Toi Toi by Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited

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World Fusion | African

10 tracks | 67 minutes

Released Jan 2004
on aNOnym reCOrds

Click for a 30-second preview. All tracks are 192kbps high fidelity sound quality. Protected WMA $0.77 or unprotected MP3 $0.88.

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sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 07:32 Timothy lyrics BUY MP3 07:32 Timothy lyrics "GIFT MP3" 07:32 Timothy

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:56 Musha Wenyu (Your Home) lyrics BUY MP3 06:56 Musha Wenyu (Your Home) lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:56 Musha Wenyu (Your Home)

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:39 Pasi Inhaka (This World) lyrics BUY MP3 05:39 Pasi Inhaka (This World) lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:39 Pasi Inhaka (This World)

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:18 Komborera (Bless) lyrics BUY MP3 06:18 Komborera (Bless) lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:18 Komborera (Bless)

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:50 Tatsvukira lyrics BUY MP3 06:50 Tatsvukira lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:50 Tatsvukira

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 07:45 Ndateterera lyrics BUY MP3 07:45 Ndateterera lyrics "GIFT MP3" 07:45 Ndateterera

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:55 Mukoma J (Big Brother J) lyrics BUY MP3 06:55 Mukoma J (Big Brother J) lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:55 Mukoma J (Big Brother J)

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 07:39 Vechidiki lyrics BUY MP3 07:39 Vechidiki lyrics "GIFT MP3" 07:39 Vechidiki

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:41 Dande lyrics BUY MP3 05:41 Dande lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:41 Dande

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:24 Sweet Maria lyrics BUY MP3 06:24 Sweet Maria lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:24 Sweet Maria

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African Music Legend Thomas Mapfumo, social conscience of Zimbabwe.

Editorial review

Given Thomas Mapfumo's reputation as a major contemporary artist in world music (which is more than justified), it's easy to forget that traditional music lies at the very heart of his sound. Lyrically, much of the content is traditionally influenced (indeed, "Dande" is actually a traditional Shona melody). That's not to say he's abandoned his political stance; Toi Toi, recorded in both his native Zimbabwe and the U.S., positively bristles. It's really the work of two different bands in the two countries. The center of the sound, as always with Mapfumo's <i>chimurenga</i> is the <i>mbira</i> or thumb piano, with liberal doses of guitar on top and with brass as a hearty confection behind Mapfumo's voice (which sounds more vigorous than ever). Journalist and musician Banning Eyre contributes Malian-style guitar to several tracks, which makes for a beautiful fusion, especially on the lyrical, acoustic "Komborera" with its muted trumpet. One of Mapfumo's heroes was Bob Marley, and while "Tatsvukira" isn't reggae, the horn arrangements certainly have a strong Jamaican influence. The album is another sign that Mapfumo has completely rediscovered his creativity, which seemed to ebb a little at the end of the '90s; this is one of his most completely realized and satisfying records of the early 2000s. He doesn't push his vocals too far forward in the mix, especially on the Zimbabwean tracks, letting them be a part of the whole, and surprisingly, that gives them an even greater power. "Dande"'s melody is strictly traditional and treated with respect, if filled out with bass and drums, but its lyrics are new and the performance is stunning, while the joyous closer, "Sweet Maria," rounds out the disc perfectly. Toi Toi is Mapfumo in excellent form indeed. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide

Bio / Background

Reviews:

From The Beat magazine, Steve Heilig says: "...In fact, I think this is the most immediately impactful Mapfumo release I've heard in a long time, and I'm a longtime fan and booster. So Toi Toi is one to seek out for confirmed followers and neophytes alike; a stellar offering from a towering figure in world music."

From the Leopard Man: 'You can't really stop playing it.'

From the Sacramento Bee: 'True to form, the album sets a buoyant musical tone while tackling such issues as poverty and oppression. And, of course, fighting the good fight.'

Time Magazine: 'Mapfumo's latest album, Toi Toi, was released three weeks ago in Zimbabwe. The sounds are familiar melodic mbira, twangy guitars, Big Band brass. The name comes from a type of protest music, but Mapfumo's manager, Cuthbert Chiromo, says Toi Toi is 'more reflective, less political.' Not apolitical this is Mapfumo, after all. The biggest buzz among the fans is about the track Timothy.