STELLA CHIWESHE – Talking Mbira
Piranha, 2002

ZIMBABWE – Chiweshe’s first album in seven years is an absolute delight. Her playing on the mbira (thumb piano) is light and joyous, her gruff-edged (and sometimes surprising) vocals are intriguing. Stella is one of the few female African artists fully in control of her own career and recordings, and the ONLY female bandleader in Zimbabwe! Solo (as on track 1), her music is simple and beautiful. With a band, it fits a broad range of material, from social commentary to relaxed party music. Some excellent stuff here, only track 2 disappoints.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10

01. 9:07 – solo mbira and vocal, quick-flowing and compelling
02. 4:48 – dull remix of an older, anti-Apartheid song.
03. 4:50 – medium tempo, lightly stomping beat, great backing vocals
04. 5:30 – uptempo, complex polyrhythm from a mbira trio! Mesmerizing!
05. 8:57 – about oppression: dragging tempo & pained, shouting vocal; middle is faster.
06. 4:33 – slow and spiritual: traditional a cappella, Stella against a male chorus
07. 5:09 – low pattern with odd harmonics, just mbira, shaker, male chorus. VERY COOL!
08. 5:00 – medium loping rhythm, mbira trio + bass & vocals, off-center feeling
09. 4:59 – uptempo, danceable; masculine lead vocal w/spoken intro
10. 8:17 – overdubbed mbira, backing chants and wordless vocal parts. Hypnotic.

[Fo] - 7/31/02