Home Is Where The Music Is

I quite like jazz but couldn’t name more than a couple of albums that I’d say were favourites. This though is definitely now on my list. Funk, blues, even a jazz drum solo track that doesn’t outstay its welcome. Love it

What I think of as lazy Sunday jazz. Chilled and inoffensive with a couple of more upbeat numbers. Didn't grip me but I didn't hate it

Not for me

This is music we need to hear right now.

Fan of the smooth jazz - again another change of pace to what I normally listen to. Funky base line in The Big Apple is very enjoyable. As I’m not a connoisseur of jazz many songs blended together but I have a big appreciation for the musical abilities shown.

Pleasant background music. Not my cup of tea usually though

Wonderful, chill, jazz album.

Maybe cause it's a rainy day but this really grooved for me.

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.

Unexpected! Great listen

I thought this was guna a long, tough listen but I absolutely loved it. Incredible find, cracking jazz

This is fine. I like the Hammond B3 in it. Nope. This is just not my jam. The screechy saxophone solo on Minawa is hard for my untrained ear to distinguish from someone who just picked up the instrument. This is a long album of what basically amounts to one long song. Parts of this album feel like a Bitches Brew knock off. Nomali is my favorite song from this album. Ends with the worst song on the album.

Not usually big on jazz but quite enjoyed that

Delightful South African jazz

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 ;)

Great easy listening

Har ikke knekt jazz-koden ennå. Enten full sprut av ikke planlagte trompetlyder eller kun pusting på bassen. Hva skjera.

Solid jazz album.

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¨

Really lovely melodies and grooves

This album from the South African trumpet master reminds me of smokey basement club rooms in the major cities of 50s-60s America. I can see me sitting there with a double scotch whiskey chilling out to that smooth trumpet playing with those African rhythms holding the music all together. Loved listening to this LP.

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

This one was so good! I think I might reach for it pretty often when I am looking for something instrumental or just to hit that certain vibe. Couldn’t believe how accessible and entertaining it was!

Some of the best jazz I’ve heard yet. Cohesive but insanely intricate. Amazing skills on all instruments. Emotionally expressive performances.

It's cool. He plays a flugelhorn, which is objectively funny. Anyway, this is subjectively, a bit too smooth and objectively a bit too long, but there's some nice bits and rhythms.

Some nice songs but i got bored

I've never listened to this album (14). Cool, smooth trumpet jazz.

South African twist on soul/jazz with some very melodic trumpet playing makes for a relaxing album. More arrangements than songs with some clocking in at 10 minutes, nevertheless a pleasant listen and not a record I had heard before.

Home is where hippin' and their hoppin' and their bippin' and their boppin'...They forget what the JAZZ....IS ALL ABOUT!

Nota 100000

Bardzo przyjemny

This album came at the perfect time- the temperature dipped momentarily from 90-something to a crisp 78, and the residents of Sacramento collectively exclaimed “It’s Fall!” These are the songs that make me feel like I’m in a Norah Ephron romcom as I’m doing the most mundane tasks like doing the dishes. Describing these songs as “home” like the artist sought out to do, feels appropriate. These songs invoke the feeling of your favorite worn leather arm chair. Familiar, but never unwelcome.

Pretty good listening, but nothing special or attention grabbing. From my Wikipedia reading, I learned that Hugh Masekela is important for bringing a uniquely African flavor to jazz and for writing several protest songs that were important in the South African anti-apartheid movement... pretty cool! This album didn't send me anywhere amazing, but it's fun to hear some early Afrobeat influence on a genre that I enjoy (jazz). I hope we get some proper Ethio-jazz at some point: Mulatu Astatke or Hailu Mergia would be awesome.

Opening track got me hooked thinking this album would be great, and some subsequent tracks kept it going for me, but then I slowly got bored and was really bored by the time Maesha was on.

Very relaxing jazz with prominent horns and a bit of African flair.

Мне нравится как они балансируют между классическим джазом и фьюжном создавая тёплую, но довольно динамичную и интересную обстановку.

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

Love the jazziness but did start getting fatigued, but I think that's on me.

I do like jazz Barry. Also enjoyed Ingo Pow-Pow quite a lot. Ties the album up uniquely.

Some of the best dynamics I’ve heard in jazz

3,1

this is cool

Фʼюжн з афроджаз орієнтиром. Загалом приємний альбом. Мені не всі композиції сподобались. Іноді були не дуже цікаві мелодії на трубі, а тут це головний інструмент.

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.

я розслабилась.

Not that engaging

Reposant jazz

The algorithm is giving me a lot of jazz lately, and I'll be so happy when we move on to something else. Jazz is not my thing. Sure, there are skilled musicians doing their best work on this album, but it is just not for me.

Decent album. I like his version of Grazing in the Grass

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.

