Best of 2012

Home , Bhundu Boys, Kumbia Queers, Niyaz, Spoek Mathambo, Thomas Mapfumo, Warsaw Village Band

http://www.afropop.org/wp/6228/stocking-stuffers-2012/

Best of 2012

Ases Falsos - Juventud Americana Xoél López - Atlantico Temperance League - Temperance League Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan Protistas - Las Cruces David Byrne & St Vincent - Love This Giant Los Punsetes - Una montaña es una montaña Patterson Hood - Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance Debo Band - Debo Band Ulises Hadjis - Cosas Perdidas Dr. John - Locked Down Ondatrópica - Ondatrópica Cat Power - Sun Love of Lesbian - La noche eterna. Los días no vividos Café Tacvba - El objeto antes llamado disco Chuck Prophet - Temple Beautiful Hello Seahorse! - Arunima Campo - Campo Tame Impala - Lonerism Juan Cirerol - Haciendo Leña Mokoomba - Rising Tide Lee Fields & The Expressions - Faithful Man Leon Larregui - Solstis Father John Misty - Fear Fun

http://www.bestillplease.com/

There’s still plenty of time to hit the open road for a good summer road trip. Put your shades on, roll down the windows, crank up the tunes and start cruising. Here are some of CBC World's top grooves for the summer of 2012. These are songs that have a real rhythm and a sunny, happy, high-energy vibe to them.

6. Mokoomba, “Njoka.”

Mokoomba is a band from the Victoria Falls area of Zimbabwe, made up of musicians from the Tonga people of Zimbabwe. The textures on this first single, from Mokoomba's second album Rising Tide, are great, especially the vocals

http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2012/8/Road-trip-playlist-with-Quantic-the-Very-Best-Refugee-All-Stars-more

CHARTS & LISTS AFRICAN MUSIC: THE BEST OF 2012.

This list considers only new, original studio recordings released this year. Reissues & compilations will be considered separately. Sadly, 2012 was not a stellar year for African music. The usual problems which have been the bane of radio presenters continue. People are always peeved whenever they don’t see their favourite books, films or albums on lists like these but they must keep in mind that one can only review or list an album that one has received. There have been many albums that I did not get this year. Moreover, I’m not making myself a pest to radio/media reps at labels as I once did. Also, as usual, the turnover rate is always high. People don’t last in their positions in this industry and the new people hardly ever contact DJs to let them know that there has been a change and they are the new go-to person. Also, I must confess to ignoring most MP3s sent by e-mail. Labels are using this vehicle for distribution more and more. I bought one of the last iMacs last month precisely because the new ones do not have disc drives. Many labels are finding other outlets to get their music heard such as Spotify, Pandora & YouTube. Truth be told, the radio DJ is not as important as before. These end-of-year lists usually consist of ten. Mine has nine. As I said, it was a poor year for African music. After much vacillating, I decided not to include the tenth album I was considering simply because I want a round number. I was listening to this album again. There were three or four standout tracks I really enjoyed. But the dross that was left, laden with indistinct, nebulous “world music” melodies irritated me so! I just couldn’t. So I changed the heading from top ten, to best of. Here goes.

3] MOKOOMBA===RISING TIDE===IGLOO

This group reminds me of the Bhundu Boys, only because they are also from Zimbabwe and they are young. The comparisons end there I think, and one can only hope and pray that they don’t end up like the Bhundus, only one of whom is alive today. The thing that immediately gets the attention is the voice of the lead singer. Mathias Muzaza is his name. It is a muscular, strong but flexible, colourful instrument. What a gift! The album was produced by Manou Gallo; ex bassist of Zap Mama. I appreciate her approach. The songs are sung in ChiTonga and most of the music is based in Tonga tradition. But there is unexpected variety here. NJOJA is replete with soul and hip hop influences. Latin tumbao features strongly on MWILÉ and there’s a little fragrance of it on YOMBÉ. Highlife rhythm can be heard on MISOZI. MVULA incorporates exciting soukous and animation with atakalu. There is a lovely reggae lilt on NIMUKONDA with Mathias growling a few lines in a guttural dancehall vocal style in between. And WELELE is a disco rump that does not sound dated. That’s a feat in itself. Add an accapella track [that feels spiritual] to the mix and the collection might seem like a pastiche. But no. Because it’s not a mixture of all these styles on all the songs, which will no doubt result in a nebulous blob of sound. No. Each song is spiced with these other exotic fragrances. And, it all anchored by that great voice of Mathias. The result is a bold collection and a promising debut. Can’t wait to see what they do next.

http://firstworldmusic.org/wordpress/?page_id=184

Top 20 Konzerte des Jahres 2012 Die schönsten Live-Erlebnisse von Funkhaus Europa Wir waren unterwegs auf Festivals, haben Radiokonzerte geschmissen und Nächte durchgetanzt. Hier die Konzerte des Jahres, die unvergesslich sind."

Fünf junge Männer aus Zimbabwe haben dieses Jahr die europäischen Festivals aufgemischt: Mokoomba. Auch wenn kaum jemand ihre Texte versteht, mit ihrer raffiniert arrangierten Mixtur aus Afro-Fusion, Funk und Latinvibes war am 07.10.2012 bei Trafico in Köln kein Halten mehr. Diese ausgelassene Tanzlaune wurde von Camillo Lara aka Mexican Institute of Sound nur noch auf die Spitze getrieben. Höhepunkt: zu seinem Protestsong "Mexico" wog sich das Publikum in Revoluzzer-Stimmung zur beatunterlegten Nationalhymne. Ra Ra Ra!!!

http://www.funkhauseuropa.de/musik/specials/jahresrueckblick_2012/konzerte_des_jahres_2012.phtml

Global Pop Hits 2012 Die besten Songs des Jahres 20 Global Pop Hits, die die Welt dieses Jahr zum Tanzen, Lachen und Träumen gebracht haben. Was ist der beste Song von 2012? Hier ist ihre Wahl. Vielen Dank, fürs Mitmachen!

Mokoomba, sechs junge Männer aus der Tonga Tradition Zimbabwes, überzeugen in diesem Jahr mit dem Hit "Njoka". Ein energiegeladenes Glanzstück in Sachen Afro-Fusion mit Latin-Einflüssen und vielseitigem Gesang. Macht gute Laune !

http://www.funkhauseuropa.de/musik/specials/jahresrueckblick_2012/bester_song_des_jahres_2012.phtml

DEC 22 2012 AFRICA JUSI I LOVE – TOP 10 ALBUMS 2012

The year 2012 has produced many amazing albums. It’s hard to select 10 outstanding long players, but here is the list. 10 amazing albums. The most surprising in this list is that it includes three great debut albums. Bongeziwe Mabandla, The Soil, Layori and Mokoomba released their first LPs. All of them are very promising artists we should keep a close eye on. Other artists, like Just A Band or The Very Best released excellent albums that underlined their status as musical masterminds.

Check here JUSI I LOVE’s list of the best 10 Albums that have been produced by African artists in 2012:

8. Mokoomba *-* ‘Rising Tide‘ (Zimbabwe)

http://jusiilove.com/2012/12/22/jusi-i-love-top-10-albums-2012/

Top 12 van 2012: Arifa's Anatolian Alchemy nummer 1 MixedWorldMusic-medewerkers kiezen beste world music albums van 2012

De MixedWorldMusic.com Top 12 is er weer, samengesteld door de medewerkers van MixedWorldMusic! Zij stelden ieder hun eigen lijst op, wat resulteerde in een gezamenlijke Top 12. De MWM-medewerkers maken je bovendien deelgenoot van hun mooiste of indrukwekkendste wereldmuziekmoment van 2012. Beluister de albums uit de Top 12 via onze Spotify-playlist.

Wat zijn de beste world music albums van 2012 volgens MixedWorldMusic.com?

1. Arifa - Anatolian Alchemy Anatolian Alchemy van de in Nederland gevestigde band Arifa is tot de beste cd van 2012 gekozen. Maar liefst zeven van de dertien medewerkers namen het album op in hun Top 12.

2. Getatchew Mekuria & The Ex & Friends - Y'Anbessaw Tezeta De tweede plaats is voor het samenwerkingsproject van The Ex met de Ethiopische saxofonist Getatchew Mekuria, de cd Y'Anbessaw Tezeta.

3. Mokoomba - Rising Tide De derde plaats is voor de jonge Zimbabwanen van Mokoomba met de vanuit België geproduceerde cd Rising Tide, die tot in de VS hoge ogen gooide.

Er staan opvallend veel in de Benelux gerealiseerde releases in de Top 12 dit jaar, met op de vierde plaats de hoogst geplaatste Belgische release van dit jaar: Baloji met Kinshasa Succursale. Klik hier voor de Spotify-playlist op het kanaal van MixedWorldMusic van de albums uit deze jaarlijst. Vrijwel alle cd's uit de Top 12, en de nummers één van de persoonlijke lijstjes, vind je erin terug.

De MixedWorldMusic.com Top 12 van 2012 1. Arifa - Anatolian Alchemy 2. Getatchew Mekuria & The Ex & Friends - Y'Anbessaw Tezeta 3. Mokoomba - Rising Tide 4. Baloji - Kinshasa Succursale 5. Masha Vahdat & Mighty Sam McClain - A Deeper Tone of Longing 6. Lucas Santtana - O Deus Que Devasta Mas Tambem Cura 7. Kumbia Queers - Pecados Tropicales 8. Boi Akih - Circles in a Square Society 9. Ondatropica - Ondatropica 10. Blue Flamingo - A Search for CMS 11. Mala - Mala in Cuba 12. Aziz Sahmaoui & University of Gnawa http://www.mixedworldmusic.com/nieuws/newsItem.php?n01ID=11458

dezembro 18, 2012

Melhores de 2012: internacionais Melhores Estreias

Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again Mokoomba – Rising Tide Alabama Shakes – Boys & Girls Storm Corrosion – Storm Corrosion

http://revistamovinup.com/destaques/2012/melhores-de-2012-estrangeiros

Top 10 World Music Albums Of 2012 by BANNING EYRE December 18, 2012 7:00 AM

Mokoomba, a rising young band of Tonga musicians from Zimbabwe

This list is almost entirely African, drawn from my work this year with Afropop Worldwide. (I've resisted including wild cards like the Sambadunda Quartet's Java and Bonnie Raitt's Slipstream, tempting as they are.) What strikes me about my favorite African releases this year is that, for the most part, they don't come from the usual suspects — Youssou N'Dour, Salif Keita, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, etc. A youthful strain of techno-Afropop from acts like The Very Best and Janka Nabay is clearly ascendant. It's taken time for me to warm to this tech-roots approach, but both these acts have produced delightfully musical albums. That said, I'm still kind of an old-school, dance band kind of guy at heart, hence my nod to Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars and Staff Benda Bilili — both bands that rode to glory on the strength of documentary films about them, but have now claimed more lasting fame with great music. Mokoomba, a fiery young band from Zimbabwe, is a discovery, the most promising new act out of southern Africa in awhile. Again, they break the standard mold, coming from one of Zimbabwe's smallest and least known ethnic groups, the Tonga. Debo Band stands out among an ever-improving contingent of U.S.-based African music bands, even as they specialize in a 40-year old music style from Ethiopia. The global culture blender continues to crank out intriguing hybrids. (All hail K'Naan!) But for my money, it's still hard to top the coherence, idiosyncratic logic, and deeply settled perfection of well-worn local styles, like salegy from Madagascar, or cumbia and champeta from Colombia.

Top 10 World Music Albums Of 2012

Mokoomba, "Rising Tide" Zimbabwe produced some of the great guitar-pop of Africa in the 20th century. Most of it came from artists channeling the country's majority Shona culture — Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi. These Tonga musicians from the Victoria Falls region offer a new sound, unbounded by formulas, bristling with pent-up energy, and sizzling with great musicianship. Mathias Muzaza's lead vocal has power normally associated with West African griots (praise singers). Sparkling, expansive production from another West African source — bassist and bandleader Manu Gallo — make for a rounded, worldly mix in which the group's fundamental chemistry never gets lost.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/bestmusic2012/2012/12/22/167750238/top-10-world-music-albums-of-2012

Thread: CDs of 2012

List 3 - World (50)

1. Ablaye Cissoko and Volker Goetze - Amanke Dionti 2. Yasmin Levy - Libertad 3. Sekouba Bambino - The Griot's Craft 4. Malick Pathe Sow and Bao Sissoko - Aduna 5. Arnaldo Antunes, Edgard Scandurra and Toumani Diabate - A Curva da Cintura 6. Habib Koite and Eric Bibb - Brothers in Bamako 7. Lucas Santtana - O Deus Que Devasta Mas Tambem Cura 8. Zani Diabate - Tientalaw : Last Recordings 9. Faiz Ali Faiz and Titi Robin - Jaadu : Magic 10. Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A - Area 52 11. Terakaft - Kel Tamasheq 12. Wilber Calver - Diaspora 13. Staff Benda Bilili - Bouger Le Monde 14. Ry Cooder - Election Special 15. Sidi Toure - Koima 16. Umoza - Tumbuka Voices 17. The Toure-Raichel Collective - The Tel Aviv Session 18. Ebo Taylor - Appia Kwa Bridge 19. Janka Nabay - En Yay Sah 20. Debo Band - Debo Band 21. Vusa Mkhaya - Vocalism 22. Amadou and Mariam - Folila 23. Malawi Mouse Boys - He is #1 24. Fanga and Maalem Abdallah Guinea - Fangnawa Experience 25. Chicha Libre - Canibalismo 26. Kardemimmit - Introducing Kardemimmit 27. Os Cempes - Tentemozo 28. Jagwa Music - Bongo Hotheads 29. Oratnitza - Oratnitza 30. Carla Morrison - Dejenme Llorar 31. Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars - Radio Salone 32. Egyptian Project - Ya Amar 33. Mariem Hassan - El Aaiun Egdat 34. Mokoomba - Rising Tide 35. Seven Sisters Project - Aeholian 36. Kristi Stassinopoulou and Stathis Kalyviotis - Greekadelia 37. Krar Collective - Ethiopia Super Krar 38. Warsaw Village Band - Nord 39. Wendo Kolosoy - Banaya Papa Wendo 40. Mama Rosin - Bye Bye Bayou 41. Cornershop - Urban Turban 42. Cambodian Space Project - Not Easy Rock and Roll 43. The Bombay Royale - You Me Bullets Love 44. Aziza Brahim and Gulili Mankoo - Mabruk 45. Lo'Jo - Cinema El Mundo 46. Ondatropica - Ondatropica 47. Municipale Balcanica - Offbeat 48. Cafe Aman Istanbul - Fasl-i Rembetiko 49. Krom - Songs from the Noir 50. Gal Costa - Recanto Last edited by Lateralthinking1; 01-01-13 at 01:14.

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?7158-CDs-of-2012&s=e1d8d79342ee3fdc5c68a6ddcbb135f6&p=239810#post239810

Each week, the award winning BBC broadcaster Mark Coles brings you his pick of the best new music releases from around the planet. A glorious mix of new sounds from around the world and tales of everyday life as seen from an English garden shed.

THE SHED TOP 20 ALBUMS LIST -MY FAVOURITES:

1. Jack White "Blunderbuss" on XL Recordings 2. Spoek Mathambo "Father Creeper" on Sub Pop 3. Lucas Santtana "O Deus Que Devasta Mas Tambem Cura" on Mais Um Discos 4. Bill Fay "Life Is People" on Dead Oceans 5. Toumani Diabate, Arnaldo Antunes + Edgard Scandurra "A Curva Da Cintura" 6. Neil Young "Psychedelic Pill" on Reprise / Bob Dylan "Tempest" on Columbia / Leonard Cohen "Old Ideas" on Sony 7. Pairs "If This Cockroach Doesn't Die, I Will" on Metal Postcard Records 8. Malawi Mouse Boys "He Is #1" on IRS 9. Damien Jurado "Maraqopa" on Strictly Canadian 10. Cambodian Space Project "Not Easy Rock'n'Roll" on Metal Postcard Records 11. The Toure - Raichel Collective "The Tel Aviv Session" on Cumbancha 12. The Unthanks "Diversions Volumes 2 + 3" on Rabble Rouser Music 13. Lo'Jo "Cinema El Mundo" on World Village 14. Alejandro Escovedo "Big Station" on Concord / Universal 15. Red Baraat "Chaal Baby" on Jaro 16. Bobby Womack "The Bravest Man In The Universe" on XL / Vusi Mkhaya "Vocalism" on ARC Music 17. Mokoomba "Rising Tide" on Zig Zag World/ Igloo 18. Krom "Songs From The Noir" www.themekongsessions.com 19. Staff Benda Bilili "Bouger Le Monde" on Crammed Discs 20. Ry Cooder "Election Special" on Nonesuch

Honourable mentions too to Zita Swoon Group, Criolo, Wrongtom + Deemas J, Dolphin, Actress, Vinicio Capossela, Dr John, Sansa, Smoke Fairies, Hot 8 Brass Band, Recanto Gal, Eric Bibb + Habib Koite, all of whom nearly made the top 20.

http://markcolesmusic.com/Portfolio.php

http://www.songlines.co.uk/world-music-news/2012/10/songlines-best-albums-2012-announced/

2012 : ein sensationeller World Music-Jahrgang Donnerstag, 3. Januar 2013, 20:03 Uhr

Das erste «World Music Special» des Jahres ist traditionell den Besten der Besten aus dem alten Jahr gewidmet. Die Redaktion präsentiert jene Songs, die sie für die tollsten Titel des Jahres 2012 hält - ein Jahrgang, der überdurchschnittlich viel hervorragende Musik gebracht hat.

Die Auswahl für den traditionellen Jahresrückblick fiel diesmal besonders schwer. Fantastische neue Bands, wunderschöne Alben alter Bekannter und die Wahl des Albums des Jahres 2012, das noch einmal drei Gewinner glücklich machen dürfte.

CD-Tipp: Mokoomba: «Rising Tide», ZigZagWorld

Moderation: Peter Walt, Redaktion: Marianne Berna

http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/world-music-special/2012-ein-sensationeller-world-music-jahrgang

The 2012 TNB Year-End Music Awards by JOE DALY SAN DIEGO 31 December 2012

We here at TNB Music would like to extend a swift kick in the ass with a steel-toed boot to 2012, with menacing threats to never, ever show its ugly mug around here again. That said, this open heart surgery of a year has yielded a rich trove of enduring albums and songs, and as we impatiently wait for 2013 to pull up out front and beep its glorious horn, the intrepid writing corps at TNB Music now pause to share our favorite offerings from 2012.

To our readers, colleagues, conspirators, confederates and harried editors, we wish you all a happy, healthy and hopelessly sexy new year.

