Zanzibara 8: Chungu

The taarab music of Zanzibar is one of the glories of Africa and has a history stretching back over a hundred years. But large orchestras with violins, accordion, oud, qanun and percussion are hard to finance today and, sadly, there isn't the state support available that there is for orchestras in the West. Rajab Suleiman is a qanun (zither) player with the top taarab orchestra Culture Musical Club and a teacher at the Dhow Countries Music Academy. He has created a stripped-down group with six musicians plus vocalists and chorus. And very good it sounds too.

The Kithara group features two female vocalists, Hilda Mohamed and Saada Nassor and, on this album, two well-known guests from the taarab circuit, Rukia Ramadhani and male singer Makame Faki. There isn't the majestic sweep of taarab strings you might be used to, but there is all the intimacy and bite of chamber music. Dominated by the filigree qanun playing of Suleiman, most of the eight songs have an infectious swing. ‘Salaam Aleikum’ is a danceable song of peace with some lovely instrumental breaks and the album's rounded off by a joyous love song, ‘Kipenzi Changu Cha Moyo’ (Love of My Heart). A fine way into Zanzibari taarab music.