Johnny Clegg - Shadow Man (1988)

Another album from the multicultural/multiracial groups under Johnny Clegg's direction. The melding of South African styles with Western European pop is standard fare for Clegg, but nonetheless it always comes out sounding pretty good. There's a careful blending that doesn't always swing too far in either direction. The only real problem with the album is the possible overuse of the dated-sounding keyboards. Other that that, it's generally just straight-ahead guitar bouncing, trap drum set beating, occasional balofon tapping love songs (primarily, anyway). It's probably not a bad choice for any curious listener. If interested in it, one should definitely look into other albums, such as those by Juluka as well as Savuka.© Adam Greenberg /TiVo