-Joe Daly

TNB Music Editor

Best World Music Album of 2012: Mokoomba–Rising Tide

Holy shit. It’s just that good.

http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/jdaly/2012/12/the-2012-tnb-year-end-music-awards/

The fRoots Critics

Poll Albums Of The Year

Every year fRoots polls a panel of hundreds of experts, in the UK and internationally, to decide the Album Of The Year in the fields covered in the magazine – world folk and roots music. Since we first began our Critics Poll in 1986, it has become established as the most extensively researched and prestigious annual poll of its kind, recognised as such by being incorporated into the BBC Awards For World Music for the seven years they ran.

Here are all the winners …2012

Album Of The Year

1. Sam Lee Ground Of Its Own (Nest Collective) 2. Jim Moray Skulk (NIAG) 3. Lau Race The Loser (Reveal) 4. Karine Polwart Traces (Hegri) 5.= Emily Portman Hatchling (Furrow) Staff Benda Bilili Bouger Le Monde (Crammed) 7. Fay Hield & The Hurricane Party Orfeo (Topic) 8. Bellowhead Broadside (Navigator) 9.= Mokoomba Rising Tide (Igloo) Ondatrópica Ondatrópica (Soundway) 11. Lo’Jo Cinéma el Mundo (World Village) 12.= Kathryn Tickell Northumbrian Voices (Park) Sam Carter The No Testament (Captain) 14.= Anaïs Mitchell Young Man In America (Wilderland) Tom Paley Roll On, Roll On (Hornbeam) 16.= Ry Cooder Election Special (Nonesuch) Bob Dylan Tempest (Columbia) Caroline Herring Camilla (Signature Sounds) Hladowski & Joynes The Wild Wild Berry (Bo’ Weavil) Krar Collective Ethiopia Super Krar (Riverboat) Lucas Santtana O Deus Que Devasta Mas Tabém Cura (Mais Um Discos) Spiro Kaleidophonica (Real World) Wu Man & Master Musicians From The Silk Route Music Of Central Asia Vol 10 (Smithsonian Folkways)

http://www.frootsmag.com/pollwinners/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/dec/13/best-world-folk-music-albums-2012

Frank Ocean Beats Lana Del Rey, Springsteen to Best CD of 2012

Mark BeechDec 28, 2012 7:00 pm ET

Dec. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Lana Del Rey closes the year looking more like the future of music than just the advertising face of H&M, Jaguar and Mulberry. Something like 1,000 review albums have come my way since her “Born to Die,” and it’s still among my favorites of 2012. She’s just beaten by Frank Ocean. He came to attention with his mixtape “Nostalgia, Ultra,” which was the freshest things I’d heard in ages. Now we have his debut proper, “Channel Orange,” crowned with the glossy, 10-minute track “Pyramids.” Bruce Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball” has the energy to see off criticism that The Boss is no longer a cutting-edge star. Leonard Cohen brought out the ever-articulate “Old Ideas,” Donald Fagen the tasteful “Sunken Condos” and Mark Knopfler the virtuoso “Privateering” -- all sticking to character. Bob Dylan’s “Tempest” has its moments, even with the overdone title track about the Titanic. Along with the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones, Dylan marked 50 years in music. Bobby Womack has recovered from health problems to make his best CD, “The Bravest Man in the Universe,” with Damon Albarn. Ry Cooder’s “Election Special” was confidently dashed off, and so was Neil Young’s “Psychedelic Pill,” which came months after “Americana.” The White Stripes star Jack White has been going it alone, with the retro-tinged “Blunderbuss.” Emeli Sande made an assured start with “Our Version of Events.” It does Sande a disservice to compare her to Aretha Franklin -- that’s a little over the top, though she eclipsed Jessie Ware, whose “Devotion” also showcases an original voice. Sharon Van Etten’s “Tramp” is a beautiful breakup album and “Visions” by Grimes is even dreamier, with wispy vocals. Taylor Swift’s “Red” places Joni Mitchell-style maturity in a pop form. Fiona Apple’s fine CD is called “The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do.” If that seems a mouthful, keep in mind that it’s short compared with the 90-word title of one of her others. Pink’s “The Truth About Love” rises above its brash commercialism, while Regina Spektor’s “What We Saw From the Cheap Seats” is kooky, in a good way. Sinead O’Connor’s “How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?” is an outspoken comeback. Indie rock is finding its way forward after the demise of its patron saints, R.E.M. Waiting in the wings to replace them we have the U.K.’s the XX, with “Coexist” taking minimalism to a new level; Django Django, making a self-titled debut; Spiritualized (“Sweet Heart Sweet Light”); Grizzly Bear (“Shields”) and Beach House (the sublime “Bloom”). Alt-J’s “An Awesome Wave” was a worthy Mercury Prize winner, “Lonerism” by Australia’s Tame Impala gently psychedelic, and “Attack on Memory” by Ohio’s Cloud Nothings a dark slab of vitriol with catchy guitars. The latest Mumford & Sons release, “Babel,” may appeal to Grammy judges, though it’s not a patch on the finest English folk rock once made by Fairport Convention. From the Democratic Republic of Congo, it’s worth hearing “Bouger Le Monde,” by a group of street musicians called Staff Benda Bilili. Zimbabwean band Mokoomba fuses African and Tongan rhythms on “Rising Tide.” Blind duo Amadou & Mariam, from Mali, add guests such as Santigold to their joyful “Folila.” One of the most dramatic returns, after 27 years, was from “Come on Eileen” stars Dexys Midnight Runners, now just trading as Dexys. Singer Kevin Rowland told me that the title “One Day I’m Going to Soar” came to him after a difficult day. It certainly soars. In writing this column, I soon had many suggestions, but still tweeted around asking for ideas. Those I got back and liked include the latest by Cat Power, Bat for Lashes, Ellie Goulding and Patti Smith; “Boys & Girls” by Alabama Shakes; “Invicta” by the Enid and “Done for Desire” by Damn Vandals. The music from the London Olympics was a soundtrack of 2012 for many. The two CDs of opening and closing themes are a crash course in Britpop, with the Arctic Monkeys and Underworld among the standouts. The CDs are priced from $9.99 and download prices vary across services. Muse highlights include Jason Harper on cars, Lance Esplund on art and Richard Vines on food. --Editors: Richard Vines, Farah Nayeri.

http://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?docId=1376-MFN61V0D9L3501-7SGT34D8I7KKVKFNE6FAQSRGVQ Mokoomba Rising Tide Zig Zag World/Igloo Records

Guidé par la voix chaude et profonde de Mathias Muzaza, le groupe Mokoomba voit le jour à la frontière du Zimbabwe et de la Zambie. Au carrefour de ces deux nations, les six musiciens entrevoient la possibilité d’une fusion entre les rythmes des musiques tonga et celles du reste du continent africain.

Partiellement mis en son en Belgique par Julien Paschal (V.o., Baloji) dans l’antre du « Sumo Studio » bruxellois, Rising Tide convie quelques artistes d’ici (la flûte de Manuel Hermia ou le piano d’olivier Collette) à habiller cet album produit de main de maître par Manou Gallo (Zap Mama). Une révélation intercontinentale. (n.A.) http://www.conseildelamusique.be/sites/default/files/folder/accroches-ndeg51/accroches51.pdf Afro-fusion “De nieuwe belofte uit Zuidelijk Afrika” worden ze ook wel genoemd. Mokoomba bestaat uit zes jonge muzikanten uit Zimbabwe. Ze komen uit het Noorden van het land, waar pal op de grens met Zambia de Zambezi rivier vloeit die er uitmondt in de indrukwekkende Victoria Falls. De Mokoomba-leden groeien er op in de Tonga-cultuur, een minderheid in de regio. Voor Mokoomba raakt de bal aan het rollen als de groep deelneemt aan de lokale ronde van Music Crossroads in Zimbabwe. Na winst op de lokale editie volgen de nationale en de interregionale rondes, waar ze uteindelijk in 2008 de eerste prijs wegkapen in Malawi. Dankzij die prijs kunnen ze een plaat opnemen (‘Kweseka’) en wordt hen een tournee door Europa beloofd. Al is dat buiten de visa-perikelen gerekend. De band raakt, ondanks een voorbereiding van een jaar, niet tot op de Europese podia. Hun visa worden geweigerd. In het najaar van 2009 lukt het alsnog om de beloofde podia te bereiken en in de zomer van 2010 mogen ze wegens groot succes nog eens terugkomen. Hun geluid is wat met een nogal vage term afro-fusion wordt genoemd: een mengeling van traditionele Afrikaanse ritmes en meer hedendaagse muziekstijlen tot latin-invloeden toe. Het resultaat is een poppy melting pot die energiek het oor binnenhuppelt. De groep navigeert vloeiend tussen pop, reggae, soukous, salsa en zelfs een occasionele discobeat (‘Welelye’). Het zit strak en propvol. Na de eerste opnames in Brussel, Abidjan en Harare voegde producer Manou Gallo nog een hoop instrumenten toe, van kora over blazers tot cello. Maar het opvallendste instrument is het krachtige stemgeluid van leadzanger Mathias Muzaza. Waar hij in opener ‘Njoka’ eerst nog als een gevaarlijke rasp klinkt, schaaft hij even nadien vakkundig de hoekjes eraf. ‘Rising Tide’ kwam deze maand meteen binnen op 9 in de World Music Charts. Hopelijk lukt het de muzikanten deze keer even probleemloos om Europa binnen te komen. Op zaterdag 30 juni spelen ze op Couleur Café in Brussel. Een paar weken later, op 17 juli, staan ze op het podium van Polé Polé Gent. Lot Vandekeybus

http://www.cobra.be/cm/cobra/muziek/muziekrecensie/1.1341581 NEW HOTSHOTS OF PAN-AFRICAN FUNKINESS Oost-Vlaanderen, zaterdag 06/10/2012 - (Concertmelding)

MOKOOMBA (Zimbabwe) in N9 villa te Eeklo op zaterdag 6 oktober 2012

Mokoomba stond op onze verlanglijst voor Helden in het Park van dit jaar, maar Couleur Café (waar ze al een tweede keer stonden) en Polé Polé/ Gent waren ons te snel af. Geen probleem voor wie ook een club heeft, dan boek je zo’n geweldige band toch gewoon wat later daar. En zie, na hun uitgebreide mei/juni/juli tournee komen deze jongens uit Zimbabwe in oktober/november opnieuw naar Europa. Daar is een goede reden voor. Ze zijn namelijk gevraagd voor een concert op Womex, de vakbeurs voor ‘wereldmuziekprofessionals’ die dit jaar in Thessaloniki plaatsvindt. Een grote eer, iets waar velen slechts kunnen van dromen én de ideale springplank voor hun verdere carrière. Zeer recent bracht Mokoomba hun 2e cd Rising Tide uit, een plaat die momenteel op 7 staat in de European World Music Charts. Deze hitlijst wordt samengesteld door radiojournalisten aangesloten bij de European Broadcasting Union (EBU) en geldt als toonaangevend. De plaat kreeg uitsluitend erg goede recensies, waaronder 5 sterren (het maximum) en het predicaat ‘Top of the World’ (idem) in het (belangrijke) Engelse muziekmagazine Songlines. Mooi en dat zeker als men weet dat de leden afkomstig zijn uit een klein dorp in de buurt van de bekende Victoria watervallen. De zes waren als kind al vrienden. Ze richtten Mokoomba op in 2001. In 2007 namen ze deel aan een competitie tijdens het Music Crossroads Local Festival in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Ze wonnen. Logisch gevolg was dat ze daarna mochten deelnemen aan het National Festival in de hoofdstad Harare. Ze wonnen opnieuw. Een volgende stap was de deelname aan het Music Crossroads Interregional Festival in Lilongwe, Malawi, in 2008. Daar was de concurrentie groot, met groepen afkomstig uit Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia en Zimbabwe. En zie, ook daar sleepten ze de begeerde hoofdprijs in de wacht. In de prijzenpot stak een uitnodiging voor een Europese tournee en genoeg geld om een plaat op te nemen. Hun debuut Kweseka volgde in 2009 en met de plaat op zak kwamen ze dat jaar ook een eerste keer naar Europa. Ze maakten een uitstekende indruk tijdens concerten in Stockholm, Oslo, Bilbao, Barcelona, Amsterdam en Brussel. De buzz was groot en wie steengoed is mag terugkeren, wat sindsdien elk jaar gebeurde. Wat maakt Mokoomba nogal uitzonderlijk? Het is een combinatie van factoren. Enerzijds staan ze nog dicht bij de Tongacultuur van de regio waaruit ze komen. Anderzijds kennen ze de hele Afrikaanse cultuur en verwerken ze allerhande invloeden daaruit in hun eigen muziek. Leadzanger Mathias Muzaza is een kind van ouders uit Angola en Zambia, dat scheelt. Plus, het zijn nog jonge gasten die ook naar hiphop, reggae, salsa e.d. luisteren, wat natuurlijk ook een weerslag vindt in hun muziek. Voeg dat allemaal samen en je krijgt de rijke Mokoomba Pan-Afrikaanse sound met een hoog funky gehalte. Ze hebben energie zat en hun enthousiasme spreekt boekdelen en werkt zeer aanstekelijk. Eerste en enige Belgische concert van deze tournee, die hen deze keer ook naar Duitsland, Frankrijk, Griekenland, Zwitserland en Engeland leidt. Dat het maar snel 6 oktober is!

SHORTCUT Mokoomba uit Zimbabwe is ‘hot nowadays’. Hun tweede plaat Rising Tide staat hoog in de world charts en hun livereputatie is ijzersterk. “Thanks for the great concert at Couleur Café last saturday; unmistakably one of the highpoints of the day!” (Tropicalidad, june 2012).

Lees & luister: http://www.afropop.org/wp/4453/mokoomba-rising-tide/

http://www.folkroddels.be/artikels/49163.html Écrit par Christelle on Lundi, 25 Juin 2012 00:00

Le groupe Mokoomba déménage sur scène! Ce groupe Zimbabwéen qui en est à son 2ième album et qui a été révélé au public grâce à un concours gagné à Harare (capitale du Zimbabwe, NDLR ), était en concert le jeudi 14 à la Ferme Blériot de Louvain-la-Neuve avant la grande scène de Couleur Café le samedi 30 juin. Just Follow Me Magazine était présent à ce concert qui déménageait!

Rencontre avec Abundance Mutori, guitariste et porte-parole du groupe qui nous accueille avec un large sourire alors que la fatigue après une prestation scénique aussi détonante, doit l’accabler!

JFM : Bonsoir Abundance, toutes les paroles de votre album sont chantées en “Tonga” ( langue parlée par un people minoritaire du territoire de Victoria Falls au Zimbabwe ), pourquoi avez-vous décidé de vous exprimer dans cette langue?

A.M. : Tout simplement parce que c’est d’où nous venons, c’est notre culture dont nous n’avons pas honte. C’est venu tout naturellement...

JFM : J’ai écouté votre cd à plusieurs reprises mais même si je ne comprenais pas les paroles, j’ai pu ressentir différentes émotions. Comme à l’instar de la chanson “Yombe”, qui dès les 1ères notes m’a plongée dans une sorte de mélancolie malgré l’ambiance “Buena Vista Social Club”. De quoi parle-t-elle?

A.M. : La chanson parle du HIV/Sida et de la jeunesse. On ne peut pas vivre dans l’insouciance, il faut prendre sa vie en main.

JFM : Le point commun que l’on peut ressortir de toutes vos chansons, c’est que vous portez l’attention à votre prochain et que vous mettez en avant votre culture? Pourquoi est-ce important?

A.M. : Au Zimbabwe, on chante à propos de nos vies, à propos de ce qui se passe autour de nous et c’est tout naturellement que l’on continue dans ce sens-là.

JFM : Le chanteur Mathias a beaucoup voyage, à l’écoute de votre cd, on peut entendre différents sons à l’instar de la chanson “Misozi” qui peut rappeler des sonorités d’une chanson de rumba congolaise des années 60, une autre rappelle des sons latins. On peut dire que c’est vraiment de l’”afro-fusion”…

A.M. : C’est vraiment ça. Nous sommes en contact avec différents univers, nous voulons faire bouger les jeunes et leur faire sentir le groove. C’est un mix de tout! JFM : A la Ferme Blériot et à Couleur Café, vous ne serez pas six sur scène, mais neuf avec un section de cuivres. Pourquoi cet ajout d’instruments?

A.M. : Ca rajoute de la puissance à notre son et ce n’est pas négligeable pendant les festivals.

JFM : Ce n’est pas la 1ère fois que vous venez en Belgique, vous en êtes à votre 2ième album (Rising Tide, NDLR ), comment voyez- vous votre futur?

A.M. : Jusqu’à présent, nous n’avons pas à nous plaindre, le future semble radieux. C’est notre 2ième album et la réaction du public est positive. Ca nous donne de l’espoir qu’il continuera à nous suivre dans le futur.

JFM : Parlons un peu de mode…J’ai remarqué que vous portiez sur scène un mélange de vêtements traditionnels et modernes : un mix de matières africaines et européennes allié à des coupes européennes?

A.M. : Nous voulions intégrer dans le monde moderne dans lequel nous vivons, nos vêtements traditionnels. Comme nous sommes jeunes, nous voulions en même temps être à la mode, donc nous avons fait appel à un styliste qui alliait les deux. De cette manière nous ne perdons pas notre identité, notre culture.

C’est à l’image de notre musique…. Manou Gallo, auteur-compositeur-bassiste et productrice de Mokoomba n’est pas loin et accepte de répondre à nos questions…Fière comme une maman poule de ses poussins, Manou Gallo ne tarit pas d’éloge sur Mokoomba!

JFM : C’est important pour vous, Manou de travailler avec des jeunes?

M.G. : C’est très important pour moi de travailler avec des jeunes africains. Mon parcours a été semé d’embûches (femme bassiste en Afrique, autodidacte etc. NDLR) et j’ai là l’occasion de travailler avec des africains peu importe le pays d’où ils sont originaires (Manou Gallo est originaire de la Côte d’Ivoire, NDLR). Nos destinées se sont croisées et on a essayé de sortir le meilleur de nous-mêmes. Je ne parle pas la même langue qu’eux (les membres de Mokoomba sont anglophones et leurs chansons sont écrites en Tonga, NDLR), mais pour moi c’est important que musicalement l’on se comprenne.

JFM : Avez-vous été imprégnée de l’ambiance en allant à Harare (capitale du Zimbabwe, NDLR) plutôt qu’en ayant travaillé en studio dans un autre pays?

M.G. : Cela fait 2-3 ans que l’on travaille sur ce projet, j’ai été les enregistrer au Zimbabwe. Je me suis baladée pendant 2 ans avec leur album dans mon ordinateur et dès que je pouvais je demandais à un ami qui est meilleur dans un certain domaine de m’aider, à l’instar d’une amie israélienne qui joue de la flûte, d’une amie danoise qui a chanté ou encore d’un ami violoncelliste qui a apporté sa touche.

Lorsque l’on s’engage dans un tel projet, c’est vraiment entier : tu dois prendre le temps nécessaire pour pouvoir bien le faire.

