VUSI MAHLASELA

“The Voice”

ATO Records

Like a cool, refreshing summer breeze blowing onshore from coastal waters, Vusi Mahlasela delivers his newest release entitled “The Voice”. Vusi Mahlasela was born in Lady Selbourne, South Africa, and grew up in Mamelodi Township, a fertile environment for artistic creativity. Vusi was saturated with various art forms early in life, ranging from poetry to music, but he always gravitated towards singing. Vusi’s environment, however, was not always so nurturing. He was born during the time period of South African apartheid and government officials were often unfriendly towards poets, writers and musicians that supported the anti-apartheid movement. During his time with Ancestors of Africa (1981) and Congress of South African Writers (1988) Vusi recalls being repeatedly detained and harassed by police officials for voicing the opinions of the anti-apartheid movement. His efforts, along with many others, were finally rewarded in 1994 when South Africa saw the end of apartheid and the inauguration of a new South African president, Nelson Mandela. 1994 also witnessed what is perhaps Vusi’s most monumental performance that he has delivered to date. Vusi was asked to perform during the inauguration ceremonies for Nelson Mandela.

“The Voice” is an appropriately titled CD and may also have double meaning. Not only does Vusi showcase his accomplished vocal style throughout the CD but he also provides a glimpse into South African life with first hand experience in the anti-apartheid movement, which was driven by his voice as well as others. Vusi’s 2003 release marks his sixth album and his ATO Records debut. “The Voice” has been attracting much attention in the U.S. aided in part by some recent U.S. tour dates. Another reason Vusi is attracting so much publicity is due to his friend and fan, Dave Mathews. Dave Mathews, founder of ATO Records and native South African, was instrumental in getting Vusi signed to ATO Records. Mathews describes Vusi by saying, “He was a voice during the revolution, a voice of hope, like a Woody Guthrie or a Bob Dylan of South Africa, and he still is.” Mathews, an accomplished singer in his own right, has incorporated some of the South African vocal styles into his singing over the years and recently even asked Vusi to provide guest vocals on the track “Everyday”.

Vusi’s songs encompass various themes and emotions throughout “The Voice”, ranging from personal loss to triumph and joy associated with living in a free country. Descriptions of each song appears in the CD insert and provide the background story and setting for each song. Songs are sung mostly in English but Vusi also sings in other African languages. Powerful imagery is used in each song and no matter what the theme, Vusi’s emotions are reflected in his passionate vocals. You may not know any other languages, but when Vusi sings a song you can feel the joy, pain or sorrow that he is trying to portray. Vusi often sings of the strength and perseverance of the South African people. In “Red Song” he sings, “So who are they who say no more love poems now? I want to sing a song of love for that woman who jumped a fence, is pregnant and still gave birth to a healthy child.” “Emtini Wababe” is about his journey to meet his father, whom he never knew, sadly finding him six months after he had been buried in Swaziland. “When You Come Back” is a song dedicated to political prisoners returning from exile and a celebration of life and the struggles against apartheid.

“The Voice” provides the listener with creative and refreshing music as well as some important history on South Africa. So who wants to go visit South Africa? Well, for those of can’t afford it, just head to your local music store and purchase the CD.

- Jamie Sattel

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