Home Is Where The Music Is

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.

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

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.

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.

Great walking album. Sunset album. Goood vibes all around

A great listen, love it!

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

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.

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.

Clearly talented but couldn’t really get into it

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!

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.

What a great feast of music this is

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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…

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.

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.

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

Good but a bit too long and repetitive.

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

Elvis never meant shit to me.

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.

good jazz music, great for feeling like chuck mcgill

boring

no jazz pls

!!Trumpet Jazz

Fuck yea, JAZZ BABY! This shit was great. Love to add another jazz album to the list. The whole thing was just smooooth. For me though, I do not remember individual songs that much on a jazz album, but I'll just go with Part Of A Whole as my favorite. 7/8.

This was excellent.

Amazing!

Great horn jazz with some funk

Home is where the music is indeed. This album is so much fun. Track after track of masterful Jazz. I’m in love. Thank you Mr. Masekela.

Good Jazzish style music makes you feel like you're in a different time.

Awesome

first track is very solid. Yea this is great in the pocket horn playing jazz. oh man this is great atmosphere. yea this thing is great not just good I feel like i am listening to something really special on track nine Maesha

Awesome jazz album. Great for active or passive listening.

No escribí mi acostumbrado mamotreto. Día ajetreado. Van unas notas: Groove. Me hace sentir como un gangsta en una película de explotación de los 70. Mexaxplotation. Me hace sentir maloso. Como si trabajara de noche. Deep shit. Hermoso. Crepuscular. Mis momentos favoritos son cuando se mezcla el funk y el jazz como ese bajo sucio en Maesha. Mejor track, el cierre. Ingoo-Pow-Pow. Diáspora y madre África al unísono.

Great Album, like the funky tunes. Unbelievable I missed this artist until now.

Sublime

This. Is. GREAT. Big fan of this kind of jazz, had never heard this before.

First track 5 mics. Second track outstanding chill. Third track groovy. Trumpet solos are tolerable. Didn’t keep more notes on the remaining tracks.

indeed

C😎😎L

I think this is gonna be my first five star rating that's going to an album I hadn't already heard previously. Such moods and grooves here. Downtempo numbers are absolutely my thing. Uptempo numbers are breezy and enjoyable too.

Was not aware of this before but it sure has the sound of a classic. Loved it.

Great afro Jazz!

Wow, was not expecting to listen to Jazz this good. I do like a bit of Jazz but find it's one song at a time when I'm in the mood. But this whole album had me from the start. It did something all good music should do it took me somewhere else. Sucked into my own cerbum via the lug hole and transcended into a planet of jazz. There were so many little hooks and moments in the massively resplentdantly long songs total banger will check this geezer out for sure.

Very nice 70s jazz.

It's another cold Monday morning at the office; but as I sip my tea and put on this album, I'm transported to a place cozy and warm, and my concerns and frustrations with the mundanity of life evaporate as I lose myself in the music.

Hugh can blow with the best of 'em. Perfection.

Sehr guter Jazz mit Trompete.

Just fantastic, smooth, and enjoyable to listen to.

Nice and smooth. Great album!

Love this jazz. Puts me in a good mood

Não conhecia esse álbum, foi simplesmente sublime. Um álbum experimental para se deliciar.

Bom demais! Álbum de desfrutes: solos e improvisos sensacionais.

Fantastic jazz album! What a trumpet player. This album felt pretty heavy for jazz, and I'm all about it.

Really liked this album

beautiful!

Beautiful and homely, feel reeeeal cozy listening to it

Wonderful Sunday morning album, listened on a PA system in a tent, while I waited for a poetry festival that I was running the sound for to start. I will need to listen again for more detailed commentary, but as a good friend says 'Eddy Gomez on bass there. He shreds. He sheds so much those turtle boys don't cut him no slack.'

Heard before: no! This was an absolute blast. I cannot believe I hadn't heard this one before - I will 100% be revisiting. Awesome from start to finish - sometimes I can take or leave the slower meandering/meditative tracks (Unhome), but that's mood-dependant. Favourite tracks: Part of a Whole, Big Apple, Blues for Huey, Nomali, Maesha

Love this record. I knew Masekela from Paul Simons Graceland tour but Never heard it before so this one is the first one so far that exposed me to some new music I didn’t know. Always love that. I love the laid back South African grooves. It’s soulful, peaceful laid back music. Great for this crazy heat wave, don’t need to get heated up anymore. This is cool music.

Wow! I was blown away by this album, really good!

This has no right to be as great as it is.

Loved it

I'm not a massive jazz hound but I can appreciate this. I'm familiar with the artist's name, but can't recall ever having heard his music before. Minawa is really lovely cut. It wouldn't be out of place on Coltrane's magisterial A Love Supreme. I checked out another album of Masekela's, The Promise of a Future, and really enjoyed that one, too. I adore trumpets, and Mr. Masekela has great tone. I'll probably throw this on the Sonos as the background tuneage for dinner with the missus some evening soon. I think she'll dig it.

