Jabulani

Masekela relives these joyous and heady days of his youth on Jabulani, his new album. Sometimes wise, sometimes comical, oftentimes both, the 11-song set includes many traditional songs that date back several generations in South African wedding tradition. "This anthology and choreography have stayed deeply embedded in my memory," he says. "This is a tribute to the township weddings of yesteryear." Masekela is joined on Jabulani by a large crew of talented players: bassist Fana Zulu; keyboardists Randal Skippers, Xoli Nkosi and Don Laka; guitarists Cameron Ward and Ntokozo Zungu; drummer Lee-Roy Sauls; and percussionist Godfrey Mgcina. The celebration is further enhanced by the joyous and rousing voices of no less than ten background vocalists.