African Jazz Covers

Re-interpreting a classic is no joke, and it takes a true artist to delve into this path and come out smelling like roses.
A number of revered local jazz acts have decided to take this task head-on and give some standards, Motown, jazz, contemporary and R&B evergreens African make overs. The result is the “African Jazz Covers” album that sounds international with that unmistakable South African feel.

Ernie Smith opens the album with a groovy Cool & The Gang’s “Get Down on it” remake and Jonathan Butler follows that up with his magnificent re-interpretation of the Average White Band’s “If I ever lose this heaven”.

Allou April is man enough to tackle Corinne Bailey Rae’s hit “Put your records on” and gives it a new life with his guitar that talks volumes. The Winans’ “Uphold Me” is also not safe as he unstrips it and gives it new blessings.

Wessel Van Rensburg takes Ronny Jordan’s “Tinseltown” and Kenny G’s “Going Home” and brings them down South, and makes them very much his own. Bra Hugh Masekela goes back to his jazzy roots and puts on a brave and emollient “Smile” on the Charlie Chaplin and Michael Jackson evergreen.

Love what Dave Brubeck did with Nat King Cole’s “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” and he gets a “Take Five” for handling his very own hit. Ray Charles’ “Georgia on my mind” is on mellow street with the Brubeck & Afro Cool Concept spectacular version.

Again, I keep on asking myself what it will take for Gloria Bosman to break internationally. After seeing her on the “Mandela Trilogy” stage production, her suave approach is all the more evident as she deliveres “Fever” in an emphatic fashion. Sounding possessed, she gives the song, that has also been done by Elvis Presley, Michael Buble, Madonna, one of its best and emphatic renditions. Nat King Cole’s “Smoke Gets in your eyes” also gets Bosman’s treatment that leaves it on new high and Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” gets a chilled and emotive remake from the award-winner.

Bridgette Mitchell does of “My Favourite Things” . John Coltrane would be happy with the way the track is done and so would Kenny G. By Mandla Motau