Forward Kwenda

Okay, I will not pretend to know any more about Forward than I do, which is not much.

this is from Mbira.org

"Forward Kwenda was born in the rural Buhera area of Zimbabwe, an area known for its fierce resistance to colonial rulers and respect for Shona tradition. As a young boy, Forward excelled in traditional dance and recitation of ancient poetry. At the age of 10, he began to play ngoma (drums) and hosho (gourd rattles) for his mother's gombwe (rain-making) spirit. He was given the name "Forward" because of his curiosity about many subjects, enthusiastic involvement in many activities and his singing for liberation war freedom fighters.

By 1985, Forward was playing in a unusually complex style - much to the amazement of master mbira players two and three generations his senior. This style was first recorded in 1985 and 1986 by his American friend Glenn Makuna (see MBIRA tapes nos. 56, 57, 58, 143), who dubbed Kwenda the Coltrane of mbira."

Asked about his experience of playing mbira, Forward responds:

"When I pick up my mbira, I don't know what is going to happen. The music just goes by itself, taking me higher and higher until I can end up crying because the music is so much greater than a human being can understand." and "I just have to get out of the way so spirits can make my mbira play - it isn't me - I'm just amazed."

The soft passages created on this album are entrancing like little else. This is a constant saviour for me anytime I just wanna get out of my head for a minute and be in a more subdued frame of mind.

Svikiro: Meditations from a mbira master.

1 Kanhurura (5:19)

2 Gonamombe Rerume (5:58)

3 Zvichapera Chete (6:38)

4 Chipembere Nhimutimu (4:52)

5 Tadzungaira (10:34)

6 Chipembere (7:09)

7 Mukai Tiende (7:20)

8 Mandarendare (5:36)

9 Chipindura (5:34)

10 Mahororo (6:23)

11 Chidhangechidhange (4:41)

Here It!