Ce qui me plaît c’est de voir ces jeunes concentrés sur leurs instruments, concentrés sur leur carrière. Quand tu les vois sur scène, c’est ce qu’ils retransmettent et demain ils continueront à bosser!

Mokoomba c’est un exemple pour les jeunes. Ils viennent de nulle part, ils croient en quelque chose, la musique et ils bossent cette musique tous les jours. Quand on les voit sur scène, ils sont contents de jouer et ça se transmet dans leurs albums.

Moi, je suis fière de voir ça tout simplement. C’est ma fierté, car la carrière de Manou Gallo ne peut pas être centrée uniquement sur Manou Gallo en tant que bassiste. Ce serait un échec, j’aurais raté beaucoup de choses…

Aujourd’hui je commence avec Mokoomba et demain je voudrais recommencer la même chose avec d’autres jeunes musiciens africains.

Ma cible c’est la jeunesse : leur dire qu’ils sont capables de le faire. Tout ce que je peux souhaiter à Mokoomba c’est qu’ils restent “une personne”, ensemble. Ils ont commencé leur carrière ensemble à Victoria Falls et puis sont parties à Harare. Aujourd’hui ils sont partout et le challenge c’est de les garder ensemble!

JFM : Avez-vous été imprégnée de l’ambiance en allant à Harare (capitale du Zimbabwe, NDLR) plutôt qu’en ayant travaillé en studio dans un autre pays?

Lorsque l’on s’engage dans un tel projet, c’est vraiment entier : tu dois prendre le temps nécessaire pour pouvoir bien le faire.

Aujourd’hui je commence avec Mokoomba et demain je voudrais recommencer la même chose avec d’autres jeunes musiciens africains.

JFM: Comment s’est traduit concrètement le travail? Comment avez-vous conjugué vos talents?

M.G. : Ce sont des jeunes qui sont frais. Nous on réfléchit trop, eux ils on une création qui est très fraîche. Moi ce que j’ai fait, c’était simplement de mettre cette fraîcheur beaucoup plus en avant. Tout était déjà là : j’ai juste ajouté quelques épices pour que cela sonne mieux…

L’on pourra retrouver Mokoomba ce samedi 30 juin sur la scène de Couleur Café mais également tout cet été sur les scènes européennes. https://just-followme.com/index.php/featured/174-mokoomba-demenage-sur-scene?showall=1 Eigenlijk zijn ze met zes, de heren van Mokoomba uit Zimbabwe, maar voor ‘Rising Tide’ hebben ze zich omringd met een indrukwekkende schare gastmuzikanten. Het geeft de groep en producer Manou Gallo (gewezen bassiste van Zap Mama) ineens extra speelruimte en die weten ze mooi te benutten. De speciale kleuren van kora, cello en vooral dwarsfluit worden mooi ingewerkt, de blazersectie speelt strak en het songmateriaal is stevig geworteld in de Afrikaanse grond. Hier en daar klinkt Mokoomba plots wat meer poppy, maar er echt over gaat het nooit, als is het in het openende ‘Njoka’ en de dancerock van het afsluitende ‘Welelye’ toch op het randje. Storender zijn de onhandige fade-outs die meer dan eens te snel verlopen of op een onhandige plaats opduiken.

Voor deze goedkope slotformules waren andere oplossingen mogelijk geweest, gelet op de kwaliteiten die de groep tijdens de nummers laat horen. Door de Afrikaanse muziek overtuigend te versnijden met invloeden uit andere richtingen, weet Mokoomba ‘Rising Tide’ immers van voor tot achter boeiend en genietbaar te houden, ook voor diegenen die niet wild zijn van Afrikaanse klanken. Zo duikt hier en daar de latincultuur op: weemoedig in ‘Yombe’, dansbaarder in ‘Mwile’ waarbij de aangebrachte strijkers wonderwel in het prentje passen. In ‘Masangango’ zijn het de kora, de dwarsfluit en de gedempte gitaar die voor een sober, maar tropisch geluid zorgen, alleen jammer dat hier in de drumpartij zo weinig verbeelding te horen is.

Minder bescheiden klinken de stevige Afro-drive in ‘Nudndule’ en het fonkelende, mooi gevulde ‘Misozi’ dat bij momenten aan Paul Simon ten tijde van ‘Graceland’ doet denken, een sfeer die ook in ‘Nimukonda’ opduikt, maar daar afgewisseld wordt met reggae-vibes. Twee van de meest opmerkelijke tracks zijn naar het einde te horen. Het hoofdzakelijk vocale ‘Mabemba’ put met de vraag- en antwoordstructuur duidelijk uit de pure Afrikaanse traditie. Het strafste nummer van de cd is echter ‘Mvula’, waarin het beste van Mokoomba samengebracht wordt: een Afro-groove die zich niet laat vastpinnen, een rockende passage gedragen door pruttelende keyboards en gelijkritmische formules die er door de hele band uitgejaagd worden. De soepelheid waarop Mokoomba van gedaante verwisselt, laat geen twijfel bestaan over de muzikale kwaliteiten van zowel de kerngroep als de uitgebreide band.

June 23 2012 http://www.kwadratuur.be/cdbesprekingen/detail/mokoomba_-_rising_tide/#.T-sW-rWLzSh Als afsluiter op het nieuwe Move podium trok Mokoomba uit Zimbabwe beduidend minder bezoekers dan de publiekslievelingen in de Univers. Niet zo verwonderlijk voor wie moet opspelen tegen Sean Paul, The Subs en Bomba Estéreo die op hetzelfde moment probeerden zieltjes te winnen. De aanwezige festivalgangers schenen er niet om te malen, want de gewonnen dansruimte werd door het publiek gretig ingepalmd.

Met ‘Rising Tide’ heeft Mokoomba onlangs een nieuw album afgeleverd: een prima cd vol Afro-fusion, waarop de zeskoppige band versterking krijgt van een hele reeks muzikanten. Liet het album al horen wat de groep muzikaal in huis had, op Couleur Café werd pas echt duidelijk tot wat ze in staat waren. Als een Afrostoomwals rolden band en nummers over het publiek. Dat de drumgrooves zelden de complexiteit van de echte Afrobeats lieten horen (een euvel dat doorgaans van goed bedoelde pogingen lauwe kost maakt), was bij Mokoomba geen probleem. Daarvoor stond de band muzikaal veel te sterk op haar benen en werd die muzikaliteit te indrukwekkend geëtaleerd. Veel tijd werd er aan bindteksten niet besteed, des te meer aan de muziek: vrolijk twinkelend, funky, met latin vibes, kolkend, bluesy of met een Paul Simon-achtige aaibaarheid doorspekt met latin en ragga. Het lag Mokoomba allemaal even goed en het werd allemaal even scherp gespeeld: een strakke ritmesectie met dito blazers, goed gemikte keyboards, haarjuist uitgevoerde backings en leadzanger Mathias Muzaza die op verbluffende wijze de verschillende gedaantes die hij op ‘Rising Tide’ laat horen, op het podium bracht. Waar hij kon verleiden met een gave lyriek, transformeerde zijn stem in een oogwenk naar ruw en grofkorrelig timbre waarmee hij stevig op het publiek inhakte. Dat hij vaak de grenzen van zijn vocale mogelijkheden opzocht, gaf zijn performance een extra kracht en intensiteit. Al liep het op het einde van ‘Masangango’ even mis toen zijn stem oversloeg, als ceremoniemeester van een ijzersterk optreden was hij ongenaakbaar en hij leidde Mokoomba door een set die als een van de hoogtepunten van Couleur Café kan gelden. Zeker voor diegenen die niet vertrouwd waren met het repertoire van ‘Rising Tide’, maar evenzeer voor zij die het album wel al achter de kiezen hadden. Heel wat nummers, zoals het complex ‘Mvula’ werden live in XL versie gebracht. Niet door het inlassen van ellenlange solo’s, maar door het toevoegen van extra breaks en uitgediepte passages, een bijkomend bewijs van de muzikale ambities en kwaliteiten van Mokoomba.

July 2 2012 http://www.kwadratuur.be/reportages/detail/couleur_cafe_2012_-_nas_lee_omar_perry_caravan_pal- ace_chinese_man_mokoomba_/#.T_Hr_BzzvPa

http://www.kwadratuur.be/audio/detail/mokoomba_-_mvula/#.T9XgZ9UV-Sp http://www.rebelbase.be/index.php?page=54

MOKOOMBA (ABUNDANCE MUTORI) - LA PORTEUSE D'EAU 06/2012

Abundance, we're just getting to know Mokoomba, in part through your new album, ‘Rising Tide', but in fact you guys have been at it for some years already. How did you first get together?

Abundance Mutori (bass & backing vocals): "We all already knew each other from when we were still kids, playing together in our village. Growing up we started experimenting with playing music, but it was only when we heard about the Music Crossroads International Festival that things got really serious."

Is it easy to make a living as a musician in Zimbabwe?

Abundance Mutori: "It's not that easy, really, and I'd even go as far as to say that it's quite difficult. We started playing together in church and school, so they provided us with instruments. Winning the competition at Music Crossroads was also a great leap forward for us."

Most of the musicians in Mokoomba are members of the Tonga tribe.

Abundance Mutori: "Yeah, the Tonga people live in the Victoria Falls area of Zimbabwe and form only a small minority in the country. Our language is only spoken in Victoria Falls and Binga. We made a conscious choice to sing in our own language because we wanted the rest of Zimbabwe and even the rest of the world to know we are proud of our rich Tonga heritage."

Asked about Zimbabwean music, most people will probably think of the mbira, an instrument that's nowhere to be found in Mokoomba's music; a conscious choice?

Abundance Mutori: "We're Tonga, so we decided to focus on our own traditional instruments, like the drums, called ngoma mbwita, and horns we use. This way people can discover Zimbabwean music is about much more than just the mbira."

That being said, the album is also loaded with influences from other genres, ranging from funk to salsa. What did you grow up listening to?

Abundance Mutori: "A whole variation of styles, to be honest; personally I listened to a lot of West-African artists, people like Youssou N'dour and Salif Keita, but also western music like the pop of Michael Jackson, for example. When we started the band, we really wanted to fuse all our personal influences into one groove, so that's why when you listen to the album you will hear traditional Tonga influences mixed with styles as varied as funk, reggae and even soukous. We really wanted our music to appeal to as broad an audience as possible."

What are your songs about?

Abundance Mutori: "We mostly drew on traditional Tonga songs, so most of them are songs of celebration, used to celebrate a plentiful harvest or the coming of the rain season. Apart from that, we just sing about life in general."

What does the Mokoomba band name mean exactly?

Abundance Mutori: "The word "mokoomba" refers to the life force which is the Zambezi River, because it's the river that provides the Tonga people with food, water and life." For 'Rising Tide' you worked with Manou Gallo; how did that collaboration come about?

Abundance Mutori: "We were both signed by ZigZag World. Manou has a great sense of music and it was great to have her on board as a producer and artistic director." Poney Gross (manager): "Manou helped to give the album a more international flavor. It was also her idea to add the horn section, for example, which suited Mokoomba's sound perfectly."

We can't really pass by the fact that not a lot of positive news has been coming out of Zimbabwe the past few decades. Do you get asked about the political situation in your homeland often?

Abundance Mutori: "We do, yes, but it's important that people know the situation has vastly improved the last few years. Even the Zimbabwean music industry is slowly picking up again. In the region where we lived - we moved to the capital of Harare quite recently - things always stayed peaceful; we heard about what was happening in the rest of the country but, as Victoria Falls has always been a touristic area, the troubles never really reached us." [...] Straffer nog, toen Mokoomba goed op dreef was, was de Jamaicaanse superster het laatste waar we aan dachten. Toen hun album Rising Tide op onze testbank belandde, hadden we al een vermoeden dat dit live vuurwerk kon geven. En inderdaad, de zes jonge snaken uit Zimbabwe stelden allerminst teleur: heerlijk swingende ritmes (met hier een daar een aanstekelijke soukous beat), een frontman die qua stemgeluid aan Baaba Maal en qua moves aan Michael Jackson deed denken, een muzikaal (en choreografisch) straffe gitaar-bas tandem en dat alles overgoten met een aanstekelijk joi de vivre. Meer van dattum!

http://www.tropicalidad.be/pivot/entry.php?id=1286 23/08/2012 MOKOOMBA (Zimbabwe) - Especial, lançamento do disco Rising Tide Rádio África, 23/08/2012 - quinta 21h

O Rádio África dessa semana traz um programa especial lançando em primeira mão no Brasil o disco Rising Tide, da Banda Mokoomba, do Zimbabwe. A banda tem tido as melhores críticas e tocado em todos festivais da Europa, Estados Unidos e Canadá, e vem se revelando como um dos destaques da nova geração da música africana. Produzido pela baixista, cantora e compositora Manu Gallo (Costa do Marfim) o disco traz uma incrível mistura de ritmos e melodias, passando pelo zouk, rumba, mandingue, reggae e flertando com sonoridades de outros países como o Congo, Mali e Senegal. Os vocais poderosos de Mathias Muzaza traz o peso e a profundidade dos grandes Griots do oeste da África, e a banda pulsa de maneira supermoderna, mas sem deixar de lado suas raízes do Zimbabwe. Nesse programa você poderá ouvir o disco na íntegra, e conhecer o som desse incível banda que vem chamando a atenção por onde passa.

http://blogradioafrica.blogspot.be/2012/08/mokoomba-zimbabwe-especial-lancamento.html

JUNE 2012

EL AAIUN AGDAT l MARIEM HASSAN WESTERN SAHARA (NUBENEGRA)

RADIO SALONE l SIERRA LEONE’S REFUGEE ALL STARS SIERRA LEONE (CUMBANCHA)

DEMONI l KOTTARASHKY & THE RAIN DOGS BULGARIA (ASPHALT TANGO RECORDS)

EL CORAZON Y EL SOMBRERO l MARTA GOMEZ COLOMBIA (ALUNA)

UNIVERSITY OF GNAWA l AZIZ SAHMAOUI FRANCE/MOROCCO (GENERAL PATTERN)

UTU l VÄRTTINÄ FINLAND (ROCKADILLO)

BATIDA l BATIDA ANGOLA/PORTUGAL (SOUNDWAY)

MARINAI, PROFETI E BALENE l VINICIO CAPOSSELA ITALY (PONDEROSA)

RISING TIDE l MOKOOMBA ZIMBABWE (ZIGZAGWORLD)

NO AMA l NANCY VIEIRA CAPE VERDE (LUSAFRICA)

The WORLD MUSIC CHARTS EUROPE Panel: Austria: Albert Hosp (ORF), Johann Kneihs (ORF); Belgium: Didier Melon (RTBF), Zjakki Willems (vrt); Czech Republic: Petr Doruzka (VLTAVA); Estonia: Tonu Timm (Vikkerraadio), Aimar Ventsel (Radio2 Tallinn); Finland:, Marten Holm (YLE,Radio Vega), Raila Halmetoja (FBC), Ole Holmberg (YLE), Harri Tuominen (YLE); France: Laurence Aloir (RFI), Daniel Brown (RFI), Bintou Simpore (Radio Nova); Germany: Klaus Frederking (NDR), Francis Gay (WDR-Funkhaus Europa), Michael Kleff (DLF), Gülbahar Kültür (Radio Bremen), Jay Rutledge (Bayerischer Rundfunk), Johannes Theurer (Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg); Greece: Giorgos Markakis (Kosmos), Manos Tzanakakis (Mylos); Ireland: Gerry Godley ( RTE); Italy: Paolo

Ferrari (Popolare Firenze), Patrick Fassiotti (Popolare Milano) ; Latvia: Gita Lancere (Radio Latvia); Ilmars Slapins (Radio NABA, © giftmusic 2012 Rigas Slaiks); Netherlands: Bas Springer (NTR); Norway: Sigbjörn Nedland (nrk)Poland: Wojciech Ossowski (Polski Radio 3), Kleszcz Wlodzimierz (Polski Radio RCKL); Portugal: Nuno Sardina (RDP Africa); Romania: Irina Hasnas (RBA); Russia: Artemy Troitsky (FM Dostoyewsky); Serbia: Bojan Djordjevic (Radio B92), Ivana Komadina (Radio Belgrade 2); Slovakia: Vladimìr Potancok(Radio_FM); Slovenia: Drago Vovk (SRAKA); Spain: Jose-Miguel Lopez (RNE 3), Lara Lopez (RNE), Albert Reguant (iCat FM); Sweden: Lennart Wretlind (SR); Switzerland:Jean Marc Baehler (RSR Couleur 3), Marianne Berna (DRS3); United Kingdom: Lucy Duran (BBC3), Lopa Kothari (BBC 3), Max Reinhardt (BBC 3), DJ Ritu (BBC). JULY 2012

EL AAIUN AGDAT l MARIEM HASSAN WESTERN SAHARA (NUBENEGRA)

RADIO SALONE l SIERRA LEONE’S REFUGEE ALL STARS SIERRA LEONE (CUMBANCHA) MUSIC OF CENTRAL ASIA 10: BORDERLANDS l WU MAN AND MASTER MUSICIANS FROM THE SILK ROUTE CHINA/CENTRAL ASIA (SMITHSONIAN)

UNIVERSITY OF GNAWA l AZIZ SAHMAOUI FRANCE/MOROCCO (GENERAL PATTERN)

TWINKLINGS OF HOPE l MAHSA AND MARJAN VAHDAT IRAN (KIRKELIG KULTURVERKSTED)

GREEKADELIA l KRISTI STASSINOPOULOU & STATHIS KALYVIOTIS GREECE (WORLD MUSIC NETWORK)

RISING TIDE l MOKOOMBA ZIMBABWE (ZIGZAGWORLD)

A CURVA DA CINTURA l A.ANTUNES, E.SCANDURRA, T.DIABATE BRAZIL/MALI (MAIS UM DISCOS)

DERSIM l FERHAT TUNC TURKEY/NORWAY (KIRKELIG KULTURVERKSTED)

SUMUD l NIYAZ IRAN/USA (SIX DEGREES)

The WORLD MUSIC CHARTS EUROPE Panel: Austria: Albert Hosp (ORF), Johann Kneihs (ORF); Belgium: Didier Melon (RTBF), Zjakki Willems (vrt); Czech Republic: Petr Doruzka (VLTAVA); Estonia: Tonu Timm (Vikkerraadio), Aimar Ventsel (Radio2 Tallinn); Finland:, Marten Holm (YLE,Radio Vega), Ole Holmberg (YLE), Harri Tuominen (YLE); France: Laurence Aloir (RFI), Daniel Brown (RFI), Bintou Simpore (Radio Nova); Germany: Klaus Frederking (NDR), Francis Gay (WDR-Funkhaus Europa), Michael Kleff (DLF), Gülbahar Kültür (Radio Bremen), Jay Rutledge (Bayerischer Rundfunk), Johannes Theurer (Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg); Greece: Giorgos Markakis (Kosmos), Manos Tzanakakis (Mylos); Hungary: Balázs Weyer (MR3-Bartok); Ireland: Gerry Godley ( RTE); Italy:

Paolo Ferrari (Popolare Firenze), Patrick Fassiotti (Popolare Milano) ; Latvia: Gita Lancere (Radio Latvia); Ilmars Slapins (Radio © giftmusic 2012 NABA, Rigas Slaiks); Netherlands: Bas Springer (NTR); Norway: Sigbjörn Nedland (nrk)Poland: Wojciech Ossowski (Polski Radio 3), Kleszcz Wlodzimierz (Polski Radio RCKL); Portugal: Nuno Sardina (RDP Africa); Romania: Irina Hasnas (RBA); Russia: Artemy Troitsky (FM Dostoyewsky); Serbia: Bojan Djordjevic (Radio B92), Ivana Komadina (Radio Belgrade 2); Slovakia: Vladimìr Potancok(Radio_FM); Slovenia: Drago Vovk (SRAKA); Spain: Jose-Miguel Lopez (RNE 3), Lara Lopez (RNE), Albert Reguant (iCat FM); Sweden: Lennart Wretlind (SR); Switzerland:Jean Marc Baehler (RSR Couleur 3), Marianne Berna (DRS3); United Kingdom: Lucy Duran (BBC3), Lopa Kothari (BBC 3), Max Reinhardt (BBC 3), DJ Ritu (BBC). &+521,48(6

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26/11/2012 Marée montante

Emporté par le flot du nouvel album de Mokoomba, je vous embarque ce soir en direction du continent africain, à la frontière entre la Zambie et le Zimbabwe, là où le fleuve Zambezi rencontre les mythiques chutes Victoria.

