Gumboot Guitar Zulu Street Guitar Music From South Africa (2003)

"After the rush of miners to the urban centers of South Africa at the end of the 19th century, some Zulu music, long played on musical bows, was transferred to a new instrument -- guitar. The entertainment usually took place in the single-sex hostels where the miners lived. These tracks were recorded in 1988 and 1996 in Durban, South Africa in such a single-sex hostel. This really is roots music, from the comb and concertina duet of "Kam and Kossetina" to "Gumboot 1996," which is fairly self-explanatory. Guitar plays an understandably major part, with both Albert Nene and Blanket Mkhize offering solos, while more ensemble-oriented pieces like "Gumboot 1993" team guitar with accordion and violin. It's not professional music; these are people playing for recreation, and without thinking carrying on something that's a new tradition. It's fascinating stuff, without a doubt, an insight into something most listeners never even knew existed -- and it's thoroughly enjoyable, too." (Allmusic)