Latest Recordings: 1997 - 2001

Click here for a year: 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

For 2002 recordings, go to CDs

2001 Recordings

CD 3401 Nighttime Nemakonde - Forward Kwenda 2001

The low, low luscious full sound of Forward's Nemakonde tuning mbira makes this recording favorite nighttime listening. Gentle singing perfectly complements the mbira as it moves through many moods: meditative, lively, grounded, passionate. This recording was made around 1 am, prime mbira time for a musician used to playing at the all-night mapira (ceremonies) used to call ancestors and other benevolent spirits in Zimbabwe.

1. Mbavarira 5:48
2. Marenje 9:14
3. Chipembere 9:43
4. Nyuchi 9:03
5. Tadzungaira 13:10

CD 3400 Chakwi - Forward Kwenda 2001

"Chakwi" or "Machakwi" is a marshy place. 2001 was a marshy, mucky time in history for both Zimbabwe (economic collapse, political violence, AIDS catastrophe) and the U.S. (recession, terrorism, hate). The healing qualities of mbira music have never been more important. As Forward puts it, "If everyone in the world played mbira, there would always be peace."

On this recording, Forward Kwenda plays solo nyamaropa tuning mbira in a very, very high pitch, contrasting with his deep pitched soulful vocals for a uniquely beautiful texture. One highlight is Kambiriviri, which sounds like Tadzungaira met Taireva. This is MBIRA's first recording with our new digital field equipment! It puts your ears inside Forward's deze (calabash mbira resonator).

1. Chakwi 8:11
2. Chipindura 8:58
3. Bangidza 9:58
4. Nhema musasa 14:44
5. Muzoriwa 8:27
6. Taireva 10:06
7. Kambiriviri 8:23
8. Shumba 8:27

Tape No.

330 Newton Gwara & Fabian Rujuwa - Nyamaropa & Nyamaropa Dongonda Tuning Mbira & Vocals

Another great recording of one of Zimbabwe’s best vocalists, Newton Gwara, who plays kutsinhira on nyamaropa dongonda (aka njari yeMakonde) tuning, with Fabian Rujuwa on solid kushaura. (Kuenda Mbire, Rwendo runo, Gorekore Dande, Chaminuka ndimambo, Gona ramambo Mutekedza, Bukatiende, Kari mugomba, Shumba)

331 Luken Pasipamire Kwari - Solo Nyamaropa Tuning Mbira & Vocals

Beautiful, strong playing from one of the members of the classic group Mhuri yekwaRwizi. Some great, unusual versions of some of the classic mbira repertoire – you won’t believe the first cut is Nhema musasa (it is!). Nice singing, too, on some cuts. (Nhema musasa, Mukatiende, Nhema musasa yepasi, Nyama musango, Kariga mombe, Mbavarira, Bangidza, Kasawa, Mahororo, Shumba)

I had the wonderful opportunity to record 4 rural groups in the Mhondoro area of rural Zimbabwe in 2001 (Tapes, 332, 333, 334, 335.) They were all great! I love how some of the dezes (calabash mbira resonators) resulted in the mbiras sounding like they are NOT a metallic keyed instrument – very organic sound! Some excellent vocals, too. Special thanks to Sekuru Joshua Magaya for inviting the groups to Magaya village for me to record. None of these musicians had ever been recorded before. –- Erica Azim

332 Mhuri yekwa Manomano - Nyamaropa tuning mbira, vocals, hosho, makwa (wood blocks)

Beautiful, beautiful vocals from the two mbira players, Langton Manomano and Felix Musonza. Hosho and makwa round out the group sound…close your eyes and this one will take you to rural Zimbabwe. (Mahororo, Mukatiende, Chipembere, Chipindura, Nyamaropa, Muroro)

333 Mhondoro Mbira Group - Nyamaropa tuning mbira, vocals, hosho, makwa (handclapping)

Wow! This group has such a tight groove, you will definitely want to dance to them all night. Excellent musicians – all round great group – a real favorite! (Dande, Kari mugomba, Chipembere, Mahororo, Chipindura, Taireva, Bukatiende, Nyamaropa, Chandasarira, Mhuri yangu, Bangidza)