Élevés au sein de la culture du peuple Tonga, les six musiciens du groupe se sont nourris de toutes ces influences pour créer leur propre univers musical. Guidé par la voix du chanteur- percussionniste Mathias Muzaza et imbibé de rythmes traditionnels Tonga, Mokoomba propage son afro-fusion dansante et contagieuse. Rising Tide, produit par Zig Zag World et enregistré entre Harare et Bruxelles, nous démontre comment le groupe brille par sa façon d'amalgamer des rythmes différents : afro-pop, reggae, ragga, rumba, salsa...

Sous la production experte de la musicienne belgo-ivoirienne Manou Gallo (Zap Mama), les 12 chansons vous rapprocheront un peu plus de la chaleur et du soleil à chaque accord.

N’attendez pas le jusant, prenez votre cocktail détonnant d’énergie et de groove maintenant et en live dès que possible …

http://zoreildeshauts.typepad.com/blog/2012/11/marée-montante.html

Die Energie lässt die Luft knistern Das afrikanische Ensemble Mokoomba liefert im Ludwigshafener Kulturzentrum Das Haus ein mitreißendes Konzert

VON GEREON HOFFMANN

Als die sechs jungen Männer aus Zimbabwe loslegen Im Konzert in Ludwigshafen sind auch verschiedene Muzaza erzählt nicht viel, man er- fährt, dass ein paar fragt man sich, ob sie diese Energie über den ganzen Stile zu hören. Al- len gemeinsam ist aber eine gerade- Stücke auf traditionellen afrikanischen Liedern beru- Abend durchhalten. Eine „Ach- terbahnfahrt zu extreme rhythmische Energie. Die Musiker spielen die hen, und da geht es, wie überall auf der Welt, um einen afrikanischer Fusion- Musik“ versprach die vertracktes- ten Figuren mit einer unglaublichen Jungen, der ein schönes Mädchen anhimmelt. Die Ankündigung der Gruppe Mokoomba. Im Lud- Leichtigkeit. Bassist Abundance Mu- tori bestreitet ganze Ankündigung der Achterbahnfahrt erweist sich als sehr wigshafener Kulturzentrum Das Haus lösten die Stücke nur mit Offbeats, ohne ein einziges mal auf der zutreffend. Es kann einem fast schwindelig werden. Die Musiker dieses Ver- sprechen jedenfalls ein. „Eins“ eines Taktes zu landen - und gerade daraus Musiker sind in ausgezeich- neter Kondition. Man glaubt entsteht eine knis- ternde rhythmische Spannung. es kaum, aber bei manchen rhythmi- schen Passagen Der Anfang ist schnell, virtuos und präzise. Elektrischer Schlagzeuger Costa Ndaba Moyo spielt in einer Liga tanzen sie auch noch. Das ist nicht nur ein bisschen Bass, Gitarre und Keyboard spielen rhythmisch mit den besten Fusion-Drummern. Er verbindet Rock- Kniewackeln, da sind richtige Cho- reografien dabei, vier vertrackte Motive, dann beginnt der Groove, und der Power mit der flirrenden Viel- falt afrikanischer Musiker kommen nach vorne und bewegen sich Sänger steigt ins Ge- schehen ein. Na hoppla, denkt man, Polyrhythmik. Miti Mugande an Congas und Perkussion verblüffend schnell und präzise – und Bass und Gitarre das geht ja flott los. Aber die leistungsstarken Jungs unterstützt ihn dabei. Obwohl am Schlagzeug schon sehr spielen beim Tanzen einfach weiter. werden später sogar noch nachlegen. viel passiert, Die sechs Musiker kommen alle aus einem kleinen findet Mugande seinen Platz im Ge- samtklang. Dorf, nahe bei den Victoria-Wasserfällen in Zimbabwe Trustworth Samende an der Gitarre und Donald Moyo im Süden Afrikas. Sie gehören zum Volk der Tonga, am Keyboard spielen oft melodisch- rhythmische Figuren, einer ethnischen Un- tergruppe der Bantu mit einer eige- mal unisono, mal zweistimmig, jedes Mal sehr prä- zise. nen Sprache. Leadsänger Mathias Muzaza singt in dieser Vom Keyboard kommen manch- mal auch Imitationen Sprache, die Moderation macht er auf Englisch. Muzaza akustischer In- strumente, wie etwa der Marimba, dem hat den Süden des afrikanischen Kontinents bereist und afrikanischen Holzxylophon. sich mit verschiedenen musikalischen und kulturellen Als hätten sie mit ihren virtuosen Instrumentalparts Traditionen befasst. Sechs Sprachen hat er dabei gelernt. noch nicht genug zu tun, singen alle auch noch Back- „Wo immer ich hingehe, will ich die Lieder der ground, oft in Ruf- und Antwort Se- quenzen mit Menschen lernen, das bringt mir Freude und Inspiration“, Leadsänger Muzaza. So entsteht eine äußerst virtuose sagt er über sich. und rhythmisch mitreißende Musik. Die Energie, die von der Bühne kommt, ist so stark, die Atmosphäre so dicht, dass die Luft knistert. http://www.funkhauseuropa.de/musik/suepertunes/2012_04/suepertunes_120413.phtml

Mokoomba Afro-Fusion Sendung vom 13. April 2012 Mokoomba, sechs junge Männer aus der Tonga Tradition Zimbabwes überzeugen uns mit ihrem zweiten Album "Rising Tide", ein energiegeladenes Glanzstück in Sachen Afro-Fusion. Und Chinese Man, das südfranzösische DJ-Kollektiv aus Marseille, bekannt für ihren geschickten Umgang mit Musik- und Filmschnipseln aus aller Herren Länder, setzt mit der Remix LP vom aktuellen Album "Racing with the Sun" noch mal einen drauf.

Mokoomba: Rising Tide (Zig Zag World) Die Geschichte der Band Mokoomba begann 2001 im südafrikanischen Zimbabwe. In der Region, wo die riesigen Victoria Wasserfälle und der Zambezi Fluss eine unheimlich schöne Landschaft zaubern, und wo sich Adrenalin-Junkees von der höchsten Bungee Jumping Anlage der Welt stürzen können. Es ist die Region der Tonga, einem Volk, das klar zur Minderheit in Zimbabwe zählt, und deren Sprache, Tonga, sonst auch niemand versteht. Im kleinsten, ländlichsten Dorf beschließen damals sechs quietschfidele Rhythmusfanatiker, Musik zu machen. Musik, die sowohl die Traditionen der Tonga würdigt, aber auch über den Tellerrand hinaus auf die Moderne schaut. In einem Wort: Afro-Fusion. Eigentlich untypisch für Zimbabwe Mokoomba überraschen uns hier regelrecht mit ihrem Tonga- Sound, den man so aus Zimbabwe noch nicht kannte. International betrachtet hat das Land eine schillernde Vergangenheit. Fast alle bekannten Künstler stammen vom Volk der Shona, z.B. Oliver Mukutuzi, Thomas Mapfumo oder Virginia Mukwesha, und haben den sogenannten "Chimurenga"- Sound etabliert. Jetzt gibt's mit Mokoomba's Tonga neue und ganz anderes klingende Grooves. Rising Tide Bereits beim Cover Artwork spingt es einem buchstäblich ins Auge: diese agilen Jungs haben Feuer im Blut. Mit wachem, glücklichem Blick ist der Stolz auf ihr zweites Album "Rising Tide" ganz groß und wohl verdient. Hört man die Songs, begegnet man der groovigen Fusion aus afrikanischer Tradition und westlicher Moderne. Traditionelle Tonga Rhythmen, wunderschöne Bläser- und Flötenmelodien und viel ungehaltene Perkussion verwoben mit Latin-Sounds, Soul, Funk und auch Beatbox. Track 1, "Njoka", ist wohl der "modernste". Beatbox, HipHop-Vibe und zu Anfangs ein Rapgesang, der an ein Didscheridoo erinnern lässt. Ungezügelte Energie versprechen auch die weiteren Songs "Mangongo", "Mwile", "Ndundule" und "Welelye". Ein bisschen runter vom Gas und sehr gefühlvoll klingen zum Beispiel "Masangango", "Misozi" und "Manunge". Inhaltlich geht es meistens um die Traditionen, Riten und Lebensweisen der Tonga: u.a. Feuertänze bei Vollmond, Jagen mit Pfeil und Bogen mit den Älteren, knifflige Beziehungsfragen. Auch wenn unsereiner nichts versteht, Mokoomba's "Rising Tide" ist insgesamt wunderbar durchhörbar. Die Festival-Helden Bis es zu den Studioaufnahmen von "Rising Tide" in den letzten beiden Jahren kam, war es allerdings ein langer Weg für Mokoomba. Nachdem sich die Band durch zahlreiche regionale und überregionale Festivals spielte, gelang ihr 2008 schließlich der Clou. Der erste Platz beim "Music Crossroad InterRegional Festival" in Lilongwe, Malawi. Der Gewinn: eine dreimonatige Europa-Tour. Diese wiederum ebnete den Weg zum Debutalbum "Kweseka" und einem Plattenvertrag bei Zig Zag World, wo auch Djembe-Meister Mamady Keita und die ivorische Bassspielerin und Sängerin Manou Gallo zuhause sind. Letztere übernahm bei Mokoomba's "Rising Tide" sogar die Produktion. Mokoomba sind mittlerweile auf dem internationalen Markt angekommen. Auf der WOMEX, der weltweit größten Messe für Global Pop, präsentierte die Band im Herbst 2011 ihren Film "Mokoomba, from one riverbank to another". Die nächste Europatour ist zwischen Mai und August geplant. Wir freuen uns drauf!

Mokoomba sind die beste musikalische Nachricht aus Zimbabwe seit Jahren. Sie zählen zu den Festivalhelden dieses Sommers. Die sechs Männer aus der Tonga Tradition begeistern mit einem frischen Afrofusion-Sound, bei dem man einfach nicht still sitzen kann. Genauso vielfältig wie ihre Musik sind auch die Sprachen, auf denen sie singen. Das Lied "Njoka" ist auf tonga gesungen und Bassist Abundance erklärt in der Story Behind, worum es geht.

Abundance: Njoka heißt Schlange. In dem Song geht es um eine Initiierungszeremonie der tongaischen Bevölkerungsminderheit in Zambia. Eine Zeremonie, in der die Jungen zu Männern werden. In der tongaischen Kultur hat das Ritual des Erwachsenwerdens eine lange Tradition. Die Jungs werden sechs Monate lang in die Wildnis geschickt. Ihnen wird geraten, in dieser Zeit auf keinen Fall in den Wald zu gehen, weil es zu gefährlich ist! Unser Sänger hat diesen Ritus auch mitgemacht. Einer seiner Freunde ist trotzdem in den Wald gegangen und wurde von einer Schlange gebissen. Die Schlange war giftig. Wir singen in dem Lied: "Jetzt bin ich ganz alleine. Mein Freund ist tot, weil er nicht auf die Ältesten gehört hat". Die Geschichte ist wirklich

wahr! Der Junge ist wirklich gestorben. Wir haben das nicht erfunden. Dann ist die Botschaft in dem Song ja auch recht eindeutig… Die Botschaft hinter dem Song ist, dass die jungen Menschen auf die älteren hören sollen. Die Älteren haben mehr Lebenserfahrung als wir und wissen deshalb einfach mehr. Der Junge hätte nicht sterben müssen. Hätte er auf die Älteren gehört und wäre nicht in den Wald gegangen, wie sie es ihm geraten haben, dann wäre er nicht von der Schlange gebissen worden und würde heute noch leben! Die Botschaft ist: Wir müssen nicht alle Fehler selbst machen. Und das ist gut! Hast Du dieses Ritual auch mitgemacht und warst ein halbes Jahr in der Wildnis? Nein. Heutzutage wird diese Initiierungs-Zeremonie kaum noch durchgeführt. Und wenn, dann in einer sehr entschärften Version. Die Zeiten haben sich geändert. Meine Eltern haben es mir nicht erlaubt, daran teilzunehmen. Die Welt ist einfach moderner geworden. Und deshalb werden kaum noch Jungs für sechs Monate in die Wildnis geschickt. Einerseits lebt ihr zuhause in einer Dorfgemeinschaft, wo es grundlegend ist, die Älteren zu respektieren. Andererseits tourt ihr durch Europa, erlebt eine völlig neue Welt, in der vor allem ein ganz anderer Umgang mit älteren Menschen herrscht. Ich weiß, was Du meinst. Das ist in der Tat auch schwierig für uns. Wir kommen mit unserer Band mittlerweile auf der ganzen Welt rum und haben viele Dinge gesehen, die die Leute zuhause höchstens aus dem Fernsehen kennen. Wenn wir von unseren Reisen zurückkommen, versammeln sich alle aus dem Ort und hören uns zu. Auch die Ältesten. Sie geben uns Ratschläge, wie wir uns am besten benehmen sollen, zum Beispiel. Und so versuchen wir jüngeren Menschen, eine Balance zu finden. Zwischen der modernen Welt und dem, was die Älteren uns lehren. (Andrea Halter)

http://www.funkhauseuropa.de/musik/story_behind/2012_11/story_behind_121122.phtml SPASS UND SPIELE DAS FRECHE VIDEOSPIEL- UND ENTERTAINMENT- BLOG

Mokoomba / Rising Tide / (Igloo/Discovery Records)

Ein exzellentes neues Album einer jungen Band aus Zimbabwe, einem Land, das in den 1980-er Jahren eines der Zentren der afrikanischen Musik war. Mokoomba stammen aus Victoria Falls im Norden des Landes und mischen in ihren selbst komponierten Songs lokale Tonga-Klänge mit internationalen Einflüssen. Rising Tide beginnt mit dem furiosen„Njoka“, in dem auch Funk- und Rapelemente enthalten sind, und profitiert sehr stark von dem exzellenten

Gitarrenspiel von Trustworth Samende. Sänger Mathias Muzaza demonstriert seinen kraftvollen Gesang auf gefühlvollen Songs, die an Oliver Mtukudzi, den größten musikalischen Helden des Landes, erinnern, ehe sie die Richtung wechseln und westafrikanische sowie lateinamerikanische Klänge einbauen, aber auch ein wenig Reggae. Die beeindruckende Produktion geht auf das Konto von Manou Gallo von der Elfenbeinküste, die einst fürZap Mama den Bass zupfte; hier spielt sie Keyboards und fettet den Sound mit nicht weniger als 13 Gastmusikern auf, die alles von Blechbläsern über Kora bis hin zu Cello spielen.

Heißer Afro-Fusion-Sound in Lübeck – Mokoomba im Treibsand Von Oliver Ballendat Freitag, 15. Juni 2012 Sechs junge Männer aus dem südafrikanischen Simbabwe brachten am vergangenen Samstag das Lübecker Treibsand zum Kochen. Die sympathischen Musiker singen in der Sprache der Tonga, einer ethnischen Minderheit im Land.

Die Sprache dieser Volksgruppe wird oft von der übrigen Bevölkerung Simbabwes nicht verstanden. Auch das Lübecker Publikum wird seine Mühe mit der wörtlichen Übersetzung der Texte gehabt haben. Der Dolmetscher für die mitreißende Musikmischung aus Tradition und Moderne namens Rhythmus machte seine Arbeit allerdings perfekt. Zu Beginn ihrer Show standen Mathias, Trustworth, Abundance, Donald, Costa und Miti etwas schüchtern hinter den Mikrofonen. Doch mit den ersten Tönen war klar: Es sollte ein bewegter Abend werden. Vor der Bühne tanzte bereits das Publikum und die Band kam schon nach wenigen Takten ins Schwitzen. Afrikanische Klänge prallten impulsiv auf westliche Beats und vereinten sich zu einem unerhört frischen Sound. Die Lieder erzählten vom Leben in der Heimat, von Angst und Freude, Liebe und Leid und ähnelten diesbezüglich sicher der Musik vieler anderer Völker.

Doch Mokoomba kreierte durch die Mischung traditioneller afrikanischer Rhythmen mit modernen Klängen nicht nur einen bisher nicht gehörten Afro-Fusion-Sound, der die fremde Sprache vergessen lässt. Man konnte die Musik der Simbabwer zweifelsohne als global feiern: Soul und Funk streiften das schwere Amerikanische ab und tanzten plötzlich laut und afrikanisch wild. Zusammen mit Rap-Einlagen und Bläsermelodien fügte sich das Ganze zu einer atemberaubenden Weltmusik im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes.

Die Bandmitglieder, allen voran Sänger Mathias Muzaza, verausgabten sich, tanzten und spielten mit einer unglaublichen Freude. Die Energie der Afrikaner sprang auf das Publikum über, das sich von groovenden Songs wie Njoka oder Messe Messe mitreißen ließ und bei gefühlvollen Stücken wie Masangango überwältigt in eine fremde Welt einzutauchen schien.

Mittlerweile sind die Musiker vom Mokoomba auf den internationalen Bühnen zuhause. Nachdem sie 2008 beim Music Crossroads Interregional Festival in Malawi als ersten Preis eine dreimonatige Europa-Tournee sowie eine Plattenaufnahme gewannen, sind sie mit ihrem aktuellen Album Rising Tide derzeit wieder von Belgien bis Russland, von Serbien bis Finnland unterwegs.

