I CAN ACTUALLY FEEL THE HEALING IN SHONA MUSIC BUT BY FAR THIS IS THE BEST. IT MOVES MY SPIRIT AND GET RID OF MY WORRIES AND FEARS. I MEDITATE TO IT AND RELEASE NEGATIVE ENERY THAT IS AROUND ME TO CALM MY NERVES.

THIS MUSIC REPRESENTS NEW BEGININGS OF NATURAL ANIMAL BEHAVIORS IN SEASONS OF CHANGE: A SNAKE SHEADING ITS SKIN OR A CAMELON COLORS CHANGES DURING ATTACK TO WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS, A CACOON CHANGING INTO A BUTTERFLY.

PARTICULARILY, I LIKE THE CALL AND RESPONSE OF THE TWO MBIRAS PLAYING IN HARMONY CONNECTING EACH SPIRT.

WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THIS MUSIC PLAYED SO DELICATELY BY MEN... THANKS FOR KEEPING THIS BEAUTIFUL MUSIC ALIVE. I RATE THIS MUSIC A 10!!! SOOTHING TO BATH IN.

This is (mostly) a solo album by the Master himself. It is pure, undistilled, classical mbira. If you are already familiar with the form, the cadences, the intervals of mbira music, and the rather odd way the vocals interact with the instrument, then you can stop searching right now -- you've found the Holy Grail (or you will have, when you track down a copy!)

If, on the other hand, your ears are steeped in music of the Western tradition, then you'll probably find this a little dry and odd. What your ears will need is just a little education. Of music that is in print and readily available, I would recommend Thomas Mapfumo's "Live at El Rey," recorded when his band was fronted by two mbira players. The rest of the band is really an African rock 'n roll lineup, so it's a very different style than classical mbira (and some of the most danceable music ever created!), but it's a nice introduction to the style of the mbira.

Once you're hooked, try to track down one or two of Dumi's marimba ensemble albums. They are criminally ALL out of print, and very rare, but worth any amount of effort to find. The most instantly-accessible album is "Dumi - The Maraire Marimba Ensemble" which was actually recorded in Seattle, with the ensemble composed mostly of Americans! I dare you to try standing still while it is playing.

From there, the next step up is "African Story-Songs," published in 1969 by the University of Washington Press. It is composed of 8 story-songs, told in English by Dumi as he plays.

Next is "Shona Spirit" - a Dumi CD that IS still in print. He plays duets with Ephat Mujuru -- another mbira master.

Finally, there is this never-to-be-repeated album (Dumi sadly died on Thanksgiving, 1999), which by then you will be able to appreciate for the shining gem that it is.

Must listening. This is the real deal folks. Fugetabout the "Enya"ized American New-Age Mbira CD's....none of the "healing" blather needed for this one.

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.

I believe that should be the title since that was the name of his band. At least that's what I heard when I heard him live at the legendary "Queens Hotel" in Harare, 1988. I haven't heard this cd but am familiar with his music since 1984. I had the pleasure to own a cassette of his which I took to Malawi with me. Unfortunatley, Mr. Steven's, who ran the Cape Maclear resort took a liking to it when I let him play the cut "Soweto" at his resort and eventually absconded with it. This is the first time I have heard it and will buy it if only for this track but I would imagine that al the tracks are worth the purchase. Enjoy!
Emerson

P.S. Does anyone know where to find a copy of Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited--"Mr. Music" as I think that is one of his best. I saw him a few times in Zims before all this recent madness took place. It was quite safe during the 1980s!

In Zimbabwe, the clear, reedy voice of James Chimombe remains as one of the cherished sounds of the country's modern musical era. A guitarist, composer, and singer, Chimombe wrote and performed popular radio hits from the mid-70's until his tragic death in 1990. During those years, Chimombe played a hey role in Zimbabwe's appropriation of pop styles from Zaire, Kenya, South Africa, and the United States. Zairean rumba, township mbaqanga, and Country and Western music all influenced Chimombe's work, and yet, every track he recorded sounds unmistakably Zimbabwean. This is the first compilation of his work to reach Europe and the United States. 13 songs, 71 minutes.