Themba Mkhize

Themba Mkhize: Hands On

by Seton Hawkins
December 5, 2005

If one were to divide Themba Mkhize's career into periods, it could be split in two: the Sakhile period--his time with the now-legendary Zulu jazz/pop group; and the post-Sakhile period--solo albums on which Mkhize's own highly bop-influenced piano comes to the forefront, and the albums come across as accessible post-bop outings with strong African influences. On Hands On, a 2004 solo outing, Mkhize pays tribute to both areas of his musical interest, and the result is a fascinating, genre-defying blend ...