I love odd-meter stuff, and Ekaya (Track 2) and the aptly-named 5/4 Groove (Track 3) made me feel instantly warm and fuzzy all over. Watch
the odd-meter straighten out seamlessly into an instrumental section in Ekaya - pure magic! The vocals in 5/4 Groove got a bit lost in the mix (although they are just background), but some marvellous solo-ing and lovely ear-bending riffs over the time signature. And then, just when I thought I was ready to dance naked in the streets with sheer odd-meter delirium, wonderful mellow notes came floating across the room at me from Tony Cox's accoustic guitar. The track is called Lidzime (Tongue) - I'm not sure whether it relates to language or kissing, but I found myself thinking of romantic opportunities to play this piece. But then, I am a girl...

The song ends rather abruptly and launches into Asian Trip, with its funky slap-bass intro and wild chord progressions, followed by Iklanganile i Afrika (Africa is One), showing off Gito's incredible vocal range. I've always been amazed at his voice, capable of soaring to incredible heights with ease, and this song shows his voice off beautifully. The song is made all the more attractive by its simplicity: purely Gito on vocals and bass with Tony Cox on accoustic guitars. Lovely stuff.

Caribbean Fusion is my favourite track on this album and features tuneful steel drumming by Dave Reynolds. I can imagine many a hotel band covering this song - it just has that kind of easy-listening appeal, especially if you're sipping pina colada and smelling of suntan oil on some exotic beach. But I digress...Gito really knows how to capture moods and flavours and translate them into notes to be easily savoured by the listener. Anyone for pineapple?

Ifikile Inkululeko (Freedom is Here) is a celebration and Busi Mhlongo does a stirling job on backing vocals, lifting this song with almost gospel fervour. Damn fine musicianship is evident all over this album and I applaud Gito for using different musicians on various tracks to
get the best out of each piece. (I wish some of our pop artists would learn that lesson.) And speaking of gospel fervour, Ampvula ya Vuyo (The Rain Is Coming) keeps you celebrating with bass and sax solos, and the stunning voice of Ms Mhlongo.

Vaughan Tromp's saxophone features beautifully in Yimbela, Johnny Choncho's fingers fly all over his guitar fretboard in Kuluma Nami (Talk To Me), and Saskia Juhasz (violin) and Tony Cox (accoustic guitar) come to the fore in Ancestors - all testimony to Gito's willingness to let others have a share of the spotlight. Isn't that, after all, what music is all about? PS: Who is the mouth-organist in Ancestors? No, this is not another competition - I genuinely want to know!