Monoswezi

CROSS-CULTURAL collaboration can throw up combinations that look incompatible on paper but click into place surprisingly well. Monoswezi's The Village is a case in point.

The band marries the minimalism and coolness of Nordic jazz with the exuberance of southeast African traditional music; more specifically, the mellow sound of Norwegian Hallvard Godal's saxophone and clarinet with the bright, upbeat ringing tone of Zimbabwean singer Hope Masike's mbira.

Sensitivity and flexibility from the leader and his Scandinavian compatriots in the rhythm section facilitate the fusion of music from such sharply contrasting geographic zones. The trembling sound that Godal coaxes from his alto clarinet mimics perfectly desert flute on Kalahari to help promote a feeling of wonderment. In Kuenda Mbire the breathy sub-tone that he induces from the instrument matches the mystique of the piece and Masike's singing.


Roaming sax lines create an eerie but appositely ethereal backdrop to the haunting opening track, Hondo. In the following praise song, Ndinewe, more robust and jazzier sax complements Masike's ululations and thumb piano. Mapfunde and Matue Tue, the former sung in Zimbabwean Shona, the latter in Mozambican Ronga by percussionist Calu Tsemane, are more childlike and playful in nature.

In Metal Drum the sound of looped metallic percussion generated by old kitchen pots combines with mbira, clarinet and bells to produce a cyclical riff worthy of Philip Glass. Monoswezi's debut album combines the openness of African music and the airiness of Scandinavian jazz to create intricate melodic and rhythmic patterns that mesmerise. - The Australian

Nr 7 on World Music Charts Europe, March 2013 - World Music Charts Europe

Nr 7 on World Music Charts Europe, February 2013 - World Music Charts Europe

Cool und weltoffen



Werner Leiss

Die Gruppe Monoswezi ist in Oslo stationiert. Sie vereinen in ihrer Musik skandinavischen Minimalismus und Jazz mit traditioneller Musik aus Simbabwe und Mosambik. Hallvard Godal, der ein Jahr in Maputo verbracht hat, gründete die Band nach seiner Rückkehr nach Norwegen gemeinsam mit dem Bassspieler Putte Johander und dem Schlagzeuger und Perkussionisten Erik Nylander. Hope Masike kommt aus Simbabwe, ist die Sängerin der Band und spielt obendrein Mbira. Damit tritt sie in die Fußstapfen von Pionierinnen wie Stella Chiwese, die sich des historisch männerdominierten Instruments angenommen haben.

Den anderen Gesangspart übernimmt Calu Tsemane, der auch Perkussion spielt. Er singt Ronga, seine Muttersprache in Mosambik. Zu hören ist eine Kollektion traditioneller Lieder, überwiegend aus Simbabwe, die allerdings auf eine sehr coole, nordische Art arrangiert wurden und damit einen besonderen, ganz eigenen Zauber bekommen. Diese Musik lebt insbesondere vom Zusammenspiel von Hallvard Godals Tenorsaxophon und dem Mbira-Spiel von Hope Masike. Die Musik, die hier entstanden ist, klingt weltoffen und überaus frisch. - Suedwind Magazin

“Right at the beginning you hear the mbira, which mainly by Stella Chiweshe has became known as the thumb piano. The sound in this lovely song is extended gracefully through the mellifluous vocals of singer Hope Masike, then uses subtle percussion and soulful saxophone playing. The opener "Hondo" swears the listener on an exciting and captivating collaboration, creates the world music in the best sense. The balance within the ensemble is fascinating: on the one hand Masike from Zimbabwe with her virtuoso mbira playing and their times pervasive, sometimes delicate voice and percussionistand singer Calu Tsemane from Mozambique, on the other hand, a truly cool Norwegian jazz trio with saxophonist Hallvard Godal, bassist and drummerErik Nylander Johander Putte. Half the tracks are reinterpreted traditional pieces, the others original compositions. The quintet blends fantastic, willnonetheless exceed limits and continues to do so, such as in "Metal Drum", an instrumental piece inspired by Philip Glass. An acting by and through musiceffortlessly with high Groove Factor.” - Folker, Germany

Mix the cool clear tones of Scandinavia with vocals and mbira (thumb piano) from Zimbabwe and percussion and singing from Mozambique, and you end up with a very surprising disc. The beauty is in the amount of space and the way the mbira and saxophone/clarinet play off each other, as well as in the fact that the mbira, traditionally only played by men, is in the hands of a woman here, and beautifully played. At times quite eerie, as on the gently percussive "Metal Drum," it's a disc that connects the dots not only between East African and Nordic music, but also connects with the minimalism of modern classical music. At the same time it can hit a softly soulful groove with "Kalahari," two voices blending and playing off each other, building over the cyclical riffs that make up the music (in a similar fashion to Afro-beat, but without the wildness and electricity). What Monoswezi have created is a unique and intriguing fusion, and this album barely scratches the surface of possibilities. Where they take it will be fascinating. 4 stars - Allmusic

