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| ARTIST: |
Oliver Mtukudzi
(Google this artist) |
| ALBUM: |
Vhunze Moto |
| LABEL: |
Putumayo World Music |
| RELEASED: |
2002 |
While without the approval of the shackled South African governing body, Zimbabwean singer Oliver Mtukudzi is brimful in unfettered alliance with the beat of his polyrhythmic homeland. Vhunze Moto, recently promoted with an invite to The Late Show with David Letterman, allows Mtukudzi’s stilly vocal manner to flutter over breezy Afro-Beat inflected sound skecthes that display a reliance on melodious shout song structure.
It is, however, an unwavering affair – there’s a steady “in-the-pocket” dynamic but Mtukudzi makes no attempt, rhythmically or tonally, to deviate from it. Although euphonic and agreeable, Mtukudzi’s inability to pronounce distinguishing elements within compositions yields a set without breath. Perhaps inhibited by over intellectualizing, Vhunze Moto would benefit from the weight of focus placed on the pulse of the soul.
This time around Mtukudzi is never as propulsive or multifarious as Femi Kuti or immediate as Angelique Kidjo’s more mainstream offerings. He does parlay a listen between the lines, yet it hardly carries the captivation of risk-taking.
review by Wesley Chu
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©
Figgle 2001-2007