334 Mhuri dzaVanhu - Nyamaropa tuning mbira, vocals, hosho

In this group, the lead vocalist is not playing mbira, and his vocals spread out over the solid mbira playing in a looser time sense – a different sound. And I really like their Bangidza at the end, without vocals. (Murooro, Mahororo,,Kasawa, Mukai tiende, Dande, Shumba, Nyamaropa, Nhema musasa, Bangidza)

335 Friday Chamunorwa - Nyamaropa Tuning mbira, vocals, hosho, makwa (handclapping)

Friday waited all day while I recorded 3 other groups, then played some really interesting versions of the classic mbira pieces – listen to how the angular rhythms cross the hosho and handclapping by his young children. Great rhythmic groove (hey, students of Nhema musasa should practice with this to get the rhythm right!) Friday is the teacher of Simon Hoto, whose mbira and vocals were great on last year’s tape 306 (this year Simon used his tape proceeds to get married!) (Chaminuka ndimambo, Nhema musasa, Taireva, Mahororo, Dangurangu, Nyama musango, Chipindura)

336 Fradreck & Sam Mujuru – Dambatsoko Tuning Mbira 2001

The sequel to one of my favorite tapes (tape 110 of Fradreck and Sam in 1994), this is a must for lovers of the mellow sound of Dambatsoko tuning. There’s that special chemistry that brothers who play mbira together have… (Bukatiende yepasi, Pfodora, Hoto, Chaminuka, Nhema musasa, Masangano, Nyamaropa yavana vaVaMushonga)

337 Boniface Mutandwa - Solo Nyamaropa Tuning Mbira and Vocals 2001

Feeling no pain…Boniface had a lot to drink while waiting for another mbira player who didn’t show up, so this is a very informal recording, very relaxed, changing between songs unpredictably, belting out vocals unexpectedly at times. (Taireva, Nyama musango, Tondobayana, Nyamaropa/Mahororo, Nyamaropa Chipembere, Shumba yaNgwasha, Bukatiende, Nhema musasa yepasi, Chipindura, Nhema musasa, Baya wabaya, Dande)

338 Mhuri yekwaRwizi: The Next Generation. – Nyamaropa tuning mbira, vocals, hosho

Ages 18 to 23, the sons of Mondrek Muchena (Kevin), Cosmas Magaya (Mudavanhu) and Hakurotwi Mude (Moses, and older brother Frank on a couple of songs) amazed me with their playing. They really groove, and are doing honor to the footsteps they step in, of one of the all-time most renowned mbira groups in Zimbabwe. (Nhema musasa, Mahororo, Dande, Taireva, Bangidza, Bukatiende, Chandasarira, Chipembere, Kariga mombe, Chipindura)

339 Munyaradzi, Stanley, Norman & Sam Mujuru – Dambatsoko Tuning Mbira & Vocals

Another must for lovers of the low, low Dambatsoko tuning. Four (taking turns with 3 mbiras) of the 20- and 30-something year olds of the vast Mujuru clan of mbira players played some lovely songs from the ancient repertoire of their family, with some great vocals. (Mataura here, Mubvumbi, Mawere, Dande, Baya wabaya, Mutamba, Nyamaropa yeVaNhowe)

340 Forward Kwenda – Stories (Ngano) at Great Zimbabwe

Instead of mbira, this time Forward tells old stories (ngano), mostly about the classic animal characters like clever Rabbit, Baboon, Elephant, Hippo, etc. One story (about the animals playing mbira!) is accompanied on the mbira. Each story has a meaning, and these stories were part of traditional Shona education, passed from grandparents to grandchildren.

2000 Recordings

Tape No.

300  Friday Mudzurure & Cosmas Magaya - Nyamaropa Tuning Mbira

”Memories of Mondrek”...the late Mondrek Muchena’s mbira partner (Friday) and close relative (Cosmas) enjoyed playing together for the first time - great playing in a strong, clear style. Side B is Friday solo.