On paper this is a north European jazz band—the founder/saxophonist is Norwegian, the band has received financial support from the Norsk kulturråd—but the lead singer Hope Masike comes from Mozambique and southern Africa is the music’s muse, kept very cool by the jazz-brass, which lingers around her while she makes reckless instinctive-sounding moves from one note into another. This lingering affects her too, she’s slower than she could be, her reckless style teases itself against the instruments, she plays a Shona pattern on her mbira, and her voice gives the music a prickly kind of rebellious life. This sound of a naturally fast impulse, the jump between hum and high “Aow!” the warmth of her smiling delivery, being drawn out by this communal icy-cool focus, is wonderful and delicate. 8/10 - Pop Matters

Monoswezi is a collective of musicians from Mozambique, Norway, Sweden and Zimbabwe. Their sound is as intriguing as their makeup. "The Village" is the name of their latest album and our music columnist Errol Nazareth brought it in this morning.
Listen (runs 5:32) - CBC Radio Canada

Monoswezi is a collective of musicians from Mozambique, Norway, Sweden and Zimbabwe. Their sound is as intriguing as their makeup. "The Village" is the name of their latest album and our music columnist Errol Nazareth brought it in this morning.
Listen (runs 5:32) - CBC Radio Canada

Though at opposite ends of the earth, Norway and Mozambique fuse fascinatingly in this outfit assembled by Norwegian reeds player Hallvard Godal after time spent down south. Their approach is minimalist, with the looping lines of mbira (thumb piano) mixed with stalking jazz bass, assorted percussion and bells. The songs are traditional, given life by the supple, at times spectacular vocals of Zimbabwe's Hope Masike (who also plays mbira), while Godal's tenor sax and clarinet supply twisting melody lines. The resultant soundscapes stretch invitingly on tracks such as the lilting Hondo, while Kalahari summons up an appropriately threatening desert atmosphere. Classy stuff. 4 stars - The Guardian / The Observer

4 stars - Songlines, UK

The taut, brittle sound of Hope Masike's mbira forms the delicate, complex web over which purring sax, anchoring double bass and an array of subtly played percussion creates a smooth Scandinavian minimalist jazz vibe.

Then in comes Hope's voice, movingly carrying the melodies of these traditional songs from Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The Village largely whispers rather than shouts, and it's all the more powerful for it.

4 stars - The Independent on Sunday

The taut, brittle sound of Hope Masike's mbira forms the delicate, complex web over which purring sax, anchoring double bass and an array of subtly played percussion creates a smooth Scandinavian minimalist jazz vibe.

Then in comes Hope's voice, movingly carrying the melodies of these traditional songs from Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The Village largely whispers rather than shouts, and it's all the more powerful for it.

4 stars - The Independent on Sunday

Mbira and saxophone are not necessarily a surprising combination. But Hallvard Godal is Norwegian, and his playing places cool dabs with an icy precision several thousand miles from the joyous honks of Southern African music. Hope Masike’s mbira takes the thumb piano into the realms of systems music, but her rich voice adds the soul back in on top. Monoswezi are a hypnotic blend of Norway and Zimbabwe. 4 start - The Financial Times

Interview and feature - The Strand, BBC World Service, UK

On the CD front, Monoswezi is a collective of musicians from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Norway and Sweden. They play a highly original blend of sophisticated modern jazz, topped off by the intricate buzz and twang of vocalist Hope Masike's hypnotic mbira (thumb piano). Even though we're only a week into January, I feel confident their strikingly atmospheric debut album The Village will be on my end-of-year list for 2013. - The Independent, UK

Interview and feature - CNN TV, USA

Monoswezi hit the ground running on their debut CD, The Village, which is due in stores January 29th on Riverboat Records / World Music Network. This impressive band features members from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Norway and Sweden. Their mbira and percussion-driven take on traditional music from Zimbabwe is original and exciting. Hope Masike, a talented singer and mbira player, provides most of the lyrics for the album, borrowing musical ideas from the past and translating them into something new and unique. The hushed influence of Scandinavian jazz can be heard in Hallvard Godal’s saxophone and clarinet playing. Monoswezi is a band that likes to improvise and they soar when the intensity builds in their songs, driving the group forward.

Monoswezi’s strong rhythm section will send you into a trance. Steady, looping mbira & percussion grooves provide the perfect platform for Masike’s passionate vocals. Since most of the instruments have percussive qualities, the interlocking harmonies the five musicians get into are hypnotic. The acoustic bass and drum kit glide effortlessly with the mbira and percussion to allow lots of space for vocals, woodwinds or both to take center stage. There is an element of strength in this music, as the steady rhythms enter the minimalist realm of Philip Glass or Steve Reich, but with the warmth of a tight jazz combo in a packed club. Hope’s mbira nyunga nyunga or mbira dzavadzimu adds the right amount of tenderness to the swinging rhythm section.

Monoswezi is a fabulous meeting of two very different cultures. Although after hearing The Village, perhaps Scandanavia and Africa aren’t as far apart as they seem. The band has quickly gained a reputation for their live performances, so check out Monoswezi performing “Ndinewe” & “Xitimela” at the Oslo World Music Festival. - Splinters @ Candy / WVKR.org