Shanu

Fifth album from Monoswezi’s highly adventurous fusion of Scandinavian jazz and African roots, Shanu sees the band introducing a new and surprising element to their instrumentation. On the last recording it was harmonium, banjo and ngoni. These have now been dropped in favour of a Mellotron, the 1960s pre-synthesizer keyboard beloved of British prog-rockers and ‘Strawberry Fields’-era Beatles. The group’s music still smoothly envelops the beautiful Shona language singing and mbira (thumb piano) of Zimbabwean Hope Masike. However, there is clearly a 60s flavour with ‘Tsika Dzako’ having off-kilter drums and a Mellotron intro that almost sounds like a Beatles-esque ‘backwards tape’ moment. ‘Where Is My Mbira?’ also has a retro feel, with Pink Floyd-style guitar and plodding Dark Side of the Moon sound-alike bass groove.

This is probably Monoswezi’s most commercial recording to date, capped by the truly sublime ‘Zvorema’ with its message encouraging us to fight against greedy and selfish leaders. ‘We Crown You Nehanda’ catches Hope Masike singing in English and celebrating women who continue the fight against injustice and inequality. Marvellously inventive and powerful.