4 The Mzinga (Debut Album), by Salim Karisa

4 The Mzinga (Debut Album)

by Salim Karisa

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

€8 EUR or more

1.	Corona 08:06 video	info	buy track
2.	Mamaye Rooney 08:52	lyrics	buy track
“On Sunday (Jumapili), Rooney’s mother will come, and so we should prepare our drums and music, because she has to come and it is important for her to come. She is our biggest supporter and we know she will bring us goodies, so let us prepare our Marimba because music is something to be don when she comes.” This is a song that praises a wealthy lady who is about to visit the village, and she supports the musicians when she visits. So the musicians are talking about getng ready for hr and making good music for her.
3.	Marimba Jam 04:44	info	buy track
4.	Nifunge Ndoa 04:36	info	buy track
5.	Shamba Boy 05:04 video	lyrics	buy track
Lyrics: Shamba Boy “When Malimbo was employed by Dula to work as his farm-hand (shamba boy), Dula made it a living hell for him. He wanted him to work on every single thing on his homestead, including work that was not meant for him. To be born poor, you must be ready to go through a lot of trouble. It is beter to be without food and be hungry than to work for Dula.” This song critcizes the nature with which some employers treat their workers. It encourages people to stand their ground and void being used.

about

In the villages around Kilifi, at the coast of Kenya, Mtamwe music is one of the main traditional styles: A kind of downtempo dance music that is very polyrhythmic, yet capures the soulful melodics of the Mijikenda, the 9 tribes of which Giriama represents one. Mtamwe was traditionally performed by the Giriama youth during palm wine drinking festivals, as an avenue to casually express themselves without offending the clan. Anyone was allowed to come and join in the singing and offer lyrics according to their own afflictions, be it a confession of love, or a lamentation of tragedy.
On this record, Giriama group 4 The Mzinga tell stories of hard labour and pandemic struggles with a cheeky eye, calling and responding to each other across Mtamwe rhythms, continuously encouraging to open another Mzinga - a big bottle of palm wine.
Their main instruments are the marimba (their main harmonic instrument), the kivoti (flute) the ndonga (shakers) and the chapuo, a type of Mijikenda drum (though the marimba plays the double function of percussive drum and harmony due to the texture of its timbre). Malimbo, who is also the band leader by default, somewhere between singing and rapping, gives the call, which is then repeated by the band. Their songs are long, and their performances can go on for hours on end, as they mix between their songs the way a DJ would.
As their name unmistakenly states, 4 The Mzinga (for palm wine bottles) give their performances in exchange for a bottle of palm wine (or more!) for each band member. The band was brought together by Malimbo and he taught the Marimba to two of his friends, before deciding it would be a great idea if they composed and performed their own music at special events, instead of singing music by other artists. They quickly recruited a group of female singers who became their background vocalists, with Malimbo doing composition and leading for most of the music, apart from being the main Marimba player.

credits

released July 28, 2023

Composer & Lyrics: Salim Karisa

4 The Mzinga - Band & Instruments:
Salim Karisa (Marimba)
Edison Katana (Kivoti)
Baraka (Vocals, Ndonga)
Linet (Vocals, Ndonga)
Grace (Vocals, Ndonga)

Produced & Recorded by Sidney Simila & Max Doblhoff
Mastering by Mario Stadler - Goonmastering (AT)
Cover Art by Johannes Walter

Contact Info:
www.musicfromeastafrica.com
info@musicfromeastafrica.com
@musicfromeastafrica

All rights are reserved for the Artists!!

license

about

4 The Mzinga Kenya

Authentic indigenous music from East Africa is coming your way! 4 The Mzinga tell stories of hard labour and pandemic struggles with a cheeky eye, calling and responding to each other across Mtamwe rhythms, continuously encouraging to open another Mzinga - a big bottle of palm wine. ... more

musicfromeastafrica.com

contact / help

Contact 4 The Mzinga

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like 4 The Mzinga (Debut Album), you may also like:

Tounga
by Babsy Konate

supported by 4 fans who also own “4 The Mzinga (Debut Album)”

The kind of thing I love Bandcamp for. Never heard of Babsy and took a flyer on this. It's an excellent album and I have it on repeat. Could have picked a few favourites, but this is the one I try to sing along to OoGuN
go to album
Moyo Mama + Jimpster Remixes
by Saronde

featured on Bandcamp Radio Apr 16, 2019
go to album
JOPANGO
by Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno

Soaring music from East Africa with lyrics drawn from lived experience backed by dazzling instrumentation. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 2, 2023
go to album
Manara Remixed
by Alsarah & the Nubatones

featured on Bandcamp Radio Sep 12, 2017
go to album
Manara
by Alsarah & the Nubatones

A leap forward and deep maturation of the group's sound; a seamless listen made after intense touring and personal loss. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 27, 2016
go to album
Silt Remixed
by Alsarah & the Nubatones

featured on Bandcamp Radio Oct 14, 2014
go to album
Silt
by Alsarah & the Nubatones

featured on Bandcamp Radio Feb 18, 2014
go to album