"Kalimba and Kalumbu Songs" - various artists

various artists
front cover
  • artist:various artists
  • featured artist:Josiasi Yemba Mate, Edward Kalunga
  • region:Central Africa
  • release year:1998
  • style(s):Ethnic, Traditional
  • country:Zambia
  • formats:CD (Compact Disc)
  • record posted by:SWP Records
  • label:SWP Records
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Kalimba and kalumbu are the names of two of the best known Zambian musical instruments. But here, as in most other parts of southern Africa, almost all instruments that did not have a significant functional place in traditional society have dwindled or died - those which were played for fun, for solace, for walking, for passing the time, for expressing one's opinion on any subject, for private working out of the perculiar African challenges of pattern playing and perception. Young people today play the guitar instead. We are fortunate to be able to present here a selection of the highly attractive, yet simple and catchy, individual and idiosyncratic 'little' musics of these two Zambian instruments, as they were recorded on the spot. Some performances are quite extrovert, but some more introverted, even meditative.