Hope
From the beginning of his career, trumpeter and flugelhorn playerHugh Masekelahas bridged  the divides between pop, jazz, and his native South African music. He'll always  be remembered for his 1968 multiplatinum hit "Grazin' in the Grass," but his  40-year career has been a fruitful one. Recorded live in 1993 at Washington,  D.C.'s Blues Alley,Hopefinds Masekela in fine form. He's celebrating,  playing with an African band for the first time in more than three decades. As  such, we're regaled with tunes from the entire spectrum of his  career--everything from the pop ("Grazin'") to the political ("Mandela"), with a  cover ofFela  Kuti's "Lady" thrown in for good measure. Although it is almost too polished  sounding, the eight-piece band is hot, working through the set with outstanding  musicianship, particularly on the part of the drummers. A fine portrait of a  great artist simply doing his thing,Hopeis a good starting point for  the curious and a touchstone for the longtime fan.--Tad Hendrickson