Paivepo

Paivepo

Oliver Mtukudzi's previous album, <i>Tuku Music</i>, was the biggest-selling record in Zimbabwe's history and led to Mtukudzi writing a song with Bonnie Raitt. How do you top that? Simple, you do more of it and refine your sound. Unlike his countryman Thomas Mapfumo, Mtukudzi doesn't go for hypnotic <i>mbira</i> rhythms but for gorgeous melodies, letting his voice sing out on songs like "Ndine Mubvunzo" and "Kunze Kwadoka." "Pindurai Mambo" sees him reworking a piece he wrote in the '70s, and throughout the album his lyrics address injustice at home and throughout the world. His band keeps improving, with Philani Dube on lead guitar a truly tasteful standout. Mtukudzi has come into full maturity on this record with a style that draws from the spectrum of African music, from touches of soukous and <i>benga</i> to the native Shona rhythms that propel it all. Inspirational <i>and</i> enjoyable. <I>--Chris Nickson</I>