The year is 1998, the country is still reeling from its first major currency crash, soldiers are being sent to DRC in support of Kabila, and we're competing in what would be (we wouldn't know it then) our penultimate Commonwealth Games. In the midst of this chaos, a 22 year old Chiwoniso Maraire is about to leave an indelible mark on Zimbabwean music with her debut album, Ancient Voices.
The project is the culmination of a 3 year long journey that began when she signed a contract with Paris based recording company LusAfrica and started having studo sessions with members of The Storm (Andy Brown's band). The end result is a 10 track album, that not only makes waves across Zimbabwe but across the world. A project that defines both an era of music and a sound.
It is the very best of Mbira music, yet that feels like a narrow lens to view it through. Because in the zeitgeist of the time it is the peak of popular music in Zimbabwe but simply with a title that makes it our own.
At it's heart, Mbira music brings together: mbira - a thumb piano, percussion and soulful vocals (In varying combinations these 3 elements have defined Southern African music). Although interpretations of how these elements interact are distinct to each generation, the music has existed for millennia.
Ancient Voices revels in a foundation of both the mbira and the distinctive Zimbabwean guitar, but it is Chiwoniso's vocals and storytelling that truly shine. The singer's ability to flawlessly interweave English and Shona, with melody not being sacrificed, would go on to become recognised as a signature of her work.
Opening with "Mai," Chiwoniso's plaintive dedication to her mother (who had passed on a year before the album's release), Ancient Voices is a serenade true to it's title in reflections on the past that speak to the now. It is age old in wisdom and in it's soundscapes. A music so resonant it feels alive.
"Mai" flows into "Nhemamusasa," a spiritual call to resilience and faith, the singer's take on the age old traditional song is a work of art that remains evergreen. Among the original songs many variations is Thomas Mapfumo’s "Hanzvadzi," Monoswezi’s "Hwiri Hwiri Hwiri," and Arthur Jeffes' "Shelter" but Chiwoniso's is the one that comes to mind for most. The singer's rendition has even been the inspiration for interpolations of today - "Nhemamusasa" by Zim hip hop artist Bagga.
The title song "Ancient Voices" tells the story of the spirit of Chaminuka coming to an ordinary man, Pasipamire. It is a tale of defiance in the face of colonial powers and it is both political and spiritual. All through the album, Chiwoniso tells captivating stories that are brought to life by enchanting vocals, backed by entrancing mbira keys, uniquely Zimbabwean guitar riffs, joyful trumpets and percussion.
Whether it's "Iwai Nesu," the poignant and emotive lamentation to God, "Wandirasa," the ballad of love and loss or "Tamari" a heartfelt dedication to the less fortunate. Ancient Voices is a work of carefully crafted melodies and a daring experimentation. This being especially true for tracks like "Madame 20 Cents," which merged Mbira with Zimbabwean rock music (another one of our forgotten genres) sensibilities.
Now 27 years old, Ancient Voices remains as effervescent as if it was just released. It is a musical project touched by the divine, which is no surprise when you remember that Chiwoniso saw music as an expression of God.
"Music...It’s an expression of God. All pain, joy, rage, love..wisdom, can be found in music. I am in awe when in the presence of its power. There’s a place from where the music comes. The life essence..." -
Chiwoniso Maraire
Ancient Voices entered the World Music Charts in Europe three times and won Chiwoniso Radio France International's‘Best New Artist’ award, along with earning her a nomination for the 'Best Female Vocals of Africa' category at the KORA Awards.
Greedysouth rating: 10/10
May the Mbira maestro's soul continue to rest in peace.
This is the first instalment in Greedysouth's "look back" series, which will be reflecting on past albums that have defined Zimbabwean music.
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