Comrade Chinx – Ngorimba (1988)

After fronting the successful band Ilanga, Comrade Chinx went solo for a short time before fading out of Zimbabwe's music scene, as I wrote about when I posted his Early Hits lp a couple of years ago. Ngorimba is powered by dual mbiras, played by Robert and Thomas Ndadziira, as well as a thumping bass line. The title track was a hit, and it is indeed one of the nicest chimurenga songs I have heard. Chinx was motivated by zest for the revolution, and his choral roots and political fervor give every song earnest energy. I think the whole album is great, and I hope it positively powers your weekend.

Enjoy!

Zao – Ancien Combattant (1984)

At a time when revved up soukous was the Congolese component of the burgeoning "world music" marketing phenomenon, and when two generations of rumba bands were battling for popular hegemony in the Congo, Casimir "Zao" Zoba released this album that opens with a musical call-to-arms parody. More folkloric than soukous, the anti-war title track "Ancien Combattant" nevertheless became a hit.

Zao's songs addressed social issues with humor, and the music reminds me slightly of Gabon's Akendengue, at least in the sense that it is not formulaic, relying on pop norms. Zao charts his own path, and I am happy to follow it. We'll meet again, down this path, for another installment.

Enjoy!

Ismael Lô - Xalat (1984)

After leaving Super Diamono, Ismael Lô recorded a series of excellent albums that demonstrate his strength as a songwriter and arranger. They also exhibit both his prowess with mbalax, as well as his wonderful, soulful singing. Xalat is the first of those albums, and the cover photo reveals another unique aspect of Lô's contribution to Senegalese pop, one that augments the soulfulness: his harmonica.

Today's post reflects the breaking of a record-cleaning bottleneck that has limited my digitizing recently. This is a good way to resume.

Enjoy!

Kasongo Band - Gejo (1990)

Here is another splendid recording of chimurenga from Zimbabwe's golden treasure chest. The Kasongo Band formed in exile in Tanzania during the liberation war, where other East and Central African music styles influenced their music. During an extended guitar break in the last song, for example, a band member invokes the Congolese animation "kwassa kwassa." While the harmonious singing is solid throughout this album, it's the intertwined guitars that propel the music at breakneck speed, making it impossible not to kwassa kwassa.

The band name on the back of the sleeve is Knowledge Kunenyathi and Kassongo Band, highlighting a leader of the band who struck out on his own shortly after this record was cut. I suggest putting it into your library, turning it up loud, and then going to the useful Music of Zimbabwe site for a little more information about the band.

Enjoy!

Bonga - Kualuka Kuetu (1983)

The sun is flooding through the windows, and one might imagine that the palm trees behind Bonga on the album sleeve are just in reach. Spring is indeed here, though the two feet of snow over the weekend and this morning's -18° F thermometer reading have dampened any enthusiasm for its arrival. Still, the fluffy white stuff, the work in moving it out of the way, and the abrupt cold have kept me off my bike, letting me focus on music and a few other important things.

Listening to Bonga is always such a pleasure. Weaving Angolan folk music with influences from other lusophone countries' cultures. Threads from Cape Verde, Brazil and Portugal abound, but where do they originate? There has been such coevolution of music that those threads are found in the music of each of those countries.

This album, from relatively early in Bonga's long career, alternates between ballads and dance-oriented sembas, with a few surprises. The birimbau in "Pió-Pió" is delicious. Listening to this great, uplifting album as I write, I realize it might not be THAT cold outside. Time to ride!

Enjoy!

PS. This is the third Bonga album I have had the pleasure to digitize. The others can be found here!

