Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited - Ndangariro (1983) [Reissue 1991]

This is one of the first of Mapfumo's albums to be released in the United States and Europe, and it finds him and The Blacks Unlimited band at the top of their musical game. Compelling repeating guitar lines grab you as the first song "Nyara Mukadzi Wangu" starts. Soon, Mapfumo's growling voice takes center stage, handclapping and prodding the song along with serious edginess. "Temerina" and "Emma" are more laid-back and happier tunes propelled by horns, interlocking guitars, and percolating trap drums. "Nyoko Musango" ("Snake in the Grass") with its ominous mood, great call and response vocals, and relentless guitar work is one of The Lion of Zimbabwe's, as he is affectionately called, greatest songs. Other songs on the CD, mostly mid-tempo danceable numbers, fill out the release to make this a very satisfying collection of music. --Jeff Grubb