Chawapiwa

“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.....I just have to get out of the way so spirits can make my mbira play - it isn't me - I'm just amazed.” Forward Kwenda was born in the Buhera area of Manicaland, Zimbabwe. This area is known for its fierce resistance to colonial rulers and respect for Shona tradition. Forward Kwenda has always played Mbira, for the spirits, the ancestors, the land of Zimbabwe and the world around it. An undisputed master of this eminently spiritual instrument, he has developed a complex and unique melodic technique that has led him to perform and teach in the United States, Europe and Japan. The EP Chawapiwa, is the result of a collaboration with two of his students: Yann Dubois and Shiho Manabe. The B-Side of this 12” is a remix and a loving tribute to Zimbabwe by Dj Oil, a french producer and dj.