Oku & AK7 - Pressure Drop (1984)

When I read WorldService's eloquent, recent post describing the surreal politics in Italy, without even mentioning the sublime and sordid fiasco in the clerical state-within-a-state, and depicting corruption in the Netherlands, where politicians in bed with financiers are fleecing the ordinary taxpayer, it made me think of this country, the U$A. How normal, how absolutely mundane, in comparison. Here our enlightened government has a very hard time deciding whether it has the right to murder its own citizens on our own soil. Whether or not it is okay to have a drone bomb a cafe to kill a U$ citizen who may be reading something objectionable online, or chatting with relatives in Pakistan via Skype. You know, those imminent-threat characters. Collateral deaths (deaths of the innocent) are regrettable, of course. Executing people anywhere else in the world is fine, naturally, so be careful who you are sitting next too! Our eminent president already has assumed authority to kill anyone he deems to be a threat to the U$, theoretically even someone who may have voted for him, believing he would bring a more humanitarian approach to the world's most powerful office. What gives him this right? Legal arguments that are classified and therefore hidden from the citizenry.

As I contemplated the gloomy state of reality, I happened to digitize this record of scorching dub poetry by the "grandfather" of the art, Oku Onuora. His first poem "A Slum Dweller Declares," written from prison, begins:

We wan fi free, free from misery, we want to live like human beings.

That powerful poem is followed by ten more uncompromising ones, mostly set to tough riddims and tight instrumentals. Anyone familiar with the music of Linton Kwesi Johnson will feel at home in this rich, provocative environment. A hard life informs Oku's cry for justice, and passion drips from his voice. In these days of callous, imperial governments around the world, and exquisitely manufactured apathy among entire populations of consumers, this music has never seemed more essential. Where are today's militants? Not the ones motivated by delusional belief systems, but those seeking justice?

Listen!

Pepe Kalle & Empire Bakuba - Le Tube De Vos Vacances (1990)

Are you sitting around, bored? Have some work to do and need something with a kick to get you through it? Or how about music to move your body without thought, which considering the state of the world, is something we all need occasionally?

Here is a high-octane blast of soukous from one of the style's most dynamic and popular bands, Empire Bakuba, with its great, large-as-life singer Pepe Kalle. The tepid ink was practically wet when I picked this record up in Zimbabwe; it was quite a hit at the time in Bulawayo. If you would prefer the graphics from the Paris release, you can find them at VibesDafrique here (though the track listing order is different and possibly incorrect on the Paris sleeve).

I previously posted two other Pepe Kalle albums here and here, but I know, you are after something fresh. Well here it is!

Enjoy!

Jonah Moyo & Devera Nqwena - Taxi Driver (1987)

During the peak popularity of the Bhundu Boys, and a few years before the band and his own personal delamination began, Biggie Tembo lent his endorsement to this British production of Jonah Moyo & Devera Ngwena. "If there was any group to be where we the Bhundus are, then I would look no further than Devera Ngwena," Biggie proclaims on the back of this album. Unfortunately the band did not achieve the ephemeral international fame of the Bhundus, but its prolific output of infectious dance music made it very popular in Zimbabwe. In 2011 I posted one of Devera Ngwena's later records here.

I'm not sure if this record is a reissue of a 1985 Zimbabwe release, or if it also collects various hits like "Too Cheap" from earlier records. In any case this was a blistering international release, and if you missed it then, you can enjoy it now.





P.S. I processed this sound file on the road and attached the front and back record sleeve images from discogs. If you would like higher resolution scans, email me.

Oliver Mtukudzi - Zvauya Sei? (1986)

Oliver Mtukudzi's rich voice and unique musical style have made him popular throughout the world. "Tuku Music" draws from Shona, Ndebele and South African roots that made it broadly accessible. Wikipedia lists fifty-five albums in Mtukudzi's discography, and many of those from the second half of his career were international CD releases. With his tireless touring and prolific song writing, he became a darling of the world music industry. For awhile the CDs came so frequently that each one seemed routine.

This record is from relatively early in Tuku's career, when his popularity in Zimbabwe was ascendant. I prefer it to some of the later, slicker releases, though the intimately familiar sound is essentially the same. By the way, earlier I posted a great live set from Tuka here.

Enjoy!

Zvishavane Sounds - Mutongi Gava (1987)

One of the many ephemeral Zimbabwean bands, Zvishavane Sounds sprouted in a mining community with this powerful album featuring the title track hit. Led by Joseph Mutero, this band is a great example of the high energy guitar music paired with great singing that characterized Zimbabwean pop music of the era. This is one of a pile of records I collected in Zimbabwe in early 1991, one of my favorites. I could discover little about this band apart from an interesting insight, including the names of the musicians, here.

