Thomas Mapfumo, Rise Up
“The Lion of Zimbabwe,” Thomas Mapfumo. I will not say “world music,” because that doesn’t mean anything. This is rebel music. Polyrhythmic pulses about plundering presidents and plebian pleas for peace. It’s just as well that you can’t understand any of the words, or else they’d make you too sad to dance — and dance you shall. I was lucky enough to assist in this recording and watch Thomas direct his band. Besides being the kindest person, he also has this Miles Davis vibe. He would hunch and shuffle around when not singing, pointing to each musician in turn with a little motion that seemed to say, “Correct yourself! Play better.” I don’t care if you don’t like anything but post-rock, get this and explode your head.
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