A busy port on the Southern tip of Africa, Cape Town's musical heritage has been influenced by a host of diverse cultures from all five continents. These far-flung musical traditions have inspired and cross-pollinated with local traditions and talents to become the fascinating mixed masala broadly defined as Cape Jazz.

Many of the songs in this collection demonstrate moppies (comic songs), which emanated from the ghoemalidjies (picnic songs) which encouraged people to dance in the streets. This musical style has given Cape Town its most recognised musical symbol.

The rhythm accompanying moppies and ghoemalidjies is not particularly original but the way in which the rhythm is delivered and adapted to the vocalists and musicians give it an undeniable individuality. The rhythm is omnipresent during the New Year's (Coons Carnival) festivities and the ghoema beat is a constant reminder of the Creole nature of Cape-- foreign influences are constantly absorbed and evolved. Mostly, the lyrics survive in the memory of interpreters. The melodies are always passed on orally since their composers, for most, cannot write music.

Experience the true spirit of Cape Town's musical heritage with an album that captures the spirit of this magnificent city with a host of accomplished musicians.