#thomas mapfumo

[afrotumble]

Don Letts with Burning Spear and Thomas Mapfumo at Island Records 1990

Adrian Boot 📸

#weaderasta

[lobstersinmyhouse]

Top five underrated songs or artists, need new music to listen to

O fuk idk if I can think of five good ones but here goes

1) Hugh Masakela. One of the best jazz artists on the planet. I'm talking Louis Armstrong tier. Highly underrated outside of Africa.

2) Thomas Mapfumo, the king of Chimurenga music and a hero of the Zimbabwean revolution.

3) Sons of Champlin, a bay area psychedelic band who could've made it big. Lots of brass and interesting arrangements. They were overshadowed by the grateful dead

4) Any John Zorn project. Dude's really good at torturing jazz instruments. I particularly like painkiller.

5) auhghhhb my brain hurts from thinking. Iunnooo I'm sorry

[danielmizu]

"Unyielding Spirit: Zimbabwean Heroes and Heroines in the Pursuit of Transformation"

In the realm of hardships, where poverty casts its heavy veil upon our land, I hold deep respect for every Zimbabwean soul, toiling ceaselessly day and night. We find ourselves entrenched in a nation besieged by destitution, where the vast majority, if not all, who dwell in the realm of the impoverished, languish in its suffocating grip. These days, both yesterday and today, serve as poignant reminders of the indomitable spirit that courses through the veins of many Zimbabweans.

Truly, we are the unsung heroes and heroines, entangled in the intricate webs of political quagmires and economic tribulations. Yet, with unwavering determination, we press on, striving to make ends meet in a country plagued by corruption, soaring unemployment rates, economic turmoil, political unrest, and the relentless persecution of those who dare to speak up. Men and women, girls and boys, have played instrumental roles in the positive transformation of our nation, though their efforts often go unnoticed. It is not solely the veterans of the liberation struggle to whom we owe our gratitude, for even the born frees have contributed their part.

The absence of participation in armed conflict should not be a cause for condemnation, but alas, it becomes a burden when one finds themselves persecuted for not shouldering the burden of war. Among us, there exists a multitude of individuals who have tirelessly worked to make Zimbabwe a better nation. Today, I find it fitting to pay homage to the musicians, both mortal and immortal, who have labored to bring about positive change in our beloved land. Let us recognize the contributions of figures like Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Simon "Chopper" Chimbetu, Leonard Dembo, Chiwoniso Maraire, and countless others who have used their melodies to inspire and uplift.

In the realm of literature, we encounter the luminous presence of Dambudzo Marechera, David Mungoshi, Charles Mungoshi, Tsitsi Dangarembga, and their peers. These literary gurus have fearlessly wielded their pens, painting vivid portraits that illuminate the pursuit of freedom for the black man. Their unwavering efforts, often underappreciated, have served as beacons guiding us towards a brighter future.

Let us channel the spirit of God, embracing his boundless creativity, as we acknowledge the multitude of Zimbabweans who have fervently supported the transformation of our nation. Together, we stand united, a tapestry woven from the threads of resilience and hope. May the credit and recognition they deserve be bestowed upon their weary shoulders, and may their unwavering dedication continue to shape Zimbabwe into a beacon of progress and prosperity.

Written by Daniel Mizu.

[fs-elec]

What Is A Kalimba and How to play a Kalimba?

A Kalimba is also called Thumb piano,it's an instrument made of wood and metal.The soundboard is wooden,and the keys are metal.There are two variations if you can play:the 17key Kalimba and 15key option.

Kalimba The Kalimba is an excellent instrument for numerous African celebrations and musical endeavors and was developed in South Africa. It has keys and a soundboard that make it look like a piano, and you can tune it to make any sound you want. There are numerous variations of this instrument that are referred to by various African names. The Kankobela, for instance, is a game played in Zambia that substitutes seven to twelve keys for the standard 15. It is a hand-held instrument that you play with your fingers, despite the fact that it may have tines, or keys, like a piano. One of the instruments that is easiest to learn to play is the kalimba.

How Do You Play the Kalimba?

Kalimba The Kalimba is easy to learn because all you need are good thumb dexterity and patience. You must hold the Kalimba in both hands and pluck the keys with your thumbs to play it. Because they give your finger plucks more leverage, many seasoned players advise growing your nails before playing. Whether you are purchasing a brand-new instrument or keeping an older one that you haven't used in a while, it is best to check each tine to see if they are dead. The most common Kalimbas have 15 and 19 keys, but the number of keys can range from 5 to 21. It's easier to play with fewer keys, but you can't play more difficult songs with fewer keys. You should select fewer keys to learn depending on how you intend to use the Kalimba, either professionally or as a hobby. You can increase the number of keys and, as a result, the number of songs you can play as you get better at using the instrument.  But if you want to use your Kalimba professionally, you should know how to tune it in case it doesn't sound right when you play a certain tone.

How To Tune Your Thumb Piano?

