Reviewed by Jamie Hailstone

You would not expect a CD by a string quartet to be funky and make you smile, but then the 'Soweto String Quartet Plays Gospel' is anything but your average classical release. The tracks on this release range from the predictable ("Amazing Grace") to the less so (Boney M's "Rivers of Babylon"), and they are all stunningly played by this group of South African musicians. The group themselves claim they can count a certain Nelson Mandela as a fan and they were resident musicians at Sun City for nine months. Like the quartet themselves, this CD is a curious fusion of South African rhythms and European classical music. Sandile Khemese, Thami Khemese, Makhosini Mnguni and Reuben Khemese have rightly taken their home country by storm and it would be good to see this pioneering quartet get wider recognition in Europe. "How Great Thou Art" is as uplifting as the early morning sunrise and guest vocalist Rebecca Malope gives a stirring performance on "Amazing Grace" and "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic". If you are looking for an inspirational CD with a difference, this is worth investigating.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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