This album, which was recorded at the Brownhill Farm Recording Studios in England, benefits from the expertise and knowledge at their disposal during the recording. But it still remains faithful to the group's originally-stated intention of keeping their old Xhosa musical roots alive and relevant. 'Drums For Tomorrow' is the group's first release on the MELT 2000 label and should take their unique sound and style to a wider global audience. The 13 tracks on the album run from the minimalistic drum whispers of the opening track, 'Gumboot Dance', to the overlapping marimba sounds and vocal scattings of the seven-minute title track.

The album, which was produced by African music legend Brice Wassy, has a clarity and upfront presence that sets it apart from previous albums, but the material is more of the same percussive expertise and criss-crossing rhythms for which Amampondo have received world-wide renown. 'Cumbelele' has a jazzier feel with a lone sax in duet with the understated marimbas while 'Kudu Junction' is more drum 'n bass with some strange noises permeating the hypnotic flow of the track. All these extra little touches give Amampondo the sound they always threatened to produce. Whereas their earlier albums tended towards a more low-key approach, 'Drums For Tomorrow', with its many influences and added textures, finally finds Amampondo producing an album that clearly illustrates how a group can remain true to their roots while couching that music in a contemporary and dynamic format. 7/10

Stephen "Sugar" Segerman

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