245. Home is Where the Music Is - Hugh Masekela

I had, until this week, lived in a broadly Hugh Masekela-free world. I'm sure I'd heard his music, and his name was somehow familiar, but not to the extent that I could have told you anything about him.

It is worth reminding you that I don't really get Jazz; it is too abstract, and requires more devotion than I have thus far been willing to give it. However, I have found some Jazz artists accessible, and I would certainly put Hugh in this category. I may not be able to appreciate his technique and skill on the trumpet, but I can enjoy listening to him, admittedly primarily as a nice background ambience.

Part of a Whole has a nice tremulous feel to it, with flighty trumpet overlaying heavy, firm piano and ORGAN (CHECK)chords. Minawa has a nice dreamy element to it, but it is the Big Apple, with its brooding piano and skewering horns that most captures my attention. Blues for Huey tries to ruin the album with an interminable drum solo (genuine question - does anyone other than drummers ever enjoy a drum solo?).

This album does not make me feel any differently about Jazz, but it does make me appreciate that a world with Hugh MAsekela's music in it is better than one without. This may primarily be when I want some music that I will not fully engage with, and those moments are rare, but it is an option for those occasions. 

Chloe's album rating: 6
Chloe's favourite track: 9. Maesha 
Olly's album rating: 6
Olly's favourite track: 3. The Big Apple

Next week is 548. Cupid and Psyche 85 by Scritti Politti.