Afropop Worldwide

Wired for Sound- Mozambique has taken native musicians from all around the East African nation and given them the platform to show the rest of the world the amazing, diverse, and distinctive music Mozambique has to offer. Wired for Sound is a mobile recording studio funded by Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) that aims to contact local musicians and give them the opportunity to collaborate with more established musicians and producers while exploring youth culture, musical expression, and document the cultural and musical strides though interviews, radio debates and radio documentaries. Simon Attwell, founding member of South African band Freshlyground, crafted this rare project along with radio producer Kim Winter in collaboration with Freshlyground guitarist Julio Sigauque. The mobile studio was designed precisely for such an adventurous venture; it runs on a solar panel and battery system, allowing Attwell and his team unrestricted access to the artists, some of which are un able to travel due to isolated locations. “Wired for Sound – Mozambique is an album that unveils the best of what Mozambique has to offer with collaborative songs recorded over two months in northern Mozambique, and touching on the various styles that create the Mozambican music scene. Some showcased styles include: traditional instrumentalists, contemporary singer songwriters, MCs, choirs and bands, with genres including rap, African style zouk, Marrabenta and Chimurenga rhythms. The album project can be best described as “the best of Mozambique” album; a mix of everything the nation best of the best in all variations such as different languages, genres, beats with each track being original, distinct and just as good as the next. Check out the Wired for Sound-Mozambique video promo here and as well as a little more on the album below: Marcelino Banda Mpombeza’s “Cinyungwe” is one of the first songs on the album which introduces you the sounds of Mozambique with the continuous beats of drums throughout the song accompanied by a small choir, a bass, guitar, subtle percussion, and even the occasional sound of birds. Mpombeza’s track introduces you to Mozambique as you listen to him sing in his native tongue. Another noteworthy song is Happy Potter’s “Moçambique Eleio”. Potter sings with the accompaniment of a very talented band. The sounds of “Moçambique Eleio” are just as unique as the dyed tips of Potter’s dreadlocks. The wind instruments, guitar, and heavy use of snare and high hat give this song a Mozambique-infused rock-jazz feel while Harry Potter's vocals resonate in your chest and you move along with his words. The last song on the official album, “Ini Ndino Cuda” by Nelito and Armando brings a refreshing taste of Mozambican rap and hip-hop. The 21 and 22 year old duo from the port city of Beira rap in a mix of their native language and Portuguese to slower, neo-soul rhythms that sound authentically recoded instead of the factory produced, mainstream, popular music we are used to. Wired for Sound-Mozambique is for sure something to check out. There is bound to be something on there to fall in love with or at least spark an interest. Maybe Wired for Sound's mission is what will catch you. The project’s long-term goal is to help develop recording infrastructure for local musicians. Wired for Sound takes these tracks back to South Africa for further collaboration with established musicians and the proceeds go towards creating basic recording and production facilities at the community radio stations Wired for Sound-Mozambique launched its album on June 24^th 2014 with tracks 1-17  available for download on iTunes. Bonus content (tracks 18-24) are available for free. Check out http://wiredforsound.co.za Let us know what you think of the album: