Makhathini is one of the most important figures to emerge from the South African jazz scene in decades. A McCoy Tyner-ish pianist whose lushly arranged compositions feature multiple vocalists, strings, harp, and passionately emotive saxophone solos over thunderous rhythms, his work has an epic sweep that goes back to American spiritual jazz of the late ’60s and early ’70s, but bows to the work of his country’s heroes (trumpeter Hugh Masekela, saxophonist Winston Mankunku Ngozi, and pianist Bheki Mseleku in particular) as well.

– Phil Freeman