Gakondo

This is the fifth album from Canada-based Jacques ‘Popo’ Muri-gande, a singer and guitarist from Rwanda born in a Burundian refugee community. This is his first entirely acoustic album and the first in which he performs all of the songs in the Kinyarwanda (Rwandan) language. Whilst his previous recordings were enjoyable, he has created something really special here. Mighty Popo describes his music as “world blues” and the first thing I thought of when initially hearing this album were those great collaborations between global artists recorded by Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal and Bob Brozman. Fundamental to his world blues musical vibe is the use of slide guitar on many of the tracks. In fact the entire instrumental combo lends a tight funky note to the proceedings. There’s also a great combination of vocals on show: Popo has a plaintive and sympathetic voice and he is joined by some fellow countrymen who provide excellent harmonies. One song in particular, ‘Urugendo’, reminds me of the South African song ‘Mmalo-We’, recorded in 1993 by Jabu Khanyile & Bayete – one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard.

Popo’s songs explore themes of Rwandan tradition and much of his guitar work, played on a handmade gourd guitar, emulates an instrument called an inanga – a shallow wooden bowl with a single gut string woven back and forth across it to create nine or more strings. The original issue of this album in Canada was nominated for Best World Music albums in the Juno Awards. Given good distribution and sufficient publicity, this delightful album could deservedly elevate Mighty Popo’s status globally.