Bringing together Southern Africa’s finest talents with some of America’s hottest jazz performers, producer, Dave Love has incorporated the best of both worlds, creating a synergistic energy.

An incredible range of sounds are created by melding talents, taking the listener through perky party moods, or into earthy contemplation and even to the feel of a Latino festivity.

Africa Straight Ahead is the latest addition to the sensational Heads Up Africa Series, which began with Smooth Africa, Smooth Africa II, Andy Narell’s Live In South Africa and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Marcus Wyatt plays a hot trumpet on the first track:Owed To Bishop,.accompanied by Sydney Mnisi’s sweet tenor saxophone.

Naivasha (moon in a bowl) begins with rousing chords and a flight of fingers on the piano by Paul Hanmer as McCoy Mrubata’s tenor sax and Kevin Gibson’ rhythm on drums keep the mood perky, upbeat.

Another upbeat tune follows with Prince Kupi’s guitar and Seilo "Skholo" Montwedi’s drums keep beat with Moses Khumalo’s swinging tenor sax, intertwined by intimate play on the piano by Sylvester Manzinyane on Celebrate Mzansi.

Beautiful Love is a much slower, yet moving tune with Zim Ngqawana on flute.

The Sheer All Stars again pump up the tempo with Paul Hanmer doing a serious piano move, and McCoy Mrubata creating sensual vibes on his tenor sax, for Langery

Tugela Rail is everything one might expect from Darius Brubeck handling the piano.
Joining Brubeck, Afro Cool Concept
With a music box beginning sound, Brubeck is joined by Barney Rachabane on alto sax to sway the listener into a sensual mode with straight ahead tones.

Sweet Anathi features Andile Yenana on piano, Lulu Gontsana on drums, creating a familiar jazz sound of exciting, ever changing moods and fluxuations.

Sheer Allstarstake us to Lovers on Empty Corners.with McCoy Mrubata’s sax taking a mysterious lead and Frank Paco’s drums keeping beat to a mellow rhythm.
Louis Mhlanga makes his guitar talk a sweet sound of ‘come to me’.
Wessel Van Rensburg does a sheer piano roll to keep the mood interesting.

With a heavier drum beat, and a brazen sax, Amasabeewelanggenidelivers exciting smooth jazz and African tonation for a fiery fusion of sounds.

Internationally acclaimed Andy Narell, master of tin pan, gives special meaning to the sound of the Caribbean-African journey on track ten: Dee Mwa Wee. with an exciting piano accompaniment by Mario Canonge.
What a way to celebrate an anniversary!

Imbaliincludes Feya Faku on flugel horn, adding another dimension to this smooth sound.

Anything but typical, Shawn’s Uhadi Samba raises one’s experience of the African sound.

This album is sheer excellence. A true celebration of freedom!