Nduduzo Makhathini deserves a standing ovation for releasing such a classical music piece in his latest studio album that you can’t get enough of.
You might as well be a fan of hip hop, Rhumba, Bongo, Amapiano, Rythm and Blues and not a fan of Jazz but trust me when I tell you after you listen to one of the tracks inside the ‘Modes Of Communication: Letters From The Underworlds’ project by Nduduzo Makhathini, you will become an ardent fan of Jazz music just like that.
His latest project comes after his 2019 project dubbed ’22 Years of Standard Bank Joy of Jazz’ followed up by his 2017 project dubbed ‘Ikhambi’, and his 2015 ‘Listening to the Ground’ project that was received positively.
From the first track, ‘Yehlisan’uMoya’ on the studio album to the last one ‘Emaphusheni’ Nduduzo Makhathini really outdid himself on the project.
This is that one jazz studio project that can convert you into a jazz fan forever.
“He’s got an album coming out on Blue Note and I can’t wait for people to hear it, because it’s tremendous music. As a player and a composer, he sits right beside McCoy Tyner and Pharoah Sanders, playing a forceful but lyrical style of modal jazz that incorporates African rhythmic concepts,” Stereogum jazz critic Phil Freeman wrote after experiencing Makhathini’s powerful set at NYC Winter Jazzfest in January.
The official cover art for Nduduzo Makhathini’s ‘Modes Of Communication: Letters From The Underworlds’ studio album. Source: @nduduzomakhathini/Instagram
“The pieces they performed had a swelling, passionate quality, exploratory but never losing an essential earthbound feeling. Makhathini is at the head of a small but powerful movement of young South African jazz players, and the higher his international profile rises, the better it will be for that country’s music scene and jazz as a whole. He’s a major talent.” he added.
The 11-track ‘Modes Of Communication: Letters From The Underworlds’ studio album by the visionary South African pianist, composer, and healer Nduduzo Makhathini will go down in history as one of the best projects an African music maestro has ever shared with the world.
Here is the official tracklist of Nduduzo Makhathini’s ‘Modes Of Communication: Letters From The Underworlds’ studio album.
1. Yehlisan’uMoya
2. Saziwa Nguwe
3. Beneath The Earth
4. Unyazi
5. Isithunywa
6. Umlotha
7. Shine
8. On The Other Side
9. Umyalez’oPhuthumayo
10. Indawu
11. Emaphusheni
Stream ‘Modes Of Communication: Letters From The Underworlds’ studio album below on your favorite streaming portal below.