Zebra Crossing

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is neither the throbbing mbaqanga of the townships nor the ponderous classicism of Kronos's African explorations. The Soweto String Quartet offer a light, poppy sound that mixes their cello, viola, and violins with a South African rhythm section and some touches of winds and brass. They move seamlessly between the scratchy, throbbing sound of Soweto (especially in some of the violin solos that really do grasp the wonder of the township fiddle sound) and the FM radio accessibility of Paul Simon (who they pay tribute to in a medley from Graceland). They are good players but they seem to have been advised to hide behind a slick production approach instead of showcasing their own skills. While there are pieces for just the quartet, they tend to be lighter, romantic works that lack much innovation. Some kwela or mbaqanga pieces with just the strings, using the cello for bass and the viola for punch, would have given the album a better sense of place than the incessant, if pleasant enough, bass-drum-keyboard backing band. Fans of Graceland or recent Mahlathini recordings should take the ride, because Zebra Crossing offers a different view of this popular music form. For those hoping for a radical departure: this is not your train. --Louis Gibson

Tracks:

Mbayi Mbayi
Zebra Crossing
Zulu Lullaby
Kwela
The Paul Simon 'Graceland' Collection: Homeless, Diamonds In The Soles Of Her Shoes, Garaceland, You Can Call Me Al
Bossa Baroque
Shut Up And Listen (Thul'u Lalele)
St. Agnes And The Burning Train (St Agnes Nokusha Kwe-Stimela)
Kadeni Kwazulu
Ntyilo Ntyilo
Where Were You Taking Me To? (Uno'Ntsonkisa Kae?)
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica (God Bless Africa)
Mbayi Mbayi (reprise)

Amazon.com

This is neither the throbbing mbaqanga of the townships nor the ponderous classicism of Kronos's African explorations. The Soweto String Quartet offer a light, poppy sound that mixes their cello, viola, and violins with a South African rhythm section and some touches of winds and brass. They move seamlessly between the scratchy, throbbing sound of Soweto (especially in some of the violin solos that really do grasp the wonder of the township fiddle sound) and the FM radio accessibility of Paul Simon (who they pay tribute to in a medley from Graceland). They are good players but they seem to have been advised to hide behind a slick production approach instead of showcasing their own skills. While there are pieces for just the quartet, they tend to be lighter, romantic works that lack much innovation. Some kwela or mbaqanga pieces with just the strings, using the cello for bass and the viola for punch, would have given the album a better sense of place than the incessant, if pleasant enough, bass-drum-keyboard backing band. Fans of Graceland or recent Mahlathini recordings should take the ride, because Zebra Crossing offers a different view of this popular music form. For those hoping for a radical departure: this is not your train. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Still My Favorite.......2003-03-11

On a recent trip to South Africa, I had the good fortune and privilege to hear the Soweto String Quartet in concert at the Spier Summer Arts Festival. I now have all their CDs (except for the one to be released very soon) and Zebra Crossing is still my favorite. For me it conveys the vibrancy, virtuosity and sheer joy that characterises this incredible group of musicians. Playing it always raises my spirits.

Still play it after 5 years.......2001-04-03

Zebra crossing is one of the CD's I keep playing. Like most of us (I guess) my collection of CD's keeps growing and growing and there are only few I play regularly. Zebra crossing is one of those. It was given to me by a local friend when I was based in Zimbabwe. Never heard of the Soweto String Quarted before. However, once I got "used" to their music I really started appreciating it. It's one of my favorits when I-am home alone, unwinding after a stressfull day with a single malt and a smoke. Not the african music that makes you dance, but great to either listen to or as "wallpaper" while reflecting.

Still Enjoy the CD After All These Years.......2001-01-18

I first heard the Soweto String Quartet when they came to Maputo, Mozambique to do a performance back in the early 90's. I wasn't too enthused about going at first, however, after their performance I was awestruck. I looked for something by them for years and purely by accident found this when I was on leave in South Africa. I've played it over and over and still get the same thrill as I did when I saw their live performance all those years ago. I've bought their other CDs since then, but this one has a special meaning for me.

Brilliant.......2001-01-10

I have never heard such a beautiful blend of classical, pop and African rhythms as on this album. But despite the fact that they are a string quartet, this is not a classical album. The intonation, many of the chord structures and a lot of the rhythms are uniquely African. "Bossa Baroque" is a particularly imaginative piece, and SSQ do a wonderful job of combining bossa rhythms with a Bach touch. This is one album that everyone should have a chance to listen to. Who would have thought that 18th century European instruments could beat with the pulse of Africa like they do here. Some of the pieces are contempory, some traditional. Paul Simon's 'Graceland' album is saluted in a medley, and Sting's "St. Agnes and the burning bed" is given the SSQ touch, and all are wonderful. Highly recommended.

Mixed feelings..........2000-03-15

I too bought the CD immediately after having seen the Dance Theatre of Harlem, in Seattle. I was disappointed at the "pop" nature of several songs though. I think they have compromised their brilliant roots at times with a trashy western pop sound. Maybe I just remember "Zebra Crossing" differently from the performance, or perhaps it was just enhanced perfectly by the dancers, but I don't recall the cheesy bass rifts and commonplace, predictable drum rhythms. Which is unfortunate -- their string playing is so beautiful and evocative, anything but predictable! They are strongest when left to their own devices. Worth buying if you get a good price.