Robin Denselow 

Simphiwe Dana: Kulture Noir – review

Simphiwe Dana's new album shows even greater sophistication than her last, says Robin Denselow, but she could do with a little more passion and excitement
  
  


Simphiwe Dana has complained in the past that the younger generation of South African musicians have not been successful in the west because "the world is satisfied with the old guys", the likes of Hugh Masekela and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. But her country needs new celebrities, and great new female singers to take over from the late Miriam Makeba, and Dana is a major contender. This new album continues the direction of The One Love Movement On Bantu Biko Street, three years ago, but shows even greater sophistication, both in the production work (five producers are credited, including Dana herself) and in her relaxed vocal style, which can switch from cool balladry to gospel and jazz. There's a late-night feel to her songs, and she's at her best on gently driving jazz ballads such as the harmonica-backed Ilolo, or Ndim iQhawe, Parts 1 and 2, which switches from a fine display of drifting a capella singing to a sturdy jazz-gospel work-out. It's impressive, but it still sounds as if Dana is reluctant to leave her laid-back musical comfort zone. Makeba could match sophisticated jazz-edged material like this with rousing township songs, and Dana could do with a little of that passion and excitement.

 

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