Johnny Clegg & Savuka - "The Very Best of"

I first heard Johnny Clegg when one of my good friend's boyfriends used to make her mixed CDs of feel good music. One of them included some Johnny Clegg music and I was instantly caught by the sound. Clegg is a white South African, his band Savuka are all black South Africans. This group recorded Four successful albums not only in Africa but they also gained popularity in Europe and the United States in the late 1980s early 90s.

Their music is essentially American Pop music infused with African rhythms, words and instruments, think Paul Simon's "Graceland" album. Clegg though infuses many of the lyrics with strong political commentary about the South African government of the time. So while it is catchy and danceable it also has a deep message.

This 17 track compilation collects songs from their four albums and showcases the group at their best. Mixing political tunes like "One (Hu)' Man, One Vote" with excellent pop like "I Call your Name" and their biggest hit "Dela." This album is actually all most listeners will need of the group, it showcases them excellently.