Nearly ubiquitous in sub-Saharan Africa, the thumb piano (also known as mbira, kalimba, sanza, and other regional names) has both a musical and spiritual legacy. We’ll hear contemporary extensions of that tradition on this New Sounds program, including selections from the Congotronics project, where homemade amplification distorts the thumb piano sound so that it has an entirely different texture, and is then accompanied by wickedly insistent percussive groove. Also, listen to Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche’s latest release "Mobile," which has him performing on the thumb piano for his solo drum kit compositions. Plus, there’s music by Ugandan-born New Yorker Samite, the late Camerounian writer/composer/musician Francis Bebey, and more.

PROGRAM # 2552, New Music for Thumb Piano (First aired on Fri. 5/26/06)

ARTIST(S)	RECORDING	CUT(S)	SOURCE
Zimbabwe	Shona Mbira Music	Nhemamusasa, excerpt [1:30]	Nonesuch Explorer #79710** www.nonesuch.com
Francis Bebey	Akwaaba	Akwaaba [5:30]	Original Music #105 Out of print, but check Amazon.com*
Francis Bebey	Nandolo / With Love	Rwanda [6:00]	Original Music #027 Out of print, but check Amazon.com*
Konono No. 1	Congotronics	Paradiso [7:30]	Crammed Discs #27 ** www.crammed.be *
Samite	Embalasasa	Setula [6:30]	Triloka/Artemis #82071** www.triloka.com *
Glen Velez	Seven Heaven	Ramana [6:30]	CMP#30 Out of print, but try his site www.glenvelez.com
Glenn Kotche	Mobile	Fantasy On A Shona Theme [4:00]	Nonesuch #79927 ** www.nonesuch.com
Zimbabwe	Shona Mbira Music	Dande [4:00]	See above.
Egberto Gismonti	Sol Do Meio Dia	Kalimba [5:00]	ECM #1116 ** www.ecmrecords.com