Lübeck konnte sich glücklich schätzen, einen derart wertvollen musikalischen Schatz wie Mokoomba zu Gast gehabt zu haben.

http://www.unser-luebeck.de/content/view/4136/284/

Ein exzellentes neues Album einer jungen Band aus Zimbabwe, einem Land, das in den 1980er Jahren als das Zugpferd der afrikanischen Musik angesehen werden konnte. Mokoomba stammen aus Victoria Falls im Norden des Landes und sie kombinieren in ihren Eigenkompositionen Tonga und viele globale Einflüsse.

“Rising Tide” startet mit dem furiosen “Njoka”, das Funk- und

Rap-Elemente enthält und in dem die exqusite Gitarrenarbeit von Trustworth Samende zu hören ist. Mokoombas Sänger Mathias Muzaza zeigt seine kräftige soulige Stimme, die an einen der größten Musiker des Landes, Oliver Mtukudzi, erinnert. Weitere leckere Zutaten stammen aus der Musik Westafrikas und Lateinamerikas.

Die Produktion hat Manou Gallo (Elfenbeinküste) übernommen, die einst bei Zap Mama Bass spielte. Ganze 13 Gastmusiker setzt sie ein und so kommen viele weitere Instrumente hinzu (u.a. Blasinstrumente, Kora und Cello).

“Rising Tide” ist ein außergewöhnlich farbiges Album, das sehr viel Spaß macht. Es dürfte sowohl den Fans der afrikanischen Musik gefallen, wie auch Freunden von Latin-Sounds. Dieses überragende Album ist uns eine uneingeschränkte Empfehlung wert !

http://www.welt-musik.net/?p=4274

Οι Mokoomba δεν είναι νέο συγκρότηµα. Ξεκίνησαν την πορεία τους το 2001. Απλά φέτος ήταν κατά κάποιο τρόπο η χρονιά που τους καθιέρωσε ως ένα από τα πιο υποσχόµενα γκρουπ της Νοτίου Αφρικής. Κατάγονται από ένα µικρό χωριό της Ζιµπάµπουε, µιλάνε την τοπική διάλεκτο Tonga η οποία όµως δεν τους εµπόδισε να βγουν έξω από τα σύνορά τους και να αποκτήσουν ένα πιστό κοινό.

Είναι ένα εξαµελές γκρουπ µε ψυχή τους τον τραγουδιστή Mathias Muzaza, ο οποίος ταξίδεψε σε όλη τη Νότιο Αφρική, γνωρίζοντας τις τοπικές γλώσσες και µουσικές. Το διαβατήριο για τη ‘Δύση’ πήραν το 2008, κερδίζοντας στο Μαλάουι το διαγωνισµό Music Crossroads InterRegional Festival. Έπαθλο ήταν µια τουρνέ στην Ευρώπη.

Ρυθµοί Tonga, παραδοσιακά αλλά και σύγχρονα όργανα, τους κατατάσσουν σ’ αυτό που ονοµάζουµε Afro-fusion, χωρίς όµως να χάνονται και να ‘καίγονται’ στο σωρό, αφού καταφέρνουν και διατηρούν µια πολύ έντονη και σαφή προσωπικότητα στον ήχο τους. Την είσοδό τους στην Ευρώπη συνόδευσαν µε το πρώτο τους δίσκο το 2009 και τον Οκτώβρη του 2012 συµµετείχαν στο WOMEX στη Θεσσαλονίκη δίνοντας µια συναυλία αλλά και φιγουράροντας στο επίσηµο cd της διοργάνωσης. Από το δεύτερο άλµπουµ τους Rising Tide, ακούµε το κοµµάτι Njoka. Καλή ακρόαση.

Νικόλας Γεωργίου

Posted December 18, 2012 at 2:39pm in Μουσικό Ποδήλατο Νικόλας Γεωργίου world music nikolas georgiou mokoomba zimbabwe africa

http://music.radiobubble.gr/post/38222089762/mokoomba MOKOOMBA Rising Tide

Összemosódnak az emlékeim az egykor monopolhelyzetben leledző Hungaroton indiai lemezimportját illetve licencvásárlásait illetően, mégis úgy vélem: magyar kiadó nem vállalkozott még kizárólag afrikai tagokból álló zenekar CD-jének megjelentetésére. A NarRator Records mindenesetre megtette ezt a szívességet. Hogy jó választás volt-e tőlük a Mokoomba? Az én válaszom: abszolút! A miértről kicsit később. Előbb a zenekarról, röviden.

A hat fős társaság zimbabwei illetőségű. A bantu népcsoporthoz tartozó tonga törzs gyermekei. (A nemzetség nem tévesztendő össze a hasonló nevű csendes-óceáni királyság népével.) 2001-ben alakultak. Az áttörést a 2008. év hozta meg számukra, Afrikában. Egy év múltán európai fesztiválokra is eljutottak. 2012. július 19-én pedig a Babel Sound vendégei lesznek Balatonlellén! Aki teheti, ne hagyja ki a fellépésüket, mert – videofelvételek tanúsága szerint – mindegy mellesleg, remek hangulatú show-t produkálnak élőben. Mert hogy zeneileg nagyon rendben van a társaság, az bizonyos! A májusban megjelent Rising Tide alapján, mindenképp. Holott, nem szerettem beléjük az első perceik után. Az a periódus ugyanis az egyébként színpompás afrikai muzsika elektronizálásáé (nem mondom, hogy lebutításáé, csak „rádióbaráttá tételéé”). A második nóta viszont már üt: merőben másként, mint a taxióra – a viteldíj kiperkálása előtt! És ha elkapták a fiúk a fonalat, hát gyakorlott mozdulatokkal végig gombolyítják! A történés valahogy úgy magyarázható: praktikusabb az elején letudni a kommersz igények kielégítését (ahogyan mifelénk mondják: álljad, hamarabb szabadulsz), hogy annak árán a saját zenédet játszhasd! Így lett: innentől szabadon csodálhatók a Mokoomba kvalitásai.

A szólóének nagyon rendben van (a tónusa kissé karcos, mégis már- már jellegzetes), és – aligha véletlen - a vokál is képes felnőni hozzá. Az instrumentális csapatrész (gitár, fúvósok, ütősök stb.) pedig vérprofi!

Ami azonban a legfontosabb: stílusparádé részesei lehetünk (ezen a szinten!), amelyben a déli afrikai muzsikusok a saját hagyományaikat keresztül áramoltatva magukon, ötvözik azt más földrészek világszerte ismert zenei értékeivel. Más megközelítésben: stílusbravúrok sorának lehetünk fültanúi a Mokoomba lemezét hallgatva, a tradicionális afrikai muzsika kétséget kizáró dominanciája alatt! A fűszerek pedig: a reggae, valamint a latin muzsika (legmarkánsabban a salsa). Az említett fúziók eredetiek és felettébb élvezetesek. És, az eredmény akkor is csillagos ötöst ér, amikor a Mokoomba „csupán” önmagát: a forró, mágikus és felkavaró déli „afrikaiságát” hozza!

Jelentem, új potenciális kedvenc érkezett hozzánk, villámokat csapdosva a világzene horizontján! A Rising Tide első trackjén túl (vagy attól függetlenül), fokozatosan és visszavonhatatlanul kitárul/kitágul előttünk a legjobb értelemben vett fekete zenei világ. Lássátok hát őket, mert itt az alkalom, de legalább hallgassátok! A fekete földrész déli csücskén nem ismerek náluk nagyobb királyokat.

http://www.riff.hu/index.php?article=662 Mokoomba - Rising Tide (ZigZag World)

Originari di una zona posta al confine tra Zimbabwe e Zambia, dove il fiume Zambezi incontra le cascate Victoria, i Mookoomba sono una interessantissima band africana che appartiene alla comunità Tonga, una minoranza etno-linguistica di ceppo bantu strettamente correlata con i Batoka e con il gruppo etnico omonimo del Malawi. Guidato dal cantante e percussionista Mathias Muzaza, e composto da Trustworth Samende (chitarre e voci), Miti Mugande (percussioni e voci), Ndaba Coster Moyo (batteria, beat boxe e voci), Donald Moyo (tastiere, beat box e voci) e Abundance Mutori (basso e voci), il gruppo propone una originale afro-fusion in cui la musica tradizionale dell'etnia Tonga viene incrociata con il rock, il reggae e il dub, dando vita ad un sound travolgente nel quale l'uso di chitarre elettriche e batteria è accompagnato a quello degli strumenti legati dalla musica rituale africana. Dopo la partecipazione al Music Crossroads Local Festival nel 2007 e quella al Music Crossroads InterRegional Festival del 2008 la cui vittoria, dopo un serrato confronto con altre band africane, ha consentito al gruppi di intraprendere l'anno successivo un tour in Europa, documentato dal dvd From One Riverbank To Another. A quattro anni dal loro debutto, Kwaseka, il gruppo dello Zimbabwe torna con un nuovo album Rising Tide, prodotto da Manou Gallo e che raccoglie dodici brani di pregevole fattura alla cui realizzazione ha collaborato una lunga lista di ospiti come: Lene Norgaard Christensen (voce), Tatenda Kanjato (batteria), Jean Yode, Vusa Mthunzi, Vimbai Mukarati (sassofono), André Laourou (tromba), Manu Hermia (flauto e sassofono), Amir Gwirtzman (flauto e sax baritono), Prince Diabaté (kora), Babara Bangoura (djembe), Olivier Collette (tastiere e piano), Anja Naucler (violoncello) e Thomas Sari (programming). Rispetto all'esordio il sound si è arricchito di influenze che spaziano dal soul al funk fino a toccare il jazz e questo grazie alla illuminata produzione di Manou Gallo che è riuscita ad arricchire la cifra stilistica dei Mokoomba. Durante l'ascolto si spazia così da dub dell'inziale Njoka nella quale vengono recuperati alcuni proverbi della tradizione dei Tonga al canto rituale Masango, ispirato alla cerimonia di inziazione ai sacri riti per i ragazzi che diventano così dei veri uomini, fino a toccare la solare Mangongo e la riflessione in chiave reggae di Mwile. Se Misozi è un canto d'amore in crescendo con la voce di Muzaza particolarmente ispirata, Yombe è invece un brano dedicato alla perdita di un genitore a causa del grande male dell'Africa l'HIV. Si torna alle sonorità più solari e ai ritmi in levare con Nimukonda, mentre Ndundule celebra le antiche tradizioni dello Zimbabwe ripronendo in chiave moderna i riti ancestrali della danza. Sul finale il disco regala poi un crescendo di emozioni con la splendida ed evocativa Manuge nella quale brilla la chitarra di Samende, poi con il canto di lavoro Mabembe e poi con le conclusive ed intense Mvula e Weleye, entrambe caratterizzate da una travolgente coralità. Rising Tide è un disco tutto da scoprire sia dal punto di vista musicale sia da quello strettamente legato alle tradizioni della minoranza etnica dei Tonga, un popolo dalla storia millenaria della quale i Mokoomba si sono fatti paladini e custodi attraverso la musica. E' possibile acquistare il cd nei migliori store online in download.

April 2012 http://www.blogfoolk.com/2012/04/mokoomba-rising-tide-zigzag-world.html Африканские гости фестиваля "Голос кочевников" рассказали о том, что им больше всего понравилось в Бурятии, что им больше всего запомнилось.

Музыканты группы «Mokoomba» родом из области водопада Виктория, это люди народности Тонга. Они поют на тонгийском языке, который не понимает большинство жителей Зимбабве. Артисты приготовили для жителей Бурятии интересную программу, которая пришлась всем по душе. Корреспонденту «Бурятии-7» удалось пообщаться с ребятами из группы «Mokoomba».

- Ребята, что вы приготовили нашим зрителям, в чем основная идея вашего творчества?

- Сегодня мы собираемся представить Afro-fusion music – это микс разных культур Зимбабве, мы надеемся, что это направление придется по вкусу зрителям.

-Скажите, вы уже несколько дней у нас в гостях. Как вам наши люди?

-Вчера мы приехали с Байкала, к сожалению, у нас не было времени пообщаться с местными жителями, но мы были приятно удивлены тем, что когда мы ходили по городу, люди хотели сфотографироваться с нами, многие первый раз видели в своем городе людей из Африки, это было очень приятно. Сразу видно, что ваши люди более открытые, чем наши. Это читается по взглядам, по улыбкам. -В чем, по-вашему, значимость фестивалей этнической музыки в целом? Какова их цель?

-Я рад, что люди стараются возродить свою национальную культуру. Мы рады, что люди хотят меняться в творческом плане, обогащаться новыми культурными веяниями. И самое важное то, что ни в коем случае нельзя забывать свой родной язык, это может привести к гибели нации, к ее исчезновению с карты мира. Ведь если нет языка – нет национальной культуры. Мы, представители народности Тонга, идем именно этим направлением – сохранение первичной родной культуры, ее уникальности и самобытности. Такие фестивали в первую очередь этому способствуют, - рассказывает вокалист Матиасу Музазе.

На мой вопрос о том, что же больше всего ребятам понравилось в Бурятии за время их пребывания здесь, музыканты, улыбаясь, единогласно ответили:

-Русская водка!

После беседы ребят ждала сцена, которую они в буквальном смысле «зажгли» своей бешеной энергетикой. Это было что-то. Музыканты подарили жителям нашего города динамичные песни, от которых хотелось забежать на сцену и «зажечь» вместе с парнями. Такой горячей южноафриканской атмосферы в Бурятии никогда не было. Прозвучали также более спокойные песни в стили R&B, которые тронули Бурятию своей лиричностью. Программа группы была насыщенна элементами шоу (театрализация номеров, африканские танцы).

За час ребята полностью покорили сердца бурятского зрителя. Жалели лишь о том, что не было танцевальной площадки.

Своим мнением о фестивале поделился Виктор Усович, композитор, художественный руководитель Бурятской государственной филармонии:

-Этническая музыка – это тот колодец, из которого можно черпать и черпать новое, оформляя его современными аранжировками, современным звучанием. Особенно, эти фестивали важны для композиторов. Помните, как сказал великий русский композитор Михаил Глинка: «Создает музыку народ, а мы, художники, только ее аранжируем». Поэтому, я стараюсь не пропускать ни одного явления, связанного с этникой. Подобные фестивали нужны и потому, что мы не знаем этническую музыку Африки, даже монгольскую этнику. Очень интересно то, что этническая музыка соединяется с электроникой. Это спорный момент, конечно. Электроника, по-моему, все-таки это «от лукавого». Этника же нуждается в очень тонком и бережном подходе. Не дай бог, что-то уйдет в другое русло – национальный дух очень нежен. Она сама по себе ценна, любые вторжения могут быть опасны. Так же хочется видеть больше своих, бурятских этнических групп и музыкантов, - рассказывает он.

Виктор Усович добавил, что благодаря фестивалю, собравшему в Бурятии совершенно разные пласты культур, мир сегодня, сейчас - един и это здорово.

Open-air. Электроника и французская романтика

Третий день фестиваля, проходивший на Open-AIR-сцене в Этнографическом музее, открыла группа «Cisfinitum». Они приготовили совместную программу с певицей и композитором Дашей Баскаковой. «Cisfinitum» - проект Евгения Вороновского – это сочетание ритмов digital hardcore в исполнение Вороновского и вокала Даши на русском и французском языках. Смесь разных стилей породило особую атмосферу песен.

Гостями фестиваля была этно-группа «Урагшаа». Проект «Урагша» объединяет этно-рок, поп-музыку и хореографию, «заточенные» под мюзикл. Это полноценное выступление, совмещающее вокал, живое инструментальное сопровождение и пластику — танец. Своих артистов Бурятия принимала на «ура», подпевая всем песням.

В числе других музыкальных коллективов, которые порадовали всех собравшихся жителей и гостей республики, таких как «Uulzalga» (Франция-Бурятия), «Галия» (Бурятия) и других коллективов была уже полюбившаяся группа «Mokoomba». Улан-Удэ принимал их как своих. Благо, можно было потанцевать на территории музея. Танцевали все: и стар, и млад. Казалось, что жаркое солнце Южной Африки осветило нашу республику. Песни группы были настолько мелодичными, что в толпе людей ощущались мотивы то ли бразильского карнавала, то ли ритмы латиноамериканского самбо. Видимо, микс разных стилей дает такие разные и вместе с тем живые «настроения».

Пока выступали ребята из Зимбабве, нам удалось поговорить с группой из Бразилии «Baianasystem».

Читать интервью с бразильской группой BAIANASYSTEM http://www.minkultrb.ru/publications/detail.php?SECTION_ID=94&ELEMENT_ID=1773 [...]

Второй день фестиваля прошел под знаком другой африканской группы Mokomba из Зимбабве.

В третий день выступали Дашима и Урагшаа-Этно, группа «Галия» из Бурятии, Mokombaиз Африки и Baianasystem из Бразилии.

Музыканты любят играть вместе, поиски нового в творчестве зовут в путь за впечатлениями, им кака воздух необходимы выступления в самыз разных местах, живая реакция поклонников их музыки. На пресс-конференции перед фестивалем музыканты отмечали, что в Улан-Удэ создалась уникальная творческая атмосфера, потребн ость в которой есть у многих. Теперь, когда объявили, что главным культурным событием лета 2013 года станет Арт-форум «Байкальская гавань», Бурятия (Улан-Удэ - Турка) станет центром притяжения самых разных творческих сил. По инициативе Группы компаний «Метрополь» летом следующего года в Бурятии состоится масштабное культурное событие, которое объединит музыку, кинематограф, изобразительное искусство. Многие видные российские режиссеры, актеры, музыканты, художники считают своевременным и перспективным в уникальном во всех отношениях Байкальском регионе. Главным творческим партнером проекта уже сегодня стал музыкальный фестиваль «Голос кочевников».

По мнению инициаторов проек та, новое крупное культурное событие, несомненно, принесет пользу бурятской культуре, обогатит ее мировым опытом, и в свою очередь даст возможность всему миру лучше узнать неповторимое искусство народов Байкальского региона. «Богатой талантами Республике Бурятия нужен мощный центр притяжения творческих сил. Им может стать Арт-форум «Байкальская гавань», -считает генеральный директор Группы компаний «Метрополь» Баир Цыренов. Уже сейчас в атмосфере «Голоса кочевников» начали витать идеи. Инициаторы проекта готовы к обсуждению самых разных предложений по подготовке главного события следующего лета на Байкале.

July 19 2012 http://www.minkultrb.ru/news/detail.php?SECTION_ID=95&ELEMENT_ID=1776 Во втором отделении на сцене выступала группа Mokoomba из Зимбабве, которая исполняет песни на языке тонго.

«Солист группы Матиас собирает музыку по всей Южной Африке, – рассказал ведущий. –Он владеет шестью языками, остальные члены группы говорят, что он – ходячая энциклопедия африканской музыки».

На «Голос кочевников» Mokoomba приехала по приглашению Натальи Улановой.

