HARARE - Nos Sadwrn / Saturday night

SONGS OF JOY FROM A TROUBLED LAND

Kudaushe Matimba (Marimba, Keyboards, Vocals)
Kenny Chitsvatsva (Drums, Vocals)
Jules Faife(Bass)
Laurence Corns (Guitar)

You may be forgiven for thinking there’s not much to sing and dance about in today’s Zimbabwe. But listening to Harare, you get the feeling that there is hope for the future after all. At least this once-proud nation’s rich African musical heritage is still alive and kicking, albeit in exile.

Harare are based here in the UK and are one of the few groups playing Zimbabwean dance music in Europe. But their pedigree is impeccable, having emerged, Phoenix-like, from the legendary Bhundu Boys, the band that did more than any to bring African music into the western mainstream back in the 80s. Two of that ill-fated outfit are here keeping the faith, drummer Kenny Chitsvatsva (one of the original line-up) and frontman Kuduashe Matimba, with a repertoire of new material mixed in with a few glances back over their musical shoulders.