VARIOUS ARTISTS

“Mandela: Original Soundtrack” 1/2 Mango

This is an extraordinary recording. Its function is to serve as a documentary soundtrack. In that sense, it is a remarkable survey of seven decades of colorfully eclectic South African music.

But the album is also a stand-alone pleasure, a compendium of sounds affirming the rich creativity of South African culture, even when its musicians were making an effort to imitate Western models. The tracks include fascinating jazz and pop-tinged recordings from the ‘50s--”In the Queue” by the cast of the stage musical “King Kong”; “Ndenzeni Na?” by an ensemble that features a 19-year-old Hugh Masekela; “Sip n’Fly” by the African Jazz Pioneers, a big swing band (re-recorded in 1992); and two songs by the Skylarks showcasing the voice of Miriam Makeba.

There is more contemporary material from Johnny Clegg & Savuka, the English ska group the Specials’ inspiring “Nelson Mandela” and pop star Brenda Fassie’s “Black President”--only a prophetic vision at the time it was recorded. In between the period tracks is a lush, atmospheric score by Masekela and Cedric Samson that fills in the transitions in this constantly captivating collection. Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).