Linda Sikhakhane names his fifth album LINDA

Four albums went out under other titles. The fifth is simply “LINDA”, which is the saxophonist’s own name. Born in Umlazi, of KwaNongoma descent, he releases it through Blue Note on 4 September.

The interesting thing is not the title but who is in the room. Nduduzo Makhathini, his mentor, produces. His younger brother Thabo Sikhakhane plays trumpet on “Uzalo”. The singer Omagugu is on “Days Begin To Sing”, the rapper Zuluboy on “Ilanga”, Ovuyonke on “Izibusiso”. The credits read like a family tree.

The musical grammar is plural too. The label describes the record as South African jazz with hip hop, mzansi neo-soul and amapiano folded into it, and as a meditation on love, belonging and shared destinies. That is a wide claim; the specific names in the credits keep it on the ground.

In 2022 Sikhakhane was named Standard Bank Young Jazz Artist. Enough time has passed since to try something louder and broader.

The self-titled album is not only a statement about its author. A mentor, a brother and the other guests make clear that Sikhakhane’s musical identity is collective too.