#3340: Music For Opposable Thumbs

New Sounds | Oct 5, 2014

The thumb piano, which in Zimbabwe, is called “mbira,” in Uganda, “kalimba,” in the Congo, “likembe,” – is an instrument made of a wooden board to which staggered metal keys have been attached.  We’ll have an hour of music involving the thumb piano for this New Sounds program, from a gentle song by Arthur Russell, interpreted by Jens Lekman to the Kronos Quartet, to the psychedelic electronic music in the Congotronics series of records.

PROGRAM #3340, Music for Opposable Thumbs (First aired on 5/17/2012)                                                           

ARTIST(S)

RECORDING

CUT(S)

SOURCE

Various Artists: Erick Muchena

Nonesuch Explorer Series: The Soul of Mbira, Traditions of the Shona People

Taireva [4:04]

Nonesuch Explorer #79704
www.nonesuch.com

Francis Bebey

Akwaaba 

Akwaaba (“Welcome”) [5:48]

Original Music #105
Out of print, but check Amazon.com
soundcloud.com/awesometapesfromafrica

Mbira DzeNharira

Rough Guide: African Roots Revival

 

Tozvireva Tingaputike Neshungu [8:03]

World Music Network RGNET1269
www.worldmusic.net  Info about the band: www.mhumhirecords.org

Thomas Mapfumo

Chimurenga Forever (Best of)

Hanzvadzi (Sister) [5:40]

EMI / Hemisphere #35582
Try Amazon.com

Konono No. 1

Congotronics

Paradiso [6:48]

Crammed CRAW 27
crammed.greedbag.com

Various Artists: Andrew Bird Vs Konono N°1 & Sobanza Mimanisa  

Tradi-Mods vs Rockers: Alternative Takes On Congotronics

Ohnono-Kiwembo [5:59]

Crammed CRAM 169
crammed.greedbag.com

Jens Lekman  

Four Songs by Arthur Russell

A Little Lost [3:32]

Rough Trade Records
Digital only release. 
Available at Amazon.com

Kronos Quartet with Dumisani Maraire

Pieces of Africa

Kutambarara ('Spreading'), excerpt  [3:14]

Nonesuch #79275
www.nonesuch.com

 

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