The Mighty Zulu Nation - In Coalition with Aki Nawaz presents: Abantu
African choir meets Anglo-Asian break-beats and it works
With an average age of 23, the dozen-strong choir from Durban known as The Mighty Zulu Nation are often referred to as a young Ladysmith Black Mambazo- and like that world famous ensemble they have become enthusiastic and energetic cross-cutural collaborators. Just as 20 years ago LBM teamed up with Paul Simon, MZN have forged a creative alliance with Aki Nawaz, the man who helped to create the British Asian fusion scene with his group Fun-da-Mental and the Nation Records label.
The sound they make is extraordinary, as anyone who has seen their collaboration live will testify. We first heard them work together on Fun-Da –Mental last album, There Shall Be Love. Now comes their own Nawaz produced debut on which Zulu folklore sits alongside tablas, dhols and harmoniums, and mesmerising traditional voices are shrouded in break beats.
“Storm” features a Pakistani string orchestra, while “Mdavu the Man” boasts a clockwork dancehall rhythm and an anthemic, uplifting a capella chorus. Yet however experimental the arrangements and beats may be, they are always cleverly fitted around what MZN are doing, rather than imposed upon it. As far as this reviewer can tell there are a few samples and Nawaz has opted to use real musicians wherever possible. Elsewhere, as on “UthandoLwakho”, the astute production allows their tradional Zulu voices to be heard in all their unaccompanied glory.
Just when you were beginning to despair at the banality, opportunism and sheer mindlessness of so much of the global fusion scene, here’s an example that really works.Nigel Williamson
Songlines
Nov/Dec 2004