I’ve been going back and forth on this one and landed on 4. I sounds so damn good. I’ve had his song “Riot” on a rotation but had never done a deep dive. Little slow at times but that’s fine. Traditionally releasing covers so song writing is maybe a little weak, or maybe it’s fine to take a couple tracks off. Whatever man. Home is where the fuckin music is.

There’s something quaint about jazz albums with dumb homespun titles like this. It sounds like one of those plaques quietly depressed housewives get at homegoods and put on their kitchen walls. Home is where the music is. Oh god, I’m so lonely.

I really dig Masekela! Having only heard grazing in the grass before this, I knew to some extent that this would be happy jazz 🤣 The album is a tish too long and slow at times, but I still managed to get through it a couple of times this weekend. Maesha is an incredible tune. It has a slow start (2 mins or so of buildup), but the vamp is worth it. It was in my ears all weekend Somewhere around the 3.5 stars mark

Never heard of this guy. Have been listening to this one a bunch, trying to make up my mind. There are some lulls for sure, but then Hugh will just rip a flugelhorn solo, and set the thing on fire. I like the early part of the album more than the back half - Maseru maybe the highlight. Overall, like that it's not just heads and solos, has some fun structural changes, like that little swing section in Maseru. The little conversations between the keys and horns too are excellent. Fun fact from wiki: Earl Sweatshirt is his nephew.

Great and viby would excellent soundtrack to my gym sesh

The album title is correct and the music is in this album! Great music only feels a little long and overstays near the end.

Surprisingly accessible jazz turning slowly into some truer more experimental stuff

i liked it thiiis much

Good album to place into the background and think will reward deeper listens. Walking in the park when "Minawa" was playing and it was pretty surreal. Musical styles vary quite immensely so don't think there really is a dull moment here. Will need to listen on its own soon though to get accurate listen. 6/09/25

7/10. Great background jazz music for the living room

Love the doubling horns and other brass playfulness. Love that they tend to somewhat start and finish a song, not getting (too) lost in solos, although towards the end of the album it starts falling more and more into the 'annoying jazz tricks' pit for me. For example in 'Blues for Huey' an icky long drum solo. The songs tend to have an emotional story arc, which I appreciate. Virtuosity is not the point. I still don't find instrumental jazz interesting enough to sit through an entire album. But in the right time and place, this could be ok.

A bit on the experimental side of jazz

I enjoy listening to jazz from time to time, but I find it most exciting when it is combined with funk grooves or world music elements. On “Home is Where the Music is,” Hugh Masekela integrates both in a wonderful way. This album is great to listen to in the background, but you can also listen more closely at any time and discover interesting details. Easy listening but never boring—that's how jazz should sound!

В целом спокойный альбом с довольно хаотичной музыкой. Последней композиции лучше бы не было - испортила только общее впечатление. Можно слушать фоном, когда хочется нестандартного джаза. 6 из 10.

Weird music

Made for good waiting for the bus in the rain at first. But did feel quite bloated for what it was.

I had a hard time getting through this one, but I wont say it doesn't have its merits just isn't for me. Kind of reminded me of Snoopy lol.

Jazzy and contemporary art of music. Piano is bringing like a whole Orchestra into it. Good for relaxing vibes with reading.

High quality Afro-jazz. I'm not a big fan of jazz but this is almost good enough for me to carve out an exception for a few of the songs.

I tried, and I can tell this is high quality music, but it mostly sounds like very well-played muzak to my ears.

Not unpleasant. Very long. Not particularly engaging.

Funky enough

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

Fantastic record. Jazz at it's finest. It's thrilling, it's funky. Just maybe a bit too long

Could not get through the first song

Great record! Not usually big into instrumental/jazz music, but this is full of great melodies, awesome solos, and thoughtful harmonies.

I'm too pleb for this

Nice Jazz

This album is pretty neat but it really faded into the background for me.

