Pasi Hariguti

This album is all the proof anyone needs that despite the loss of many great musicians, a political nightmare back in Zimbabwe, and five years of self-exile in the United States, Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited are going strong.  The eleven songs here, recorded in Eugene, Oregon, with a relatively small band, including some Americans, show Mapfumo undiminished as songsmith, arranger, and social commentator.  From the gorgeous, hymn like opener, “Kuvarira Mukati (Suffer in Silence)” to the mbira-driven existential philosophy of “Pasi Hariguti (The Earth’s Hunger is Insatiable)” this album covers a lot of range, and mostly delivers the depth and spiritual power associated with this legendary African bandleader. 

There is relatively little straight-up traditional adaptation here.  We do not get the familiar harmonies of centuries-old mbira songs, for example.  Rather, this is Mapfumo the composer, pulling together creations from the diverse strains of his long musical career.  In the foresquare pump of “Handiotya (I’m Not Afraid),” one senses a hint of Mapfumo’s ‘70s fascination with Chicago Transit Authority and Blood, Sweat, and Tears.  On “Ndodya Marasha (I’m Mad as Hell),” he begins with a rolling, lyrical lament and then lifts suddenly into an urgent, anthem-like closing section with a hint of uptempo reggae in the groove.  Although we don’t hear traditional songs here, tradition appears everywhere.  It’s deep in the jit-like groove of “Ndogura Masango (Hitting the Road),” the melodious, warm remake of “Mukadzi Wangu (My Wife),” first recorded in 1983, and many others. 

As the song titles suggest, Mapfumo continues to dwell on the misrule of Zimbabwe and the prolonged suffering of his people.  This album was banned in Zimbabwe, and has been at times, dangerous to buy or sell there.  That said, it is a welcome milestone that Rise Up becomes the first new Thomas Mapumo album to appear on a major record label since Chamunorwa on Mango in 1991.  Nothing against the great work he’s done for smaller labels in the interim.  But an artist of this stature and awesome productivity deserves to be heard far more widely.  One hopes this milestone marks the beginning of a new era for the Lion of Zimbabwe. 

Contributed by: Banning Eyre