Nhava

Oliver Mtukudzi | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 26, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Heads Up
• ASIN: B0008191I8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,317 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > World Music > Africa > Zimbabwe

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Singer/guitarist/activist Oliver Mtukudzi has cut a broad swath through his native Zimbabwe. He has recorded countless records and become the country’s biggest star, but his work is less known on this side of the pond. Here on Nhava (which is the Zimbabwean word for "carrying bag"), Mtukudzi offers bag of tunes overflowing with sunny African melodies and lyrics with messages of encouragement and advice. The words are married to a unique style called "Tuku music" (Tuku is his nickname), where Mtukudzi draws upon traditional forms of mbira, modern jiti and South African mbanqanga. In layman's terms, it means Mtukudzi's deep voice, a strong chorus of background vocals, and highly danceable interlocking rhythms of African drums and electric guitars. Highlights include the chiming "Ninipa" and the hypnotic "Pindirai." Regardless of whether Mtukudzi has heard the dance floor mantra, "Free your mind and you feet will follow," he's practicing it here on Nhava. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, June 16, 2005

By 

J. Romero (Allentown, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nhava (Audio CD)

Tuku music is music for the soul that will make you smile and dance even if you don't understand the Shona language. Oliver Mtukudzi never disappoints, but this CD is abosolutely fantastic. I have many Tuku CDs, and this one is now my favorate. For a taste of a Tuku performance, listen to track 11, "Tozeza" to get a mental image of the dance Tuku incorporates into his live performances.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the best, November 9, 2005

By 

Matthew Facciolla - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nhava (Audio CD)

Oliver Mtukudzi takes you to places that other artist only dream of taking you to. I have three other cds from Oliver and they are all great, nhava is a very upbeat and uplifting album. Every track is a winner.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Wonderful Collection, May 27, 2005

By 

D. Russell (Grass Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nhava (Audio CD)

This is my second Mtukudzi CD, and I love it. His music grows on me like no other ever has. I recently reviewed Shanda--my discovery of "Tuku" music. Everyone I've played this for enjoyed it, and I'm only sorry it took me so long to discover this wonderful composer/musician/singer. Although it should make no difference, it may interest some readers to know that I am not African-American. Do yourself a favor, and check him out!