«Этот коллектив существует уже десять лет. Они играют в стиле афро-фьюжн. Парни родились в маленькой деревне, где говорят на языке, которое основное население Зимбабве не понимает. Я послушала их диск в прошлом году на фестивале мировой музыки и была поражена голосом Матиаса и энергетикой ребят, – отметила Уланова».

С первых секунд выступления Mokoomba зал начал заряжаться энергетикой, исходившей от фронтмена группы. Матиас пластично двигался по всему периметру сцены. Кроме того, он общался с залом на английском без помощи переводчика, и его понимали.

– How are ya doing? – кричал Матиас восторженным зрителям. – We love you!

Несмотря на то, что от ритмичной африканской музыки кресла ходили ходуном, зрители не спешили вставать с насиженных мест, чтобы пуститься в пляс. Это немного огорошило Матиаса, и после очередной песни он не выдержал и обратился к залу: «Shake your body!».

Зал поднялся и начал двигаться в такт умопомрачительным гитарным и барабанным соло. Гораздо свободнее в такой ситуации чувствовали себя пришедшие на концерт европейцы: девушки и парни танцевали, несмотря на явную нехватку места.

Матиас однозначно был доволен. Он устроил перекличку с публикой, всячески шутил и, не останавливаясь, продолжал свои танцы. Группа Mokoomba также была вызвана публикой на «бис».

Завершился фестиваль в Этнографическом музее концертом на оpen-air-сцене, что стало еще одним новшеством нынешнего «Голоса кочевников». Здесь были воплощены оригинальные музыкальные идеи на основе народной музыки через призму современного электронного звучания. На одной сцене выступили бразильская группа BaianaSystem, прекрасно сочетающая традиционные звуки Сальвадора с психоделией «даба» и ритмами «регги», французско-бурятское трио Uulzalga – французская группа Nojazz и исполнитель традиционных монгольских эпосов Виктор Жалсанов соединили электронную музыку и горловое пение. Даша Баскакова выступила вместе с проектом Евгения Вороновского Cisfinitum из Москвы. Их совместная программа была подготовлена во Франции и Черногории. Ураганное звучание drum and bass и байкальская романтика Даши Баскаковой были высоко оценены любителями актуального и ультрамодного звучания. На оpen-air выступила уже полюбившаяся жителям Бурятии Мokoomba из Африки. Энергии добавил местный коллектив «Галия», а аутентичности – Дашима Согтоева, Эржена Санжиева и группа «Урагшаа».

Пространство фестиваля расширила и этнофутуристическая выставка «Языки мозаики», которая была торжественно открыта в Художественном музее им Ц.С. Сампилова 13 июля. Проект организован Минкультом Бурятии совместно с Фондом Исмаила Ахметова по развитию образования и поддержке культуры. Выставка объединяет работы ведущих мировых художников из Италии и Греции, многократных участников международных выставок, фестивалей, биенале современного искусства, всемирно признанных интерпретаторов мозаичного искусства – Марко Бравура, Душаны Бравура, Пелагея Ангелопуло. Таким образом, нынешний «Голос кочевников» стал не просто музыкальным фестивалем, а форумом современного этноискусства.

Главной новостью нынешнего фестиваля стало заявление группы компаний «Метрополь» о том, что, начиная со следующего года, «Голос кочевников» станет составной частью нового масштабного культурного проекта – арт-форума «Байкальская гавань». «Богатой талантами Республике Бурятия нужен мощный центр притяжения творческих сил. Им сможет стать арт-форум «Байкальская гавань», – считает директор ИФК «Метрополь» по региональной деятельности Баир Цыренов.

Международный проект объединит в себе три стихии: музыку народов мира, кинематограф и современное искусство. По мнению инициаторов проекта, новое крупное культурное событие, несомненно, принесет пользу бурятской культуре, обогатит ее мировым опытом и, в свою очередь, даст возможность всему миру лучше узнать неповторимое искусство народов Байкальского региона.

Новый проект активно поддерживает и творческая интеллигенция. Видные актеры, режиссеры, музыканты и художники из Москвы и Бурятии считают, что проведение мультиформатного фестиваля искусств в уникальном во всех отношениях Байкальском регионе своевременно и перспективно.

Тимур Дугаржапов, Ирина Сапунова, Елена Джесс, "Новая Бурятия"

http://www.newbur.ru/articles/9591 Sirova afro-fuzija

RAZGOVOR AUTOR: ZORICA KOJIĆ Ako ste u maju pomislili da je sa Ring Ring aktivnostima u ovoj godini gotovo - ljuto ste se prevarili! Svojevrsni spoj Todo Mundo i Ring Ring festivala očekuje vas od večeras na ovogodišnjoj BELEF ponudi u čak tri besplatne junske večeri u Ustanovi kulture „Palilula“. Zvezde prve od nekoliko pomenutih, izuzetnih muzičkih prilika poslednje nedelje ovog meseca - na kojima ćemo između ostalih videti nove tuareške superzvezde Tamikrest (četvrtak, 28. jun) i Trio maestra na harmonici Davida Jengibarjana (utorak 26. jun) - jesu zimbabveanski Mokoomba, bend mladih, strastvenih ljudi, koji ljubav za svoju domovinu i narod iz kojeg su potekli, ukrštaju sa sopstvenim pop i rock herojima iz ostatka sveta.

Opišite nam za početak, molim vas, regiju Zimbabvea iz koje dolazite i prirodu oko Viktorijinih vodopada i reke Zambezi vašeg detinjstva? - Dolazimo iz dalekog malog gradića ili tačnije rečeno iz udaljene oblasti koja se zove Binga. Tamo ništa zaista nije modernizovano do današnjih dana! Viktorijini vodopadi pored istoimenih vodopada su jedan od najlepših gradova u Zimbabveu, čije je obeležje moćna reka Zambezi, zvana „Mosi-Oa- Tunya“, što znači „Dim koji grmi“, i objašnjava tim imenom kretanje i snagu kojom Zambezi teče. Ova reka, govorim o zimbabveanskoj strani, protiče kroz pomenutu Binga regiju iz pravca Viktorijinih vodopada i mi iskazujemo ogromno poštovanje za nju zato što je ona za naš Tonga narod izvor života, s obzirom da od ove reke dobijamo vodu i hranu.

Vaš narod naziva se Tonga i govori istoimeni jezik - kakav je njegov položaj među mnogim drugim narodima u Zimbabveu i šta je najkarakterističnije za njegovu kulturu i posebno muziku? - Tonga narod je malo pleme u poređenju sa nekim drugim plemenima u Zimbabveu, ali poseduje bogatu kulturu koja nije ranije viđena, na primer svoje tradicionalne plesove i duhovne pesme. Postoji otuda veoma mnogo različitih vrsta starih muzičkih instrumenata koji se sreću u Tonga baštini, raznovrsni tipovi tradicionalnih bubnjeva, to jest „Ngoma mpwita“, a takođe i malih životinjskih rogova zvanih „Inyele“, koji proizvode mnoštvo zvukova i tonskih visina zavisno od veličine.

Kojoj generaciji pripadaju članovi grupe Mokoomba i koja je muzika obeležila vaše tinejdžersko doba i godine najranije mladosti? - Članovi benda Mokoomba pripadaju 80-im i 90-im, a muzika koja je obeležila naše tinejdžerske godine i ranu mladost bila je rock, reggae, funk i mnogo afričkog zvuka.

Koji je prvi bend ili ličnost iz zapadnjačke rock i pop muzike koje ste slušali, a koji su vam sada omiljeni umetnici iz Afrike i ostatka sveta? - Slušali smo pop muziku Majkla Džeksona dok smo odrastali, a neki od naših omiljenih umetnika iz Afrike su Salif Keita i Jusu N’Dur.

Koji tipični instrumenti postoje u Mokoomba bendu - ima li onih narodnih, afričkih instrumenata i kako ste ih udružili sa onim električnim iz aktuelne pop kulture? Kako opisujete muziku koju stvarate i izvodite i ko je sve uticao na nju? - U bendu zaista koristimo tradicionalne Tonga bubnjeve, ali je sama muzika koncentrisana na glas našeg glavnog pevača Matijasa Muzaze. Ova muzika koju dakle pravimo je pod uticajem tradicionalne Tonga kulture, ali i modernih „funk“ i „dance“ ritmova, čime se stvara fuzija koja može da dopre i do mlađih i do starijih. Mi lično nazivamo je afro-pop.

Postojite deset punih godina i već ste u par navrata boravili na turnejama po Evropi - kako vam se čini publika na drugom kontinentu i nosite li neke specijalne utiske iz pojedinih gradova u kojima ste nastupali? - U svakom gradu koji smo posetili na pomenutim turnejama imali smo sjajnu, neočekivanu i neverovatnu publiku, a utisci koje smo poneli u svakoj takvoj prilici govore nam da je auditorijum u Evropi gladan afričke muzike i da im se ona baš dopada.

Molim vas da nam na kraju predstavite bend i pozovete beogradsku publiku na svoj večerašnji nastup - kakva muzika nas sve očekuje ovom prilikom? - Bend Mokoomba bi voleo da pozove slušaoce u Beogradu na naš nastup večeras - dođite pripremljeni da se provozate toboganom ritmova sirove afro- fuzije koja će vas naterati da igrate i osećate se odlično!!!

http://www.danas.rs/danasrs/kultura/sirova_afrofuzija.11.html?news_id=242879

Mokoomba - Rising Tide

Subido por Marhali. Mokoomba es un joven grupo de Zimbabwe que nos trae una electrificante mezcla de Afro-fusión y ritmos tradicionales de la minoría Tonga del país, un disco que emana una eufórica energía juvenil, talento musical natural y ritmo contagioso. Escogen el nombre de Mokoomba para mostrar el profundo respeto que las gentes de Tonga tienen para con el río Zambeze y las Cataratas Victoria, y mostrarnos la energía y dinamismo que este rasgo geográfico imprime a su música y cultura.

Rising Tide (2012) nos muestra el excelente trabajo a la guitarra de Trustworth Samende y los dotes vocales de su lider, Mathias Muzaza, en canciones sentimentales y rítmicas que evocan al mayor héroe musical del país, Oliver Mtukudzi, con sonidos del oeste africano, salsa africana, reggae, funk y rap. La excelente producción es de la gran Manou Gallo, de Costa de Marfil, que anteriormente fue bajista y guitarrista de Zap Mama. En el presente trabajo dirige y produce musicalmente, completando los sonidos con teclados y con el trabajo de trece artistas invitados/as que aportan kora, flautas, saxos y cello.

Sonido panafricano del mejor, una música arraigada en su realidad abierta a los ritmos del mundo.

01. Njoka 02. Masangango 03. Mangongo 04. Mwile 05. Misozi 06. Yombe 07. Nimukonda 08. Ndundule 09. Manunge 10. Mabemba 11. Mvula 12. Welelye

http://gps-sonoro.blogspot.be/2012/12/mokoomba-rising-tide.html Mookomba - Rising

Entre Zimbabwe y Zambia se situa una región exhuberante de natureleza intensa y sobrecogedora conocida como Cataratas Victora, un impresionante salto del ángel del río Zambeze que separa estos dos paises y que es cruce de caminos de varios grupos étnicos del África Austral, en el que destacan los Tonga. Tan refrescante y torrencial como su paisaje, resulta la música de este jóven sexteto llamado Mookomba y que desembarcan ahora con un segundo disco titulado “Rising Tide”confirmando las buenas especativas que produjo su primer trabajo de 2009. Esta vez regresan bajo la dirección artística de la reputada bajista de Costa de Marfil, Manou Gallo, quién deja sentir su huella con una producción y unos arreglos con perfumes jazzy, funk y afro-grooves, a los que se suman las sonoridades soukouss, afro-latinas y las influencias tradicionales en un cocktél festivo y lleno de entusiasmo, pero que no descuida una instrumentación y unas letras cuidadas y con mensaje.

Desde mediados del mes de mayo están inmersos en una gira por salas y festivales de Europa que les llevará por palcos de Alemania, Bélgica, Hungria o Rusia. Contundente y carismático, como su líder Mathias Muzzaza, compositor y vocalista que habla más de seis lenguas africanas, “Rising Tide” nos muestra que desde una región remota de Zimbabwe se puede hacer música tan contemporaéna, compleja e interesante como desde grandes urbes como Paris o Nueva York. Una vez más... ¡Bienvenidos a la era

July 15 2012 http://www.groovalizacion.com/article4987.html?lang=es World Music Special vom Donnerstag, 3.5.2012, 20.03 Uhr, DRS 3

Zimbabwe holt mächtig auf

Aus dem südlichen Afrika hören wir nicht einmal im World Music Special viel. Gar weit ist der Weg... Für Mokoomba aus Zimbabwe nicht zu weit.

Mokoomba – Eine geballte Ladung Energie aus Zimbabwe

Ihre Mixtur klingt mal nach Westafrika, mal nach Reggae oder Salsa, und den Leadsänger könnte man glatt mit Mike Hucknall von Simply Red verwechseln. Bloss dass der nicht so viel Feuer hat wie Muzaza! Eine richtige Trouvaille - gekonnt und frisch wie selten!

http://www.drs1.ch/www/de/drs1/sendungen/world-music-special/2804.sh10221998.html Mokoomba – Rising Tide

Ein Feuerwerk aus Simbabwe! Für einmal keine Songwriter, keine Mbiras, sondern viel Schub, Energie, Melodien die ins Ohr gehen, und ein Mix aus allen Stilrichtungen des gesamten Kontinents.

Aus der Geografie wissen wir: Es gibt nur ganz wenige Orte auf der elt,W wo gleich vier Staaten aneinander grenzen. Dies ist in der Nähe von Viktoria Falls im Nord-Westen Simbabwes der Fall. Hier, bei den berühmten Wasserfällen, kommen Botswana, Namibia, Sambia und die Heimat von Mokoomba zusammen. Die sechs Jungs haben nicht nur die Rhythmen ihres Volkes, der Tonga, im Blut, sondern sicher auch viel Radio gehört, denn ihr musikalischer Mix ist panafrikanisch. Und äusserst ansteckend.

Was die sechs Musiker mitbrachten waren die Rhythmen ihrer Heimat, viel Energie, ein Flair für Ohrwurm- Melodien und mehrstimmigen Gesang. Die Bassistin Manou Gallo von der Elfenbeinküste holte als Produzentin dieses zweiten Albums noch ein gehöriges Mass an Schärfe und Zielstrebigkeit aus den Songs heraus. Mal tönen die Gitarren nach Südafrika, mal glitzern sie in bester Soukous-Manier, dann wieder spielen Mokoomba einen afro-karibischen Swing als kämen sie aus dem Senegal. Zwischendurch darf es auch mal in einen Reggae kippen, und ein Schuss Raggamuffin liegt allemal drin. Als musikalischer Doktor kann ich nur den Rat geben: Lass dich von diesem Fieber anstecken! Mokoomba sind in diesen Tagen noch für zwei Konzerte in Deutschland: am 6. Juli in Stuttgart am Afrika- Festival und am 7.7. in Unna in der Lindenbrauerei.

http://www.globalsounds.info/2012/06/mokoomba-rising-tide/

LAUFENBURG Lebensfreude steckt alle an 29.10.2012

Band Mokoomba begeistert Publiklum bei Auftritt im schweizerischen Frick Die Großformation Mokoomba, Shootingstars aus Zimbabwe, gastierte im brechend vollen „Meck à Frick“ und ließ mit ihren heißen Tonga- und Afro-Rhythmen den ersten Schnee wieder schmelzen. Unter dem Begriff „Meck Mundial“ startete die Fricker „Worldmusic-Reihe“, in der bis in den Frühling 2013 Künstler aus aller Welt zu Gast sein werden. Voraussetzung ist, dass die Musiker tatsächlich aus Entwicklungsländern kommen. Die Gewinner des „Music Crossroads Southern Africa-Award“ standen mit ihrem Sound dieses Jahr auf Platz sieben der World Music Charts und sind soeben von der Weltmusikbörse Womex aus Thessaloniki zurückgekehrt. Doch wie kommt so eine bekannte neunköpfige Band mit dem überragenden Lead-Sänger Mathias Muzaza ins beschauliche Frick? Daniel Binkert, Veranstalter der „Worldmusic-Reihe“, hat bereits vor 15 Jahren angefangen, mit seinen OpenAir- Festivals in Frick Netzwerke aufzubauen. Empfohlen hat die Band Marianne Berna vom Schweizer Radio DRS 3. Die Jungs von den Victoria Falls legten sofort mit ihrer überschäumenden Spielfreude und exakten Rhythmen los. Das Publikum ließ sich von den heißen, tanzbaren, afrocubanischen Rhythmen mit mehrstimmigen Gesängen, viel Percussion und großartigen Bläsersätzen in Bann ziehen. Die Choreographie machte Instrumentalisten mal zu Sängern, dann wieder zu Tänzern. Immer wieder wurde das größtenteils stehende Publikum eingeladen, Vokalsoli nachzusingen und den Rhythmus mitzuklatschen, was die Stimmung zusätzlich anheizte. Die drei Bläser - Trompete, Saxophon und Posaune - beeindruckten mit ihren überaus präzisen Einsätzen.

Mokoomba, der Name der Band, bezeichnet die Ehrfurcht der Volksgruppe der Tonga in Zimbabwe vor dem lebensspendenden Fluss Zambezi. Diese Ehrfurcht konnte man immer wieder in innigen Gesangssoli von Mathias Muzaza spüren. Konzentriert, die Hand beschwörend über den Kopf haltend oder streichend, zunächst nur von der Bassgitarre begleitet, setzte nach und nach das ganze Ensemble ein und begleitete furios seinen Gesang. Besonders schön war das Schlusslied mit den oft wiederholten Worten „Africa-Zimbabwe“, in dem der Lead-Sänger die einzelnen Bandmitglieder vorstellte. Jeder bot ein unglaubliches Solo, welches frenetisch vom Publikum gefeiert wurde. Mokoomba bedankte sich mit den Worten „Thank you, we love you“ und einem fulminanten Finale beim begeisterten Publikum.

http://www.suedkurier.de/region/hochrhein/laufenburg/Lebensfreude-steckt-alle-an;art372611,5747214 Septembre 2012 September 2012

Cd v/d week: Mokoomba – Rising Tide ʼMet Rising Tide als visitekaartje lijkt er veel mogelijk voor Mokoomba uit Zimbabwe. De Ivoriaanse zangeres en bassiste Manou Gallo is de producer en muzikale leidsvrouw van deze in Harare, Abidjan en Brussel opgenomen plaat. De Afrikaanse verscheidenheid en de gedreven ritmes die haar eigen albums kenmerken heeft Rising Tide ookʼ, schrijft Ben Ackermans in zijn recensie. En hij vervolgt: ʻWaarbij in Masangango de geest van Salif Keita rondwaart, Nimukonda een stomende reggae is, en Misozi de jit van Zimbabwe en de soukous van Congo vermengt. Een pan- Afrikaans product zou je deze cd kunnen noemen, maar ook weer niet helemaal: van een portie latin is de band evenmin vies. En ook niet van een discobeat, getuige slotnummer Welelye (met bassolo). Zoʼn groep die een divers publiek in de benen kan krijgen – en met dit materiaal moet dat lukken – kun je er op een festival wel bij ! hebben.ʼ Aanstaande zaterdag speelt Mokoomba op Music Meeting in Nijmegen en in juni op Couleur Café in Brussel. Luister naar fragmenten van elke track op de homepage van MixedWorldMusic.com, en beluister het album op Spotify. En lees hier de volledige recensie.

