Chibite
Studio album by
Hukwe Zawose
Released1996
LabelReal World[1]
ProducerRichard Evans
Hukwe Zawose chronology
Tanzania: The Art of Hukwe Ubi Zawose
(1994)		 Chibite
(1996)		 Mkuki Wa Rocho (A Spear to the Soul)
(2000)

Chibite is an album by the Tanzanian musician Hukwe Zawose, released in 1996.[2][3] Zawose played the 1995 WOMAD Festival, leading to his association with Peter Gabriel.[4] Chibite was Zawose's first album to be widely distributed.[5]

Production

Produced by Richard Evans, the album was recorded in England, with Zawose's son as the only other musician.[6][7] Zawose played the chirimbo, an instrument similar to a thumb piano.[8] Zawose, who wrote six of the album's songs, sang in Swahili.[9][10] "Nghanga Msakuzi" is about the Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere.[7] "Sisitizo la Amani Duniani" is about the bombing of Hiroshima.[6] Zawose possessed a five-octave vocal range; he employed deep throat singing on Chibite.[11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[12]
Robert Christgau(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)[13]
Edmonton Journal[10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[4]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[6]
The Sydney Morning Herald[14]

JazzTimes wrote that Zawose "creates a tantalizing and relatively de-westernized sound, spinning tales in Swahili with a voice that cyclical melodies around the undulating modal patterns on chirimbo."[8] Robert Christgau deemed the album a "thumb-piano extravaganza."[13] The Sydney Morning Herald determined that "the urgency of the chanting, the rhythms created by Zawose's ankle bells, the sonic waves emanating from the jzezes, all conspire to create a sound that sounds like the performance of a party of hundreds."[14]

Westword noted that "anyone familiar with, say, James Brown, will find his body reacting to the persuasive, push-and-pull rhythms over which Zawose shouts, cries and celebrates."[15] The Edmonton Journal praised Zawose's "wise, chant-like, raspy refrain."[10]

AllMusic wrote that "Zawose's powers are in full effect, singing in his native tongue and playing traditional instruments that range from flutes and violins to thumb pianos and various percussion to create a rich sound that rings with an infectious vibrancy."[12] The Boston Herald listed Chibite as one of the best albums of 1996.[16]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Sisitizo la Amani Duniani" 
2."Chilumi" 
3."Ibarikiwe Mungu Yupo Duniani" 
4."Munyamaye" 
5."Nyangawuya" 
6."Nghanga Msakuzi" 
7."Jende Chiwuyaje Kukaya" 
8."Sauti Za Kigogo" 
9."Safari Na Muziki" 
10."Twendeni Sote Na Mwanga Wa Amani" 

References

  1. ↑ Askew, Kelly; Askew, Professor Kelly (July 28, 2002). "Performing the Nation: Swahili Music and Cultural Politics in Tanzania". University of Chicago Press – via Google Books.
  2. ↑ "Hukwe Zawose Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ↑ Feist, Daniel (26 Oct 1996). "Hukwe Zawose Chibite". The Gazette. p. E6.
  4. 1 2 Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. pp. 864–865.
  5. ↑ Wadey, Paul (13 Jan 2004). "Hukwe Zawose; Star of world music". Obituaries. The Independent. p. 18.
  6. 1 2 3 MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 831.
  7. 1 2 "NEW RELEASES: POP". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  8. 1 2 Woodard, Josef. "Hukwe Zawose: Chibite". JazzTimes.
  9. ↑ Potter, Mitch (3 Aug 1996). "HUKWE ZAWOSE Chibite". Toronto Star. p. H10.
  10. 1 2 3 Levesque, Roger (3 Aug 1996). "Fine music along with the finesse". Edmonton Journal. p. D11.
  11. ↑ Hudson, Mark (24 Jan 2004). "Staying in CDs". Arts. The Daily Telegraph. p. 12.
  12. 1 2 "Hukwe Zawose Chibite Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  13. 1 2 "Robert Christgau: CG: Hukwe Zawose". www.robertchristgau.com.
  14. 1 2 Elder, Bruce (10 Feb 1997). "More musical magic from Africa". The Guide. The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 10.
  15. ↑ Roberts, Michael. "Playlist". Westword.
  16. ↑ Katz, Larry (December 20, 1996). "Larry Katz's top 10". Scene. Boston Herald.
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