Deaf and Dumb Blues

Located in the Indian Ocean between Tanzania and Madagascar, the tiny Comoro islands represent one of the lesser-known outposts of African music – and apart from the long-established singer Nawal and Ian Brennan's revelatory 2021 collection We Are an Island, but We’re Not Alone, this reviewer has to confess ignorance. Happily Mwezi Waq is on a mission to inform, entertain and educate with this fascinating, varied set that suggests both a rich musical history and a vibrant contemporary scene. Half of the 15 tracks on Deaf and Dumb Blues are original compositions, the others are covers of 20th-century Comorian hits by local heroes Abou Chihabi, Ali Affandi, Boul, Baco and Souleymane Mze Cheikh.

Waq's raw and earthy vocals, juxtaposed against a sweeter female chorus, are accompanied by acoustic guitars, cello and percussion, but the simple line-up creates pleasingly textured arrangements that are never lacking in invention. ‘Hale’ is a throbbing Afro-jazz workout and ‘Mavuza Landa’ is perfect Comorian party music. By contrast ‘Komoro’ and ‘Kondro’ are gently swaying folk songs. It's a fine introduction that prompted your reviewer to track down Waq's 2013 release Chants de Lune et d’Espérance on the Musique du Monde label, which is also recommended (if you can find it).