In the spirit of Ntu

"South Africa's jazz scene may not get nearly as much attention as London's, but it is every bit as varied, innovative and creative. Pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini is a leading light in South African jazz, a musician at the forefront of its scene. 'In the Spirit of NTU' is his tenth album and second for Blue Note, and the inaugural recording for Blue Note Africa ... Across this new work, Makhathini condenses conceptual, often esoteric philosophical and spiritual themes explored in his catalogue down to 10 tracks. He draws on Zulu and precolonial traditions and wide-ranging cosmological and intellectual curiosities - the NTU itself is an ancient concept about interdependence and collectivity ... 'In the Spirit of NTU' is an introduction to and summation of Makhathini's musical universe to date. Contrasting inquiry and statement, exploration and discovery, it's the work of an artist possessed of startling vision and dazzling creativity".

Læs anmeldelse

"South Africa's past and present weighs heavily on Makhathini's free-ranging, spiritually deep compositions. Upcoming local musicians help the pianist conjure a rich stylistic mix for slow-building solos with discreet echoes of Bheki Mseleku, Abdullah Ibrahim and John Coltrane. Elsewhere expressive vocal turns from wife Omagugu and Anna Widauer possess healing powers unique unto themselves".

"With a resumé that includes both a TED Talk on art's ability to yield "a new humanism" and revered status as a sangoma (Zulu healer), Makhathini's visionary character, especially when rendered in a rich program like Ntu, becomes more fascinating with each new endeavo".