As I sit and listen this morning to this marvelous album, I am struck with a feeling very similar to my first experience with the great Abdullah Ibrahim. Very beautiful and familiar feeling melodies, yet they speak of a different world. The first 5 tracks are a suite followed by a series of elegies and an epilogue. In other words, the entire album is a composed piece presented in 'chapters' and the titles suggest to me that the theme is the struggle for freedom in South Africa and the final triumph of Nelson Mandela. I don't know if any of this particular music was presented at Mandela's inauguration, but I do know that Zim played in front of 1,000 drummers at the event. One can only imagine how powerful THAT was.Here he plays in a quartet setting with Ingebrigt Håker Flaten - Double Bass, Paal Nilssen-Love - Drums, Percussion, Andile Yenana - Piano and Zim plays Flutes, Saxes, Piano, Sings and produces. Ngqawana's vision and joie de vivre more than make up for any shortcomings that you may occasionally perceive in his sax work. I have found that to be true in both of the albums that I've heard. I also have a mp3 version of his album 'Vadzimu' that I'd be happy to post if there is any interest; I'd also like to encourage anyone who has any other recordings from this special artist to leave me links in the comments here and I will happily post them as well. Please give this one a listen, you will not be disappointed.