As I get older and get more into jazz, I appreciate this album in a way I could not have before. It is pretty good.

Very nice album, loved the funky parts but overall nice jazz record

this was really nice! i dont really know anything about jazz, but i found this great to listen to.

This is a fantastic album. Really great synergy with the band. Super fun and nothing negative to say

Beautiful album. Complex and fun. It is awesome how the trumpet leads the way until the end.

Disco de jazz y afrobeat que se puede dividir en 2. La primera parte me pareció increíble. En general no es de mi predilección y encontrar jazz que me guste y me sorprenda lo disfruto mucho. La segunda parte, más enfocada en los ritmos y percusiones, está bien pero no es nada impresionante y siento que hasta desentona un poco con el resto tan meteórico del disco. Afortunadamente esa segunda parte sólo es una, si acaso dos canciones por lo que este disco en su mayoría es excelente. Gran, gran descubrimiento.

Honestly? Just an excellent record… gotta give this a 5… don’t @ me

Comforting jazz, very smooth, loved every minute of it. Musical excellence.

10/17/22 Beautiful album. Zoned out to it

wow I didn't expect to ever like a jazz album as much as I did this one. highly recommend

Really fantastic stuff. 5 stars.

Perfect 70s jazz for both background and active listening. Really glad I heard this one in the last few years!

Phenomenal.

Smooth, rich, and wonderful. Made me feel good. Home IS where the music is. Heart!

Some very pleasant jazz! It was new to me and I was glad to meet it.

This caught me completely off guard! Apparently South Africa’s been hiding a true jazz classic - without ever mentioning it to me. Nothing is rushed as every track takes its time to fully develop and unfold its potential. The production is stellar as well with Makhaya Ntshoko’s drumming blowing me away. I didn’t know that I needed this. But I did.

I loved this all the way through. Was perfect for a rainy San Diego day.

Great Jazz record. Had a really enjoyable time with this on in the bckrnd

Kuulostat helvetin 15-vuotiaalta, joka on juuri ostanut ensimmäisen lentävän V:n. Tiedän, että luulet minun kaltaisteni, jotka todella soittavat musiikkia, aivan alemmalla tasolla kuin sinä, koska voit heitellä näitä Mustainen kaltaisia ilkeitä kitaristeja ja sanoa, että ovat super hyviä. Hän, voit jopa nimetä joitain tekniikoita, jotka ovat hyviä sinulle. Tämä ei ole mikään vitun kilpailija. On tosiasia, että jos osaat soittaa jazzia, voit soittaa mitä tahansa. On niin monia metallibändejä, jotka uppoavat jazziin tästä syystä. Sillä on makua, se vaatii laajaa teoriatietoa, eikä se kuulosta siltä, että joku ärtyisä kiinni olisi kirjoittanut pieniä pentatonisia nuolentoja kuunneltuaan Rust in Peacea ensimmäisen kerran. Mene vittuun ja lopeta musiikista keskusteleminen, koska et tiedä mistä vitusta puhut. part of a whole

Fire Repress needed

I loved this! It really set the tone for a lovely rainy Sunday. "Blues For Huey" made me think that we need more drum solos, like, in general. I will definitely be revisiting this album.

I learned about Hugh Masekela a few years ago and I’ve been loving him. Great music to put on while relaxing on a Sunday. There's a lot of playful music here, some really sweet and tender melodies and other tracks that are just flat-out beautiful. And all-around sublime playing from the whole band. Hugh Masekela is incredible -- he absolutely shreds on the title track! The singing on the last track “Ingoo Pow-Pow” is wild! I love that. Personal fun fact: One of the most fun things about planning our wedding was picking out all the music and our DJs gave us a worksheet to fill out so we could choose songs for all the major moments that call for music. For the entrance of the bridal party at the start of the reception I picked Hugh Masekela's version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (not on this album but highly recommended). It's such a fun, high energy version of that song.

Not my favourite kind of jazz.. still amazing tho

Pure heat from front to back.

A beautiful, piano and horn driven Jazz album. Soft music for a snowy day or a Sunday drive. Thom Jurek of Allmusic stated: "Home Is Where the Music Is, is a stone spiritual soul-jazz classic, that melds the sound of numerous emerging jazz schools in its pursuit of musical excellence; it succeeds on all counts and is one of the greatest recordings in Hugh Masekela's long career. In a year full of amazing titles, this is still a standout." I couldn’t agree more. The song Minawa was beautiful.

Jazz

Wow, so good. I didn't know this guy by name but I'll definitely look for more. This was perfect atmosphere for physical work. It made me feel loose and care-free. Afrofusion jazz has great rhythm and play.