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Hugh Masekela

Tuesday, July 24, at Nighttown.

By Mark Keresman on Wed, Jul 18, 2007 at 4:00 am

Hugh Masekela R&B apartheid

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Long before "world music" became a marketing handle, South African trumpeter and vocalist Hugh Masekela mixed genres as if it were no big deal. Since the early '60s, Masekela has been mingling jazz, pop, R&B, and African styles, penning the Top-40 classic "Grazing in the Grass" in the process. He even blew horn on the Byrds' chestnut, "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star."

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Johannesburg's Market Theatre, a performance space where blacks and whites could mix freely during apartheid, Masekela just released a live album. Live at the Market Theatre is a fiery double-disc set. Accompanied by a tight, committed band, Masekela soars on originals like "Mandela" and several choice covers, including Fela Kuti's afrobeat throwdown, "Lady."

The irrepressible Masekela stretches several grooves well past the 15-minute mark, making this jam a joy-filled experience.