Lorraine Klaasen

The popularity of South African sounds has diminished somewhat on the world music scene since its Graceland-fuelled heyday but this disc reminds us of the pleasures of the township style. The daughter of Thandie Klaasen, a famed South African jazz singer, Lorraine has called Montreal home since 1979 and has won acclaim for earlier independent recordings and reportedly dynamic performances. Her Justin Time debut, Africa Calling, balances eight original songs and four covers of South African standards from the '50s and '60s. The multilingual Klaasen sings in Zulu, Sotho, English and French here, and it's in the first two languages she shines (the generic-sounding and lyrically banal "Spring In Every Season" is the weakest track). She has a lovely, lilting voice and versatile style, and the musicianship is top-notch. Bassist Bakitki Kumalo played on Graceland, with Lucky Dube, while another long-time Dube sideman, Mongezi Ntaka, plays a pivotal role here as producer, guitarist and writer or co-writer of much of the material. His fluent playing is indeed a sweet treat. There's a definite Miriam Makeba feel to "Ngiyabonga," an album highlight. Let's hope Klaasen continues to listen to Africa, rather than being swayed by any North American commercial pressures.