Benjamin Jephta: Homecoming Revisited

At 22 years of age, the up-and-coming Cape Town-reared bassist Benjamin Jephta introduced himself to the wider world via Homecoming (Self Produced, 2015), an engrossing debut featuring South African standouts like tenor saxophonist Sisonke Xonti, trumpeter Marcus Wyatt, pianist Kyle Shepherd, drummer Sphelelo Mazibuko and vocalist Spha Mdlalose.  A decade later, he gives us Homecoming Revisted, re-envisioning that material with a large community of collaborators and some hard-won perspective.

Opening on "Prayer for... (revisited)," with Mazibuko and percussionist Tlale Makhene laying down the foundation, Jeptha and friends captivate with work bent on intonements in free flow.  An absorbing flight, it also offers a first glimpse at his fruitful working relationship with the collective Kujenga, highlighted throughout.  "Hymn for Ada (revisited)" follows, gifting uniquely effervescent grooves.  The frontline of Wyatt and saxophonists Justin Bellairs and Buddy Wells brings positivity to the foreground, and the rhythm section, including guitar wonder Keenan Ahrends, is seriously in the zone.  "The Blessing (revisited)," a hypnotic enchantment wholly reflective of its name, calls to a greater power and carries an anthemic line in its conclusion. 

"Still I Rise (part 1) (revisited)," featuring a large gathering including Kujenga, Makhene, saxophonists Linda Sikhakhane and Danni McKinnon, trumpeter Ndabo Zulu, drummer Leagan Starchild, and percussionist Gontse Makhene, deals in dovetailing South African sensibilities and a touch of Afrobeat nouveau. It stands in contrast to "Still I Rise (part 2)," a cooler and sleeker vehicle spotlighting vocalist Jodi Fredericks' soulful lines and Darren English's effects-laden trumpet.  "One for the Plein" (revisited)," showcasing Mthunzi Mvubu's winning flute, goes another way, with airy resonance and dynamic development.

Jephta and company revel in the art of trance dance on "Homecoming (part 1)(revisited)," where Xonti makes his presence felt and Bokani Dyer proves to be a key figure.  Part two, framed another way, sees trumpeter Robbin Fassie soaring.  "Be Strong (revisited)," an upbeat send-off with a sizeable cast including Kujenga, Sikhakhane, Mazibuko, Dyer, Siya Makuzeni, Siyabonga Mthembu, Tlale Makhene and Gontse Makhene, leaves little doubt as to how Jeptha defines unity through community. An intergenerational love letter to sound and scene, this simultaneous look back and step forward makes it clear that you truly can go home.  

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