Hugh Masekela, known as the "Witch Doctor," was a highly influential South African jazz musician and anti-apartheid activist. Born on April 4, 1939, in Witbank, South Africa, Masekela began playing the trumpet at an early age. His musical talent was recognized early on, and he quickly became a prodigy, honing his skills at the Huddersfield School of Music in England. Masekela's music was deeply rooted in his African heritage and reflected the struggles of his people under apartheid. In the 1960s, he released several politically charged albums, such as "The Lasting Impressions of Ooga Booga" and "Riot." These albums showcased his unique blend of jazz, funk, and traditional South African rhythms.
Dark Night of the Soul: The elves catch up and overpower Emily and her team. The Amulet tries to take control while Emily is weak and Luger prepares to kill her on the spot.
As they escape, Emily almost falls off a cliff, watches from afar as elves burn the last of the fruit-bearing Gadoba trees and sees a tree that is strangely similar to the tree in the prologue of Amulet Book One when her dad dies. Premise Amulet is a superhero tale about Emily Hayes, a young girl who must learn to use the power of a magical amulet to save her family from a world of fantasy and danger since this is one long story broken up into five installments, the premise is the same for each book.
" These albums showcased his unique blend of jazz, funk, and traditional South African rhythms. As an anti-apartheid activist, Masekela had a strong voice that resonated with many people. He used his music as a platform to speak out against the injustices of apartheid, and his songs became anthems for the struggle.
Amulet bokk 2
By Chris Wilson
Editor-in-Geek
Author & Illustrator: Kazu Kibuishi
Publisher: Graphix (an imprint of Scholastic)
Genre: Fantasy and Science Fiction
Format: Hardcover
Volume : Book 2
Pages: 224
Color: Color
ISBN-10: 0-439-84683-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-439-84682-0
REVIEW
After reading the first installment of the series, I knew that kids would devour AMULET. I was right. I no more than introduced the book to elementary students that they began asking when the next one was due out. They were hooked. Who wouldn’t be? The story is strong and exciting, scary and inviting, and an all around good book for boys and girls.
In my first review, I stated that AMULET was a keeper and I still feel that holds true. The second in the series continues the pace and intensity, and continues to develop the characters. I am especially happy to see more time being spent on Navin and his maturity. Slowly but surely these children are turning into heroes.
The fantasy story with dollops of science fiction is a nice blend, and the female protagonist is nicely complimented with the strong mentor of Leon the fox-guide and Emily’s hero-to-be younger brother.
AMULETE BOOK 2: THE STONEKEEPER’S CURSE is a astonishingly complex and intense storyline for children, one that I have no trouble getting kids to read and fall in love with. I’m ready for the next book and volume two has not yet hit shelves. I know the kids will clamor for more once they read this installment.
IN THE CLASSROOM
The overarching theme of control is aptly written with the amulet itself as a metaphor for our base human instincts. In book two, Emily is in a constant struggle to suppress the power-hungry amulet, which is trying to persuade her to give in to the power and let it roll through her. Teachers with a flair for geekness, should guide students to create a text-to-text (text-to-film) connection with Star Wars and the push for the Skywalker boys (Anakin first and Luke later) to give in to the dark side of the force. We can later connect those feelings to ethical dilemmas and the choice to do right in spite of our feelings of anxiety, anger or pain.
AGE RECOMMENDATION
Chris’ Rating: Ages 9 and older
Publisher’s Rating: Ages 9-12
BE AWARE
The concerns are the same as in the first book: magic, monsters and swordplay.
CHRIS’ RECOMMENDATION:
Highly Recommended
Debate: Will Kanalis have an antidote? Unaware of the elves lurking around them, Emily and her team travel through the city of anthropomorphic animals, looking for a doctor. At the hospital they learn of the antidote: the fruit from a Gadoba tree. The only remaining fruit-bearing Gadoba trees are on top of Demon’s Head Mountain. They must go there to save Mom. At that moment, the elves attack, blasting the hospital with a canon.
One of his most famous songs, "Bring Him Back Home," called for the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and became a rallying cry for the anti-apartheid movement. Masekela's career spanned over six decades, and he collaborated with numerous artists from around the world, including Paul Simon, Miriam Makeba, and Harry Belafonte. His music resonated with audiences across the globe, and he became one of the most well-known African musicians of his time. In addition to his musical achievements, Masekela was also a strong advocate for social justice. He used his fame to raise awareness about various issues, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. He founded the Musicians and Artists Assistance Program of South Africa, which provided support to those affected by the disease. Sadly, on January 23, 2018, Masekela passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer. His legacy, however, lives on through his music and activism. He will always be remembered as a pioneering musician and a voice for the marginalized. Overall, Hugh Masekela, the "Witch Doctor," was a true musical icon and advocate for social change. His music not only entertained but also brought attention to important issues. His influence on jazz and African music continues to be felt to this day..
Reviews for "The Global Reach of Hugh Masekela's Witch Doctor"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I found "Hugh Masekela Witch Doctor" to be quite disappointing. The album lacked direction, and the songs felt repetitive and uninspired. The production value was also subpar, with muddy mixing and uninteresting instrumentation. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and would not recommend this album to others.
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - While "Hugh Masekela Witch Doctor" had moments of brilliance, I couldn't fully connect with the music. The fusion of Afro-jazz and funk seemed disjointed at times, and the album lacked a cohesive sound. Some tracks were intriguing and showcased Masekela's talent, but others fell flat for me. I appreciate the experimental nature of the album, but it didn't resonate with me personally.
3. David - 2/5 stars - "Hugh Masekela Witch Doctor" felt like a collection of aimless musical experiments to me. The songs lacked structure and failed to hold my attention. Masekela's trumpet playing was impressive, but it couldn't save the overall lackluster experience of the album. I was hoping for more from such a renowned musician, but this release left me wanting more substance and structure.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars - I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in "Hugh Masekela Witch Doctor." The album felt disjointed and confusing, with no clear direction. The songs lacked memorable melodies and failed to evoke any emotional response. I couldn't connect with the music on any level and, in the end, found it to be a forgettable and frustrating listening experience.
5. Michael - 2/5 stars - As a fan of Hugh Masekela's previous work, I had high expectations for "Witch Doctor." Unfortunately, I was left disappointed. The album lacked the energy and excitement that I had come to associate with Masekela's music. The songs felt repetitive and failed to leave a lasting impression. While his trumpet playing remained impressive, it couldn't compensate for the overall mediocrity of the album.