Graceland by Paul Simon

I clearly remember hearing this album for the first time, with no idea of what to expect. That distinctive accordion wheezing followed by staccato gunshots of the drums, and a lyric that evoked the horrors of South Africa under apartheid. 

Yes, this was controversial at the time, with a cultural boycott in place but Simon was clearly championing black African music by paying the musicians three times the going rate and giving writing credits. It certainly brought bands like Ladysmith Black Mambazo to a much wider audience than they would have had otherwise.

Does it hold up now? Well, I’ve listened three times and I’m listening again which should tell you something.

https://album.link/gb/i/529574560