Tobatana Marimba Ensemble

Tobatana Marimba Ensemble performs traditional and contemporary dance music based primarily on styles of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. The compositions range from complex, fast driving polyrhythmic dance music to slow trance-like pieces. Characteristics of this traditional music include call and response, rhythmic cross patterns, and interlocking melodies that repeat in a circular fashion.

Tobatanah (toe-BAH-ta-na), which translates as “We are coming together,” has been playing together since 1997. They use eight marimbas, based on the style of instruments designed at Kwanongoma College in Zimbabwe in the early 1960s.

Tobatana Marimba Ensemble Website

1. Muti Wambuya (Trad.) (4:02)
2. Marabi Bell 800 (composed by West Nkosi & Rupert Bopape) (3:52)
3. Zin'anga (arranged by Andre Mallinger; based on Amaxoxo by Alport Mhlanga) (6:28)
4. Bhutsu Mutandarika (Trad.) (3:27)
5. Tanzania (Trad.; arranged by Paul Mataruse) (3:39)
6. Taireva (Trad.) (6:24)
7. Baba Mudiki (composed by Paul Mataruse) (6:55)
8. Mangwanani (composed by Dumisani Maraire) (6:25)
9. Six Mabone (composed by Lulu Masilda) (4:46)
10. River of Tears (composed by Chris Berry) (6:22)
11. Master Blaster (composed by Stevie Wonder) (4:36)

Instruments: (in alphabetical order)

drums, hosho, marimba, percussion, saxophone, trombone, voice.

Credits: (in alphabetical order)

Ed Hall, John Leventhal, Andre Mallinger, Mary McHenry, Carly Meyers, Dexter Payne, Emil Rinaldi, Kathy Tucker, Matt Tucker.

Hidden Voices

Notes: 6pp.

2001

CD (352-C) $15.00 plus shipping not currently in stock

These are good, clear renderings of some of the more frequently played marimba songs in North America, and would make a good model for aspiring students. Every instrument stands out in the recording, making the arrangements clear and easy to follow, although I would have enjoyed more buzz to the resonators. My favorite arrangements in this collection are Nyoka Musango, arranged by Chris Zorn, and Nhemamusasa, based on several mbira styles and variations as well as the version arranged by Larry Israel for Kutamba. There’s singing on Manyatera and Kapotso by Chris Zorn and Kathy Tucker.

Tracks:

1. Nyungwe (composed by Dumisani Maraire) (4:40)
2. Manyatera (Vamudhara) (Trad.; arranged by Claire Jones) (5:23) Listen
3. Isu Tauya Pano (composed by Dumisani Maraire) (5:48)
4. Chipendani (composed by Dumisani Maraire) (7:17)
5. Nyoka musango (Snake in the forest) (composed by Thomas Mapfumo; arranged by Chris Zorn) (7:06) Listen
6. Amaxoxo (composed by Alport Mhlanga) (8:20)
7. Chemwainyiera (composed by Dumisani Maraire) (4:56)
8. Nhemamusasa (Trad.; arranged by Larry Israel, Tobatana) (11:59) Listen
9. Maimbo (arranged by Dumisani Maraire) (3:31)
10. Kapotso (Unondo Tamba Iwewe) (composed by Dumisani Maraire) (9:12)

Instruments: (in alphabetical order)

hosho, marimba, vocals.

Credits: (in alphabetical order)

Sheri Baker, Thom Curdts, Ed Hall, Larry Israel, Claire Jones, Thomas Mapfumo, Dumisani Maraire, Alport Mhlanga, Emil Rinaldi, Michael Sherman, Tobatana, Kathy Tucker, Chris Zorn.

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