I hate jazz Goofy ah trumpets

THE ALBUM 4/5 (7.8/10 calc'd) The thing about Jazz is that it's not only highly experimental and spontaneous, but also very subjective. People say that it's about the notes you don't play to leave it open for imagination. This album really makes me feel something. It really brings home the idea of giving every instrument room to breathe, I love it. Also didn't think that a Jazz album would actually spark my creativity and make me imagine every song's meaning or story. A good example of why the product is worth more than the sum of its' parts. This is art - especially Nomali & Maesha. No max rating because I wanna keep that standard for the very best. THE SONGS - Part Of A Whole: Honestly: not bad at all. Reminds me of a busy train station. I can vibe to this. Intro equates outro, sounds a bit like an anime opening. The piano solo is gold, the song itself is pretty round. 8/10 - Minawa: This is very mellow and smooth, restaurant & foreplay music. I can drown in this. 9/10 - The Big Apple: Definitely sounds a bit more chaotic, not so much my taste, but I appreciate it. Good bg music. 6/10 - Unhome: The title is probably an old saying for getting evicted. The groove here is very interesting and creative. The type of music that forces you to listen. 7/10 - Maseru: This reads similar to "misery", and the intro sounds like a depressed alcoholic that stumbles on his way to his fav. bar. He enters it at 0:40 into the song and endulges in all sorts of beverage tasting. 8/10 - Inner Crisis: The song picks up at 1:20 with some nice energy, not too hasty, more like it's trying to bring light to something. 7/10 - Blues For Huey: Veeery percussion-heavy, reminds me of John Bonham's live drum solos. Suddenly a trumpet starts playing, then more and more instruments come in as they find their groove. I respect the effort. 8/10 - Nomali: Hard turn in style and tempo compared to the previous song. Slows down everything, including my OCD for well-crafted music. This is what Jazz is about for me. I'd listen to this at night drives. 10/10 - Maesha: Slows down the pace even more, very chill first 2 minutes, then it explodes into what I'd describe as an anthem, to then go back to being chill. This song drags me down into the groove as it makes me close my eyes and just enjoy the music. 10/10 - Ingoo Pow-Pow: The single non-instrumental song here, doesn't really help that I sadly don't understand the language. Definitely African Jazz, although I can't pinpoint if this was recorded simultaneously or mixed together after 2 separate takes. Very creative, but not my vibe. 5/10

Just so good Groove on point, not tiring, well structured.

I don’t like jazz.

Solid jazz, lots of great little riffs

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

very good sounds

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!!!

Wasn’t sure I was ready for a Jazz album this morning, but this was perfect to wake up with! I’d never heard of Hugh Masekela until today, and I’m glad his music is now on my radar. “The Big Apple” and “Inner Crisis” stick out to me as a couple of my favorite tracks on the first listen through, but I’m probably gonna have to give it another go on tonight’s dog walk because the entire album RIPS! Oh, at the end of “Blues for Huey” when someone in the studio says “…call an ambulance!”-And they all laugh- is pure fucking gold. I’ve listened to this album 3 times since yesterday and I’m excited to dive into more of Hugh’s material. GREAT RECORD!👏

It’s not great driving to work at 8am music, but it is good jazzy music to put on while making dinner. It’s also pretty long.

Bar Schach Atmosphäre schnell eintönig

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.

Loved it

Love me some jazz. Especially jazz with vocals, Ingoo Pow-Pow is great ending to a great journey of an album

Ugh, jazz.

Great drums, starts slow then ramps up. Saved it.

Great jazz album, should listen again for sure.

Eh!

Coffee shop music. Fades into the background for me. Gets repetitive. Very long album. 2.5 rounded to 3

Album is much Jazz! But like, in a good way. Not that spastic all over the place nonsense. This is the kind of stuff I'd put on in the background while working on my novel. I know it's been over 20 years and I should just release the thing already, but I won't let brevity be the enemy of perfection. The 56th chapter about the musings of the 'sophisticated interlocuter' are some of my finest work. Anyway, the album is alright. 3 stars.

Oh man! This jazzy album has all the jazz! It's got shiny brass, squeaky sax, faint bass, sporadic piano, chaotic drums! 10/10 is jazz!

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

It was okey

The Vince Guaraldi Trio did the music for Charlie Brown. This was not dissimilar to that.

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!

Screechy and honking horns over lovely piano playing.

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.

Sound Jazz album, not my personal favorite

7/10 - Good jazz, some notes african music in there too, all in all, very pleasant music

Very much quite nice. love this

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.

Good Player, but two sad

I definitely rate jazz on kind of a weird scale because I'm just not well versed in it. Unless I absolutely loved it (there have been a few) or hated it (also a few) they mostly get a 3 star rating. This is also getting that 3 star rating. It was pleasant, and I liked it well enough (up until the last song). Nothing I'll listen to again, but it was nice.

96/1001. Yes, I know. I've been ranting about more jazz and more Africa. Well here they fucking are. By the first two or three songs I was cursing myself. Where is Mulatu? But then slowly the album opens / opened. Some banger grooves march in. Some jamming, some exquisite orchestrations. Some non-western melodies, syncopation, rhythms. Luckily they fill the rest of the album. Not an instant classic for me, but I don't see reasons not to spin this time and again in the future decades to come.

obligatory 10/10 for another jazz album

Jazz

I will never understand how this type of jazz music is beloved by anyone. It's just a bunch of noise, loosely connected.

BEST SONGS: - Minawa - Maseru

Man what an album. Sometimes when you listen to someone at the top of their game, it really pulls you in. 4.5/5 Best Song: Maseru

A lovely listen, some high peaks but some middle of the road stuff as well. Really liked Part of a whole and Nomali 3.9/5

Jam forward. Good for a moody drive or a morose dinner party. Long songs, aside from everyone's favorite with Cisco Kid. Probably going to take a few more listens to really hear the lyrics.

i don't know this genre well but i was grooving through this

more diner party music. but it's not bad. It's in the same style as Myles Davis Bitches Brew.

