Play this while you read, from the new album by Vusa Mkhaya, “Ukukhala” .
For those of you who missed it, I recently posted an excellent youtube video of Vusa Mkhaya and Mamadou Diabate.
Ask Vusa Mkhaya about his music and he will tell you that the voice is his favourite instrument. Born in Zimbabwe, and well known for fronting the vocal trio, Insingizi, he has now lived in Vienna for many years and has finally released his first solo album, “Vocalism”. The title speaks for itself. But is it his solo album ? Delve further and he will tell you about the philosophy of “Ubuntu” .
“In Zimbabwe we have a saying: ‘a child belongs to everyone in the village’. This is how I felt working on Vocalism in my home town of Bulawayo.” Thus, the spirit of Ubuntu is the spirit of sharing and togetherness.
Old friends dropped by to say “Hi” and see what Vusa was up to. When they saw what was happening everyone wanted to join in. The result is an album of deep, perfect, wrap-around harmonies that celebrate the joy of singing, and such a joy to listen to it is.
Vusa’s heroes are Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and you will, of course, hear their influence everywhere on the album but you will also hear performances that talk of more than Africa.
“Brunnenmarkt” is about a market in Vienna whilst “Schweinsbeuschel” , an Austrian song, is simply beautiful.
Lilting guitars trip through “Sohlangana Khona (We will meet there)” where Vusa takes the lead vocal, as he does more prominently on some tracks. Accompaniment throughout the album is minimal. The focus is the voice.
This is a gentle, laid back album that never fails to raise the spirits on the bluest day. The vocals are warm and perfectly balanced and you feel that you would be safe in the arms of this music, come what may.
Vusa is clearly a talented vocalist and has an ear for tone, which for me, is as important as the harmonies created. For his first “solo” album he has created a treat and an excellent example of African choral singing.
Give it a try here, – you can’t help but smile and be peaceful.
singlemaltmonkey 
Thank you for sharing. This is absolutely beautiful. I had never heard him before and so glad that you posted.
Vusa is so refreshing, I love the mood and feel. Perfect music for those days when a good glass of wine would be so calming but you find yourself home back in the USA from Europe and too young to legally have said glass of wine. Oh, maybe that just aplies to me.
Either way, what a voice and great artist you have brought to us.
alison
Glad you like it, Alison. Thanks. 🙂
Yes, love this sound.. You have such a wide variety of music you share with us.. Thank you !!
(PS- four more years with Barry 🙂
Woo hoo !!!
Your musical blog posts are killing me. Youtube is still banned here 😦
Oh wait….that wasn’t a youtube link…….. 😀
So, did you get Vusa and Mamadou playing ?
That is such a shame. Sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Thanks for a great review:-)
Thank you, Vusa. I listen to the album a lot. Love it. 🙂
Greetings friend,
I wanted to inform you that I nominated you for The R.E.A.L.I.T.Y. Blog Award. It’s special, for a blog special like yours. For information about the Award and the award image stop by my post. R.E.A.L.I.T.Y. Blog Award
I’m glad that I know you and am a part of your blogging family!
alison
Thank you, Alison. I’m glad you are on board too and enjoy reading your posts. I’ll play my part. It’s always good to feel appreciated. 🙂
Great share. Then again, i would expect noithing less from you!
Thank you 🙂