Selaocoe inhabits a captivating sphere of spontaneous, mercurial creativity...In Selaocoe’s hands the cello is a shape-shifter...Song is the dominant form: everything flows from his own extraordinary voice, a soothing baritone that can plunge into unfathomable bass via Xhosa-style throat singing.

Contrasts abound, held together by Selaocoe’s musical vision, channelled through his own interpretations and supported by a brilliant set of musicians who accompany him on strings, voices and percussion.

Bach and Platti are seamlessly interwoven with music from Selaocoe's native South Africa to form a rich and unique tapestry on this arresting, unmissable debut album, which sees him exploiting virtually every sonic possibility his instrument can offer (try Zawose, where Selaocoe imitates the Tanzanian zeze) as well as serving powerful expressive vocals and percussion along the way. The exuberant Qhawe ('Hero') and the closing Ancestral Affirmations stand out, but everything here exudes charisma and conviction.

Nobody else could have made this recording...One moment Selaocoe is growling and beatboxing his way through a playful number hymning his young nephew; the next he is singing a gentle countermelody to a movement from a Bach cello suite, like his mother used to do when he practised at home.

What’s remarkable about this album is not just the strength and ferocity of the playing and the power of the material, but the singleness of vision that brings these contrasting ingredients into a thrilling whole.