Description
Monoswezi weave traditional African songs and instruments with cool Scandinavian jazz. Zimbabwean mbira and vocals are enriched with Mozambican percussion and embellished with Nordic sax and sympathetic rhythm section. This is the group's second album on Riverboat Records, following the critically acclaimed 2013 release 'The Village'.
Monoswezi bind themselves together on 'Monoswezi Yanga', gently singing reworked folk songs and whispering vivid tales. Hope Masike's dulcet tones guide the album. She assumes the role of storyteller, underpinned by smooth unobtrusive accompaniment. As listeners we are invited to gather round, to sit at her feet soaking up the illuminated myths and legends of her childhood.
The role of the Zimbabwean mbira is paramount to Monoswezi's style. Hope raises the flag for female mbira players everywhere, unlocking rhythmic routes through the sound on every track. Monoswezi Yanga also experiments with the use of a bass mbira as heard resounding low on last track "Nhetembo". The result is entrancing: a slowly revolving, other-worldly fantasia for mbira.
"A unique sound blending traditional songs from Zimbabwe with Scandinavian Jazz." - CNN
"A hypnotic blend of Norwegian saxophone and Zimbabwean mbira." - Financial Times
"A remarkable balance between two different cultures." - Songlines