The Very Best of the Manhattan Brothers

This compilation of hits from the Manhattan Brothers has true historical importance. Herein, for example, you will find the first recordings of Miriam Makeba. These recordings also document paramount musical developments in South Africa of vast consequence within and beyond their immediate geographical, social, economic and cultural contexts. The productions of The Manhattan Brothers were conduits for the reinterpretation of several North American and African popular and traditional musical expressions such as ragtime, jive, swing, doo-wop, several jazz strains, Marabi, as well as, choral and Zulu harmonic and melodic concepts. They also figure prominently in the progress of figures such as Hugh Masekela and Abdullah Ibrahim.

When all is said and done, and much else could be said and done when dealing with the Manhattan Brothers, the music in this album is what matters. Herein you have fun tunes with marvelous musicians that pack a wallop with their precise soloing and judicious support. They were the type of group that would get your head bopping and your feet tapping and stomping, whether you wanted to or not. This compilation has no fillers and it leaves you feeling good. It is an album worth having that features songs in English and African languages with a welcomed salutary effect supported by extensive and first-rate liner notes.

Track listing: 1. Vuka Vuka 2. Mangoane 3. Tula Ndivile 4. Be My Guest 5. Sinners Are Welcome 6. Jikela Emaweni 7. Malayisha 8. Baby Ntsoare 9. Chaka 10. Thaba Tseu 11. Dubula Mfanandini 12. Ntyilo Ntyilo 13. Hlompa 14. Manyeo 15. Unonkisa Kae 16. Patience And Fortitude 17. Ulova 18. Ishumelosheleni 19. Marie 20. Laku Tshoni 'Ilanga

Personnel: The extensive list of musicians is included in the liner notes.