A member of Shabaka & The Ancestors, South African pianist Makathini steps out as a solo artist in his own right and stakes a strong claim as a composer as well as player.

The unique beauty of the music of his homeland, its blend of melancholy and ecstasy in vocal and instrumental traditions, permeates much of this fine debut. On several tracks the legacy of Kippie Moeketsi, The Blue Notes and Hugh Masekela is shown to be in safe hands, yet Makathini really impresses because of his ability to weave together other influences to broaden the canvas of his material. The strong echoes of McCoy Tyner, by way of propulsive themes and hard swing, as well as fellow Coltrane alumnus Pharoah Sanders, lend substantial dynamism to the work. Makathini's sweepingly dramatic fanfares, which use the contrasting resonances of Logan Richardson's alto saxophone and Linda Sikakhane's tenor to their full extent, make a major impact throughout, and it becomes increasingly clear that his mission statement is as much to let the richness of the songs and group cohesion do the talking as it is to impress as a soloist. With occasional singing contrapuntal lines a la Ornette there is a celebratory energy in Makathini's music that complements its graceful solemnity, and the wide range of emotions and consistently high standard of musicianship serve notice of an artist whose future should be interesting to follow.