Tomorrow
Hugh Masekela · 1987
44 min · 8 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of South African rhythms and jazz improvisation that captures a spirit of resilience and hope.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bring Him Back Home — This track serves as a powerful call for the return of exiled South Africans. Its emotional weight and insistence on homecoming made it an anthem during the struggle against apartheid.
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Mayibuye — This song blends traditional African sounds with jazz elements, creating a celebratory yet reflective atmosphere that encapsulates the yearning for freedom and justice.
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Everybody’s Standing Up — 'Everybody’s Standing Up' is a rallying cry that encourages collective action and solidarity. Its infectious rhythm and uplifting message exemplify Masekela's ability to inspire through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends South African rhythms with jazz, showcasing strong improvisation and thematic depth.
What we noticed
- Each piece typically follows a loose structure, allowing for extended improvisation sections that showcase the musicians' skills.
- The first three tracks maintain an upbeat tempo, while the latter half introduces slower, more reflective pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- celebratory rhythms for gatherings
- steady flow for reflective moments
- longing melodies with vibrant energy
- suitable for evening relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- seek standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Tomorrow' was released in 1987, Hugh Masekela was already an established figure in the music scene, known for his role in popularizing African jazz globally. This album followed his acclaimed works in the 1970s and represented a return to South Africa after years of exile, reflecting both personal and cultural reawakening.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Abdullah Ibrahim· Miriam Makeba· Oliver Mtukudzi
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Bring Him Back Home
The chorus passionately pleads for the return of those displaced by oppression, invoking a sense of urgency and communal hope.
This moment crystallizes the collective longing for reunion and justice, emphasizing how music can serve as both a refuge and a call to action.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Bring Him Back Home 4:40
- 2 Mayibuye 6:26
- 3 Ke Bale 5:30
- 4 London Fog 7:21
- 5 Everybody’s Standing Up 4:48
- 6 Bird on the Wing 6:56
- 7 Something for Nothing 5:52
- 8 Serengeti 3:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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