Mokoomba rides on Rising Tide to reach world stage

Standard People
By Kenneth MatimaireZimbabwe’s afro-fusion band, Mokoomba, has made a historic breakthrough onto the international music scene after their latest album, Rising Tide, reached the world’s top 10 album charts.

 

The album debuted on number nine on the World Music Charts Europe (WMCE) for the month of June.

The WMCE charts are compiled by a panel of 47 radio disc jockeys from 24 European countries representing internationally recognised radio stations. The chart’s playlist is aired across the world and regarded as a barometer of world music on demand.

Mokoomba joins the list of popular Zimbabwean musicians like the Bhundu Boys, Chiwoniso Maraire, Oliver Mtukudzi, Stella Chiweshe and Thomas Mapfumo who are on regular rotation on world music radio programmes around the world.

The album has been receiving rave reviews from world music specialists and writers. It has been described as “fresh and different” from most musicals from southern Africa.

Rising Tide sits ahead of No Ama by Nancy Vierra of Cape Verde which dropped to number 10.

Also dropping on the charts ladder are three albums; Marinai, Profeti E Balene by Vinicio Capossela (Italy) on number eight, self-titled offering from Batida of Angola (seventh) followed by Utu from Finland’s Värttinä on number six.

Rising up the ladder is University of Gnawa by Aziz Sahmaoui (France), El Corazon y el sombrero by Marta Gomez (Colombia), Demoni by Kottarashky and The Rain Dogs occupying numbers five, four and three respectively.

On number two is Radio Salone by Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars with El Aaium Egdat by Mariem Hassan of Spain leading the charts.

Rising Tide is believed to be the boot that will kick many doors open for Mokoomba around the world.

Akena Hammagaadji of First World Music, United States described the album as rich and well arranged.

“The music is strong, modern, rooted in Africa and spiked with the spice of Latin, soukous, reggae, palm wine and other influences,” noted Hammagaadji in his review.

“The production too is superb…The lead singer’s voice is a strong instrument, masculine, with a hint of a rasp…The group might remind some of the Bhundu Boys only because they are six young men from Zimbabwe who play exciting music and display their professionalism via their choreographed stage presence.”

Mokoomba manager Marcus Gora said: “Rising Tide is not just about the young Mokoomba, growing from strength to strength, it is also about the importance and elevation of pride in Zimbabwe and our cultural richness.

“While all the songs are musically engaging and exciting, they also carry messages of traditional wisdom and real stories of contemporary life. They are a dynamic mix, which has something for everyone, from a dance fanatic to a romantic listener.”

Mokoomba is currently on a three-month tour of Europe. They are performing at major festivals and conducting cultural exchange workshops in nine countries namely Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Macedonia, Netherlands, Serbia and Russia.