Rough Guide to Music of Zimbabwe

Rough Guide (Series) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 5, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: World Music Network
• ASIN: B00000B6SE
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #252,303 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #48 in Music > World Music > Africa > Zimbabwe

Track Listings

1. Buka Tiende - Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited

2. Pombi - Bhundu Boys

3. Vimbayl - The Four Brothers

4. Chigamba - Stella Rambisai Chiweshe

5. Dal Ndiine Mukoma - OlverMtukudzi & The Black Spirits

6. Kana Vatsvene Vopinda - Machanic Manyeruke & The Puritans

7. Ingoma Yakwethu - Black Umfolosi

8. Punza - Biggie Tembo

9. Taireva - The Mbira Masters Of Zimbabwe

10. Tornados vs. Dynamos - The Real Sounds

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Grooves and Beats from Great Zimbabwe, March 5, 2002

By 

Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Rough Guide to Music of Zimbabwe (Audio CD)

Although it doesn't recieve nearly as much attention as some of it's neighbors, Zimbabwe features a rich and vibrant musical heritage all its own. This CD, part of the extraoridinary Rough Guides series, gives a wonderful, if somewhat brief, overview of some of the countries musical styles. Big names, such as Thomas Mapfumo, the Bhundu Boys, the Four Brothers, Tuku (aka Oliver Mtukudzi) and Black Umfolosi appear on this CD, and their performances are very good. The lively beats so typical to African music are easily found, and the lyrics are very catchy. Even more interesting is the use of the Mbira, the thumb piano, which played a very important role in the culture of Great Zimbabwe, onto the tribal Shona people and even into modern day Zimbabwean music. The music is haunting and melodious, and deeply moving, especially if you are familar with the Mbira, or similar instruments found in other parts of Africa. There is a magnificent number performed by Stella Rambisai Chiweshe, and after hearing it you will understand why she is called the "Queen of the Mbira". There is also a performance by the Mbira Masters of Zimbabwe. Closing out the CD is a thirteen minute football match between the Tornados and Dynamos performed by the Real Sounds. Its a very unique departure from western music, but you'll probably enjoy it. Over all, this is a CD that is well worth buying.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buy if, if only for the Tornados vs. Dynamos, December 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Rough Guide to Music of Zimbabwe (Audio CD)

This CD has the same high quality found in almost all of the Rough Guides. It's a nice mix of songs, including the inevitable selections from the great artists Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi. There are no clunkers here and I am giving it four stars simply to differentiate it from African-music Rough Guides that give me more pleasure (e.g., the Congolese Soukous). Nevertheless, this is definitely worth picking up, if only to have the wonderful 13-minute Tornados vs. Dynamos by the Real Sounds, which narrates a local football match. The sense of humor blended with excellent musicianship makes this cut a real joy.