Mangue Music: Music from MALAWI - 1993.April

Sunday 29 December 2019

Music from MALAWI - 1993.April - Kershaw Sessions BBC

Let's go to some not yet visited areas during this festive period, and start with Malawi.

Kasambwe Brothers late 1980s in Malawi [source: Rough Guide to WM]

As I have only two short recordings from Malawi, combined them in one post and let's this time start with the music, later background info for both very different bands will follow.

Listen to the Kasambwe Brothers

MALAWI-MUSIC-19930400_Kershaw Sessions BBC

Kasambwe Brothers - recorded 1993.April in Malawi
setlist: 1.Mtengo Waminga* [tree of thorns] / 2.Check Your Movements* / 3.Anyamata Kasambwe [MISSING] / 4.Simuyamika* [you don't think]
bc.1993.Sep.25, BBC Radio 3 - Andy Kershaw

Katawa Singers - probably also recorded 1993.April in Malawi
setlist: 1.My Lord I'm Coming* / 2.The Lord Help Us* / 3.Ndasawera Meharo [missing] / 4.Wela Welako [missing]
bc.1993.May.22, BBC Radio 3 - Andy Kershaw

Kasambwe Brothers

Biography

One of the top bands in the 1990s in Malawi were the Kasambwe Brothers from Thyolo district in southern Malawi. Isaac and Frank Chikwata, being in their early teens, started the band in 1987 by playing homemade instruments, lead and bass guitar respectively. They were joined in 1989 by their (then) 9-year old cousin, Kennedy Nagopa backing them on vocals, drums and percussion. Their folk-based material is startingly original and they have strong lyrics, too, about matters like family life, separation and survival, marriage and duty in a matrilineal society - and of course love and alcohol.
Translated lyrics of their song "Ndilibe Ambuye" ["I have no uncle"]:

I went to old Rodgers' place, with matrimonial matters on my mind.
Rodgers asked: Hey kid, what is it you want here?
I replied: The hand of one of your daughters, sir.
Rodgers sneered: Away with you! And next time bring your uncle!
Now, my uncle is far away, and I'm al the poorer for it.
For I can't get my marriage arranged, for what shall I, a lad with no uncle, do?

source: Rough Guide to World Music [1994/1999 edition; note in 2006 edition the Kasambwe Brothers strangely disappeared]

Discography [sort of...]
info from natari.com and the RG to World Music [1994/1999]

199x?: Ndilibe Ambuye [K7/CD, Pamtondo #PAM.005]
note: CD includes also songs by another band
At one time the most pirated K7 in Malawi. 14 wonderful tracks from the Brothers at the peak of their youthful powers. Pure magic from the the three boys who make up the band, the oldest is 18, the youngest just 12 years old. Gorgeously rootsy guitars, one of which is home made, as are the drums, all vibrantly played with loads of feeling. Sweet vocals add the finishing touch to this really danceable album.
199x?: VA - Acoustic-Electric Dance Hits Vol.I/II/III [3xK7, Pamtondo #PAM.001/002/003]
incl.track[s] by Kasambwe Brothers

More Information

1993.April: Malawi Travelogue by Andy Kershaw - youtube
2000.August: Rhythms of the Continent - MALAWI - bbc worldservice
2019.Feb.01: Kasambwe’s unsung heroes - mwnation.com
2019.Jun.28: Sweating for nothing - times.mw [be careful with original times.mw site!]

Katawa Singers

Biography

The Katawa Singers, from Mzuzu in Malawi, started as a church project fundraising music group in the late 1980s. In 1991 they recorded 4 songs for MBC Radio, which became so popular that they decided to record a real album. That debut album "Ambuye Ndibwera" was a big succes and it sold a total of 20,000 tapes.
They were the first group to play electric musical instruments in church, therewith re-defining gospel music and initiating the departure from a conservative way of worship.
In 1996 they recorded their best and most successful album Tiyimbire Yesu, to date there's still demand for it. The Katawa Singers are not only popular in Malawi, and started touring in neighbouring countries, like Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Kenya.
In 2008 they opened their own Hena Katawa Music Studios with connected office and with the release of their first DVD entered the digital world. In 2014 they were awarded the Legend’s Award during Radio MBC’s 50 years’ celebration of broadcasting. In 2015 they released their 10th album Yankho ndi Yesu, with three founding members, Auden Nthala, Thomas Lupeska and Kenan Munthali, still singing in the choir.
based on mwnation and times.mw articles see under

Discography
based on mwnation and times.mw articles see under
1992: Ambuye Ndibwera [debut K7]
1993: Chikondi Ndichanu [2nd album]
1994: title unknown [3rd album]
1995: Ku Eden album [4th or 5th album]
1996: Tiyimbire Yesu [6th album] - THEIR BEST!
2013: Yesu ndi Tanthwe Lolimba [9th album!]
2015: Yankho ndi Yesu [10th album]

Articles used [all included in download]:

2013.May.31: Katawa Singers launch 9th album - mwnation.com [google cache]
2014.Dec.26: Gospel legends from Mzuzu - mwnation.com [google cache]
2015.Jun.17: Gospel music in Malawi - musicinafrica
2015.Sep.25: 25 Years of Katawa Singers - times.mw [be careful with original times.mw site!]

Multi Media:

playlist with 10 songs - youtube [all uploaded by Rodney Bakasi from Malawi]
related: video report about Samora Machel - youtube [see post about Shalawambe]