It's great background music. In a room with people. Not so much when you're trying to work. The musicians know what they're doing, the arrangements are intricate... But in the whole I really can't get into this, and it feels like it's partly my fault.

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

Nice background music. Unremarkable

This album isnybad, it's just my uncultured brain doesn't know how to distinguish a good blues/jazz instrumental record from a dull one. Is this album the one that inspired an entire genre? Or just another album in a sea of Jazz? I have no clue. Either way, Masekala is talented. Also Wikipedia says Masekala was basically an anti-apartheid activist and that that comes through in his music. I couldn't tell any of that just from listening

Loved the jazz!

Haven't heard of Hugh before. Pleasantly surprised. Jazz albums are a hit or miss but this one actually did have something that made it stand out and be a bit "catchy" 3/5

I always enjoy some good jazz. This is pretty good.

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.

It's too long for my tastes, but it's not a bad jazz album. Definitely not my favorite though.

Very good jazz record

(75/100)

First impressions are very good. I think I need some more time with it.

2+ Stars (6/15)

Bluesy, funky, silksy smooth, warmly easy going jazz that brings together fusion sounds, cuban rhythms, big band song structures and brass harmonies in the heads, and soulful playing in the solos. The electric piano and rhodes tones and playing is especially great both in the lead or comping under the sax/horn parts. They settle into some great deep grooves on several tracks with spacious bass parts that leave tons of room for the soloists to go off. It's a fairly accessible jazz record that easily fades to background, but is worth paying close attention to for all the interplay and improvisational expressivity. Favorites: Maesha, Maseru, Inner Crisis

Jazz just rubs me the wrong way and this album is no exception. Some of the tracks are not too bad but most are like Blues for Huey which incorperates all the aspects that turn me of jazz including that "Listen to me being brilliant for no particular reason" vibe which most jazz suffers from to an unbearable degree.

A little heavy on the horn, but in general some good, bombastic jazz. I don't know that I'll return, but I enjoyed the journey.

jazzy - made me work fast

Cool jazz - pleasant to listen to and musically interesting when you concentrate. Not really a jazz fan but can't help but admire the skills. This was a good hour of music.

19/1089 a very relaxed and warm vibe, can’t say it’s my thing yet but it’s a nice change of pace. i dont really have the knowledge/framework to understand this music fully or pick out what parts i like in detail but it’s a pleasant listen and is something i’d enjoy as part of a soundtrack Maseru is fast becoming a stand out for me as is Inner Crisis, both of those were really great listens and definitely stood out The ending of Maesha is pretty magical i like that Ingoo Pow-Pow feels like an epilogue almost with the vocalising etc it’s a nice unwind/release after the rest of the album faves: Inner Crisis, Maseru no least faves 3 stars or 61/100

snazzy

Idk shit about terminology for jazz but this isn't like a super out there free jazz type record but it's also not mellow hotel lobby music either, it's somewhere in the middle, pulls a lot from soul music and alternates between mellow soft jazz to like sexy James Bond trumpet music and it's just cool as fuck, this is cool

My first jazz album on the list and it’s one I haven’t listened to before. I tend to like more experimental and avant garde jazz, but this was still very solid and enjoyable

No es mi taza de café favorita.

Overall: 8/10 The kind of "background music" that infects your soul and dictates your entire emotional state. I certainly felt different while listening to this then I did before I started. The compositions are incredible and every musician brings their all. There were so many little moments that made me stop what I was doing to really pay extra attention and that's just impressive and awe-inspiring to me. Jazz is still a bit tough for me to enjoy all the time but this was a good day for me to have something like this pop up on the list. Not sure if I would rate it so highly on a different day, but I think it's great. Fav Song: Minawa Least Fav Song: Blues for Huey

Brilliant, I enjoyed this discovery. Somewhere between Mingus and Miles with South African vibe. The Big Apple was the standout track for me, but they were all great. Will come back

YAYYY jazzzzz!! I’ve been dying to get into jazz but hadn’t known where to start so this was a nice listen.

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

certified head banger

Jazz is just not my thing but I guess this is a decent album?

Perfectly fine Jazz for background music but suffers a lot for all the main problems that plague the genre. Mainly just not my cup of tea even if I can appreciate some of the talent involved to make it.

Alright

Pretty good jazz album. Laid back for the most part with some lively solos.

Ondanks dat het jazz is, heb ik mij niet ge-ergerd. Blij vlagen zelfs vermakelijk.

