Cape Town Revisited

South African piano veteran Abdullah Ibrahim takes his time on this fine retrospective of tunes inspired by the homeland he can once again visit in the wake of apartheid's end. Characteristically, Ibrahim runs his loping, fetchingly melodic tunes together, creating a sense of reverie while he summons scenes from marketplaces and townships. Among the well-known tunes from his illustrious career are "African Street Parade" and "District Six Carnival" (from the suite Cape Town to Congo Square); his bewitching "Tintinyana," named for a South African songbird; and "Tuang Guru (Mister Teacher)," which he takes at a slow pace, dramatically drawing out its great beauty and mystery as his accompanists dash ahead in double-time. Also here, predictably, is the Ibrahim standard "Water from an Ancient Well"--where, of course, the well is the wisdom of the forebears--on which Ibrahim draws deep for his radiant music. Drummer George Gray and bassist Marcus McLaurine offer quiet support. Trumpeter Feya Faku makes three entrances to vary the set, a fine one that is clearly steeped in Ibrahim's warm recollections. --Peter Monaghan