Sipho Gumede - “African Sunrise” (2004); Kerry Hiles - “Missiles”

Sipho Gumede
“African Sunrise” (2004)

Kerry Hiles
“Missiles”

Sipho Gumede
“African Sunrise” (2004)

There is some great bass playing on this album with some talented musicians backing Sipho, overall I feel the mix and production (especially the drum programming) is a bit weak, but still some enjoyable listening from this album.

1) Straight Home: has a good melodic bass line (with the very recognisable Warwick bass tone) with great accompanying guitar and sax lines. The production and mix is a tad boring, as well as drum programming that is not very dynamic.
2) Phambili: a “live” mix, afro jazz song with vocals, not featuring the bass but with interesting brass and piano lines.
3) A Whisper: again not featuring much bass but has a well played nylon stringed guitar throughout. Drum programming again a bit weak.
4) African Sunrise: a catchy melody, however I find the flute out of tune with the bass (I hope not purposely). Great live drums by Rob Watson with traditional vocals that really work for the song, the mix is also pretty good.
5) Peacocks Today, Feather Dusters Tomorrow: house mix with nice bass lines, however the song and especially the drums get quite boring.
6) Song for a friend: this one has potential but could do with a better production and again drum programming.
7) Welcome Home: a vibey song with a well played live feel, the overall mix quality pulls the song down a bit.
8) Song for Johnny Dyani: a very soulful song played with a lot of feel, for me though the sound of the bass melody does not work in the context of the song. Some beautiful sax playing in this one.
9) Limpopo Jive: happy and vibey song.
10) Mamaye: a lovely percussion and vocal piece.
11) Nikiwe: nice live feel but mix a bit weak and some brass tuning problems.

By Dave Askes 2006

Kerry Hiles
“Missiles”

Overall the vocals are amazing and the bass lines generally work well, especially considering that she sings and plays these lines at the same time. There is room for improvement in the production and engineering but as usual I am sure budget plays a big roll, otherwise a good CD, easy listening.

1) Bartholomew Street: great unique voice, good melody lines and backing vocals. Bass playing works well for the song. A little more in the production and this song would compare with anything international.
2) Lovers Knot: vocals again great, bass is good but not really grooving or swinging enough, bass tone is nice but for me a different tone would work better for this song. The simple production works for the song.
3) Sending my Love: a lovely song but drum sound and feel ruin it for me, same as track 1, I believe it could be a hit.
4) Our Love: nice funky feel (drum programming actually works), a little bigger on the bottom end of this one and it will really groove although it does still groove as is.
5) Salesman: nice open “jazzy” feel (a little like “Sting”). For me this song would work a lot better with a live acoustic bass.
6) Insane: quite spacious in verses but overall quite a grooving song with a strong chorus.
By Dave Askes 2006