Music at its core, is one of the most important facets of culture. Who we are, what we are and how we express our identity is represented within in. It is past, present, and future, captured in melodies and percussion. In this regard, Rutendo Jackie can be said to not only be a musician, a captivating storyteller but a cultural custodian.
Raised in Mutare, with dreams that reach beyond Zimbabwe's borders, Rutendo Jackie can be best described as a Afro jazz musician. Yet this doesn't quite capture how she beautifully fuses traditional sounds with more contemporary soundscapes. Bringing together the ancient and the modern, in a recipe that sounds distinctly Zimbabwean.
The singer's inspirations include the likes of Busi Ncube, Mbuya Stella Chiweshe, Chiwoniso Maraire, and this is evidenced by the strong presence of mbira music in Jackie's songs. This musical formula has at the heart of releases such as "Handidi Nhamo," "Waya Waya," "Kamoto," and it propels the singer's debut album, Zindoga. A title that can translated from Shona to mean "loner."
Arriving after the release of multiple EPs and singles by the artist, the project is the culmination of years of work. The album is in part a collective effort, with Jackie having worked with 8 producers, and 9 of its 13 songs being collaborations. To add to this it is also multilingual, featuring Shona, Zulu and Swahili lyrics.
Now while the album's title brings to mind the personal, it speaks more to a collective disconnect, particularly a spiritual one. It speaks of poverty, love, longing, heartbreak, God, and our ancestors, with Jackie speaking to and for the collective.
Dominated by traditional sounds (mbira being a key feature) and folk influences, while drifting from the melodic to the poetic, Zindoga's sonic compass is one that is grounded.
"Bvumai" is both lamentation and a call for the ancestors to accept their responsibilities, while we should accept their guidance when they call. Jackie ropes in Chiweddar and Greffen Punkk for a sonorous opening track that is 7 minutes long and defining of everything that is to come. The album feels like the traditional only just tinged with pop sensibilities of the moment.
"Mangwanani" is a love song filled with implication that is fuelled by the morning greeting to a partner. "Usacheme" is a beautiful duet that features Sylent Nqo. "Shanda" is a motivational anthem that sees Jackie and Shane playing so well off each other.
The exultation of God is captured so well in the harmonic "Mwari Muri Zuva Rangu" which features the choir from Hillcrest Preparatory School, and the captivating "Yahweh" alongside Mr Brown and Starr Healer. While "Nipe Penzi" with Sadimu carries an East African flair, just meant for the dance floor.
Zindoga is rooted in the past but alive in the present, and it carries a sound that has become sidelined but absolutely deserves to live on. It is a prime example of acculturation in music form, a celebration of Afro jazz and folk music that falls well outside the mainstream but beautifully fits into what has become its niche.
Greedysouth rating: 7.6/10