jive kayana - rhythm of the brave

jive kayana - rhythm of the brave

Jive Kayana are a local Australian group who play music derived from South African jive. All of the material on their CD Rhythm Of The Brave was composed and arranged by lead vocalist and bassist Chris Gudu. The band consists of a mixture of South African and Australian musicians who play guitars, keyboards and drums, a vocal chorus and a three piece horn section. They play the upbeat South African style with aplomb and assurance, communicated in no uncertain terms on Umfana Omfishane where the drummer Thulani Masemola sets a comfortable drive with Chris's excellent vocals and call and response from the chorus.

Sabona would have been just as good were it not marred by a tacky keyboard sound. Track 4 Ziyagijima is the best number in my opinion tapping a genuinely infectious drive, with nice guitar fills. Chris writes infectious melodies that stick in your mind after the music stops. There is the odd uncomfortable moment on the CD but considering that this is a local effort, it's pretty damned good and totally unpretentious. July 2003