South African singer songwriter Vusi Mahlasela has one of the purest, most calming voices you could ever hope to hear. His sounds are light, with a warmth and beauty, lush gentle acoustic music that is often termed African folk, yet also takes on elements of the blues, jazz and more Western elements that Mahlasela has been exposed to in his travels. Yet whilst Mahlasela’ music is about “bringing moraility back to the global village,’ and faith for tomorrow’ of goodwill, love, health,’ as he states in his liner notes, it’s love and forgiveness borne from struggle. His music was closely linked with the anti apartheid movement in South Africa and even on Guiding Star he rails against the greed and corruption of the west. Yet he is also an artist who has used the global community to his own advantage collaborating with Dave Mathews, Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers), even Australia’ Xavier Rudd who he apparently hooked up with at the 2004 Falls Festival. There are also a myriad of South African artists on Guiding Star, even regular tourmates Ladysmith Black Mambazo, offering background vocals to Heaven in My Heart. Parts are sung in English, Zulu and other South African languages. Yet throughout the album he maintains this gentle music, this warm peaceful mood, this lush middle of the road highly polished sound.
Bob Baker Fish
