CD: Grazing in the Grass - The Best of Hugh Masekela

Today's CD store finds included this 2000 compilation from this great South African trumpeter/vocalist.  I was familiar with "Grazing in the Grass" of course but knew little else from his long and storied career (born 1939 and still active).  He's done a lot of great music, and been everywhere and done everything.  I did not know Winnie Madikizela-Mandela worked for Masekela's mother at a hospital in Johannesburg, I did not know he'd been married to Miriam Makeba!

His music is an interesting mix of South African rhythms & instruments with European production, sometimes almost Muzaky but with overtly-political lyrics (in either English or Zulu). His subtle use of mbaqanga rhythms keeps the music grounded in South Africa.

Hugh Masekela. Now there's a name I haven't heard for many years.

Awesomesauce, indeed.