Beauty in the Dark: A Peace of Ebony and "Vadzimu"

Today's song is by Zimbabwean group A Peace of Ebony, entitled Vadzimu. A Peace of Ebony was a group of five musicians, all young, talented and innovative who were led by rapper/activist Herbert Schwamborn. They were especially influential on young Zimbabwean performers. In 1994, after winning the prestigious Radio France International Discoveries prize, the members went their own ways, with their lead singer, Chiwoniso, going on to front her own band. Vadzimu has multi-lingual lyrics and encourages Africans to celebrate and assert their cultural identities. You can find Vadzimu on the 2003 compilation Putumayo Presents: African Groove.

Listen to songs like this and more on the KUNM Global Music Show every Monday night from 10 pm - 1 am Mountain Standard Time. Live streaming, program information and the two-week digital archive can be found at http://www.kunm.org.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Schwamborn; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiwoniso_Maraire

Heed Your Friends: Mokoomba and "Njoka"

Mokoomba brings us the random tune for today, called Njoka. A product of Zimbabwe's music scene, Mokoomba uses traditional and modern instruments, draws from many different international and African musical styles including funk and reggae, and sings in many different African languages as well as English. The groups name is a word that signifies deep respect for the Zambezi River and the life along its banks. Their lyrics focus on Zimbabwean life, health problems such as HIV/AIDS, and social ills but with a message of hope. Njoka is a phrase that warns listeners that they should heed the warning of their friends, and the song can be found on Mokoomba's 2012 release Rising Tide.

Listen to songs like this and more on the KUNM Global Music Show every Monday night from 10 pm - 1 am Mountain Standard Time. Live streaming, program information and the two-week digital archive can be found at http://www.kunm.org.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mokoomba

Vocal Tradition: IYASA and "Helele Mama"

Our random tune for today is called Helele Mama, and is performed by IYASA. Short for Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts, IYASA is a Zimbabwe-based award winning performing arts school for youth which was established in 2001. The school uses workshops, classes, projects, training programs and performance to build awareness of and support for the arts in Zimbabwe, and also serves as an incubator for talent in the country in a wide range of fields, including poetry, acting, music, voice, drama, film and other areas. You can find Helele Mama on the 2016 album Best of African Mbube. Mbube is an African vocal genre which is commonly associated with the group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and was originally developed in coal mines by young Zulu men. It is characterized by a strong four part a cappella vocal harmony with dancing.

Listen to songs like this and more on the KUNM Global Music Show every Monday night from 10 pm - 1 am Mountain Standard Time. Live streaming, program information and the two-week digital archive can be found at http://www.kunm.org.

Mermaids Bring Joy: Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks with "Chigwaya (The Bream Fish)"

"The Lion of Zimbabwe" brings us today's random tune, called Chigwaya (The Bream Fish). Thomas Mapfumo, also known as Mukanya, the praise name given to him in his Shona clan, is a sharp critic of Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and is very popular and politically powerful. An innovator, he created the style of music known as Chimurenga - the word means "liberation" and focuses on themes of human rights, social justice and political dignity. It is also based on traditional mbira music, but played with modern electric instrumentation. Imprisoned during the white domination of the former incarnation of the country as Rhodesia, he now lives in the United States. His music is instantly recognizable to Zimbabweans and has influenced other Zimbabwean musicians. He occasionally returns to his home country though he hasn't been there since 2005. You can find Chigwaya (The Bream Fish) on his 1998 album Chimurenga '98. The song is a 1000 year old ceremonial mbira song calling mermaid spirits to bring health, wealth and powers of prophecy, and implies joy and delight in a time of plenty.