I love jazz and the fact that this album is not on my radar signifies the questionability of it being on this list. However I am not into smooth jazz which this borders on in my opinion which also makes me question its place on this list. There is a lot of great jazz. There is a stunning lack of jazz on this list. This album, sadly should be neither. 3/5

Really good album! Love the tone he gets out of the trumpet. I have dipped my toe into the jazz/jazz fusion waters a bit before, but never heard of this artist.

You get a real jazz/funk fusion vibe from this album. It's neat, but I still am not a big jazz person, and many of the tracks ran together for me. It's a fine vibe, but not usually the mood I'm going for when I put on music.

Makes good background music. Very relaxing. Makes me want to drink whiskey neat. I think I would like it more if it was winter time.

This was enjoyable zippy, what I would term mainstream jazz. High quality but mostly accessible stuff that I reckon even the less initiated could listen to and at least respect if not enjoy. I think jazz is only ever going to be background music for me but this is a high quality version.

I did enjoy this album. It has an energy and vibrancy about it. the techniques and style resonnnate with me. Thats the key positive as lots of skill and dynamic about it. Some exceptional intersections with the sax and drums in particular. There was lots of pace changes across the songs. My only complaint would be once it hits its high notes it does seems similar to me across the songs so can become background if your not paying attention to the detail. I think get in the mood and settle down and this will swallow you into a very reasonable music fusion fest embrace.

Jazz albums have become the Jehovah's Witnesses of this project. I keep gently saying that I'm not interested but they still keep knocking. This album was gentle and easy to listen to. I had it on during a long drive and it was a pleasant companion. I particularly liked the mix of horns and piano taking the lead on melody. As usual though, the album all sort of blurred into one and sounded pretty homogeneous, apart from a bit of "Ingoo Pow-Pow" at the end which was a positive change of pace.

8/10

Average jazz, which means fairly boring to me

Quite catchy and entertaining for a jazz-album. Looses a bit tension at the end for me and therefor it is maybe too long. Weak three stars. 2,5

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 style of jazz is puzzling to me because it doesn’t seem to go anywhere melodically, but it is nice background music.

I'll be completely honest I just can't get into this. It's by no means a bad album it's just not my thing at all. I appreciate the work that went into this album and it has some great performances all throughout. My stand out track is blues for Huey because of the amazing drumming.

Jazz, algo melancolico, excepto cuando la trompeta suena potente. Si te gusta el jazz... pero tectiene que gustar. Esta bien como fondo de una peli de robos 😅

This really grew on me the more I listened to it. Some of the tracks that lean more toward free jazz really miss me on this album, but the tracks that keep it on the rails are damn good. Certainly good enough to get a solid rating out of me. 4/5 Highlights: Minawa Maseru Inner Crisis Nomali

This was good, I enjoyed it

bloody lovely

I liked it. Straight up jazz.

Only the first two songs of the album were available on Steam, I guess the rest just weren't meant to be listened to. Overall, not too bad of an album, it sounds like background music for a movie from the 70s where not a lot is happening in the scene that we're watching, but then in the second song, it sounds like even less would be happening. Not a bad jazz piece - a bit meh, but definitely very chill.

Yep, this is definitely Jazz. What, you wanted me to say more? My favorite song on this album is “Part Of A Whole”, as it’s the only one I really remembered. It’s the only one I kept coming back to since it’s the first song on the album. I don’t know man, it’s really, really hard reviewing Jazz due to its very nature. Further more, the more of them I listen to, the harder it becomes to give a unique review that's not just a copy and paste of the last one. The best compliment I can give this album is that the piano player goes pretty crazy at times. Would I come back to this? Not really. Did I enjoy it more or less compared to some of the other Jazz I’ve heard so far? Couldn’t really say that either. It didn't really annoy me, excite me, bore me or offend me in any meaningful way so it’s getting another 3. One thing is for certain though, I still don't know how I feel about Jazz as a whole.

Immediately engaging and refreshingly unique at the start. It really drew me in - but as it went on, it became rather repetitive, and I found my attention drifting.

Some people love jazz, some people hate jazz. I love jazz, and I loved this album. It was a pleasant surprise to get.

I like it. My wife likes it. My thirteen year old said it could have a guitar in it. 2/3 ain't bad. I enjoyed this album, it was loose enough but not where everyone is doing their own thing. Parts of it made me think of Coltrane. It did make me wish it was raining and I had nothing else to do honestly.

3.5

3.5

I liked this more than I thought I would, parts sound like proto soft jazz, but when the solos liked in the player really cook. "Inner Crisis" however was my favorite track which has a nice dirty funk jazz feel to it. It does go on a bit long for me and especially "Blues For Heuy" i started feeling some disconnection to the album . But for the most part I really enjoyed it and probably some room to grow . (8.1) ★★★★

Not the most groundbreaking jazz album, but a really nice, mellow tone. 4 stars

3.5

Razzy, snazzy jazzer album with a general rich, earthy, vibrant feel to it. Pretty directionless though and with super interminable track durations. I felt I was trapped and suffocating in snazzy razzmatazzy jazz elevator for most of a lifetime but really I was only halfway through the second track. Wouldn’t want to call this home let alone a possible Air BnB destination.

