April 14, 2009

The Mapfumo's

A few months have passed since I posted music by Thomas Mapfumo. There was some discussion about the choruses in "Marehwarehwa", and even suggestions that the singing is off-key. Comments on "Moyo Wangu" focused mostly on guitarist Ashton 'Sugar' Chiweshe, and the reasons Thomas Mapfumo had for sacking him. And in the first part of a series on the partnership between Thomas Mapfumo and the inventor of the mbira style guitar*, Jonah Sithole, you could hear the late guitar master talking about his early career with Thomas.

This is more of an intermediate post, with two 45s. Or to more precise two remarkable maxi-singles. Both feature Thomas Mapfumo with Jonah Sithole.

The first was recorded in London in 1985, and contains three tracks. The track on the A-side is a remix of a track recorded for the album "Chimurenga for Justice", but far more noteworthy are the two tracks on the B-side: versions of "Pidigori" and "Hwahwa", recorded in one take at Capital Radio. I have posted the last track before, but I am sure there is no harm in posting it again...

Both these tracks are kicked off Jonah in his typical understated guitar style, and vocally Thomas is in great shape. But I would like to draw your attention to the conga playing and the handclapping in these tracks. Handclapping is very much a part of traditional Shona music, and the conga is the modern replacement of the traditional ngoma drum. I assume Thomas' brother, Lancelot Mapfumo, is playing the conga, and Thomas is doing the clapping. Both are brilliant.

But on the B-side of the second single, "Guruwe", released in Zimbabwe a few years later (probably in 1989 or 1990) on Thomas's own label and also featuring Jonah on guitar, I suspect Lancelot is doing the handclapping. I have seen him doing it lots of times during concerts, and have watched him several times with great attention, and I have come to the conclusion that the man has taken handclapping to another, higher level. Clapping as an art form....

RTT 190
TM 02

*and I am quoting both Jonah and Thomas!
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8 comments:

  1. Chris A15 April 2009 at 00:28

    Thanks for these important recordings - great quality too! Mapfumo must have issued a number of these extended 45s with the same "disco 45" cover. I have one in the exact same cover (recorded Addis Ababa Studios in London; Manfactured by Gramma Records in Zim; Distributed by ME records - TM 01) title: Mugara Ndega - side two is the "dub version" - quality VG - it is for sale. Chris A

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  2. Unknown16 April 2009 at 00:15

    Find more Thomas Mapfumo in my mp3blog and forum searches:

    HERE
    and
    HERE

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  3. david16 April 2009 at 19:36

    a beautiful addition to the two great Water reissues of Mapfumo classics Hokoyo and Shumba this week. Thanks so much for posting. You have great taste!

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  4. hulaboy12 August 2009 at 04:34

    Many thanks! I've missed "Pidigori" and "Hwahwa" since a friend ruined my copy back when it was new. Those tunes sent me over the top with Brother Thomas' music - and since that time I've met him several times, hung out, imbibed and even played golf (he's good)! So, my gratitude for sharing these records. Your site looks great - I must rummage around.

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  5. Tony24 February 2011 at 23:05

    You should compare the Pidigori and Hwahwa tracks by Mapfumo to the Pidigori and Ngoto Yakaipa tracks on the Mbira Singles CD (I think you've posted it before). Wonder where he got the inspiration for these songs from...

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  6. Unknown27 March 2012 at 11:16

    I've been looking for the song Zuva riye rabuda zvachose on the album jongwe. Please could you perhaps e mail me info. ekapurura@yahoo.com

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  7. Anonymous12 September 2012 at 22:44

    this man is nothing but a complete revelation/relevation. muchas muchas gracias.

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  8. Anonymous11 September 2024 at 16:45

    Please upload Mugarndega dub version

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