Dwain

• This album is definitely a journey in its entirety. It’s the kind of album you have to listen to from front to back intently without interruption to fully experience what Makhathini is portraying and the journey he intends for the album to be.

• Emlilweni is a masterpiece of a track and stands out way above the rest on the album.

• Some of the dissonance and lack of tonality in this album does not always speak to me but I do really enjoy how Makhathini melds together different elements of jazz and african music into this album that really does feel like a spiritual african journey through his lense.

Overall score: 8.1/10

Max

• The album is great in its own right. Makhathini has an excellent future and already has a great body of work. The album is a spiritual homage to his homeland, and combines elements of various historical figures in jazz music, and refers to the troubled history of South Africa. It’s a musical showcase exemplifying ‘how-you-play’ not always ‘what-you-play.’ I despise some of the Fade-outs but understand their purpose, yet, some of them seem to go against the whole point of some of the elements in this music. If you want to be spiritual and musically moving, why end it before it’s over? The statement is unfinished. It’s a sign of the musical future of this music we call Jazz, and I am glad to see that there’ll be a lot more to come from South Africa on the Blue Note Label. Also, I love the instrumentation and featuring the different sounds of Soprano, Alto and Tenor Saxes. I’m a swinger at-heart, and do wish there was either a swing solo section or some elements of swing included, but I understand how it may not fit or be particularly useful with these songs and style. Is it Jazz, though?... I would argue yes, but can see where some may differ. I'm conflicted at what to call it, or if there is any need to call it anything at all.

Overall score: 7.5/10