Chimurenga Singles

Thomas Mapfumo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 8, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B000000DWQ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #532,532 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Rural Life Is Back

2. Who Shall We Share Our Frustrations With?

3. Hardships In The Rural Areas

4. It Has Dawned In Zimbabwe

5. Africa

6. Be Ashamed

7. Confusion

8. Long Oversized Shoe

9. Black People

10. Who Will Give Us Peace

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Important, meaningful music., February 17, 2000

By 

Charles-Antoine Caron (Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chimurenga Singles (Audio CD)

Thomas Mapfumo is one of the most popular artists of the Chimurenga cultural movement, of the liberation musical movement in Zimbabwe. The songs on "The Chimurenga Singles 1976-1980" describe the sadness and the confusion of the war and post-war time in Zimbabwe. But they also describe the hopes and the determination for a new Zimbabwe.

On "Chauya Chirizevha (Rural life is back)", when Thomas Mapfumo sings that The war is over in Zimbabwe, life is back to normal in rural areas, it gives me the goose bumps. I don't understand the language in which Thomas Mapfumo sings but you easily feel the energy and the determination in his voice. The music is solid and engaging. The more energetic songs are uplifting. This is important, meaningful music. If you are interested in African music, you should get your hand on at least one CD from Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited. A note for bass players: there are some really interesting, energetic, warn bass lines. You'll be surprised.

At the first listening, the sound might sound a bit rough but, as specified in the CD booklet: "the quality on some of these tracks leaves to be desired, but remember they were made under war conditions".

I would also recommend the "Chimurenga Forever - The best of Thomas Mapfumo" CD on the Hemisphere label. A very good introduction to the more modern, polished sound of Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited. A lot of titles on the Hemisphere label are so so but this is an important exception.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hokoyo, December 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Chimurenga Singles (Audio CD)

Along with the 1977 Hokoyo and 1980's Gwindingwe Rine SHumba, (and a number of Queens hotel performances in the 1980s) probably the defining moments of an extraordinary career. The best entry point on CD for a new listener. Next stop stereo volume control to maximum.