Taj Mahal has produced Vusi Mahlasela’s new studio album, Say Africa. The album is set for release on January 18, 2011 via ATO records.

“Vusi has a sort of profound beauty about him. He has a light on …And that’s something he would share with Bob Marley, Neil Young, Marvin Gaye or Miles Davis,” says Dave Matthews, who signed Vusi to ATO Records. Say Africa was recorded at Dave Matthews Band’s studio in Charlottesville, VA.

Vusi met Taj Mahal at a San Francisco-area benefit concert he hosted for for 46664, Nelson Mandela’s HIV/AIDS initiative. (Vusi is an ambassador for 46664.) Two years later, Mahal came on as Say Africa‘s producer after hearing demos of some of Vusi’s new songs. The album also features contributions from bassist Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon) and guitarist Mongezi Ntaka (Lucky Dube) as well as Ian Herman, Vusi’s longtime South African bandmate, drummer and musical director.

The track listing for Say Africa is as follows:

1. Say Africa
2. Woza
3. Ro Yo Tshela Kae
4. Conjecture of The Hour
5. Umalume
6. Mokalanyane