Search - Sheer All Stars :: Dance With Me

Why am I wasting my time

S. Hawkins | New York, NY | 02/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Going to class and whatnot when I could be in my room listening to this CD.This CD is the third of the Sheer All Stars, with original members McCoy Mrubata (sax), Frank Paco (drums), and Sipho Gumede(bass along with newcomers Louis Mhlanga (guitar) and Wessel Van Resnburg (piano) replacing Errol Dyers and Paul Hanmer, respectively. The first two CDs, Indibano and Live at the Blues Room are both worth getting as well.This CD is some of the finest South African jazz to come out in recent times. It features some of the most beautifully melodic material along with thoughtful ensemble work and fabulous solos. In particular, Sipho Gumede's bass work continues to astound me - the fact that he is not well-known outside South Africa is simply a tragedy.In fact, the fact that this recording isn't topping US jazz charts is a tragedy too. In particular, the tracks Lazy Days, Your Sweet Smile and Noodle Did It are up amongst some of the best jazz recorded out there lately, and not just in South Africa.I can't say enough good things about this CD or about this group. They deserve far more recognition than they're getting."