 DREARY NOT QUITE ANYTHING FROM THE THIRD, FOURTH AND FIFTH DIMENSION

I write all the time but rarely record. Maybe annually at best.

‘When rain falls, the beans grow’. Mvula Mandondo present an original concoction of Tanzanian village roots, urban rumba and Afro-Caribbean influences, blending traditional and modern instruments. Saidi Kanda’s vocal virtuosity accompanied by commanding guitar-driven rhythms will make you move. Sit back, relax and let strings, thumb piano and harmonies wash over you like tropical rain, if you can sit still. Spanning a versatile range of musical styles this album holds a few surprises with new sounds and blends you have never heard before. Prepare to be ambushed!

Through Saidi Kanda Mvula Mandondo bring to life the traditional music of the Ndengeleko and Manyema people of Central East Africa, a tradition steeped in songs of deep emotion – love of the land, love within families and love of children.  From Edward Shearer we have deep influences from Caribbean, Bahamian and Turks & Caicos rake n' scrape music soca,  roots reggae, Cuba,  Salsa and West African drumming (not to mention the early classical background from his family). 

Recent review:
"I am a music journalist who happily got to hear "Ambush" before it was released. This record is absolutely fantastic, and I'm taking time out of my workday to say so. It's really that good. I can't say enough good things about it. If you're on the market for some unique, genuine, groovy, intelligent, funny, friendly, warm and exotic music, Mvula Mandondo has it all in spades. The songs are better than their 10 second samples can represent."

-Sean McCauley








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