Jazz star Mhlanga hard at work in SA

The highly talented Zimbabwean a composer, arranger, guitarist and band leader, played a big part in producing the self-titled album Unconventional Sol by South African singer Unconventional Sol. The album, a debut by the man who was born Solomon Shimbambu in Pretoria, provides a dimension that is fresh and creative, while deeply imbued with a sense of tradition. Veteran guitarist Mhlanga is one of the crack team of Afro-jazz professionals who worked on the album, alongside ace percussionist Basi Mahlesela.

The set begins with the track that most directly reflects Sols musical origins: the nostalgic Childhood Melody, in which he sings of his mother and the songs she sang at home by the fireplace, while by contrast, the second track Mphatlalatsane drops the listener straight into a township street with all rough humour, sex appeal and a simultaneous sense of both fun and danger.

A deep solid groove is laid down by drummer Sello Montwedi (a regular in both Louis Mhlangas and Hugh Masekelas bands) and Concord Nkabinde, a key figure in modern South African music who has worked with the likes of Abdullah Ibrahim, Ray Phiri, Roy Ayers, Hugh Masekela, Johnny Clegg and Gito Baloi, among others.

Concord is one of two bass players featured on the album, the other being Michael Phillips, arguably best known for his work with the late Robbie Jansen, one of the greatest figures of South African jazz, as well as Judith Sephuma, Themba Mkhize and others.

The catchy Thula Mtanami (Track 9) which reveals that Sols influence goes beyond South Africa, featuring a lilting melody reminiscent of Zimbabwean artists such as Oliver Mtukudzi, while the closing track Kutsutsuma (Track 11) is sure to stimulate the sense memory of anyone who has ever spent time on the Mozambican coast, with touches of 1960s Congo thrown in for good measure.

Mhlanga also partnered South Africa s Vusi Mahlasela to bring out one of the best live CDs ever recorded in SA – Live at the Bassline with Vusi Mahlasela, while his solo career shows off five brilliant albums, from debuting Mukari to World Traveller (2006).