Yenana rules Genius of jazz
October 16, 2005 Edition 1
Brian Hough
Andile Yenana - Who's Got The Map? SSCD120
Competition
I was fortunate to be invited to the launch of Andile Yenana's second CD, Who's Got The Map? Yenana is well known as the pianist with both Voice and Zim Ngqawana's band/orchestra. The young man from King William's Town is a self-effacing and introverted individual, but let him do his thing, as he did at the launch, and the piano becomes his slave.
His touch is sometimes so light as to be hardly heard, and then in the next number he takes off like some Stravinsky Firebird. When in a quiet mood, Yenana's musicians play together almost reverently. They are all in sync with each other and communicate silently.
When Yenana lets loose, the energy is palpable and all on stage are energised to blow the audience away. Saxophonist Sydney Mnisi appears to levitate as he wrenches every last minor key out of his instrument.
Trumpeter (and flugelhorn) Sydney Mavundla had the audience in the palms of his hands during the more thoughtful numbers, and screaming and stomping when his solos took flight on the upbeat numbers. Bassist Jimmy Mngwandi was a solid as the proverbial rock, and his solos, although muted compared with the other musos, proved his mastery of an instrument taller than him. Completing the quintet is drummer Clement Benny who drove the group relentlessly and appeared to have some directing capacity.
The CD is a complex mix of African rhythms, influences from US musicians such as Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, and essential modern jazz.
Once again I have to congratulate Sheer Sound on putting their money where their mouth is. They really are dedicated to promoting local talent, and this energy combined with excellent recording facilities provide albums of the highest quality.
Competition: To win one of five of Who's Got The Map? CDs, reply only to brianhoughcompetitions@yahoo.com with the answer to this question: Who is the horn player on this CD?
