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Sebenza Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: The South African trio of Okmalumkoolkat, Ruffest, and Mathambo return with a follow-up to its 2011 debut, Routes.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Sep 20, 2012
    90
    The expertly produced Sebenza creates a flowing, carnival atmosphere packed with ideas and stripped of the pomposity often associated with world music.
  2. Sep 25, 2012
    82
    The results are fun as hell, yet it's hard not to feel like LV have accomplished something with some legs on it.
  3. Sep 20, 2012
    80
    Sebenza, though, is less a showcase for younger SA talent than a genuine international collaboration of equals.
  4. Sep 20, 2012
    80
    Sebenza demonstrates yet again that LV are an act as admirable as they are on, on their day, masterful.
  5. Sep 20, 2012
    80
    Sebenza sounds like nothing else out there and yet LV's knack for genre-mincing produces an album that sounds both timeless and completely of its time, crossing musical and political borders with confident finesse.
  6. Oct 16, 2012
    80
    Sebenza ranges and explores, opening sonic doors that deserve more regular use.
  7. Sep 20, 2012
    70
    While it presents many tracks worth praise, it lacks the masterful touch that made Routes such an instant standout.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Jul 7, 2013
    9
    Part of the exciting boundary-melting that today's technology makes effortless, and building on their 2011 collaboration with beat poet JoshuaPart of the exciting boundary-melting that today's technology makes effortless, and building on their 2011 collaboration with beat poet Joshua Idehen (Routes), the London-based production team returns to Hyperdub with South African vocalists Okmalumkoolkat (whose previous collaboration for the label, "Boomslang," was a huge success), Spoek Mathambo and duo Ruffest for an album of irrepressibly manic UK funky and kwaito energy. The productions match the mood of the vocalists: dark and murky for Mathambo, cheeky and wild for Ruffest, and all over the map for primary vocalist Okmalumkoolkat this is party music with a killer global flavor, unafraid of limitations or of destroying your subwoofer. Expand