Music Review: Actor Idris Elba offers uplifting journey inspired by Mandela on new album
By Melinda Newman
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Idris Elba, “Idris Elba Presents mi Mandela”
(7wallace/Parlophone Records)
Playing Nelson Mandela in 2013’s theatrical release, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” clearly struck a chord with British actor Idris Elba _ a musical one.
On “Idris Elba Presents mi Mandela,” a 14-track project on Elba’s own 7wallace imprint, the actor offers an uplifting journey, inspired by Mandela and his late father. The music incorporates a variety of South African rhythms and styles, including Marabi, Kwela, Mbaqanga and Mbube, mixed in with Western sounds.
Elba largely wrote the album on a keyboard and laptop while in Johannesburg during filming of “Long Walk to Freedom,” but it’s far from a solo venture. Opening track, the lilting “Aero Mathata,” blends vocals from famed Mbaqanga group Mahotella Queens with producer Aero Manyelo’s Afro-tech beats. “So Many People,” featuring British actor-singer Shaun Escoffery, melds light African rhythms with ’70s-style Isaac Hayes soul.
There’s a warmth and joy that flows through these tracks, even when Elba is addressing death. The lovely “Tree,” featuring singer-songwriter Audra Mae and neo-soul singer Cody ChesnuTT, stresses the continuity of family even after the patriarch is gone. “Although his chair is empty, his love will always be at home,” Mae sings against a lilting African melody. Similarly, on the lullaby-ish “Hold On,” featuring Thabo and George the Poet, death brings only a temporary separation between loved ones.
Elba steps behind the mic throughout, especially on “mi Mandela,” a largely spoken piece that amusingly recounts his adventures playing Mandela.
It’s always tempting _ and somewhat cynical _ to dismiss efforts such as these as vanity projects, but “mi Mandela” feels more like a labour of love that Elba approached with an appropriate degree of humility. He smartly surrounds himself with a stellar cast of artists here, even including a cover of Mumford & Sons’ “Home” to round out this enjoyable and compelling set.
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Follow Melinda Newman at twitter.com/MelindaNew_man
Alwin Marshall-Squire is the Editor-in-Chief of S-Q Publications Inc., overseeing editorial strategy for GTA Weekly, GTA Today, and Vision Newspaper. He leads the publications’ mission to deliver bold, original journalism focused on the people and communities of the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, and the global Caribbean diaspora.
Also writes for GTA Weekly and GTA Today.
