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Home Is Where The Music Is

Hugh Masekela

1972
Home Is Where The Music Is
Album Summary

Home Is Where the Music Is is a 1972 jazz and Afrobeat double LP by Hugh Masekela issued by the joint American label Chisa/Blue Thumb Records. The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.37

Votes

9082
Genres
Jazz
World

Reviews

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Fri May 21 2021
5

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.

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Mon Nov 15 2021
2

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

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Mon Jun 13 2022
3

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.

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Sun Jan 17 2021
5

Great walking album. Sunset album. Goood vibes all around

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Tue Feb 02 2021
5

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.

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Tue Feb 02 2021
4

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.

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Sat Mar 20 2021
2

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

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Sat Apr 24 2021
2

Clearly talented but couldn’t really get into it

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Wed Jan 20 2021
5

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!

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Thu Aug 12 2021
5

What a great feast of music this is

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Wed Sep 15 2021
5

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!

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Mon Dec 21 2020
4

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

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Fri Jan 15 2021
4

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

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Thu Feb 04 2021
4

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.

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Sun May 16 2021
4

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

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Sun May 23 2021
4

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

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Thu Jul 29 2021
4

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

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Tue Aug 10 2021
4

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.

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Mon Aug 16 2021
4

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

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Tue Sep 21 2021
4

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…

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Tue Sep 28 2021
4

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.

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Mon Nov 01 2021
4

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.

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Mon Apr 19 2021
3

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

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Mon Aug 16 2021
3

Good but a bit too long and repetitive.

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Fri Dec 17 2021
3

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

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Tue Apr 18 2023
3

Elvis never meant shit to me.

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Tue Mar 09 2021
5

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.

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Tue Jan 26 2021
5

Great horn jazz with some funk

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Fri Jan 15 2021
5

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.

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Fri Feb 12 2021
5

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

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Tue Jan 19 2021
5

Awesome jazz album. Great for active or passive listening.

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Fri Jan 29 2021
5

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.

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Fri Mar 26 2021
5

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

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Wed Aug 04 2021
5

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.

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Tue Aug 10 2021
5

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

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Mon Aug 16 2021
5

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

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Tue Oct 12 2021
5

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.

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Tue Oct 12 2021
5

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

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Fri Oct 08 2021
5

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.

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Tue Dec 07 2021
5

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.

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Mon Dec 27 2021
5

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

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Thu Jan 06 2022
5

Sehr guter Jazz mit Trompete.

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Fri Jan 14 2022
5

Just fantastic, smooth, and enjoyable to listen to.

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Thu Jan 20 2022
5

Nice and smooth. Great album!

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Thu Feb 03 2022
5

Love this jazz. Puts me in a good mood

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Wed Feb 09 2022
5

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

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Fri Feb 18 2022
5

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

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Thu Mar 17 2022
5

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

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Tue May 03 2022
5

Beautiful and homely, feel reeeeal cozy listening to it

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Mon Jun 06 2022
5

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.'

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Fri Jul 22 2022
5

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

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Thu Aug 04 2022
5

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.

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Fri Aug 05 2022
5

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

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Thu Aug 11 2022
5

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

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Sun Aug 28 2022
5

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.

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Tue Aug 30 2022
5

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.

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Tue Aug 30 2022
5

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

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Mon Sep 05 2022
5

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

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Mon Sep 05 2022
5

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

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Mon Sep 05 2022
5

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

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Mon Sep 19 2022
5

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.

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Wed Sep 21 2022
5

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

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Tue Oct 18 2022
5

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

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Tue Oct 18 2022
5

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

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Thu Oct 20 2022
5

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

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Fri Oct 28 2022
5

Really fantastic stuff. 5 stars.

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Wed Nov 09 2022
5

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

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Tue Nov 22 2022
5

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

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Tue Nov 22 2022
5

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

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Wed Dec 07 2022
5

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.

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Tue Dec 13 2022
5

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

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Mon Dec 19 2022
5

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

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Tue Jan 10 2023
5

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

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Fri Jan 20 2023
5

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.

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Fri Jan 20 2023
5

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.

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Fri Jan 20 2023
5

Not my favourite kind of jazz.. still amazing tho

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Mon Jan 30 2023
5

Pure heat from front to back.

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Mon Feb 20 2023
5

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.

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Mon Mar 13 2023
5

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.

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Mon Mar 13 2023
5

'Where the Music Is' If anyone asked for an introduction into Jazz/Afrobeat music I would exclaim this album. It's digestible in a way that I feel most Jazz can leave me behind. It had a fantastic rhythm, wonderful showcase moments for the talented musicians. I will revisit this one for moments of work, relaxation, cooking, and elevator music.

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Mon Mar 13 2023
5

Never heard of Hugh Masekela until today, and I'm grateful for this experience! Part Of A Whole was a great intro. Lots of dynamic sound was giving me PAO vibes. The second song, Minawa, is a gem that fuels my soul. This is the stuff that warms my heart, encourages me to enjoy life, and allows me to slow down and really feel all there is to feel. In the first half of Minawa, the balance between silence and the peaceful melody of Minawa brought tears to my eyes more than once. I'll definitely listen to this song again next time I go for a walk on a beautiful breezy day. There were a few times throughout the album where it got a bit too "jazzy chaos" for me, but those moments were short-lived and usually endcapped by the theme of the song.

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Mon Mar 13 2023
5

Good I mean what do you say? This record really encapsulates 1970s New York in a cinematic way. You can see where Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band get their inspiration. Directly or indirectly cuz this shit sounds like 70s New York.

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