Oliver Mtukudzi & Black Spirits
“For those of you who have never been to Zimbabwe, we’re here to take you to Zimbabwe.” The spacious Afropop of Oliver Mtukudzi spreads itself across dusty plains and teeming jungle thickets as it resonates the aura of a natural place. “Where we’re from, music is like sunshine. It can be heard throughout the day. We specifically use music to defuse tension. We beautify the truth.” Weaving textural vocal harmonies styled in their native Shona language, Mtukudzi’s Black Spirits spun tales of a still agrarian society ever striving for communal bliss. Where a Stratocaster is more likely to be delicately plucked than punched, where drums capture the sounds of a thundering herd on the move, where it takes a village to make a song, Mtukudzi leads his band beyond mere entertainment into the realms of utilitarianism. “Where we’re from, you don’t get to sing a song when you have nothing to say.” As a visionary and teacher, Mtukudzi had plenty to say Friday evening with the Washington Mutual tent taking on the refreshing air of youthful exuberance. And so went Mtukudzi’s final pontification: “To all parents, please help your children identify themselves.”
This article appears in September 22 • 2006.