Customer Reviews

Chimurenga Explosion

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

You grow up listening to him you,live with all his songs in your mind you see what he sings about here there and anywhere in Zimbabwe, he does not need to work hard to send the message. You have to be a follower of Chimurenga music from birth to death to understand what it stands for.He is the zimbabwean Bob Marley and was the only superstar to share the stage with him at independence. You cannot take away that from him. Thomas has proven time and time again that he is the master, listen to mamvemve " nyika iya yataichemera yaita mamvemve". These are the words of the sooth sayer that was in long ago that he predicted that Zimbabwe will soon be a tattered rag as it isa now. To rate his songs just see how much they are deprived to the people in Zimbabwe and then you know they are explosive , keep on Gandanga, "Gudo haridye Husiku", Shona implying that the baboon does not feed at night, it will raid your fields when you can see it coming no holds barred.

What is so captivating about CHIMURENGA EXPLOSION? 
His background in rock and roll is wedded to traditional Shona mbira music, replacing mbiras with electric guitars and adding reggae fusion.
On CHIMURENGA EXPLOSION he lets his music build somewhat like a live performance rather than the usual hit formula of putting your most commercial songs at the beginning of the album.

Politics aside, the music is outstanding, based on mbira sounds with guitars, beautiful vocal backings, and slight reggae rhythms, but overall something very unique, chimurenga, as I understand it. Definitely a sound you need to be familiar with when exploring African musica. Great and engaging tracks.

Thomas Mapfumo branches out on this album. While the music remains firmly rooted in chimurenga we also hear catchier melodies, prominent horns and more straightforward beats. However, don't think for a second Mapfumo has forgotten his roots. He's just doing what all great musicians do; experimenting, mixing genres and generally enjoying himself. This is a fun, upbeat record and it may be one of Mapfumo's best. Songs like "Chisi" and "Wachiona Chirombo" are classic chimurenga, while others, such as "Musanyepere" and "Disaster" exist in their own genre. Chimureggea, perhaps? If you are a fan of African rythms, World Music or just appreciate hearing unique music played by fantastic and talented musicians then you will enjoy this album. The Lion of Zimbabwe will never let you down.

I think Thomas Mapfumo has gotten too much milage out of using the word 'chimurenga' in his album titles. This album has, despite the name and the picture of Ambuya Nehanda on the cover, nothing to do with Chimurenga music as I understand it.
When I think of what the second Chimurenga actually was, I do not think of the Rhumba and Reggae pop that is on this album. I love a lot of Thomas Mapfumo's work, but this album is a real nose-blower. It may appeal to middle-age 'world music' fusion jockeys from Northern Europe, but otherwise, forget it.
Not Chimurenga!