Black to the Future (Hugh Masekela album)
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Black to the Future
| type = studio
| artist = Hugh Masekela
| cover = Black to the Future - Hugh Masekela.jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| released = 10 November 1998
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio = Bop Recording Studios, Mafikeng, South Africa.
| genre = Jazz
| length = 01:07:23
| label = Shanachie Shanachie 5056
| producer = Hugh Masekela, Don Laka
| chronology = Hugh Masekela
| prev_title = Notes of Life
| prev_year = 1996
| next_title = The Best of Hugh Masekela on Novus
| next_year = 1999
}}
Black to the Future is a 1998 studio album by South African jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela.{{cite web|title=Hugh Masekela - Biography|url=https://www.amoeba.com/hugh-masekela/artist/116209/bio|website=Amoeba Music|publisher=amoeba.com|accessdate=13 July 2017}}{{cite web|title=Hugh Masekela – Notes of Life|url=https://www.discogs.com/Hugh-Masekela-Black-To-The-Future/release/2057002|website=Discogs|publisher=discogs.com|accessdate=24 May 2017}} The album was recorded in Mafikeng, South Africa.
Reception
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
|rev2 = Allmusic
|rev2score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last1=Erlewine|first1=Thomas|title=Black to the Future|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/black-to-the-future-mw0000239349|website=Allmusic|publisher=allmusic.com|accessdate=24 May 2017}}
|rev3 =The Penguin Guide to Jazz
|rev3score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite book |first=Richard |last=Cook|title=The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings: Cook, Richard|page=862|url=https://archive.org/details/penguinguidetoja00cook_1/page/862/mode/2up|accessdate=21 August 2020 |language=en}}
}}
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated: "Black to the Future is a fairly standard latter-day Hugh Masekela album, falling somewhere between accessible worldbeat and tuneful fusion. Granted, Masekela has been mining this ground for some time, but there is a bit of a difference here, particularly the genuine sound of some of the polyrhythms and the way the group locks into a supple groove."{{cite web|last1=Erlewine|first1=Thomas|title=Black to the Future|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/black-to-the-future-mw0000239349|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=24 May 2017}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| collapsed =
| headline =
| total_length = 01:07:23
| title1 = Mama Ndoro
| writer1 = Hugh Masekela
| length1 = 5:39
| title2 = The Boy's Doin' It
| writer2 = Hugh Masekela
| length2 = 5:46
| title3 = Ashiko
| writer3 = Orlando Julius Ekemode, Hugh Masekela
| length3 = 6:04
| title4 = Chileshe
| writer4 = Hugh Masekela
| length4 = 6:19
| title5 = JJC/JJD
| writer5 = Don Laka, Hugh Masekela
| length5 = 4:37
| title6 = Song of Love
| writer6 = Don Laka, Hugh Masekela
| length6 = 5:20
| title7 = Khawuleza
| writer7 = Hugh Masekela, Dorothy Masuka
| length7 = 5:19
| title8 = Child of the Earth
| writer8 = Hugh Masekela
| length8 = 6:15
| title9 = Excuse Me Baby Please!
| writer9 = Hugh Masekela
| length9 = 5:28
| title10 = Strawberries
| writer10 = Hugh Masekela
| length10 = 4:57
| title11 = Nina
| writer11 = Les Ballets Africains, Hugh Masekela
| length11 = 5:48
| title12 = Bokone
| writer12 = Don Laka, Hugh Masekela
| length12 = 6:11
}}
Personnel
Band
- Hugh Masekela – flugelhorn, backing vocals
- Jasper Cook – trombone
- Don Laka – keyboards, producing, programming
- Makhaya Mahlangu – flute, alto and tenor saxophone
- Tuli Mike Masoka – bass
- Kenny Mathaba – guitar, harmonica
- Thabo Mdluli – backing vocals
- Margaret Motsage – backing vocals
- John Selolwane – guitar, backing vocals
- Jethro Shasha – drums
- Vicky Vilakazi – backing vocals
Production
- Kentsa Mpahlwa – engineer
- Ray Staff – mastering
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.hughmasekela.co.za/index.php/discography}}
{{Hugh Masekela}}
{{Authority control}}