Various - The Essential Guide To South Africa

(Union Square)

Time for a rich South African soundscape to celebrate World Cup time. Many will recognise the deep harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo from baked beans ads if not from Paul Simon’s Graceland. This exuberant panorama also stretches from The Soul Brothers, Mahlathini and The Mahotolla Queens to the reggae of Lucky Dube, including the champions of the anti-apartheid struggle, with Miriam Makeba’s iconic ‘Pata Pata’ and Hugh Masekela’s beautiful ‘Thimele’. With the second disc reaching back to early kwela pioneers like West Nkosi and jazz from African Jazz Pioneers, and the third devoted to 21st urban hip-hop, techno and more, there are plenty sounds to savour this summer.