Tune a kalimba Tuning a Kalimba is a straightforward process and only requires a small hammer-like tool to complete. The hammer is appropriately called a “Kalimba tuner,” fits in the palm of your hand, and is relatively lightweight. To start the tuning process, grab the Kalimba with one hand and the tuner with the other. After figuring out which key is out of tune (You can use a phone app for that), gently knock on it from the bottom to raise the pitch or from the top to lower it. The amount of times you have to knock on it depends on how out of tune the tine is. It's always best to check the tone as you fix it to ensure you get it correctly tuned. You can place the phone app or mechanic tuner you used next to the Kalimba while adjusting to get the best results. After tuning, put away your tuna instrument and prepare the Kalimba for a festive show or celebration.

Where Do People Usually Play Kalimbas

Thumb Piano The Kalimba players usually reside in Africa, waiting for the opportunity to play their traditional Zimbabwe-inspired instrument for a special event. This wooden piano gained significant popularity during the 1980s with the help of Thomas Mapfumo, a famous musician. Most people don't know about Kalimba instrument since it is not in mainstream bands' instrument sets. However, with the rise of YouTube and helpful tutorials on how to use the instrument, the instrument has gained even more popularity, especially among college students. While some people use it to play Kalimba songs during smaller celebrations, most of the time, it is a personal entertainment tool for those who want a bit of sound during relaxation time. It is not uncommon for many to lay in bed and gently pluck the keys while they rest their eyes.

What Is A Kalimba? Final Thoughts

Kalimba instrument A Kalimba is a beautiful African instrument that many people use to create faint tunes during relaxation. Depending on your skill level, you may opt to start with the 5-key Kalimba, or if you're feeling a little bold, you can go up to the 21-key option. Using the instrument is not hard, and tuning it is even easier. Now you'll be ready for the next time your music teacher asks you to play this traditional instrument. Read the full article

[mrbopst]

A brand new edition of the Bopst Show is now available for free public consumption on Podomatic or wherever you get your mixtapes or podcasts.

[de-salva]

DON CHERRY - Dedication To Thomas Mapfumo

[culturenosh]

this song is gorgeous. Carly’s voice is perfect for this echoing post-punk groove; it vaporizes into the song’s technical jangle, allowing the feeling to seep in around the edges of a bouncy beat. where the rising chord changes in the chorus bespeak tension, drowning, and discord, the vocal offers peace within the chaos.

as one of the youtube comments indicates, this song also heavily samples, uncredited, this one:

this is “pfumvu pa ruzevha” by Thomas mapfumo, a Zimbabwean guitarist and activist. the title translates to “trouble in the preserves” - a lament about the difficult living conditions in Zimbabwe’s rural areas. the song was written in 1977, under the colonial regime in the country; its lyrics narrate how city centers, flush with cash from colonial economic structures, flourish while residents of the countryside suffer in poverty and watch their families die.

pop music is amazing, a sort of broad-scale hymn for a society with no gods. like hymns, pop unites people of different experiences and origins; like hymns, it can act as an opiate as much as a balm. through ignorance or malice, pop can hurt people, can be indefensible. “trouble in the streets” steals from “pfumvu pa ruzevha”; it’s not the first nor is it probably the last time that a group of white artists will take the work of a black artist and bleed it of its meaning. without the central, circular riff, bc unidos’ track loses all of its power and forward motion; that central riff is not theirs to claim. they know this. it’s why it wasn’t mentioned anywhere that this riff is mapfumo’s (the closest information on the internet is an obscure interview with Ariel pink around its release, in which he describes the riff as “a short loop/sample of a highlife recording” that he then built the chord progression off of). it’s why the sample remains uncredited, why mapfumo is not listed among the song’s writers. his piece is the most essential; it provides the engine of the track. but “trouble in the streets” dishonors its parent song by making its central conflict about lovers on the outs. its existence implies that the suffering in one place can be converted, no questions asked, to the pleasure of another.

[radiophd]

thomas mapfumo -- shumba

[djhamaradio]

My radio show initially recorded for 09.11. But broadcast on 09.18. Sunday midnight to 02:00am

[jyaie]

usandibate is a song by jay ft splits loui

[cosmogyros]

THANK YOU to people who give their bands eye-catching names like "Hallelujah Chicken Run Band" so when I see them on Spotify I can't help but press play out of sheer curiosity and five minutes later I'm in love <3 <3 <3

[mellowfestbanana]

Zimbabwe Mbira; traditional xylophone music instrument, legendary artists from the Southern Africa nation

Zimbabwe Mbira; traditional xylophone music instrument, legendary artists from the Southern Africa nation

Tendayi Samaita Gahamadze the Gwenyambira famously known for playing the Dongonda mbira It is difficult to trace the origins of Zimbabwean music back to pre-Rhodesian times as there is no documented information on musical activities during the pre-colonial period. What is known for a fact is that there were a lot of musical activities in Zimbabwe long before the arrival of the Europeans in the…

[joyfulgiverdestiny-blog]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJO4MQcdF2k)

[votenet-blog]

Politics In Zimbabwe Has A New Soundtrack

Politics In Zimbabwe Has A New Soundtrack

Author: Ari Shapiro / Source: NPR.org

Zinzile Majola, 27-year-old singer of Friends Band, says it felt like a window opening when Mugabe left. “It actually gave us more confidence that things would change from now on, from the way they were, from the way they used to be,” Majola says.

Music and politics have always been intertwined, from “Yankee Doodle” to “A Change is Gonna Come.” And that’s…