Thomas Mapfumo-THE CHIMURENGA SINGLES 1976-1980 (1984)

Thomas Mapfumo is one of the most popular artists of the Chimurenga cultural movement, of the liberation musical movement in Zimbabwe. The songs on "The Chimurenga Singles 1976-1980" describe the sadness and the confusion of the war and post-war time in Zimbabwe. But they also describe the hopes and the determination for a new Zimbabwe.

On "Chauya Chirizevha (Rural life is back)", when Thomas Mapfumo sings that The war is over in Zimbabwe, life is back to normal in rural areas, it gives me the goose bumps. I don't understand the language in which Thomas Mapfumo sings but you easily feel the energy and the determination in his voice. The music is solid and engaging. The more energetic songs are uplifting. This is important, meaningful music. If you are interested in African music, you should get your hand on at least one CD from Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited. A note for bass players: there are some really interesting, energetic, warn bass lines. You'll be surprised.

At the first listening, the sound might sound a bit rough but, as specified in the CD booklet: "the quality on some of these tracks leaves to be desired, but remember they were made under war conditions".

I would also recommend the "Chimurenga Forever - The best of Thomas Mapfumo" CD on the Hemisphere label. A very good introduction to the more modern, polished sound of Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited. A lot of titles on the Hemisphere label are so so but this is an important exception.

-Charles-Antoine Caron, amazon.com

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Thomas Mapfumo-THE CHIMURENGA SINGLES 1976-1980 (1984)