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Limitless Sky Records is honored to introduce these shining African stars. Each of the artists featured on this compilation are veterans of their music scene. The performers have minimum 20 to 30 years of experience entertaining crowds locally, regionally and internationally. This collection of recording made in 2001 captures the classic compositions of such legendary artists as Maestro Ndala Kasheba, Nguza Viking of Achigo Band, Garikayi Tirikoti of Zimbabwe, and the Arusha based Yekete Beat band. Dance to the melodies from the shores of the Indian Ocean, to the slopes of majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro and into the heart of Zimbabwe. Join us in celebration as we bring you sounds of these New African Composers. * FRESH FROM DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA & HARARE, ZIMBABWE * +++++NEW CD REVIEWS OF NEW AFRICAN COMPOSERS: Various Artists New African Composers: Vol.1 Limitless Sky Records, 2002 New African Composers is an essential listen for anyone interested in the origins of so much of this world's music, from ska and jazz to salsa and merengue. It is simultaneously a history lesson and a glance into the future evolution of what has become generically known as "world" music. It is certainly a must for those who appreciate the syncopated beats of hip-hop, or the free-verse improvisation of jazz. 02/03 Written by Rob Walsh from Ink 19 Magazine www.ink19.com ____________________________________________________________ The lively, percussion-driven pop act Yekete Beat Band formed in the Arusha region of Tanzania in 1989. Yekete Beat Band offers a boisterous blast of bass, hand percussion, growly, cycling guitars, horns and vocals. Achigo Band used to be Orchestra Marquis, champions of Swahili dance music. Achigo Band features a big, lush vocal sound, strongly reminiscent of the more choral Congolese pop music. They do play rumba, as on "Tebo," but their tour de force here is a rolling, nine-minute, 12/8 extravaganza called "Watanzania Watu Wa Amani." Guitarist and singer Ndala Kasheba first came to Tanzania with a band from Congo in 1964. Ndala Kasheba's music also bears the stamp of his Congolese roots. But Kasheba has a number of distinguishing qualities in his Swahili rumba sound, most notably his use of an electrified, 12-string acoustic guitar, which he overdubs to create a gorgeous, chiming ambiance. Garikayi Tirikoti's three mbira pieces round this set out with satisfying variety. Among the things that set Tirikoti apart from other mbira artists is the way he combines mbiras using different tunings to create a rich, almost orchestral sound. We get just a taste of Delphin Mununga with a pretty acapella piece called "Kilimanjaro," but this compilation will leave any fan of classic African dance pop panting for more from the Limitless Sky vault. 05/03 Excerpts from a review by: Banning Eyre for www.afropop.org ****************************************************** ARTISTS INFO: ***** MAESTRO NDALA KASHEBA ***** Dar es Salaam Kasheba is originally from Lubumbashi, Congo. In 1972 he settled in Dar after travelling and gigging all over East Africa. He earned respect and admiration as leader of the "Orchestra Safari Sound", which he left in the early 1980's. His music is well loved across the region. He is known as one of the greatest African guitarists, appointed the title "Maestro" by his fans. He sucessfully toured with his own group "Zaita Musica" to Europe in 1991 and has continuosly performs as a solo guitarist as well as with his colleagues - Nguza Viking, King Kiki, Kassongo Mpinda Clayton, Kibambe Rhamadhan, Delphin Mununga, and others on multiple nights a week. ***** ACHIGO BAND ***** Dar es Salaam The Achigo Band, led by guitar giant NGUZA MBANGU VIKING of "Orchestra Marquis" fame, is a solidly operating music machine. This group keeps the audience on their feet from Friday through Sunday at a variety of popular Dar es Salaam venues: Polisis Officers Mess on Fridays, Lions Inn in Sinza Saturdays, and Mango Garden in Kinondoni on Sunday nights - together with Ndala Kasheba. These two prolific composers - Nguza and Kasheba - were the rivals of the 1970's MUZIKI WA DANSI scene in Dar es Salaam, always seeking to out-perform the other for the crowds. Now they share the stage, to the delight of their fans. ***** YEKETE BEAT ***** Arusha Swahili spices blend into highlife to make a substantial brew. Refreshing from the first sip. The Yekete Beat band hails from the garden of Eden known as Arusha, Tanzania. You can find them in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. They come from a variety of ethnic traditions and blend them into one dance music style. They were the first to use popular lullabies as breaks and for choruses in their songs. Namsitu Dawa, included on the compilation, tells the story of a hacksaw in the forest. Feel the fun and energy of this band who gig regularly in Arusha's nightclubs, for corporate and political events, and in the National Parks hotels. *****DELPHIN MUNUNGA ***** Congo/ Dar es Salaam Delphin is originally from Lubumbashi, Congo. He grew up in the 1960's, listening to the music float into the windows of his downtown home, from where he spied the musicians performing in nearby clubs. He wistfully recalls hearing Ndala Kasheba, Fauvette - Safari Nkoy, and other big bands. He listened and learned. Realizing a childhood dream he was recruited to sing with Kasheba's "Zaita Musica" in Dar es Salaam, and on tour to Europe. He has since travelled with his own group, Esthetic Music, to Arabia, Asia and through Eastern- Soutern Africa. His voice is finely tuned to a wide range and repetoire. On this album he performs solo, a capella, with improvisation inspired by spiritual melodies from his youth in church choirs. ***** GARIKAYI TIRIKOTI ***** Zimbabwe In 1968, when Garikayi was about eight years old, he left his rural village and went to Wedza, to another uncle's village, and there he built his own mbira and started playing at ceremonies. He had to set out walking in the early afternoon to arrive at the ceremony by evening, and then he would play for two or three days without sleeping. It was hard work - walking, playing, then walking back home. But he kept this up for seven years, and with the small amount of money that he was paid for playing he managed to pay his own school fees. When Garikayi was fifteen, he returned to live in his mother's village. After watching his older brother build mbiras he got serious about building his own. He loved it and built many mbiras, until in 1976 his work was interrupted by the war. But he resumed in 1980, and it was then that he started experimenting with changing and mixing different tunings. He was inspired in this effort by his dreams. This was the beginning of Garikayi's now famous 'mbira orchestra.' Over the years the dreams continued and Garikayi was shown many songs and tunings, until by 1999 he was arranging traditional mbira songs as well as his own compositions for an eight piece mbira orchestra. (Copyr. 2002 Elizabeth Checcio) This compilation includes two compositions from his upcoming album "MaiDei". Check out the artist's website: http://limitlesssky.net/ Track List: 1. Madoya (yekete Beat Band) 2. Umbeya (ndala Kasheba) 3. Maidei (garikayi Tirikoti) 4. Watanzania Watu Wa Amani (achigo Band) 5. Namsitu Dawa (yekete Beat Band) 6. Kokolay (ndala Kasheba) 7. Tebo (achigo Band) 8. Ngoma (yekete Beat Band) 9. Mpaka Manga (ndala Kasheba) 10. Kugara Hunzwana (garikayi Tirikoti) 11. Kilimanjaro (delphin Mununga) 12. Marashi Ya Pemba (ndala Kasheba) Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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