Burundi: Music From the Hearta

Nonesuch Explorer Series
Nonesuch Records
World | Sep 2003

Reviews

Decca
Reviewed 2004-02-03
BURUNDI: MUSIC FROM THE HEART OF AFRICA
Originally released in 1974, this CD displays the musical heritage of Burundi. Tracks include use of flutes, drums, ikembe (like an mbira), indingiti (a type of fiddle), inaga (zither), and umuduli (a stick-zither), and vocals. Informative notes help explain the tracks, and the often tragic history of Burundi.

1. Midtempo song in praise of President Micombero.
2. Catchy, midtempo about various girls…and the Catholic clergy.
**3. This inaga & vocal duet sounds like jazz. It’s very cool.
4. Instrumental for flutes. Two songs, both bright & charming.
*5. Indingiti solo. An unusual sound, staccato & almost atonal.
6. Another song of presidential praise. Midtempo, nice vox.
7. Percussion-driven improv tune about girls.
*8. Cool vocals w/breathy accents. Inaga. Midtempo.
**9. Instrumental for 17-drummers. Spoken word intro. Wow.
10. A happy vocal/ikembe duet.
11. Indingiti/vocal duet. Bright w/a nice repetitiveness to it.
12. Perc/flutes/vox/chorus. Midtempo w/a good live feel.
1/2004

Recent airplay

Bernadette
PlumbotectonicsJan 27, 2015
Warriors of the Drum
Music CasseroleNov 08, 2014
Yes, I Love Micombero
Mittens & ScarvesOct 16, 2009
Bees
Mittens & ScarvesOct 02, 2009
Bees
At the Cafe BohemianMar 23, 2004
Yes, I Love Micombero
press and releaseFeb 25, 2004

Charting

2004-02-09 — 2004-04-12 Reggae/World
Week EndingAirplays
Mar 28 1
Feb 29 1
Feb 22 1

Track listing

1. Yes, I Love Micombero
2. Bernadette
3. Bees
4. Shepherd's Flute
5. Walking Tune
6. Hail to Micombero
7. Bernadette Ii
8. Take Me Back to Mabayi
9. Warriors of the Drum
10. Master Alois
11. Walking Troubadour
12. Praise for Micombero