''Phola'' is a studio album by South African jazz trumpeter

Hugh Masekela Hugh Ramapolo Masekela (4 April 1939 – 23 January 2018) was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who was described as "the father of South African jazz". Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and for ...

. The record was released on via Four Quarters Entertainment label. ''Phola'' is a South African notion meaning to get well, to heal, to relax and chill.

Critical reception

Michael G. Nastos of ''

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

'' stated: "Hugh Masakela's recordings in his golden years have been much more rooted in his South African heritage than the commercialized music he played in his younger days. Thankfully, that trend continues with this very fine effort that has him playing his own original material, his storied silver flugelhorn with all the effusive joy his homeland can now proclaim, and singing on every selection, telling tales of renewal, resurrection, and revived positivity... In the decade of the 2000s, Hugh Masakela has come into his own more than at any other time in his long career, and Phola is a shining example that he's still in his prime, making excellent music with no turning back."

Robin Denselow Robin Denselow is a British writer, journalist, and broadcaster. Education Denselow was educated at Leighton Park School, a boys' Quaker boarding independent school (now co-educational) in Reading, Berkshire, followed by New College, Oxford, wher ...

of ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

'' wrote: "Phola is a new set in which his flugelhorn and vocals are matched against mostly light and easygoing backing from the keyboards, guitar and bass work of his Malawian producer and arranger, Erik Paliani. It's a varied album that switches between breezy instrumentals, township vocals and gently sturdy ballads such as the autobiographical Ghana." Kerry Doole of ''

Exclaim! ''Exclaim!'' is a Canadian music and entertainment publisher based in Toronto, which features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with a special focus on Canadian and emerging artists. The monthly Exclaim! print magazine publishes 7 ...

'' added, "Flugelhorn is his chosen instrument here, and there's a sweet purity in its tone. His vocals aren't quite as eloquent as his horn but are easy enough on the ears, as on the soulful (and possibly autobiographical) ballad "Sonnyboy." ... It would have been nice to hear a few more musical chances being taken here but he has earned the right to rest on his laurels somewhat. A pleasant enough outing."

Track listing

Personnel

Band *Hugh Masekela – executive producer, flugelhorn, vocals *Jimmy Dludlu – guitar (acoustic), tracking *Denny Lalouette – bass *

Stewart Levine Stewart Levine (born 1946) is an American record producer. He has worked with such artists as The Crusaders, Minnie Riperton, Lionel Richie, Simply Red, Hugh Masekela, Dr. John, Randy Crawford, B.B. King, Huey Lewis and the News, Patti LaBelle, ...

– clarinet *Arthur Tshabalala – Fender Rhodes, piano (electric) *Fana Zulu – bass Production *Yusuf Gandhi – release coordinator *Burton Yount – package design *Garrick Van Der Tuin – audio engineer, mixing *Erik Paliani – arranger, audio production

References

External links

* {{Authority control 2008 albums Hugh Masekela albums