301  Fungai Mujuru - Solo Dambatsoko Tuning Mbira

Fungai is the senior living mbira player of the Mujuru family. This is a must-have for fans of the family’s low, low Dambatsoko tuning. Great version of Nyamaropa yeVaNhowe!

303  Chaka Chawasarira - Solo Matepe Mbira and Vocal

Recorded late at night at his home near the farm school where he teaches. Enjoy the delightfully different sound of the matepe, that many of you enjoyed when you heard Chaka with the Mbira Masters Tour last year.

304  Mhuri yekwaRwizi 2000 - Mbira Group - Nyamaropa Tuning

Hakurotwi Mude’s voice is as big as ever, here intertwined with Luken Pasipamire’s softer, gentler vocals. Luken and Mude’s son Frank Mude on mbira. Two versions of Bangidza, two versions of Nhema musasa yepasi, and you can’t miss hearing Mude sing Mandarendare (his favorite), Nyama musango, etc, etc. It was a very cold, damp winter in Zimbabwe this year, so forgive some coughing!

305  Mhuri yekwaMagaya in Mhondoro - Mbira Group - Nyamaropa Tuning

Recorded at night in Sekuru (“Grandfather”) Magaya’s village in Mhondoro. Hearing three generations of the Magaya family together was a treat I’ll never forget. Cosmas Magaya and his 17-year old son Mudavanhu on mbira, Sekuru (Cosmas’s father) singing. You’ll hear other family members singing occaisionally in the background, too. And I think the tape recorder survived the ashes from the fire that kept us warm.

306  Jenny Muchumi, Simon Hoto & Mudavanhu Magaya in Mhondoro -
       Mbira Group - Nyamaropa Tuning

I’m always excited to meet another of Zimbabwe’s rare women mbira players, including Jenny Muchumi in rural Mhondoro. Romping mbiras(3) and vocals(2)!!! Every song rocks - get out those dancing feet.

307  Boniface Mutandwa - Solo Nyamaropa Tuning Mbira and Vocals

I’ve always thought of Boniface (brother of Mai Muchena) as the wild man of mbira, and he didn’t disappoint me this time. Wow! Hear what he does to 12 of the mbira classics... my favorite is the Nyama musango that sounds like it met Dangurangu.

309  Best of Forward Kwenda Vol. 4 - November 2000

Fasten your seatbelt and prepare to visit other galaxies. No mbira player should be without this one. Brand new November 2000 tape with an incredible(!!!!!) Dangu rangu in that unusual tuning you heard him perform on during his 2000 U.S. tour. Also, Shumba, Zvarambwa and a mystery song in that tuning. And oh, the Chipembere and Tadzungaira in gandanga tuning!

276  Forward Kwenda Solo: Mahororo & More -
        Nyamaropa and "Ephat's 1998" Tunings

This new solo recording of Forward Kwenda features several versions of Mahororo, and Taireva and Bangidza in nyamaropa tuning, as well as Nyama musango, (unknown name), and Nhema musasa in an unusual tuning Ephat Mujuru made in 1998 (very high pitched, with some unusual intervals...in between nyamaropa and gandanga ...). April 2000.

1999 Recordings

Tape No.

275  Forward Kwenda & Erica Azim: Intimate House Concert 2 October 1999

The tape of this very special performance includes Shumba, Chipembere, Nyama musango, Nyamaropa yepasichigare, Kanhurura, and Tadzungaira. Gandanga, Dambatsoko, and nemakonde tunings. Some Forward solo, some with Erica Azim. Incredible high melodies on Shumba!!! 1999.

260   Mbira at Mujuru Village 1999 - Dambatsoko Tuning Mbira - Tape 1 of 2

261   Mbira at Mujuru Village 1999 - Dambatsoko Tuning Mbira - Tape 2 of 2

Fungai, Alois and Fradreck Mujuru and Fred Manjengwa play the repertoire of the Mujuru family, including many beautiful songs I’ve never heard outside this village, including Nyonga nyonga (20 hosho beat cycle) and Musakara (17 beat cycle). 1999.

