Search - Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited :: Chimurenga '98

A great introduction to chimerunga music

Jeremy R Youde | Iowa City, IA United States | 07/03/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"this album is nearly ideal for those interested in trying to understand the power and passion of chimerunga music. while it may seem to leack some of the urgency of mapfumo's work in the 1970s, his biting social criticisms and observations of daily life in zimbabwe provide an excellent window into comtemporary zimbabwean society. mapfumo truly is the voice of modern-day zimbabwe, and this recording only serves to further cement that position. while nothing can beat seeing him live, playing in some shebeen in the high-density suburbs of harare, this album comes close."

His best album in years

Jeremy R Youde | 12/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of Mapfumo's finest albums ever, certainly the best of the nineties. A perfect balance between traditional, jit-chimurenga and other-worldly is maintained. Chigwaya, Ndave Kuenda and Usatambe Nenyoka allow Joshua Dube to showcase his mbira guitar style -- actually he shines throughout. Ndiani Waparadza Musha features Mali griot-style acoustic guitar from Banning Eyre, mbira driven Mali melodies over a traditional Shona trance rhythm - not to mention Mapfumo's wailing vocals and beautiful backing from the singing daughters. Also check out Titambire (watch for Baba Maal's Mariama groove in the bassline), Zimba Remabwe; all the styles Mapfumop has ever delved in are here, SA influenced Afrojazzy stuff, reggaeish materials, pure chimurenga and jit, afro-pop. Better than Chimurenga Explosion, which is saying a lot"