04-18-19 | Songs for Listening | Mokoomba
The exceptional Zimbabwean band Mokoomba picked tunes for Thursday, April 18 at Songs for Listening. Mokoomba — Mathias Muzaza, Trustworth Samende, Abundance Mutori, Donald Moyo, Ndaba Coster Moyo, and Miti Mugande — hail from Chinotimba township, Zimbabwe. The band takes its name from a Tonga word that translates as 'deep respect for river', in this case the Zambezi river — the band formed in the town of Victoria Falls (yes, the site of one of seven natural wonders of the world).
Mokoomba have put out three albums and toured widely, winning praise at home & abroad. The Guardian's Robin Denslow called Mokoomba "the best young band in Zimbabwe", while Afropop Worldwide's Banning Eyre (a leading authority on Zimbabwean music) described them as "quite simply the most impressive band Zimbabwe has produced in recent memory". Jon Pareles of the NYTimes called lead singer Mathias Muzaza's vocal range "riveting," and Issac Chirwa of Zimbabwe's Daily News Live heralded Mokoomba as "Zimbabwe's best band."
The band is currently touring North America with forthcoming shows at Freight & Salvage Berkeley (Apr. 19); Swayz Ballroom Dallas (Apr. 20); Art Power San Diego (Apr. 22-24), Town Hall Seattle (Apr. 26), and Imperial Vancouver (Apr. 27).
'Birima' by Youssou Ndour from 'Joko: The Link'
'Todii' by Oliver Mtukudzi from 'Tuku Music'
'Africa' by Salif Kéita from 'Folon'
'Cigarette A Bana' by Habib Koité & Bamada from 'Muso Ko'
'Tongosienda' by Thomas Mapfumo