De groep Mokoomba bestaat Mokoomba uit zes Zimbabwaanse jonge mannen die het symbool bereikt de vormen van talent, energie ‘Rising Tide’ en doorzettingsvermogen. Ze behoren tot juli 3, 2012 // de tonga minderheid, groeien op in de Victoria Falls regio en vormen zo een metafoor voor een bruisende groep muzikanten. Zanger Mathias Muzaza is de initiator van de groep, wordt geboren uit Angolese en Zambiaanse ouders en groeit op in Zuid-Afrika. Spreekt inmiddels zes talen en is een lopende Afrikaanse muziek encyclopedie.Mokoomba wordt opgericht in 2001 en geeft na zes jaar hun eerste concert tijdens het Music Crossroads Lokale Festival in Bulawayo. Een jaar later speelt de groep tijdens het Music Crossroads Interregionale Festival in Malawi; een contest waar ze de eerste prijs winnen, wat hun een Europese toer oplevert waaronder ook een concert in Amsterdam en een hypermix van DJ Gregoer Salto van hun track‘Messe Messe’ van hun debuut cd ‘Kweseka’ uit 2009. Mokoomba laat op hun tweede cd ‘Rising Tide’ opwindende muziek horen in een mix van Zuid-Afrikaanse melodieën en harmonieën, Afro-Beat flarden en West Afrikaanse ritmen waaronder de soukous. ZangerMathias Muzaza valt op door zijn warme, innemende en overtuigende stem waarbij de coherente samenzang zorgt voor een warme bries die door de cd laveert en je migreert door het rijke Afrika. Stevige blazerspartijen, gemuteerde (gedempte) gitaarpartijen, strakke percussie en (blazers) solo’s zorgen daarbij voor een cd die weliswaar niet tijdloos is, maar zeer de moeite waard! Mokoomba wordt bijgestaan door een dozijn gastmusici, werd opgenomen in Brussel, Harare (Zimbabwe) en Abidjan (Ivoorkust) en geproduceerd door de bassiste Manou Gallo -ex Zap-Mama- (1972/Ivoorkust) die met haar cd ‘Lowlin” een http://www.mattiepoels.nl/2012/07/mokoomba-bereikt-de-rising-tide/#more-287 wereldse stempel zette op de Ivoriaanse muziek. Mokoomba - Rising Tide Igloo Mondo / Xango

Vermaledijde visumperikelen hielden Mokoomba vorig jaar weg uit Nederland. Dit jaar is het anders: de jonge Zimbabwaanse groep staat zaterdag 26 mei op de Music Meeting in Nijmegen. Met in de achterzak de eerste volwaardige cd. Nadat Mokoomba in 2008 de talentenjacht Music Crossroads Southern Africa won, leken alle deuren voor het zestal open te gaan. Dat viel dus nog vies tegen. Maar met Rising Tide als visitekaartje lijkt er nu toch veel mogelijk. De Ivoriaanse zangeres en bassiste Manou Gallo is de producer en muzikale leidsvrouw van deze in Harare, Abidjan en Brussel opgenomen plaat. De Afrikaanse verscheidenheid en de gedreven ritmes die haar eigen albums kenmerken heeft Rising Tide ook. Keyboards bepalen het geluid soms vooral, en de ruwe keelstem van Mathias Muzaza is opmerkelijk. Dertien gastmuzikanten dragen bij aan elf volle, maar onderscheidende nummers. Waarbij in Masangango de geest van Salif Keita rondwaart, Nimukonda een stomende reggae is, en Misozi de jit van Zimbabwe en de soukous van Congo vermengt. Een pan-Afrikaans product zou je deze cd kunnen noemen, maar ook weer niet helemaal: van een portie latin is de band evenmin vies. En ook niet van een discobeat, getuige slotnummer Welelye (met bassolo). Zo’n groep die een divers publiek in de benen kan krijgen – en met dit materiaal moet dat lukken – kun je er op een festival wel bij hebben. (Ben Ackermans)

May 2012 http://mixedworldmusic.com/recensies.php?id=535&offset=5&poffset=0

http://www.mixedworldmusic.com/nieuws/newsItem.php?n01ID=10633

Mokoomba – Rising tide Geplaatst: 24 oktober 2012, laatst bewerkt: 22/10/2012 Eelco Schilder Reageer

Rising tide (Zig zag world IGL235 / www.zigzagworld.be) Rising tide is het tweede album van de groep Mokoomba uit Zimbabwe. Dit sextet ontwikkelt zich langzaam maar zeker als één van de belangrijkste vertegenwoordigers van het hedendaagse Afro-fusie geluid. Samen met maar liefst dertien gastmuzikanten weet de band een opzwepend geluid neer te zetten. Toch valt op dat de groep vooral teruggrijpt op de bekendere Afro-fusie geluiden en maar in een enkel nummer, zoals in het ijzersterke openingsnummer Njoka, echt de verbinding weet te leggen met de hedendaagse muziekstromingen. Dat neemt niet weg dat dit nieuwe album een uitstekende band laat horen, maar het zijn juist die uitschieters richting meer eigentijdse klanken die laten horen dat er nog een wereld aan mogelijkheden open ligt. Heerlijke plaat met bij vlagen uitstekende moderne Afro-fusie muziek.

http://www.newfolksounds.nl/mokoomba-rising-tide/cds-kort/2012 jueves, 15 de noviembre de 2012 MOKOOMBA ''RISING TIDE'' (ZIMBABWE,2012) (Gracias, MARHALI!!)

New hotshots of pan-African funkiness

Hearing this new album by Zimbabwean funksters Mokoomba for the first time is a truly exciting experience, on a par with first coming across Congolese rapper-musician Baloji or Guinean kora rock band Ba Cissoko. The opening bars of the first track, ‘Njoka’, featuring the scratchy-but-melodic vocals of lead singer Mathias Muzaza, strident salsa piano chords, Congolese guitar riffs and a full-on brass section, will burst open your ears. And it only gets better.

‘Masangango’ opens with some desert blues riffs that sit beautifully alongside the half-singing, half-rapping vocals that pour from the singer’s mouth. A steady knocking of a drumstick and the tinkling of bells and beats keep the song in check, though the pent-up energy threatens to burst the dam. ‘Mwile’ is Afro-salsa that could have come out of West Africa, sitting at odds with the southern African vocals and keeping the listener intrigued. ‘Nimukonda’ is much more southern African in style, finally belying the group’s roots (though with an unexpected leap into a sweet ska-reggae beat).

Lead vocalist Muzaza grew up in Zimbabwe of Angolan-Zambian parents, part of the Tonga ethnic group who have their own distinct music and language. Much of this music draws on those influences, but these are also tracks with an urban edge and a truly pan- African sound in the best of ways. The music is bursting with raw energy and humour and is tied together excellently by the production and multi-instrumental skills of Ivorian bassist Manou Gallo, who plays on much of the CD. This is one album not to miss. Words by Rose Skelton

Rising Tide Mokoomba Reviewed by Banning Eyre Mokoomba is quite simply the most impressive band Zimbabwe has produced in recent memory. Surprisingly, its members do not hail from the country’s Shona majority—like iconic bandleader/songwriters Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi—or even the large Ndebele population in the south. Rather, these six musicians come from the tiny Tonga minority. The Tonga lived along the banks of the Zambezi River (bordering Zambia to the north) until most were driven to higher, and dryer, ground by flooding that created Lake Kariba. But Mokoomba, formed in 2001, do not dwell on the Tonga’s tragic past. Instead, they trumpet the energy and dynamism of their region’s best known geographic feature, the august Victoria Falls. That’s the kind of energy and confidence this band wants to project, and on Rising Tide, they succeed mightily.

Lead singer Mathias Muzaza has been all over southern Africa, absorbing music and culture. He speaks 6 languages, and sings with a sharp, clear voice capable of gale force exertions we might expect to hear from a West African griot. Muzaza and guitarist/singer Trustworth Samende wrote most of the 12 songs on the CD, which range from funky rap, to expert Congolese grooves, including quasi-reggae and even a Latin tune along the way. You won’t hear any of the sounds generally associated with Zimbabwe—no mbiras, marimbas, or Ladysmith- style choral work. Although Mokoomba exploit Tonga rhythms and melodies, they are out to create a global fusion, a music rooted in their home reality while still open to the sounds of the world.

After winning awards in Zimbabwe, recording a debut CD and touring Europe in 2009 and ‘10, Mokoomba caught the ear of ace Cote D’Ivoirian bass maestro and producer Manu Gallo. Gallo is a veteran of Kiyi M’Bock, Zap Mama, and has released a number of fantastic solo CDs in her own right. She produced Rising Tide, and her savvy judgment and familiarity with high-end Afropop production help to make every track shimmer.

“Njoka,” the title track, is a brilliant mash-up of beat box vocals, warm guitar riffing, and punchy percussion and brass work, all backing Muzaza’s edgy lead vocal and rich layers of backing vocals from the rest of group. This band can sing, and they prove it on every track. For a taste, check out the video of “Njoka”, which presents an intriguing black-and-white look at downtown Harare after more than a decade of economic decline. “Mwile” is the Latin track, and Muzaza’s keening vocal works beautifully in this context. “Misozi” explores the Congo connection, beginning with folksy acoustic guitar picking reminiscent of the old copperbelt pickers (from the Zambia/Congo border). Later, the song revs into full Congo pop mode, with animated stop time riffs, sweetly soaring guitar leads, and great rhythm breakdowns. “Nimukonda” nods to melodious old-school reggae, and then rough-and-ready dancehall.

The sheer density of ideas in this session is impressive, but it never feels like the musicians are merely checking off stylistic boxes. Their commitment and verve enlivens every performance, right up to the clubby crescendo, “Weleye,” where Gallo’s suave production touch is once again a unmistakable and powerful asset.

This is an A+ international debut from a band nobody saw coming. Reports are they are even better onstage. In all, Mokoomba, riding their own rising tide, are the best news we have heard out of Zimbabwe in years.

http://afrocubanlatinjazz4.blogspot.be/2012/11/mokoomba-rising-tide-zimbabwe2012-192k.html

By Rose Skelton in Dakar, Belinda Otas in London, Glenna Gordon in Lagos, Billie McTernan in Paris, Alexander Macbeth in Berlin, Parselelo Kantai in Nairobi

For Africa, 2012 was a year of sporting triumph, as men and women brought home medals galore from the Olympic and Paralympic games. Kenyan David Rudisha smashed the 800m world record and Botswana won its first medal, a silver for Nijel Amos. The Olympics turned the world’s attention to theatre too, with a ground-breaking run for African theatre companies staging Shakespearean plays in indigenous languages at The Globe in London, something that will return in 2013 for a longer run. In music, the Zimbabwean musicians of Mokoomba made a feisty international release with the much-applauded Rising Tide, and in film Senegal had some hefty releases including La Pirogue and Tey.

Igloo/Discovery Records

An excellent new album by a young band from Zimbabwe, a country that was a powerhouse of African music back in the 1980s. Mokoomba are from Victoria Falls in the north, and they blend local Tonga and global influences in their varied, self-written songs. Rising Tide starts out with the furious Njoka, including funk and rap elements, and is helped along by excellent guitar work from Trustworth Samende. Lead singer Mathias Muzaza demonstrates his powerful vocals in soulful songs that echo the country's greatest musical hero, Oliver Mtukudzi, before switching direction to bring in West African and Latin sounds, plus a dash of reggae. The impressive production is by Manou Gallo from the Ivory Coast, who once played bass for Zap Mama; here she adds keyboards and fills out the sound by using 13 guest musicians, playing everything from brass to kora and cello.

August 23 2012 http://artswrap.co.uk/article/mokoomba-rising-tide-review

Mokoomba Are Fucking Ace

Does my pretty little head in (it doesnʼt take Bletchley Parkʼs Lost Heroes to figure out that thatʼs code for “ugly little head in”) that year in year out #aoty charts totally, utterly & completely ignore African music.

I know what youʼre thinking, youʼre thinking “What do I expect in a year bereft of a Tinariwen release”. And I guess youʼre probably right but Iʼd have thought the Staff Benda Bilili album Bouger Le Monde would have received some signal considering that the doc about them was so popular (albeit back in 2011). And everyoneʼs familiar with Toumani Diabate & Amadou & Mariam arenʼt they? And how about The Malawi Mouse Boys - theyʼre repped by the same people who ʻdoʼ Tinariwen so news of their album must have dropped in most music critics / journalist inboxes surely? And their album is not only magic but writing about them is so easy because of the story about how they got their name.

“Ack Ack” anyway, as they say, itʼs hardly like it used to be during African musicʼs heyday when Peel was pushing Zimbabwean music like there were no tomorrow & Andy Kershaw had a weekly show on Radio 1.

I may do a quick top 10 African / Roots albums before the yearʼs out but till then hereʼs one of my favourite releases of such this year, Mokoombaʼs Rising Tide (Igloo).

http://dbigcrux.tumblr.com/

Mookomba - Rising

Between Zimbabwe and Zambia lies a region of abundant wildlife known as the Victoria Falls. It is an impressive swallow dive of the Zambezi river, a natural border between the two countries and a crossroads for many ethnic groups of Austral Africa of which stand out the Tonga people. The music brought to us by a young sextet called Mookomba, just like this landscape, is refreshing and torrential. And the release of their second album, "Rising Tide", confirms all the expectations raised by their 2009 first album. The outfit is back this time under the artistic direction of renowned Ivory Coast bass player, Manou Gallo, who brings jazzy, funk and afro-groove arrangements into the production. To these are added soukous and Afro-Latin sonorities. The result is a very versatile cocktail full of enthusiasm but which doesn’t neglect the instrumentation nor its socially relevant lyrics.

Since mid-May they have embarked on a European tour that will take them to Germany, Belgium, Hungary or Russia. Convincing and charismatic just like its leader, composer and singer Mathias Muzzaza, who speaks no less than six African languages, “Rising Tide” shows us that, from a remote region of Zimbabwe, it’s possible to make music just

July 15 2012 http://www.groovalizacion.com/article4987.html?lang=es

Reviews

Stuart James

Rising Tide ~ Mokoomba

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful Excellent pan-African album, November 22, 2012

A great album by a Zimbabwe band, with excellent contemporary production values (the album was produced in a way that suits both the dance floor and headphones: the production does not detract from the sound of the band or the African musical ethos). The CD has some high energy dance tunes, and draws on a wide range of African musical styles to create a refreshingly vibrant mix of uplifting sound. While some of the music may seem familiar, it is put together in, arguably, quite a different way, mixing up styles from all over the continent: and it is brilliantly done. A lot of fun, and a CD that rewards listen after listen with new nuances and depths. Highly recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2JILZPZTQ11JB/ref=cm_cr_pr_pdp Show Review: Mokoomba’s rising tide floods London thepeopleshub.com 5/11/12 11:06

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Show Review: Mokoomba’s Tweet J’aime POPULAR rising tide floods London

By admin on 04 November 2012 in Blog, Live events, Music, Recent News with 0 TWITTER: PEOPLESHUB Comments.

J’aime 37 Tweet 7 0 2 Show Review: @Mokoomba ’s FOR the opening number, Mathias Muzaza makes a deliberate and rising tide floods London: instantly transfixing late entrance onto the stage. The little frontman of http://t.co/vpbgkNbo the six-man troupe of Zimbabwe’s real hope for musical renaissance on 08:10:26 AM November 04, the global arena, is a bobbing canister of energy, boundless aura and 2012 from TweetDeck unabashed pizzazz as he takes to the stage. ReplyRetweetFavorite

Muzaza quickly sets up a festal atmosphere, introducing his band, and Meeting Mokoomba in London for the next hour and a half of non-stop jamming, repeatedly makes it http://t.co/dVQaYSoM known to his audience that this chart-topping band is “from lovely 04:19:15 AM November 04, Africa, lovely Zimbabwe!” 2012 from Posterous ReplyRetweetFavorite Their free gig at the South Bank’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on Friday night was jam-packed; and to the troupe, its was clear that the novelty RT @PSbook: TOP POST #2 of a huge, multiple-stop tour had long worn-off. Hailing from the >> Tory candidate makes sick tourist town of Victoria Falls on Zimbabwe’s horned North-Western Jimmy Savile child abuse joke border tip with Zambia, Botswana and Namibia, the collective have on Twitter adhered to the artistic integrity of expressing their music in the http://t.co/cOo7ZDf7 01:07:51 “minority languages” of the communities they grew up in. Songs off PM November 03, 2012 from Rising Tide are sung in Tonga, Nyanja, and Chokwe. TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite http://thepeopleshub.com/?p=2046 Page 1 sur 4 Show Review: Mokoomba’s rising tide floods London thepeopleshub.com 5/11/12 11:06

Unheralded at home for having a limited connection with fans for not Jilted #Africa cool to US vote having songs in the main national languages, Shona or Ndebele, one after #Obama fever fades would hope that, after their European tour success, Mokoomba will finally become the proverbial prophets who find honour at home. This, http://t.co/0MaPjM6n the group is well aware of, as our podcast below reveals (do hit the play 11:09:11 AM November 02, button). 2012 from TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite Its been close to three decades since Zimbabwe had a group that caused such global excitement with the Chinhoyi quartet of the Bhundu RT @peterbiles: @martinplaut Boys, and early signs suggest that Mokoomba are worthy heirs. on Africa past and present http://t.co/WSpXMTW4 Mokoomba’s music takes chunks of West African influences courtesy of 11:02:52 AM November 02, Rising Tide’s Ivorian producer, Manou Gallo; while traces of 2012 from TweetDeck Reggae, and Congolese Soukous are also commonplace. On stage, ReplyRetweetFavorite Muzaza’s vocal range is at times a cloned match of the legendary Salif Follow @PeoplesHub 244 followers Keita’s boom; and occasionally a reminder of Papa Wemba ‘s honey- Powered byWordPress encrusted voice. Twitter Widget Pro Yet neither of the two greats would match this pint-sized maestro-in- the-making, for deft footwork. Search Influences

I spoke to Mokoomba’s bassist and spokesman, Abundance Mutori RECENT POSTS soon after the show. Below is what he had to say: Show Review: Mokoomba’s play audio pause audio rising tide floods London

Jonah reveals new album Meeting Mokoomba in cover, gives away track

London Football and globalisation: Meeting Messi in West Africa

makiwahenry BKay and Kazz up for ZIMAA awards harvest

Africa’s addiction to porn of a different kind 0:00 / 5:00 SOCIAL LINKS

Mokoomba last week took the number one spot of the iTunes World music charts, for their sophomore album, Rising Tide. The accomplishment came as they were mid-way of a whirlwind tour of Europe which has seen them rock gigs in Greece, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and the UK.

http://thepeopleshub.com/?p=2046 Page 2 sur 4 August 2012 http://www.songlines.co.uk/topoftheworld/top-of-the-world.php?id=72 Mokoomba: Rising Tide – review Igloo/Discovery Records

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/aug/23/mokoomba-rising-tise-review?newsfeed=true

Mokoomba: Freshly Ground

Mookomba is a freshly ground music group from Zimbabwe, currently touring Europe promoting their latest effort, Rising Tide.This group of six energetic young men, is quickly becoming a force to reckon with on the international music scene, having already made waves in their homeland.