I am not a Jazz girly

Had fun with it

muy guay para dibujar y pasear por el jardín con Cuchito

Rating (1-5): ✩✩✩✩ Higlighted songs: Part Of A Whole, Minawa, Inner Crisis, Nomali Felt really nostalgic <3

Great and enjoyable jazz.

Very nice

Previše neupečatljivo da opravda ovoliko trajanje.

If you love horny jazz, this is for you. I wasn’t in the mood. 1001 album worthy: nah: 101/188

Really great jazz album. Great to listen to while working. I would say Unhome was my favorite.

Unfortunately I can't give all jazz albums on here a 5

Clean jazz album. Good groove. Not a lot of improvisational excitement but it feels good.

Was hoping to like this one more

great horn listen, I wouldnt call it an absolute classic but if i ever see the LP I'd pick it up, 3.5

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!

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.

Had never heard of this guy. A pretty good, big jazz album for a Saturday morning. Nothing shocking here but a good album.

Bueno

calkiem przyjemny, album typu do wlaczenia przy gotowaniu obiadu

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

Oikein hauskaa

6.5 / 10 - Nothing to write home about however, I also cant really critique this album, was a nice listen

fun vibe

Strong start, love the jazzy vibes. the 1st song began to outstay its welcome after the 6 minute mark. its a good track just goes on abit.

Wow. Not a big jazz fan but this hit differently. African vibes with an almost improvisational feel. Trumpeting is pretty low on my list of favorite instruments but he allows the other instruments to thrive and drive. Killer drumming on Blues for Huey.

unfortunately another jazz album that must have some boundaries

This time I did not like the jazz so much

Some jazz really leans into the messier, more chaotic side, fortunately this is not one of those records. Great interplay of trumpet, piano and bass with some really impressive solos. Stays very listenable throughout.

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! 3.5⭐️

Just boring but really its just not my thing

Good stuff Catchy jazz, did not expect to listen to it as much as I did

My Jazz penny has yet to drop. This was an easier listen than some of the other Jazz so far (looking at you Mungus) and was pleasant at times but at other times it did make my ears bleed and welcome the silence when I paused the jazz. Was disappointed there was not more afrobeat flavourings as was looking forward to that. Only managed one listen through.

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

Nothing wrong with this. Getting older one's mood-palette changes, and whilst this would have made me actively vomit as a 20 year old, these days I'm quite open to it. I'm also open to a hot cup of roasted coffee and a plate of eggs 'n' avocados - and this is the music to listen to while having it. From the jazz voyage we've been on, I've found Jimmy Smith bland, Bitches Brew overbearing, 'Water from an Ancient Well' lightweight, John Zorn aggressively contrary, Duke Ellington pleasant, Kind of Blue sublime. This is up there, putting beyond any doubt that Hugh Masekela is my favourite flugelhorn player of all time.

#DÍA 6: 1001 Discos Que Hay Que Escuchar Antes De Morir (English Translation Below) No sé por qué el generador de álbumes categoriza este disco como “Afrobeat” si sólo la última pista se podría considerar como tal pero bueno. Por lo demás, es un LP bastante básico de jazz, nada que no te esperes, por lo que termina siendo una escucha agradable pero quizá demasiado inofensiva para un género de música del que suelo esperar una experiencia algo más salvaje y fuera de la norma. La atmósfera es sólida, es suave y en general para tenerlo de fondo viene al dedo. Sin embargo, se me hace muy aburrido en gran medida, incluso el solo de batería en Blues for Huey es como una delicada brisa que ni hace moverse un poco al árbol. Las dos primeras piezas si cargan con algo más de calidad y movimiento, las melodías y solos de Part of a Whole son muy entretenidas, recuerdan en parte a Herbie Hancock. Luego Minawa progresa de una forma muy consistente y construye una serie de armonías con las que sí llegué a quedar algo hipnotizado. No obstante, la mayoría del álbum pasa bastante desapercibido y deja bastante que desear. Favoritas: Part of a Whole, Minawa, Maseru Menos favoritas: Ingoo Pow-Pow (Children’s Song) #DAY 6: 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die I don't know why the album generator categorizes this record as "Afrobeat" when only the last track could be considered as such, but oh well. Other than that, it's a fairly basic jazz LP—nothing you wouldn't expect—so it ends up being a pleasant listen, though perhaps a bit too harmless for a genre of music from which I usually expect a wilder, more unconventional experience. The atmosphere is solid, it's smooth, and overall it works perfectly as background music. However, I find it quite boring for the most part—even the drum solo in Blues for Huey feels like a gentle breeze that doesn't even make the tree sway a little. The first two pieces do carry a bit more quality and movement; the melodies and solos in Part of a Whole are very entertaining, somewhat reminiscent of Herbie Hancock. Then Minawa progresses in a very consistent way and builds a series of harmonies that actually left me a bit hypnotized. Nonetheless, most of the album goes largely unnoticed and leaves quite a bit to be desired. Favorites: Part of a Whole, Minawa, Maseru Least favorite: Ingoo Pow-Pow (Children’s Song)

