The Dollyrots - Dollyrots - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Ephat Mujuru exemplifies a unique generation of traditional musicians in Zimbabwe. Born under an oppressive colonial regime in Southern Rhodesia, his generation witnessed the brutality of the 1970s liberation struggle, and then the dawn of independent Zimbabwe, a time in which African music culture-long stigmatized by Rhodesian educators and religious authorities-experienced a thrilling renaissance. Under the tutelage of his grandfather, who was a respected spirit medium and mbira master, Ephat showed an early talent for the rigors of mbira training, playing his first possession ceremony when he was just ten years old.By then, guerilla war was engulfing the country and his grandfather Muchatera tragically became a victim of the violence, a devastating blow to the young musician. In the midst of the liberation struggle, mbira music became political. Eventually, the Rhodesians were defeated, but rather than return to the past, the nation of Zimbabwe was born and a new future unfolded. Ephat threw himself into the spirit of independence, singing of brotherhood, healing, and unity crucial themes during a time when the nation's two dominant ethnic groups, the Shona and the Ndebele, were struggling to reconcile differences.Ephat's band would eventually follow the popular trend and add electric instruments. But before that, he and Spirit of the People released two all-acoustic albums, and they may well be the most exciting and beautiful recordings he made in his career. Mbavaira, the second of these albums, was released in 1983. As the independence years moved on, there would be fewer and fewer commercial mbira releases. But for the moment, Ephat had the required stature and reputation. Also, with the energy and drive we hear in these recordings, and the unmistakable lead vocals by his Uncle Mude-truly one of the greatest mbira singers of the 20th century-the album could ea

Austen Starr hates bad grammar, the smell of leather, wet objects, living in the Northeast, the color yellow, and herself. Especially because she used bad grammar in one of her own songs, InchMedusa,Inch because it fit the meter. Austen is a reluctant Bostonian with a penchant for self-induced misery, and she still hasn't quite figured out how to give up on her dreams. As the firstborn daughter of two musicians (one of whom got a Inchreal jobInch), Austen was always told not to be, or date, a musician. A natural contrarian, she intends to do both. Austen is currently learning guitar, participating in Inchemo karaoke nights,Inch and finally releasing her debut album, I Am the Enemy.

The third ass-shaking album from Detroit's decade-running danger squad the DEMOLITION DOLL RODSùDANNY (ex-GORIES) MARGARET and THUMPURR. Twelve building-leveling tracks of hi-flying rock'n'roll blasted into the stratosphere with dual guitars keys harmonium drums and Diddley Bow. LP version to follow. STREET DATE - 04/20/2004.