Description 'Monoswezi' is an amalgam of the four founding member’s nationalities represented in their line-up – Mozambique (Mo), Norway (No), Sweden (Swe), Zimbabwe (Zi) – and the influence from each culture is audible. Shanu quite simply means 'Five' in the Shona langauge of Zimbabwe, home to the band's lead vocalist and mbira player Hope Masike. This is their fifth album and is their most adventurous to date, incorporating a more electronic approach to their musical soundscape. African music remains central to Monoswezi’s inspiration; their compositional approach draws on Hope Masike’s Zimbabwean and Calu Tsemane’s Mozambican musical heritage alongside the rest of the band’s Nordic jazz tilt. A reading of the lyrics reveals a rich tapestry of different themes from storyteller Hope, from songs about losing touch and shunning one’s own heritage (Tsika Dzako) to the continuing problem of women’s inequality (We Crown You Nehanda) and greedy and selfish leaders (Zvorema). The role of the Zimbabwean mbira is paramount to Monoswezi’s style and Hope raises the flag for female mbira players everywhere, unlocking rhythmic routes through the sound on every track, including the fittingly titled ‘Where Is My Mbira?’, a song about yearning and looking for one’s heritage. World fusion music at its best - listen and enjoy! Track Listing Monoswezi - Shanu01 - Kuwonererwa 03:1302 - Woshanda 04:5803 - Where is my Mbira? 03:3104 - Tsika Dzako 04:2705 - Um Pouco 05:2906 - Zvorema 05:0007 - We Crown You Nehanda 03:1308 - Hwiri Hwiri Hwiri 03:4809 - Paya 02:11 More Info Music Style(s)African , Scandinavian , Fusion Associated CountriesZimbabwe , Norway , Sweden Age SuitabilityTeen , Young Adult , Thirty-Something , Young At Heart EthicsCultural , Ethically Produced , FSC Made in UK About WMN Our amazing range of CDs of World Music from World Music Network From compilations of Psychedelic Cambodian rock to the Grammy-Nominated Indian slide-guitarist Debashish Bhattacharya, World Music Network (WMN) has been responsible for the most consistent and varied output of world music for the past 30 years. WMN publishes titles under three main banners;• Rough Guides...take you deep into the music of different countries and genres. Cumbia, Salsa, Tabla, Fado, Brazil, India, Mali and Scandinavia – no stone is left unturned in this meticulously researched and comprehensive series.• Riverboat Records...is dedicated to exploring musical diversity; responsible for ground-breaking releases from around the world, it showcases the talents of world music artists.• Legends...The Rough Guides Legends series delves into the heart of the greatest jazz and blues musicians ever to have lived. Johnny Cash, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and many more are covered in these compilations that feature the songs that propelled their names into the spotlight not only in the USA, but across the world. Reviews
