Search - Vusi Mahlasela :: Guiding Star

Shining Star

Amaranth | Northern California | 07/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vusi Mahlasela is known as "The Voice" in South Africa,but he's a masterful guitarist as well. Mahlasela has been busy lately-from touring in support of this album,to being part of Putumayo World Music's "Acoustic Africa" tour,and performing at the Johannesburg venue of Live Earth on 7/7/07. He's an electrifying singer. I first heard him on Putumayo's "Acoustic Africa",singing the lilting,lullabye-like "Basimyana."



His "Guiding Star" is a haunting collection of songs,many of them about the suffering under apartheid. His "Chamber of Justice" is a haunting reggae-styled song about the nature of good and evil. "Sower of Words",a touching duet with Dave Matthews,is a tribute to a South African poet who stood up to apartheid. Dave Matthews,whose voice usually grates cheese,provides a soft,thoughtful accompaniment. "Song for Thandi" is about a pregnant woman persecuted during apartheid who was nearly forced to kill herself--but chose life because of the life within her. There are deeply spiritual songs such as "River Jordan","Heaven in my Heart" and "Thula Mama." There are great collaborations with Derek Trucks&the Welsh singer-songwriter Jem.The bonus track,a cover of Miriam Makeba's "Pata Pata",is a joyous dance song that catches the spirit of the original. Warning:this song may cause toe-tapping.



As a whole,"Guiding Star" is a brilliant combination of electrifying acoustic guitar playing and powerful singing. Dave Matthews rightly compares Vusi Mahlasela to Neil Young,Bob Marley,Miles Davis&Marvin Gaye. The album is great music for great causes-a portion of the proceeds go to Nelson Mandela's HIV/AIDS global awareness campaign and Vusi Mahlasela's Music Development Foundation.



While this album is relatively mainstream,it's a perfect introduction to South African music.It complements Angelique Kidjo's "Djin Djin" and Putumayo's "Acoustic Africa." It could be called "Vusi Mahlasela:Unplugged." It's hardly overproduced;it's the guitar and The Voice-a perfect sonic pairing."

Ahhhh....

J. Barker | Nashville, TN USA | 05/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beautiful music... beautiful purpose... I felt good spending the money after hearing the story... listening was icing on the cake!"