Chidzorogodo

With an infectiously relaxed lyrical approach carried along by pulsing, laid-back rhythms and a vocal style that owes a debt to Congolese crooner Lokua Kanza, self-taught guitarist WaCharie’s third LP looks set to raise his profile far outside of his native Zimbabwe. Co-produced with Shamwari DzeRwendo, for all its attractive, easy-going, free-flowing surface – a neatly blended melting pot of Afro-contemporary, fusion and lounge-room jazz laced with the mbira’s distinctive plucked twang – there is serious intent beneath. Songs about domestic and social abuse are clothed in WaCharie’s default positivity, typical of the gentle chiding of the title-track drawing on his Korekore heritage. Lit up by Hammond organ and thrumming bass guitar, ‘Mbwende’ betrays another debt, to fellow Zimbabwean, Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi, the comparison wholly favourable. If there’s a philosophy beneath it all, it’s surely the ubuntu notion of a universal bond. A welcome thought given gentle and graceful voice here.