Frank Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique: Oliver Mtukudzi

Frank Bessem's
Musiques d'Afrique:

Oliver Mtukudzi
(Zimbabwe)

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Oliver Mtukudzi & the Black Spirits is one of the pioneering artists from Zimbabwe, together with Thomas Mapfumo. He mixed the Chimurenga music, as sung during the liberation war in Rhodesia, characterised by the use of rhythms of the thumb piano (Mbira), with the Mbaqanga from South Africa. The Mbaqanga, in Zimbabwe known as Simanje-Manje was brought in by the famous producer West Nkosi.

Oliver began singing in a church choir at age of 10. He taught himself to play a guitar although his parents objected to him becoming a guitar player. In the 1970s, he began recording and already his second song became a huge hit in Zimbabwe. In 1979, it became possible to perform openly and the road to success was open. He is one of the most productive artists in Zimbabwe and has now his own label Tuku Music as well as a production company, through which he also promotes young musicians to start their career.

Musicians on Ziwere MuKøbenhavn:
Oliver Mutukudzi, Nicholas Kunaka, Picky Kasamba: vocals
Albert Kapondoro: electric bass
Samuel Mtewa: drums
Picky Kasamba: percussion
Robert Mutukudzi: keyboards
Job Mteswa: 1st electric guitar
Pilani Dube: 2nd electric guitar

Born: 1952, in Highfields township, near Harare
Style: Tuku Beat (Mbira mixed with Mbaqanga)

Discography:

Title	Year	Label	Remarks
Tsimba Itsoka	2007	Heads Up HUCD-3124
Wonai	2006	Sheer Sound SLCD 101
Nhava	2005	Heads Up HUCD 3102 (Telarc)
Collection 1991 - 1997	2004	Sheer Sound SLCD 076
Collection 1984 - 1991	2004	Sheer Sound SLCD 075
Maungira: The Early Years	2004	Gallo CDGSP3064
The Other Side - Live in Basel 1994	2004	Shava Music SHAVACD014-2	Previously released on Jacarda (1995)
Tsivo (Revenge)	2003	Sheer Sound SLCD049
Greatest Hits: The Tuku Years 98-02	2003	Sheer Sound SLCD035	Also: ZMC TUKU008
The Oliver Mtukudzi Collection: The Tuku Years	2003	Putumayo PUTU214-2
Shanda	2002	Sheer Sound SLCD031
Vunze Moto	2002	Putumayo CD PUT 199-2
Chinhambwe	2001	Tuku TKLCD21	Re-release on CD
Svovi Yangu	2001	Tuku TKLCD18	Re-release on CD
Neria Soundtrack	2001	Tuku TKLCD7	Also Sheer Sound SLCD013 (2002)
Bvuma - Tolerance	2001	Tuku CD 004	Also Sheer Sound SLCD006 (2002)
Paivepo	2000	Putumayo CD PUT 168-2
Tuku Music	1999	Putumayo CD PUT 152-2	Also on Label Bleu/Indigo LBLC 2549 (1999) and Earthsongs ATLAS9004
Ndega Zvangu	1998	Shava Musik SHAVACD008-2
Ziwere MuKøbenhavn	1994	Shava Musik SHAVACD001-2	Also Sheer Sound SLCD011 (2002)
Son of Africa	1993
Was my Child	1993	LP	CD release RTP CD14 (1995)
Rumbidzai Jehova	1992	LP
Rombe	1992	LP
Shoko	1992	Tuku CD 005	Also Piranha PIR30-2 (2002) and Sheer Sound SLCD010
Mutorwa	1991	LP
Kuvhaira	1991	LP
Psss Psss Hallo!	1990	LP
Chikonzi (Messenger!)	1990	LP
Tuku Live at Sakubva Concert	1989		Double live album
Grandpa Story	1989	Tuku	LP
Nyanga Yenzou	1988	LP
Strange Isn't It?	1988	LP
Sugar Pie	1988	LP
Wawona	1987	LP
Zvauya Sei?	1986	LP
Gona	1986	LP
Mhaka	1985	LP
Hwema Handirase	1984	LP
Nzara	1983	LP
Oliver's Greatest Hits	1983	LP
Please Ndapota	1982	LP
Maungira	1982	LP
Shanje	1981	LP
Pfambi	1981	LP
Africa	1980	LP
Muroyi Ndiani	1980	LP
Chokwadi Chichabuda	1979	LP
Ndipeiwo Zano	1978	LP