this is great for any mood, just to have it going in the background

Helt okej jazzalbum

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

This album is suuuper 70s. I liked it but I feel like it’s so dated it would be a tough sell for anyone these days. It’s jazzy, sure, but in such a specific 70s way. And I’m not sure I could even say why it’s that way. Regardless, I enjoyed listening. Probably wouldn’t listen again. 3/5

Enjoyed this! Am I a jazz fan?!

One of the better jazz albums I've listened to

No singing-- Feels like ambient background noise.

Clearly talented, liked it at bits and wish I was more in the mood for jazz while listening but... it also didn't do much to get me in the mood. I like to think I was ready to meet ya halfway, Hugh, but ya never popped and stayed pretty meh.

Great smoothie jazz. Enjoyed a nice bike ride with listening to this.

Great playing from Mr. Masakela. Unfortunately, the compositions aren't that expectional. The album is too long and repetitive. Still I could see myself listen this album time to time, but nothing to be too excited about.

While I dont mind Jazz, I typically dont listen to it. Nice album, nice change of pace.

ME ENCANTÓ.

I seem to like Jazz music but know nothing about it. My rating may not be fair

Nice jazz

Pretty good and very relaxing.

Great jazz album.

★★★½

This is a serene, soulful jazz-fusion album, easy on the ears however lacking in the crazy, off-beat twists and turns which define my favourite albums and artists of the genre. It's also pretty damn long at 76 minutes in length, which I'm not entirely sure is fully warranted given what is explored (or not) across its running time. I can sometimes vibe with this sort of stuff, but I wasn't particularly in the mood for over an hour of it today, and I didn't last the course.

Superb. Uplifting music that moves the soul. If you are not familiar with Masekela then ignore the reviews (mostly ignorant), put this on and let it wash over you.

Not a big jazz fan, but this one had moments, especially with the piano solos, that I could get into.

Mere funky end jeg typisk forventer af et jazzalbum. Det næstsidste nummer var virkelig godt

Good time! Lyder ikke lige så vild som mange af de andre fusion jazz plader jeg har hørt fra start-70erne men det er ikke nødvendigvis en dårlig ting!

Quite pleasant..

I like the afrobeat behind the jazz but that is about it. It's another album where I recognize the artistry but I just don't enjoy it.

Hugh Masekela is an international treasure. If this whet your appetite, there is a trove of other albums of his to delve into. Masekela's style has always honored American jazz and soul musicians, while remaining strongly individual. His final album was "Rejoice!" with Tony Allen (Fela Kuti's drummer and musical director). It's different from this, but also very very good. This album got a little long for me, but that says more about me than the music here.

I've heard Hugh's tunes before and I think they're great. Shocked there were not more plays of this album on Spotify! Most tracks around 50,000 plays. Maseru was my favorite track.

Is it music? Yes. Is it music I enjoy? No. If you like jazz, you’ll like this album. Of you don’t like jazz, well you get the idea.

I'm sure for some people, this really hits an emotional spot. Not for me.

daphne's digestion dreaming music

From what (admittedly little) research I did, Hugh Masekela seems deeply important to the landscape of jazz, and this is seemingly regarded to be among his best. While I can tell this is a detailed, sophisticated piece of jazz, I'm not sure I can entirely speak this music's language. I enjoy jazz quite a bit, but my comfort zone usually hovers around the hard-bop, swing and (to an extent) free jazz world. Home Is Where The Music Is has some distance from these touchstones, and while I enjoy this while it's on, I often just don't have the ear to tell you exactly what is spectacular about it. Although, this is still a pretty great album to just sort of drift through, even if I can't take it all in. Although there are some moments here that I feel I can fully appreciate. The Drumwork in the second half of Blues For Huey is really incredible. I also love the second half of Minawa. And Ingoo Pow-Pow brings in some really interesting percussive and vocal components that really set it apart. Also, I would like to note that while Hugh Masekela's name is specifically on this, it feels more like an ensemble piece than a solo exhibition at many times (although he certainly has some fantastic flugelhorn solos on here). Overall, this is pretty great and I enjoyed it quite a bit, I don't know if I see myself coming back to it anytime soon though: maybe someday.