262   Josephat Mandaza & Paul Gombedza -
        Nyamaropa & Mavembe (Gandanga) Tunings

Long songs (15 - 25 minutes each), no singing on this relaxing recording of mbira-maker Mandaza and his current mbira partner. 1999.

263   Newton Gwara & Tera Kutya - Nyamaropa Tuning - Tape 1 of 2

264   Newton Gwara & Tera Kutya - Nyamaropa Tuning - Tape 2 of 2

One can never have too many tapes of Newton Gwara’s wonderful singing! He sings and plays kutsinhira on these recordings, while Kutya plays kushaura. 1999.

265  “Simboti” Rinos Mukuwurirwa & Tiri Chongotere - Saungweme Tuning

Mbira-maker Simboti studied mbira with late great Bandambira. Incredibly, he can play the same mbira piece at various different pitches on the same mbira. This recording features 6 different versions of Nhema musasa, as well as other songs. Mmmm, enjoy the different tuning! 1999.

266   Madakurwa Mbira Group - Nyamaropa Tuning

OK, we’re edging into the next millenium. A friend of this rural Chihota area group contacted me by email and asked me to record them! 1999.

267   “Sekuru Gora” Thomas Wadharwa - Solo Gandanga & Nyamaropa Tuning

This famous mbira elder may be past the peak of his mbira playing, but, oh!, his singing!! Renowned for singing incredibly funny things in Shona with a perfectly straight face, you’ll still enjoy his wonderful old-man-style mbira singing, even if you don’t understand a word. 1999.

268   Luken Pasipamire & Chris Mhlanga - Nyamaropa Tuning

Strong, powerful playing in the style of the old Mhuri yekwaRwizi recordings of the 60’s and 70’s. Check out how they switch parts (kushaura/kutsinhira) seamlessly in the middle of some of the pieces. Nice singing from Luken, too. A good tape for mbira students to learn variations off (or just dance all night to, even without hosho). 1999.

269   Forward Kwenda - Late Night at Mbizi Game Park -
        Solo Nemakonde & Nyamaropa Tunings

Working too hard to play much mbira these days, he claims he’s out of practice. Ah, to play that well even when out of practice! This middle-of-the-night mbira sound, with quiet singing, is perfect to go to sleep to. Sweet dreams! 1999.

1998 Recordings

Tape No.

250   Fradreck Mujuru - Solo Dambatsoko Tuning Mbira

You know him for his beautifully crafted mbiras - now hear his excellent mbira playing on songs from his family's ancient repertoire. One amazing piece has a 20 hosho beat cycle! 1998.

251   Newton Gwara - Solo Nyamaropa Tuning Mbira and Vocals

We had a lot of requests for a second Gwara recording, and here it is! Still one of Zimbabwe's most soulful mbira singers. 1998. (see No. 206 for our first recording of him)

252   Musekiwa Chingodza - Solo Mbira and Vocals

Another sweet selection from one of Zimbabwe's younger accomplished mbira players (now 32), including sweet vocals. 1998.

253   Newton Gwara and Chaka Marimba

Wow! One mbira, 3 marimbas, hosho and lots of vocals on material ranging from mbira pieces to Shona pop. We met these marimba players when they were 18 in 1994 while walking in downtown Harare, where they were performing for the lunchtime crowd. These personable young people are now performing together with older mbira player and vocalist extroardinaire Newton Gwara - a great group! 1998. Now also available as CD 3253.

254   Forward Kwenda - Solo Gandanga Tuning Mbira and Vocals

He'd been driving for 10 of the previous 24 hours and been up all night..aybe not as transcendent as some of his other recordings but still really great. Yes, Kwenda fans, there's yet another Tadzungaira. And Chipembere Nhimutimu, Marenje, Chipembere, etc. 1998

1997 Recordings

213   Best of Forward Kwenda Vol 2

5 recordings of Forward playing Tadzungaira in many moods, recorded in Zimbabwe - some cuts are walkman recordings and not great sound quality, but the music quality transcends that - an incredible piece, incredibly played! 1997.

223  Forward Kwenda & Erica Azim House Concert March 1997

Concert celebrating Forward's arrival in the U.S. in 1997.

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