Take everything you love about South African rhythms and choirs; mix in some Cuban magic; add a dose of Philly jazz; tackle issues of love, loss, and adversity; and you get the latest album from global activists Sharon Katz & The Peace Train.

The gorgeously layered tracks were recorded in South Africa, Mexico and the USA, including an appearance by South African choir, Thee Legacy, produced by Sibongiseni Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo fame.

You’ll do a double take when you hear the vocals and think LBM’s lead singer, the late Joseph Shabalala, has come back to add his voice to “What Can We Do/ Sizokwenzenjani.”

Sharon and Joseph started working together in South Africa in 1992 – and Ladysmith Black Mambazo traveled aboard Sharon’s original journey of The Peace Train in 1993 when Sibongiseni was still a youth – so it truly is a legacy track.

On a lighter note, the bouncy rhythms of “Baja California” will make you feel like you’re swaying in sync with the Pacific Ocean and falling in love while traveling down the Baja peninsula of Mexico. Then the traditional medley of “Hamba Joba/ Moea Thulamele Hae” will have you on your feet dancing in true South African style.

1. What Can We Do / Sizokwenzenjani (feat. Thee Legacy)
2. Think It Over
3. La Tristeza
4. Baja California
5. Sister Of The Soil (feat. Afrika Mamas)
6. Hamba Joba / Moea Thulamele Hae
7. What Can We Do (Radio Mix)
8. Think It Over (Radio Mix)

This heartfelt set of uplifting original songs showcasing Katz’s signature blend of South African mbaqanga and Afro-jazz with influences of soul, folk, rock and more opens with the mid-tempo hipsway of What Can We Do / Sizokwenzenjani (feat. Thee Legacy) and the drum/guitar pop-rocker Think It Over, then we get the veritably shimmering La Tristeza and the quieter balladry found within the rhythmically beautiful Baja California.

Along next is one of my personal favorites off the recording, the organically sculpted Sister Of The Soil (feat. Afrika Mamas) and that is backed seamlessly by the joyously upbeat Hamba Joba / Moea Thulamele Hae, the on another version of What Can We Do (Radio Mix), the album coming to a close on the enveloping Stanky and another version of Think It Over (Radio Mix).

What Can We Do / Sizokwenzenjani (feat. Thee Legacy)

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