5/5 Love this album. Def in my fav jazz albums now.

Tons of variety, really enjoyed the brass

Good musicianship, but forgettable

Excellent musicianship (particularly the piano), arrangements, and overall sound. I appreciated my listen but I don’t plan to revisit in full; it didn’t grip me like other jazz albums have.

Enjoyed. Good chill jazz.

Immediately A+ vibes as soon as this thing starts, absolutely impeccable vibes. Technically proficient example of music I really dig. I’ll keep this downloaded and listen to it later. The type of music that calms me down and helps me relax

Very consistent sound, would be good as instrumental background music. Best song: Part of a Whole Notable(s): Maseru

lively recording, great playing. has a jazz almost jazz funk feeling to it. very free flowing with a driving rhythm.

Not listened to it much to be honest.

Not my cup of tea.

Disco de jazz entretenido. Pese a que el jazz no ha sido mi género favorito, cuanto más escucho, más me gusta. Serán prejuicios. Tiene varias canciones de más de 7 minutos, cosa que siempre se disfruta.

Really liked this- easy to listen to and very enjoyable.

5/5 un álbum de jazz hermoso con una composición inmaculada sin ningún tipo de pérdida

I don't know a ton about Jazz but this seemed like a solid album and all the tracks went really well together. It was obviously well thought out and constructed.

i like Jazz

Reminds me of SimsCity2000 music

Lovely jazz album. Superbly played by everyone, this album is filled with soft moody sections and explosions of energy. Really makes this hour and 15 minutes fly by. I love the drum tone on here

Fine in a jazz bar in the background, don’t want to listen to it for fun. Pretty bored.

как оказалось, не все эти духовые звуки люблю + африканские чанты не зашли

Pas mal du tout

It's jazz. Not the biggest fan, and the more I hear via this list, the less interested I am. Sounds ok but runs long

My last couple of Jazz albums have ranged from middling to boring so I’m glad to get a really enjoyable one here. Only negative is that I didn’t really like the final track Ingoo Pow Pow and that’s all that’s stopping me giving this full marks. Top Track - The Big Apple

Wahhhh. Apparently! I! Don't! Like! Jazz!

2/5 not bad but not for me

me RE encantooooo me encanta el jazz se me ha hecho un viaje en bus increible

Excellent album! I was in a rut of music that just wasn't clicking with me and this pulled me right out. This is way more structured than what Miles Davis and co were doing in the 70s. It reminds me a lot of what Snarky Puppy would do, which is always a great thing: set up a strong motif and then let your musicians dance around it. The Big Apple and Inner Crisis were definitely my favorites. This is a very beautiful album and one I could listen to all day.

I learned something over the past few weeks. I really don’t like jazz. This album didn’t change that opinion. This was a struggle to even get through. Masekela may be a master of his art, but not for me.

Not a jazz fan. Hated it. The only song I somewhat liked was the last one with vocals.

Good

Yeah man right on

yeah it was fine

When the electric piano kicked in on Inner Crisis, I found myself involuntarily exclaiming "oh yeah!". I also love the little bends the bass is doing in Maesha. I kind of wish more of the tracks had a South African feel like the last track does. A strong four.

Decent for background ambience at work while coding. Some parts of the songs can get quite fun, but it's too long for me and there are enough boring sections to detract a couple of points. My favourite song was the first one, "Part Of a Whole"; the sections that I enjoyed the most came from this track.

I have this constant feeling of being one or two music theory classes away from really understanding jazz. That said, as someone who doesn't Get It but is trying to, this is a vibrant and affirming set. The opener "Part of a Whole" and "Inner Crisis" are standouts but there aren't really any low points.

It’s pretty good for what it is. I’d rather lyrics.

2/10

A very enjoyable listen. I will definitely put this into my jazz rotation

I've tried. I've tried. I'm just not a jazz guy.

The musicianship is clear, but at some point one track was just floating into the next with no discernable unique qualities, and I think that's where jazz lives for me: Love and admire it, but there are no songs I jump up for, no songs that get stuck in my head, no songs I can't wait to revisit. The masterpieces transcend that; this wasn't one of them.

South African jazz with a bit of afrobeat. Reminded me of Dollar Brand and Abdullah Ibrahim. I liked this. Quite a long album

Ganz ordentlicher Jazz. 3,3

Good to study to, was sure about the drums but really enjoy it

8/10

87% Best: Part Of A Whole; The Big Apple; Maseru; Inner Crisis; Nomali Must-Hear? Sure

This album pretty much falls into my "Not bad but not my cup of tea" category. I really enjoy jazz, but this was just a bit too noodly for my tastes.

Kind sweet until the last song, which is so bad and inconsistent with the foregoing that it lost a star

Happy to say I am LOVING this. Embarrassed to say that I've never heard of this artist before

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…