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This is the long awaited follow up to the award winning release Zabalaza from 2004, Thandi is the former “hip” singer of Bongo Maffin (pioneers of the kwaito music scene) and we find Ibokwe in a heady mix of traditional Xhosa and Zulu rhythms along with some jazz, funk, reggae, juju and hi-life.

The track that best represents this mix is the stand-out ‘Ingoma’, not only for the rhythm section and Thandiswa’s vocal but also for a solo one of South Africa’s musical greats, Hugh Masekela but it’s a shame it’s got such a sudden ending though (P.S. at one time Masekela was married to Miriam Mekeba who died last year).

Ibokwe (“The Goat”) has the musical prowess of a springbok as the tracks swing and pounce with a vibrancy that funks as much as anything; not only the reggaefied-Ladysmith-sing-a-long title track, but also ‘Ngimkhonzile’ and the pan pipe ‘trad’ of ‘Izilo’; the bass of Sibusiso Motsoeneng is brilliant speaker busting.

One that sounds a bit contrived is ‘Vana Vevhu’ that finds the band in a “funk Afrika” groove with a touch of Isley Brothers/Incognito), guitar riff, heavy jazzy piano lines and a conscious rap in English. That said, it’s of no matter that otherwise there’s next to no vocals in English as this is a party album for moving feet to a groovin’ bass (check ‘Abengumi’) whilst ‘Chom’ emdaka’ is what you’d expect from South African pop post Paul Simon’s Graceland.

The album ends on a strange on as they go for a bit of a rap/house workout that’s possibly unnecessary (in the context of the album at least) but it’s ideal to get onto a wider playlist (al a Amadou & Miriam’s remix ‘experiments’, the latest being the excellent DJ Aero remix of ‘Ce N’est Pas Bon’) but again, there’s a bit of a lack of commitment with a lame ending.

This album doesn’t deserve to end on a low point so get onto the stunning opener ‘Thongo Lam’ that showcases Thandiswa and the bass of Sibusiso Motsoeneng and put ‘Ixilo’ on again; magical.

With the sad passing of Miriam “Mama Afrika” Makeba, perhaps Mazwai is a successor in waiting? This Ibokwe will elevated her profile even higher and from a jazz head point of view, it has a goatee to stroke and stands proud on the mountain top.

Reviewed: Thandiswa Mazwai - Ibokwe (Gallo) Cat. No. 5051865-5705-5-4 Release date: 12th October 2009
Tracklisting:
1. Thongo Lam (4:41)
2. Ibokwe (5:28)
3. Ngimkhonzile (6:29)
4. Ingoma (6:14)
5. Izilo (5:23)
6. Vana Vevhu (5:59)
7. Abenguni (5:27)
8. Chom’ emdaka (4:50)
9. Vakahina (4:51)

Links:
www.myspace.com/thandiswaofficial