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.

Great walking album. Sunset album. Goood vibes all around

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.

A great listen, love it!

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

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.

Clearly talented but couldn’t really get into it

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!

What a great feast of music this is

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…

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Good but a bit too long and repetitive.

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

no jazz pls

boring

I worked in South Africa for a year, and going to jazz shows was a weekly must. And this is the godfather of the unique aesthetic that I've come to love.

Yeah. Groovy, man! 4/5. Only a couple of tracks are stopping this from 5/5. On a second listen, on speakers instead of headphones, this gets a 5 :)

Absolutely stunning piece of jazz. Invigorating as active listening, chill and a vibe in the background. Stellar performances all around, and I really enjoy the African influence in the rhythms and song styles.

Loved this album even more than I thought would.

A very nice surprise. Exceptional playing all around and some beautifully arranged music

Outstanding!

Brilliant. Brought joy to my day. Never heard it before and loved it .Wonder if this influenced early Jazz Funk pioneers like the Crusaders? Shut up and take my 5

How often do you listen to a 76 minute album, from an artist you've never heard before, get to the end and wished it kept going? This is just fantastic.

Great jazz album, African beats

Minawa is peak, such a beautiful song. Probably my favorite jazz album i gotten from this site Slightly unrelated but hugh was sampled on Riot! by earl sweatshirt and knowing that makes me like this album more despite the song that was sampled not being on this album

Great jazz!

This album is energetic. Masekela's playing is lyrical and emotive and the band offers a dynamic canvas for Masekela to work with.

9/10. Oh, this one is definitely nice! Smooth and ethnic jazz! :)

Love Hugh Masekela. Never did a deeper dive. Perfect for a fall Sunday. Added to my APPLE music

I like this one

cool

Could be my favorite jazz musician of all time. The more I hear the more I like

Loved the jazz.

Smooth jazz, perfect to read or work to because of the groovy flow

parasta taiteilumusiikkia vähään aikaan

Great album. This type of record is a great example of what this list can bring: exposure to great music that I could not know otherwise.

Lovely jazz album

Expectations Demolished.

Very good

I’ve heard a decent amount of Hugh’s stuff, but not this album. Even so, I knew this would be fire and there was no disappointment on that front. From start to finish this is an album full of jams to get you grooving. Funky jazz throughout and it was a great soundtrack to my Monday morning!

Love jazz, love this album. Will listen again!

A lilt, a groove and a sound that, for reasons unknown, hit the spot - and then some.

Quality jazz, well put together 5*

This is what I signed up for.

I had never heard of him before but something about this album just was the perfect soundtrack to my morning. I listened to it twice back to back. 5 stars for me.

This was a fantastic listening experience. There's a looseness to the grooves that is very refreshing. Not very adventurous from a harmonic standpoint, but it doesn't need to be. There's some questionable tuning between the trumpet and the sax making some of the harmonized lines (and even some of the unison lines) extra spicy. That would normally knock a couple stars off for me, but within the context of this vibe, it works. 5 stars.

I think I'm in love with jazz

I just love jazz so much.

Would be so good to listen to this while watching a snowstorm. Warm and fuzzy. Dramatic softness.

This was great jazz that I had never heard before. Just fantastic. I will be listening to this again and delving further into the rest of his catalog.

My only previous exposure to Hugh Masekela was documentary footage of him absolutely melting faces on the Monterey Pop stage. This was just as awesome.

Wow, from the first beat I'm in. 2nd jazz album this week and I'm not upset. Instrumental, enjoyable albums are always high stars for me. 5* Highlight: inner crisis Ingoo pow-pow came out of nowhere -- i know the description says afrobeat but I didn't get any of that in the other tracks.

Excellent jazz. Practically feels like classical music in its execution and it happens to be just as good.

I enjoyed every moment of this album, excellent trumpet. Thank you, jazz!

This was very pleasant background music, really moody and cozy. I liked it a lot and will return to it if I ever want that kind of jazz in my room. The only song I didn't care much for was the addition of the Ingoo Pow-Pow (Children's Song) at the very end, because the singing and identity of the song clashed with the rest of the album.

knew the name, but not the music - very cool jazz, trumpet/flugelhorn, sax, piano & drums, nice

Nice jazz to listen to in the morning, no real flaws.

This album swings. Loved it on the first listen. Got to get this on vinyl.

If your knowledge of Hugh Masekela’s music starts and ends with “Grazing in the Grass,” you owe it to yourself to listen to this album. A mix of jazz, blues and traditional South African music, it’s complex and joyful.

I like jazz, and this is great jazz.

This is great music. Hugh Masekela was unknown to me until now. I liked the album very much. I will certainly be listening to more from Masekela. 5/5

Super

I have loved Hugh Masekela since high school. His effortlessly cool style combined with the feeling of . . . sunshine? He does happy music the best I've ever heard. Without it sounding too sweet and disingenuously positive, he creates melodies that just brighten the mood, which all makes his deeper, slower songs so much more memorable. I have nothing to complain about. The length and production could be an issue for some, but neither bother me. I enjoy this album and every song on it thoroughly. Love it. 5/5

New to me. Funky and fresh and fun.

Great album

absolute vibe talented man 4.6/5

This was fantastic!

Transports me to a smoky jazz club, puts a whiskey on the rocks in front of me, and a cigar in my hand. I could stay in this club all night.

First saw High Masekela at Artists Against Apartheid, Clapham Common, a great day, generally, and Coal Train (not on this album) still sends shivers down my spine. Great man, great album.

Cool

Not just easy to listen to, it makes me feel unbelievably cool while its on. Masekela is crazy talented and versatile. I typically dislike albums with tracks exceeding 6 minutes in length, but this isn't in the same realm. Makes me want a martini, a 70's pantsuit, a jello mold dessert, a Virgina Slims with one of those long filters attached, and a government that gives a fuck about human rights...

Absolutely loved this album. The blend of horn, piano and other instruments was incredible. The Big Apple and others were long pieces that allowed the listener to be washed away in the beautiful music.

Jazz/jazz-fusion with an ebb and flow to the compostions that I really liked.

It was great, never heard this before so it was a nice surprise.

Surprisingly amazing! never heard of them and I'm thrilled to add this to my playlists :)

I loved this record. It was varied and really interesting. You'd have more upbeat songs and then a slower song to break things up. Things got really jammy towards the end. The drum solo in Blues For Huey when the riff started coming back in, followed by the whole band was so sick. The trumpet solos/riffs were so good and the harmonies were amazing. I also loved all the piano noodling. It was the perfect album to listen to as I drove to the canyon early in the morning to ski powder. I'm also just really stoked on the name of the album. It really resonates with me.

Wow. This one blew me away. The trumpets, the drums, the bass lines. It was so varied throughout. Each song flowed smoothly into the next, but kept you engaged and interested the whole time. I thoroughly enjoyed this and will revisit frequently. Also, shoutout to Selema Masekela's Dad! Been a fan of his for a long time.

Jazz Masterpiece.

bravo!

Awesome stuff. One not as great song and one out of place but really cool

So beautiful and inspired, the flugelhorn/alto sax combo is so good

tolles album, habe es direkt meiner sammlung hinzugefügt!

Worthy of Miriam