Banning Eyre from Afripop Woldwide reviewed their album, stating: “Mokoomba is quite simply the most impressive band Zimbabwe has produced in recent memory…”! Songline Magazine‘ a U.K publication is hailing them as the ‘New hotshots of funkiness’.This album has been well received, judging from the out-pour of glowing reviews from different quarters.

They are part of ‘The New African Sound’ aptly described by African Unsigned -a young generation of African artistes with authentic sounds.Their tonga rhythms are highly intoxicating, captivating, and reminiscent of an era when they did this, to say the least. Their track Messe Messe is what caught my attention. One word, enthralling. You should see their live performances, ai ai ai!!

What are you waiting for? Click on for more juice with an exclusive from the bass guitarist, Abundance Mutori.

54interviews: What does the name Mokoomba mean?

AM:The word Mokoomba is a concept. It signifies the Zambezi River as the vibrant source of life for the Tonga people and our culture as our provider of food, water and recreation.

54interviews: There are six members in the band, how did you guys connect? What is the role of each member of the group? AM: All of the six band members come from Victoria Falls and Binga in Zimbabwe: Mathias Muzaza is lead vocalist, Abundance Mutori the bass guitarist, Trustworth Samende the lead guitarist, Coster Moyo the drummer, Donald Moyo the keyboardist and Miti Mugande the percussion player.

AM: We all live in the same neighborhood in Victoria Falls and have known each other since school days. We formed the band in 2007 and in 2008, we learnt of a great contest for young up-coming musicians in called Music Crossroads Southern Africa that we entered. We were lucky to win in Zimbabwe and went on to compete regionally with the best bands of other Southern African countries (Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique). We came first there also. The grand prize was a European tour, an opportunity to record our first six track album Kweseka (Drifting Ahead) as well as several intensive workshops with professional coaches led by Zig Zag World’s Poney Gross, to prepare us for the tour.This was the first big stepping-stone for the band.

54interviews: What would you categorize your music’s genre as being?

AM: We call our music Afro-Fusion. We fuse our Tonga beats with funk, reggae, Latin touches and pop influence, blended in with a distinctive Mokoomba groove and lyrical content. Mathias Muzaza’s unique vocal talent is another key element. It is unmistakable; it comes from the depth of our spiritual tradition and touches deeply the soul of audiences all over.

54interviews: Oliver Mtukudzi is the godfather of the Zimbabwe music scene, but you guys have come through with so much gusto and fervor, with your captivating Tonga rhythms, seeming as if ready to take over the reigning mantle from him.(my opinion) How has the reception been in Zimbabwe?

AM: We do not see ourselves as taking over Oliver’s crown as such. Oliver is a legend of an older generation and we have a lot of respect for his achievements. I think our aim is to show how rich and diverse Zimbabwean cultural traditions are beyond the familiar mbira, chimurenga and jit rhythms and to expand audiences and tastes for contemporary Zimbabwean music. Initially, the fact that we don’t sing in Shona language (the majority language) was a surprise to audiences, but over the past couple of years we have been gaining ground rapidly. We have been fortunate to have support from our peers, the local press as well as radio and television. This has been followed up with invitations to take part in major concerts and festivals in different parts of the country. Home base support is very important for us because that is the foundation for our creativity so we are very happy and hope to keep it growing.

54interviews: Messe Messe, the track featuring DJ Gregor Salto produced by Africa Unsigned for the Stand Up Take Action –End Poverty Campaign 2009” was what got my attention initially. What does it mean (message)?

AM: ” Messe Messe” means “Everyone”. It is a simple message – a call for action for people to stand as one in the fight against poverty. Together we are strong.

54interviews: Rising Tide is the name of your latest album, what is the inspiration behind the title?

AM: The title of our new album “Rising Tide” shows the evolution of the band over the years. We started doing music together and it best describes the growth of the band physically, mentally and above all musically. The title also captures how we are becoming stronger, our reach is becoming wider and our confidence about engaging wider and wider audiences is also rising. Thanks to Celine Le Provost, our manger’s assistant for coining this title J.

54interviews: The album is linguistically diverse as there are multiple languages represented throughout your album such as “Chokwe” from Angola, “Lubale” from Zambia. This of course, makes your sounds the more appealing outside of Zim borders. How are you guys able to sing so fluidly in other languages? Has this fluidity translated to recognition in the countries that these languages originate?

AM: The town of Victoria Falls is located on the border with Botswana, Namibia and Zambia also very close to Angola. All the people in this region are raised to understand and speak all of the regional languages because we interact with everyone there. Mathias’ parents for example come from Zambia and Angola increasing his ability to write songs in those languages. This is part of our culture and whether we sing in Lubale, Tonga, Chokwe, and Ndebele we are bringing the traditions and beauty of the languages and the cultures into the music. Our ability to communicate is no doubt a huge advantage when we play in regional festivals or seek airplay. However, we believe that the power of the music carries us further than the language because we have seen how well audiences in Europe respond to our music even without knowledge of any of our languages and the same is true in other parts of the world.

54interviews: Manou Gallo produced your latest album. She is the production force behind such names as Kiyi M’Bock and Zap Mama. How did you guys link up with her?

AM: We first met Manou Gallo in 2008, the time we won the Music Crossroads Southern Africa competition in Malawi. She really loved our music and we developed a warm relationship from then onwards. In 2010, we did a main-stage collaboration with Manou as part of the Harare International Festival of the Arts. So, when we started working on our new CD with Zig Zag World, Poney suggested Manou Gallo as producer and of course we said yes! For us it was a great opportunity to work with such a great musician with a lot of ideas and experience. She understands our music very well and she did an amazing job!!!

54interviews: Since May, the band has been on a European tour promoting the album, gracing stages in Russia, Finland, Austria etc. How has the reception been in these countries? Where do you get the most extreme love, and shrieks from girls?

AM: We had concerts in nine different countries namely Belgium, Holland, Germany, Serbia, Hungary, Macedonia, Austria, Russia and Finland during our last tour. I am happy to say that in all theses countries we were given a warm reception, meeting friendly people and had wonderful audiences for all our performances. So far however, we have had (extreme love and shrieks from girls) in Buryatia in Russia, where we played at the Voice of the Nomads Festival in Ulan-Ude, we would love to return there soon J!!

54interviews: You guys have generated a lot of buzz in the European performance circuit, having had three successful tours. What do you attribute to this success? How have you guys been able to sustain this momentum?

AM: I would say our success has been largely due to the uniqueness of our music, our high-energy stage performance, the band’s cohesion and unity and the dedication and skill of our international management company Zig Zag World, always working to expand and develop our audiences across all parts of Europe. There are not many bands from Southern Africa touring Europe so we are honored when a lot of people tell us that we giving a breath of fresh air to African music. The successful European tours have been an eye opener for us as a band and have helped us increase our confidence and musicianship; these are assets that will help us sustain the momentum.

54interviews: The group is currently managed by Zig Zag World, whose roster of clients is legendary, to include Guinean Djembe Master Mamady Keita among other notable names. Give us a brief rundown of how this client/management relationship came to be.

AM: We first met Poney Gross in 2008 when we won Music Crossroads Competition in Malawi. We worked with him as coach and trainer and recorded our first CD inside the Music Crossroads program. This gave us time to get to know and appreciate each other and the management relationship became a natural extension of our collaborations. Poney believes in us and he loves our music, which is very important for us.

We know through Poney that Mamady Keita is a big fan of Mokoomba. Although, we have not had the chance to meet him directly as yet we are sure this will happen soon! Thanks to Mamady, one of his band members, djembefola Babara Bangoura, played djembe on Rising Tide, which is wonderful.

54interviews: Your album, Rising Tide has gotten rave reviews, from all quarters imaginable. Have you been nominated for any local/regional (African), or international music awards?

AM: Yes, it has been amazing to see the fantastic reviews we got for the CD, we could not hope for better! Although we have not received any accolades yet, we feel the biggest recognition we have gotten so far is to be selected to showcase as part of Moshito 2012 in South Africa and WOMEX 2012 in Greece, given the competition. We just want to keep working hard; the main satisfaction for us is our work on stage and audience support.

54interviews: The artwork cover for your CD is dope, who is responsible for that creation?

AM: The artwork for the album is a team effort. Marcus Gora, our manager in Africa, who wanted to capture the personality of each musician, took the photos for the cover and Spanish graphic designer Luis Umbria put together a collage and the colors to reflect the title and the spirit of the album. Luis was selected by Poney for his previous work with another Zig Zag World artist: Ialma.

54interviews: One of the top billed arts festivals in Zimbabwe, HIFA is an important platform for Zimbabwe’s artistes, in which you guys have appeared on for several performances. Aside, from the exposure, what else have you guys gained from being a part of this annual, six day arts program?

AM: HIFA is the biggest international festival in Zimbabwe. Taking part has given us confidence that we have the standard to perform at the highest level and also gave us an opportunity to create exciting new collaborations on stage. In 2012, we developed a unique performance with Gregor Salto, which became the toast of the festival and showed local audiences how far local music can go.

54interviews: When can we expect you in the U.S.?

AM: Of course, for us the U.S. is a very important territory and it is a priority for our future tours. We know that Zimbabwean music is well appreciated there. We have also received fantastic reviews about our CD in important music blogs like Afropop Worldwide (Banning Eyre) and several radio stations like First World Music (Akena. Hammagaadji), Africa Mix (Emmanuel Nado), Bonjour Africa (Bouna Ndiaye) and KAOS-fm (Scott Stevens) are already playing our songs and supporting our music. Our management is working hard to organize a tour for late 2013, but it is certain by 2014 we would have made it! In the mean time, enjoy the music video for our song titled Njoka J that gives you a window into our capital city of Harare today.

54interviews: Parting shot. Anything else you would like your fans to know?

AM: Mokoomba is not just a band; it is an experience and a roller coaster ride for us and for audiences. We love what we do and we take everyone with us. Once you have had the Mokoomba experience, you won’t want to do without it! So Get Ready!

http://54interviews.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/mokoomba-freshly-ground/#respond Rising Tide August 6, 2012 Mokoomba

Reviewed by Banning Eyre

Mokoomba is quite simply the most impressive band Zimbabwe has produced in recent memory. Surprisingly, its members do not hail from the country’s Shona majority—like iconic bandleader/ songwriters Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi—or even the large Ndebele population in the south. Rather, these six musicians come from the tiny Tonga minority. The Tonga lived along the banks of the Zambezi River (bordering Zambia to the north) until most were driven to higher, and dryer, ground by flooding that created Lake Kariba. But Mokoomba, formed in 2001, do not dwell on the Tonga’s tragic past. Instead, they trumpet the energy and dynamism of their region’s best known geographic feature, the august Victoria Falls. That’s the kind of energy and confidence this band wants to project, and on Rising Tide, they succeed mightily. Lead singer Mathias Muzaza has been all over southern Africa, absorbing music and culture. He speaks 6 languages, and sings with a sharp, clear voice capable of gale force exertions we might expect to hear from a West African griot. Muzaza and guitarist/singer Trustworth Samende wrote most of the 12 songs on the CD, which range from funky rap, to expert Congolese grooves, including quasi-reggae and even a Latin tune along the way. You won’t hear any of the sounds generally associated with Zimbabwe—no mbiras, marimbas, or Ladysmith-style choral work. Although Mokoomba exploit Tonga rhythms and melodies, they are out to create a global fusion, a music rooted in their home reality while still open to the sounds of the world. After winning awards in Zimbabwe, recording a debut CD and touring Europe in 2009 and ‘10, Mokoomba caught the ear of ace Cote D’Ivoirian bass maestro and producer Manu Gallo. Gallo is a veteran of Kiyi M’Bock, Zap Mama, and has released a number of fantastic solo CDs in her own right. She produced Rising Tide, and her savvy judgment and familiarity with high-end Afropop production help to make every track shimmer. “Njoka,” the title track, is a brilliant mash-up of beat box vocals, warm guitar riffing, and punchy percussion and brass work, all backing Muzaza’s edgy lead vocal and rich layers of backing vocals from the rest of group. This band can sing, and they prove it on every track. For a taste, check out the video of “Njoka”, which presents an intriguing black-and-white look at downtown Harare after more than a decade of economic decline. “Mwile” is the Latin track, and Muzaza’s keening vocal works beautifully in this context. “Misozi” explores the Congo connection, beginning with folksy acoustic guitar picking reminiscent of the old copperbelt pickers (from the Zambia/Congo border). Later, the song revs into full Congo pop mode, with animated stop time riffs, sweetly soaring guitar leads, and great rhythm breakdowns. “Nimukonda” nods to melodious old-school reggae, and then rough-and-ready dancehall. The sheer density of ideas in this session is impressive, but it never feels like the musicians are merely checking off stylistic boxes. Their commitment and verve enlivens every performance, right up to the clubby crescendo, “Weleye,” where Gallo’s suave production touch is once again a unmistakable and powerful asset. This is an A+ international debut from a band nobody saw coming. Reports are they are even better onstage. In all, Mokoomba, riding their own rising tide, are the best news we have heard out of Zimbabwe in years.

http://www.afropop.org/wp/4453/mokoomba-rising-tide/ Hello African Music lovers,

Our latest playlist & audio file are posted. Thanks to Mokoomba for our CD of the week.

Their new CD, Rising Tide is a splendid document. The music is strong, modern, rooted in Africa & spiked with the spice of Latin, soukous, reggae, palm wine and other influences. The production too is superb. Manou Gallo becomes one of that rare breed in music, a woman who produces an album for a man or an all male group. Mokoomba are from Zimbabwe. They are comprised of 6 young men, in their twenties perhaps. The lead singer’s voice is a strong instrument, masculine, with a hint of a rasp. He doesn’t decorate his melody lines with lots of noticeable technique but no one listing can doubt his capacity to deliver exciting, rousing vocals. They group might remind some of the Bhundu Boys only because they are 6 young men from Zimbabwe who play exciting music and display their professionalism via their choreographed stage presence. Unlike the Bhundu Boys though, Mokoomba members sing in Chi-Tonga, not Shona. And there is scant reference to jit or chimurenga in their repertoire. All in all, I’m very excited for the prospects for this group & I hope they go far. And hopefully, unlike the Bhundu boys, they can resist the temptations of fame and stay focused, sober & practice modesty & safe sexual behaviours. How can forget that all but one of the Bhundus dies of Aids and the lead singer took his own life before Aids could. I sincerely wish Mokoomba would avoid all these pitfalls. If they do, a long and successful career can be

April 22 2012 www.firstworldmusic.org/2-playlist.html

HOME / THE MUSIC CLUB : NEW ALBUMS DISSECTED OVER EMAIL.

The Music Club, 2012 Entry 3: Should we be suspicious of hipsters’ newfound love of R&B? From: Jason King|Posted Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at 11:12 AM ET

(…) Though there’s a surfeit of great albums this year, it seems that less people in aggregate hear more than a handful because there’s simply too much product in distribution (20 million on-demand tracks on Spotify) for any one person to listen with any real attentiveness. Sure you heard Channel Orange, but did you hear Quantic’s brilliant Look Around the Corner? How about Mokoomba’s vibrant Rising Tide? Listening to music in the streaming era is like negotiating an avalanche: Try to stay ahead of it if you can, but chances are you’ll soon be gasping for air, if you surface at all. (…)

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/the_music_club/features/2012/music_club_2012_the_top_albums_and_so ngs_of_the_year/music_club_2012_why_frank_ocean_received_pop_culture_s_warm_embrace.html

News International Artists Bring New Excitement to Zimbabwe

imbabwe has long struggled with such issues as land seizures, violence,Z election irregularities, human rights abuse and economic troubles. But each year, Zimbabwe hosts a week-long event that provides a respite from the daily drudgery. The Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) brings international artists from around the globe. Music is known as the universal language. If that maxim is confirmed anywhere it is at the Harare International Festival of the Arts, or Hifa, in Zimbabwe.

There are artists from Europe, Latin America, Central America and Africa. One can hear music being sung in nearly every language imaginable, and the effect is the same. Happiness.

The German reggae music band Jamaram is playing in their native language. Fans try sing along. The festival is not just about music. There are actors, dancers and other practioners of the performing and visual arts. Samm Monro, better known as Comrade Fatso, is a British-born Zimbabwean artist participating at the HIFA. He says the arts festival plays an important role in Zimbabwean culture.

"I think HIFA week is really an important week in Zimbabwe," said Monro. "It gives us an opportunity to see what we can do as Zimbabweans. It creates an amazing space of mixing between Zimbabwean cultures, classes, et cetera."

Jamaram is a German eight-member music group performing three shows at the HIFA. One of the shows is performed free of charge for Zimbabweans who can not afford the festival's $20 entry fee. Jamaram member Samuel Philip says music is not just about entertaining people.

"No matter where you are from in the world when you do music… it does not matter, music brings people together. It is the classic. It is the universal language," he said.

HIFA organizers say they want the arts festival to become as grand as the popular Rio Festival in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, to develop Zimbabwe’s ailing economy. HIFA Chairman George Mutendadzamera says the 13-year-old annual festival is more than just artists entertaining Zimbabweans.

"It is the economic impact of HIFA," he said. "The bottom-line is when you have a festival we drink. There is employment creation. We generate wealth. Last year we created something short of 1300 jobs." While artists and HIFA organizers are positive about the festival’s cultural and economic benefits, Stanley Kwenda, the director of Artists for Democracy thinks Zimbabwean artists are being overshadowed by their international counterparts.

“Local artists like Mokoomba should get more time,” he said. “They are as good as international artists. This crowd as you can see has been energized by Mokoomba. We did not get what we wanted from Mokoomba. Let us have local groups which are of international quality. We want them to give local artists more time than they give to Oprah music, like they do to foreign artists. Mokoomba is fantastic.”

Whatever the criticism, the HIFA Arts Festival is an event that has rocked Zimbabwe. And with HIFA’s close Sunday, many might wish for more to help them forget their miseries in the troubled nation. http://www.voanews.com/content/international-artists-bring-new-excitement-to-zimbabwe-150285855/370520.html