south african jazz and it's a real delight to see him on the list. a beautiful, expressive album that i could listen to on repeat. if you liked this i encourage you to check out Pops Mohamed, Allen Kwela, Bheki Mseleku or really just any of the amazing reissues labels like Matsuli Music and As-Shams Records are putting out

good memories

Дуже гарний альбом, прямо відкриття з цього списку. Такий джаз я люблю, вплив африканської тут відчутний звісно, але без надмірності (особливо якщо не брати до уваги останню композицію). Також сподобалась робота піаніста тут.

Is there such a thing as gothic jazz? I need to check on that . I’m hearing this and I’m thinking, Charlie Brown/Intermission music. The big Apple sounds like a Fiona Apple song. I know, I know, he was first but he doesn’t sing. So that’s why I said what I said. After all is said and done, this is by far the best jazz album I have heard. Not that I could recall the last jazz album I had heard but I know there have been a few. So, if this stands out above whatever else I had heard, props to Hugh. I’m in a giving mood as well, this is a 5 star for its category. Against any and all albums in the music world, it fails miserably . But here, against other jazz albums? It’s good.

Great and viby would excellent soundtrack to my gym sesh

This was absolutely delightful on a Friday morning with a cup of coffee

Boomers will remember his '60s hit 'Grazing in the Grass,' but I think that was his only popular song. This is all excellent music, spend some time here!

Very fun and perfect to listen to during the work day. There was a sound that was kind of like R2D2 in one of the songs. It was also giving Peanuts. Would listen to this album again.

Slaps

Wasn’t expecting to love this album so much. It’s now in my top 5 jazz albums of all time. What an incredible piece!!!

Loved it

Beautiful and raw. It was like sitting in the living room and listening to your grandpa tell a story.

A beautiful album that has been a gateway for me to Jazz, perfect to relax to, read to, enjoy life to. Top Picks: Part of a Whole The Big Apple Inner Crisis Nomali Maesha Honestly so so enjoyable and a great listen - 5!

Really enjoyable listen - as another review mentioned, what could be background music really grabs your attention and interest. This list has definitely opened my eyes to jazz to a greater degree than I was aware of it before, excited to dig into more of his music.

Amazing album, lots of variation in tone and mood, every song seems to fit into the whole structure of the album rather than standing on its own. Already listened to it twice, this is without a doubt the first 5 on my list. Very different from the American jazz im used to.

obligatory 10/10 for another jazz album

BEST SONGS: - Minawa - Maseru

The album was an experience and a soulful journey I loved every minute of it

I always forget how much I like jazz and definitely don't listen to enough afrobeat. This was truly so interesting and enjoyable would defintely listen to this again. Perfect for working, cooking, or just relaxing. So captivating but can play well in the background.

Okay this is the kind of shit I was hoping to find when I signed up for this site. Hell yeah!

Wow! I’m kinda pissed right now. I’ve never come across this name before, and that’s just not right, because this album is freaking gorgeous. Look, I was raised listening to jazz. I took jazz piano lessons, I played in a jazz band in high school. I’m always talking to my dad about jazz players new and old. There’s definitely a possibility that this is just a bizarre, circumstantial blind spot. Maybe the jazz folks around me just never got into the South African scene themselves, or something. But I really think this album/artist has just gone unfairly unnoticed or underrated. I absolutely loved this whole album; the groovy songs really *groove* and the slow songs are deeply pretty. It's becoming a cliche that I give every jazz album a 5-star rating, but I don't care, I'm doing it again. Must-listen #184.

This is a standout jazz record. Nearly every track is top tier, blending groove, emotion, and incredible musicianship. The only slight dip comes at the very end, but it doesn’t take away from the overall experience. It’s a great listen from start to (almost) finish.

I’m such a sucker for good jazz, and this has such impressive performances across the board.

wow, this is one of those albums that pushes me to keep going w/ this list <3