Tony Cox, the South African wizard on the 12-string guitar, recorded
Matabele Ants, his fourth regular studio album, together with the percussionist Barry Van Zyl. Apart from
Cox' usual masterful guitar work (check out "Anthole" to hear how he creates the impression of ants scurrying around), Van Zyl contributes some magnificent ideas such as a brushes solo on a telephone directory. All in all, the African soul in this music is always present and holds everything together nicely, and so it is forgiven that "Kwazulu" sometimes sounds suspiciously like the Woodstock Festival opener "Freedom" by
Richie Havens. ~ Frank Eisenhuth