Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Louis Mhlanga: Shamwari

Louis Mhlanga: Shamwari

By AAJ Staff
December 1, 2001
Sign in to view read count

While jazz purists might snub guitarist Louis Mhlanga's efforts on Shamwari as simple Afro-pop, this music rises above the elemental revolving harmonies of that genre. Mhlanga's guitar work combines a strong sense of form with occasional detours into open improvisational territory. His core sextet includes three percussionists, which may give you some idea of the rhythmic depth assembled to support Mhlanga's often rhythmically sophisticated work on top. (The recording unfortunately does not always do these players justice, but they do make their mark.) Flavors of South African and Zimbabwean spirit drift in and out, especially on the three tracks with vocals. A strong sense of simple African melodicism in Mhlanga's playing often gives way to heavily jazz-inflected virtuosity.

Mhlanga's music on Shamwari echoes a sense of joy and blissful relaxation. When the other players get a chance to solo (as on "Afrika Ya Uya," where bassist Denny Lalouette steps forward), they respect and extend an uplifting spirit. Most of the time, though, Mhlanga keeps his guitar work at the forefront. Occasionally indulgent in the tired cliches of fusion and contemporary jazz, the guitarist does not follow a pure path. But his efforts to bring together the spirit of improvisation with strongly textured structure draw upon a variety of influences. Light funk, Latin rhythms, and African patterning pervade Shamwari, punctuating the otherwise smooth fabric Mhlanga lays down on top. A fine effort from a player whose promiscuous involvement in theater and movie music, along with widespread production efforts, have earned him notoriety seeping outside the African continent.

Visit Sheer Sound on the web.

Track Listing

Hona Ka; Beira; Afrika Ya Uya; What Happened to Love?; Distant Lover; Chifamba; Kugarisana Nevamwe Zvakanaka; Shamwari; Take Me; Dzembira.

Personnel

Louis Mhlanga

Louis Mhlanga: guitars, vocals; Andile Yenana: piano, keyboards; Denny Lalouette: electric bass; Basi Mahlasela: percussion; Elhadgi Diop: percussion; Sello Montwedi: drums; Herbie Tsoaeli: electric bass (7,10); Rob Watson: drums (1,4); Nomsa Magwaza: vocals (3,6,7); Sipho Nkosiyani: vocals (3,6,7).

Album information

Title: Shamwari | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Sheer Sound

< Previous
Joe Lovano's Flights of Fancy

Next >
Ascension - New Dark Age Vol. 2

Comments

About Louis Mhlanga

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.