August 2009 Music Reviews
Meeting at the Heart; Che Che Khule, Vol. One
Meeting at the Heart
A gorgeous celebration of beauty and the gifts of nature, Meeting at the Heart is an invitation to a sumptuous feast of richly textured piano and Native flute. Every track is unique, specifically attuned to its own facet of life on this wondrous planet. From the first cut, “Hymn to Mother Earth,” to the rhythmically exciting final track, “Buffalo Road,” this is music to open your heart and bring an easy smile to your face.
“Walk in Beauty” opens with a gentle majesty and wends its way through peace and grace, honoring the highs and lows of life, the moments of lightness and those of sobriety. In “Owl Memories,” Eagle Child treats us to the low, haunting voice of our nighttime relative of the forest, supported by Wallace's textured piano background… I hear rippling streams and find shady spots in which to rest. I loved “Wolf Tracks”—delightfully original. Padding along a wooded trail, ears twitching to birdcalls high in the trees… man, I'm there! A wolf in human clothing.
Wallace's masterful piano art and the strong, rich and soothing tones of Eagle Child's Native flute make Meeting at the Heart a healing tonic for body, mind and spirit. Its magical melding of styles will put lightness in your step. This music touched me deeply from the first note, and carried me into sheer joy. Not bad for a day that started off a bit low.
If upliftment is what you're looking for… if you can't get away for a walk in the woods but need the nourishment of nature… try Meeting at the Heart. Your day will be brighter for it.
—Chiwah
Che Che Khule, Vol. One
Organic Sound of South African World Music
Distinctively African, alive with world rhythms and some modern elements, Che Che Khule is a feast of drums, percussion and chant. Since I don't speak the language I can't tell you what Baba Shibambo is telling us in his chant, but on the Internet he says, “If love, peace and soul had a sound, this would be it.”
This is wonderful percussion to move your body to. In fact, it's hard to imagine how you could avoid doing that. The title track opens with lively marimba punctuated by rhythmic male chant and a bit of a tune. It's repetitive, but the energy in the rhythm keeps it interesting.
In the next cut, “Shibambo Ihosi, the chant moves up to share space on a more even keel with the marimba. “Trance Africa” presents a lively drumbeat, garnished with other percussion. “Baeza Gusasa” is more vocal, melodic, with percussive backing. Though nearly all the cuts on this album are steady and repetitive in beat, “Uyexa Umanqhoba” speeds up to a nearly frenetic beat near the end.
Baba Vusimuzi Shibambo is a South African drummer, originally from Johannesburg, South Africa. ‘Shibambo' reportedly translates as ‘guardian of the skins'; the Shibambos are said to have been esteemed for their position as caretakers of the tribe's animal skins for clothing and most importantly for their drums, having vast amounts of land and many cattle, a sign of true prosperity.
A master hand drummer, an international touring performer and recording artist, Shibambo has traveled the world playing African music and taking part in dramatic productions for a wide variety of audiences. Since 1993 he has been based in Sedona, Arizona. Born a Zulu in South Africa, he grew up during the Apartheid era playing traditional African drums. He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing percussion, African djembe, uudu, conga, marimba, mbira (kalimba or finger piano), and even the haunting bushman's bow.
For something lively and ethnic to trance out to, I recommend this one.
—Chiwah
HOME - FEATURES - NEWS - FROM THE PUBLISHER
LETTERS - COLUMNS - MUSIC REVIEWS - BOOK REVIEWS
PLANETARY CYCLES - CALENDAR - ABOUT TLC - CONTACT US
CLASSIFIEDS - RESOURCE DIRECTORY
ARCHIVES - SUBSCRIBE - ADVERTISE - SEARCH
