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Alias:

Bizimana Ntavyo Esrom Rudala Maryam Said Hamdun Nurdin Athuman Anania Ngoriga Jamila S. Abri

Language:

Swahili

Genre:

Afropop

Instrument:

Male vocals Female vocals Guitar Synthesizer Thumb piano Bass Drums

Biography

- To put the East African music in there with the other hot sounds of the day, on the A-lists of the radios, and into the CD players in homes, in cars and on the streets.
This is the intention of the Tanzanian MRADI GROUP, who have prepared a tasty collection of rhythmic, melodious African pop music recorded in STUDIO MARIMBA in Dar Es Salaam.
The Mradi group consists of musicians with experience from several of the finest bands that are presently playing in the clubs, on the stages and in the hotels and restaurants in Dar Es Salaam. They came together to meet a challenge: To compose, arrange, play and record the music that would give East African music the focus it deservs in the world of music. While other parts of Africa have been producing records and artists who have gained international acclaim, East African music have so far not had the same level of international success.
Mradi Group have found a way to translate the riches of Tanzanian music traditions into a modern and exciting musical form that is unique to their area and their culture. Their CD "Indege" contains music that reflects everything from the arab-tinged taarab traditions of Zanzibar, via Tanzanian ngoma traditions to the flowing kalimba styles of central Tanzania. Traditional melodies and rhythms, original compositions, and sparkeling, inspired playing on traditional an electric instruments all find their place in a modern sounding production.
The album is produced by Sigbjørn Nedland, who is the man behind such former releases as "Tranzania", "Meeting in Moscow" and "Make Me a Channel of your Peace", which have all been in the top ten of the World Music Charts Europe.

Relevant artists:
Hukwe Zawose
Tatunane
Suzzana Owiyo
Geoffrey Orema

INDEGE  
Kultur & Spetakkel/2005

This record is marketed as "pure pop from tradition" which actually gives a pretty good picture of what this is. After having been under the rule of soukous for 30 years, Tanzanian musicians have started to develop their musical traditions in new directions. This "project group" is very welcome. It could of course be a risk of throwing the baby out with the water to jump into international pop. But this is not what Mradi group has in mind. This is TANZANIAN pop music, based on their own traditions.
"Indege" starts with the catchy title track, sung in Swahili. The backing consists of synth/piano/guitar and bass/drums, pretty conventional. But what makes this good pop music is the catchy melody and the good voices. This song could be a hit, definitely.
Next is "Watoto wa mitaaini" what to me sounds as a pop'ed up Wagogo song. But it works, for the same reasons as "Indege". Then we're off to "Tesa moyo wangu", pretty close to the taarab tradition. But the sweet, unpretetious way in which this is all made makes the hit potential formidable.
The lyrics contains everything from the fates of streetchildren in Dar es Salaam via love to women's right to perform as musicians.
"Indege" keeps a high level throughout. The production has too much echo and "sweetness" to my taste, but is not bad. At times it reminds me of what Papa Wemba did for Real World.
A good start for Mradi Group. It would, in fact, surprise me if the gruop does not get a hit with this record.

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Swahili: Francis Chagula (francis.chagula@malvik.kommune.no)
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