André Monde de Lang

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Andre De Lang 'Homecoming' [De Lang]


If you are expecting to hear a contemporary R & B album, this CD is not for you, but if you enjoy soulful, heartfelt, inspirational roots music, Andre De Lang's 2007 album "Homecoming" is just what you are waiting for. This is an album borne from a journey of life - the past to the present with Andre looking back on his life's story. The fourth track "Hallelujah (I'm Alive) reflects this and almost has a country feel. Given a guitar as a birthday present by a friend with the words "go write that song " it became the inspiration behind this deeply personal 14-track CD. Andre has written all tracks with the exception of track 3 and thirteen. From opening the CD cover with Andre's smiling face on the front, it instantly sets the mood for this uplifting album which starts with "The Spirit Song;" An incredibly powerful native American sounding track. I know not what he is actually singing, but it doesn't detract from the impact – which is spiritually thought provoking, making you want to play it in the mountains of South Africa, as you watch the sun go down. "Awe Mama" gives praise to his Mama, in a spiritually elevating song, which also gives thanks to The Father, incorporating African sounds. "Same Ol' Story" has the lyrics "I am yearning in my soul…give me comfort, make me whole.." The words of someone who is lost, knowing there is more and wanting it deeply, with the harmonica lending emotion to this heavy- hearted track. I always enjoy a good male duet and track 5 "My Music" does not disappoint. Featuring Cecil Mitchell whose voice blends soulfully well with the voice of Andre as they sing the lyrics "this is the music, my song, finds me when I'm all alone, in the silence of my home, the yearning that's inside of me…makes me sing," a simple song being raw and natural in nature. I can imagine André sat up in the middle of the night, with his guitar and a need to make music and write such lyrics. "One In A Million" with Andre's African deeply felt words is another beautiful track. The album title track "Homecoming" features Lefifi Tladi, with African lyrical poetry, in this up-tempo, happy track and all those beautiful African sounds. "Hymn For The Pacemaker" simply features André's vocals, a grand piano and a Hammond in this praising song. "Love Is" follows with the words "let love rain upon the nation to the point of saturation". "Thula Mama" – meaning be quiet mother, acknowledges the influence and love of his mother. "African Child" again featuring Lefifi Tladi follows with a short African poem. "Strength In You" is a song about everyone needing a friend to lean on with the lyrics "when my light has gone from my eyes I know you will lead me home". "Die Stem Revisited" (meaning 'The Voice' – which was the Afrikaans national anthem used during the apartheid years in South Africa), has Andre lending his interpretation, with a soothing bit of harmonica. The CD ends with "Tshoha, Tshoha" meaning 'wake up, wake up' in the South African language of Seswana or Tswana (English translation). A mainly instrumental track with the stunning sound of the alto sax, acoustic guitar and subtle accordion ending with the singing of the title lyrics, tshoha, tshoha. The album transports you to Africa, gives you a feel of Andre and his culture and even has a French flavour at times, using musicians who really seem to feel the passion André had in mind when making the album. The CD is a celebration of life, with hopes and aspirations for the future and refreshingly uplifts and inspires. An original. Well recommended.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

- Just Soul