When those feisty veterans the Mahotella Queens complained that young South African musicians have failed to break into the international market because they are too obsessed with America, they might well have been talking about Freshlyground. They are a band from Cape Town who have had success back home but are influenced more by soul and western pop than township styles. Now they are out to prove that the Queens are wrong.
There is some fine singing from Zolani Mahola and some impressively varied songs, from the intimate Vanish (which includes such non-township lyrics as: "Do you remember skinny-dipping in my pool?") to the jaunty I Am The Man. Not all the lyrics are in English, but it's only when they break into the upbeat Mowbray Kaap that they sound distinctively South African.