Word: mapfumoã
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...which might be merely an obscure-but-admirable footnote to African musical history, were it not for the fact that his live show rocks in a way that most musicians only dream of: simple, straight-up and jaw-droppingly good. Mapfumo??€™s talent as a songwriter is complemented perfectly by his talent as a band leader. Even a youthful guest horn player was seamlessly incorporated into the rich, dynamic sound of the band...
...Mapfumo??€™s music shares numerous elements with the best of modern trance music. Both are based around driving, endless beats although in Mapfumo??€™s case, the rhythms are in the distinctive compound measure of the thumb-piano. Both use subtle variations with no single instrument leading the melody, creating hugely long songs (Mapfumo??€™s penultimate song lasted at least 20 minutes). Most importantly, both create an irresistible urge to dance...
...this contributed to Mapfumo??€™s performance at Sanders, which, organized by Boston’s own World Music, was a very poignant affair. Forced out of the country after his last album cut too close to the bone in its criticism of the current government, Mapfumo and his band are now permanently based in the U.S., although only three members of the band were able to perform with him. Stripped of his rich accompaniment, Mapfumo??€™s rich, expressive voice came across almost plaintively, particularly when he sang, “Makuona here kuti mukomana akatorwa...
...Chimurenga music after the historic name of the liberation struggle. This music uses traditional elements, but transposes them onto more Western instruments; thus the rolling 6/8 rhythms of the mbira, or thumb piano, become arpeggiated guitar patterns, and the high-pitched shakers are replaced with energetic high-hat work. Mapfumo??€™s band, the appropriately named Blacks Unlimited, usually numbers around 20, with guitarists, an energetic horn section, mbira players, percussionists and a barrage of backing girls deliver an awe-inspiring show that maintains its roots in the spiritual musical tradition of the country...
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