Enjoy!

P.S. Sorry for the absence. After being away from home for a while unexpectedly, we'll get back on track with a few from Zimbabwe. And thanks to Tony, for giving me a more focussed date! I confirmed it with the record label when I dug it out.

Franco et le T.P. O.K. Jazz - 20eme Anniversaire (1976)

This magnificent double album was rereleased in the late '80s on two individual CDs; I have the first, and it has become as familiar to me as any recording in my collection. I love it! From the first notes of "Liberté," I was enchanted. Now that I've digitized the double set, I have double the pleasure!

While intending to post this treasure before Xmas or New Year's or Kwanza or whatever holiday you may observe, ordinary life thwarted my goal. I did refer to the wonderful Aboubacar Siddikh YouTube channel to supplement the metadata on these tracks. I encourage you to read more informed analysis of this recording there, where you may also stream the songs.

Enjoy LP1 and LP2!

You may have noticed that I love the music created by Franco and the incredibly talented host of musicians who participated in T.P. O.K. Jazz. In case you missed them, I have other Franco posts with some of his greatest records here, here, here, here and here.

Chief Ebenezer Obey - Je Ka Jo (1983)

I've had this record in the hopper for awhile, and forgot why I did not post it 18 months ago when I digitized it. Perhaps it was available elsewhere, then, or maybe because my record sleeve was trashed by water damage. The image to the left is one I gleaned from the web and enhanced.

Ebenezer Obey, of course, is one of juju's premier ambassadors, having carried his bubbling music around the world. Released on the major Virgin label during the juju rush in 1983, this album was crafted to cross boundaries, incorporating funk influences and a global pop sensibility. Simple English lyrics make the music even more accessible, and at times it sounds like juju lite. Keep listening until you reach the second side, where the wonderful dun dun talking drum is given much more space to help create rich, percussive rhythms. Mixed with laid-back singing, spacey guitar and off-key keyboards, the dun dun sets up a perfect groove to bring on the weekend.

Enjoy!

Segun Adewale and his Superstars International - Adewale Play For Me (1984)

If it were not for the mightier marketing muscle of Island Records promoting Sunny Ade, this bopping album may have introduced juju music to the world. Released in the UK by Stern's in 1983 and a year later in the U$, by Rounder, Adewale Play For Me is full of tremendous percussion, great harmonic singing, and sweet slide guitar.

Segun Adewale began his career in I.K. Dairo's band, before moving on to work in a succession of bands and ultimately forming his own successful Superstars International. A short biography can be found here. One of the earlier recordings of the band, this record is an upbeat drop to counter the darkness that fills the news.

Enjoy!

Afro Sunshine - This Is Afrika (1989)

The small, arid country Botswana has not been a fount of music, and its pop scene has been dominated by the teeming culture of its southern neighbor, South Africa. Yet in the late 80s a couple of bands produced records, and one, Duncan Senyatso and the Kgwanyape Band,  even achieved international distribution.

This is the other record, by Afro Sunshine, which proved popular in Gabarone, but never crossed as many borders. Weaving strands of influences from the south, and from Ndebele Zimbabwe, soul and even Prince-like funk, this is a pretty mixed recording. I particularly like the song "Tote." See what you think. . .

Enjoy!

Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz - Sweet Mother (1977)

Today I present one of the all-time classics in African dance music. When this marriage of highlife guitars with the most earnest, universal tribute to Mother exploded from the studio in Nigeria, Sweet Mother swept over the continent like a fresh breeze. Prince Nico Mbarga's sweet voice delivers his simple, upbeat messages mostly in English, with a lightness that influenced, among others, Tchico. "Aki Special" is the other mega-hit on this album, which also lent its title to the CD rerelease that likewise is long out-of-print.

This ± 1981 U$ release was among the first handful of 'world' music releases by then-vibrant, independent Rounder Records. Licensed from Rogers All Stars, there is abundant information on the back sleeve and album insert (included in the download). Rereading those notes today, which foreshadowed the 'world music' boom by a few years, is nostalgic. So is the sweet music.

Enjoy!