Customer Reviews

Dreams & Secrets

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Yes, the other reviewers are right that this is much more Wadada Leo Smith's record than it is Thomas Mapfuno's. The band that Smith brings to this album is a smaller version of his "Yo Miles!" projects and creates a sound very similar to a stripped-down version of electric Miles without the extensive soloing. Even though Mapfuno fans might not like what Smith brings to Mapfuno's music, fans of Wadada Leo Smith might really enjoy the tracks when Mapfuno's ensemble fleshes out Wadada's funky, electric tunes with wooden percussion and choir vocals.

So buyers should be forewarned: this is not for everyone, particulary if you are fans of Mapfuno's typical sound--this is a departure. Even if they are different from what some of Mapfuno's fans might like, Wadada's compositions are not "plastic;" the man is a legend of creative AfroAmerican music, not some studio hack. If you like electric Miles, Wadada Leo Smith's work in that vein, or if you like your African music with a strong dose of BlackAmerican funk then give this a shot or at least track down some audio samples. It is a very special and unique record featuring dialogue between the tribes of two musical masters.

Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited works with Wadada Leo Smith and N'Da Kulture on DREAMS AND SECRETS: a strong departure for Mapfumo who shares musical ideas, songwriting credit and band members with another musician/writer: and what a contrast in styles!

 N'Da Kulture is a band very much influenced by the sonic explorations and experimentation of jazz and rock groups of the late 1960s.

 For regular Mapfumo fans, their music can be quite jarring and much jazzier than The Blacks Unlimited.

Some tracks are completely dominated by Wadada Leo Smith and his group; others by Mapfumo - but with the musicians of N'Da Kulture adding extra color to the patented Blacks Unlimited sound.

 These later tunes turned out to be our favorites.

There are only a few songs on this album by Thomas Mapfumo. Most of them are sappy instrumentals without the soul of Mapfumo's Chimurenga. Mapfumo is my all time favorite musician. His music makes me feel alive. His songs on here are worth having, but Wadada's instrumentals are plastic.

There are only a few songs on this album by Thomas Mapfumo. Most of them are sappy instrumentals without the soul of Mapfumo's Chimurenga. Mapfumo is my all time favorite musician. His music makes me feel alive. His songs on here are worth having, but Wadada's instrumentals are plastic.