Chimurenga Explosion by Thomas Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited

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World Fusion | African

12 tracks | 71 minutes

Released Feb 2005
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" 05:36 Musanyepere lyrics BUY MP3 05:36 Musanyepere lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:36 Musanyepere

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:21 Chisi lyrics BUY MP3 06:21 Chisi lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:21 Chisi

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:36 Mamvemve lyrics BUY MP3 06:36 Mamvemve lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:36 Mamvemve

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:21 Kuenda Mbire lyrics BUY MP3 06:21 Kuenda Mbire lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:21 Kuenda Mbire

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:48 Disaster lyrics BUY MP3 05:48 Disaster lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:48 Disaster

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:20 Kune Rima lyrics BUY MP3 05:20 Kune Rima lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:20 Kune Rima

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:45 Moto Uyo lyrics BUY MP3 05:45 Moto Uyo lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:45 Moto Uyo

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:03 Wachiono Chirombo lyrics BUY MP3 05:03 Wachiono Chirombo lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:03 Wachiono Chirombo

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:08 Nhamo Zvakare lyrics BUY MP3 06:08 Nhamo Zvakare lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:08 Nhamo Zvakare

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:01 Nherara lyrics BUY MP3 06:01 Nherara lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:01 Nherara

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:59 Kariba lyrics BUY MP3 06:59 Kariba lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:59 Kariba

sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:42 Zvichapera lyrics BUY MP3 05:42 Zvichapera lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:42 Zvichapera

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Winner of the 2001 AFIM Indie Award for Contemporary World Music...

Editorial review

While the two discs on Anonymous Web prior to Chimurenga Explosion have been substandard in Mapfumo's discography, Chimurenga Explosion is a return to form, reminiscent of the extraordinary depth and reflectiveness of releases like Hondo and Chamunorwa. The recording was roughly split between a studio in Oregon and one in Harare, but the American setting doesn't seem to hamper Mapfumo in any way, and his band is in top form, relaxed and upbeat. In fact, this disc exudes a general good-natured optimism that hasn't been present in Mapfumo's music since Vanhu Vatema, and Chimurenga Explosion may in fact be one of his happiest. From the very first notes of "Musanyepere," you know you're in good hands. "Mamvemne" begins with the classic Mapfumo formula of a short introduction pausing to let the mbiras introduce the main groove. And Mapfumo's falsetto singing in the chorus of "Nherera" is simply heavenly, worth the entire album by itself. Besides the band as a whole, guitarist Joshua Dube stands out as a star of this recording. He truly captures the spirit of both Jonah Sithole and Eprhaim Karimaura, who both buoyed the Blacks Unlimited over long periods of time. Dube's sparkling yet mellow tone and instinctive sense of the appropriate thing to play set him apart and elevate the music to its status as one in a long line of classic Mapfumo releases. The other amazing strength of Chimurenga Explosion is its strong vocal forces, demonstrated best on "Zvichapera," where the call and response could be taken from any of Mapfumo's many great recordings of the '70s and '80s. ~ Tom Chandler, All Music Guide

Bio / Background

Two songs from Chimurenga Explosion were BANNED by the Mugabe administration from the ZBC, and the Cassette sold furiously as the political situation in that country built to a critical mass.

Here's what was said in Zimbabwe on its release!

from the Sunday Mail Magazine

Masterfully arranged with the cultural mbira sound blended with the lead guitar of the highest order, plus the sweet backing vocals...

It's pure magic, and the Chimurenga Explosion might result in tremors, so watch out!

Mukanya... will certainly ruffle a few feathers with this one.

...all those who are corrupt will certainly get the message

And from the USA...

As a champion of the underdog and an outspoken critic of political and social injustice, Thomas Mapfumo is a figure in world music on the order of a Bob Marley or Fela Kuti. During the '70s and '80s his "chimurenga" music provided a running commentary on the political and social upheavals of his native Zimbabwe.