The exceptionally talented Smooth Jazz artist Hugh Masekela has released his CD entitled Sixty. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Hugh Masekela fans, and Smooth Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Sixty Hugh Masekela's artistic excellence is on full display as he has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be his best work to date.

This CD will grab your attention right from the very first note with Fela and doesn't let go until the very last note of the very last song Koshana, which by the way is another great track.

One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you've got one of Hugh Masekela's most impressive releases ever.

Listen to Sixty and I believe you'll find there's not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, and the production is simply outstanding.

While this entire album is really very good some of my favorites are track 2, Thanayi, track 6, Mgewundini, and track 12, Been Such A Long Time.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 5, Mbombela. Good stuff!

Sixty Release Notes:

Hugh Masekela originally released Sixty on Jun 13, 2000 on the Shanachie Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Fela


2. Thanayi


3. Shango


4. Mamoriri


5. Mbombela


6. Mgewundini


7. Nomalizo


8. Bo Masekela


9. Tamati So So


10. Ziphi'nkomo


11. Lizzy


12. Been Such A Long Time Gone


13. Koshana

Personnel: Hugh Masakela (trumpet); Don Laka (various instruments, brass, strings, acoustic & electric pianos, bass); Arthur Tshabalala (acoustic & electric pianos, keyboards); John Selolwane, Kenny Matheba (guitar); Fana Zulu, Victor Ntoni (bass); Vusi Khumalo (drums); Dave Reynolds (steel drums); Godfrey Mgcino (percussion).