Beautiful fingerstyle guitar work by the master of the style, Congolese artist Mwenda Jean Bosco.
His clean and precise guitar playing has always sounded somewhat baroque to me. I feel that he and Bach could have collaborated on some interesting compositions. This tune repeats the same complex descending line, often with bass runs connecting the sections of the song.
The title “Kwimba nako ni kuzuri” translates loosely to “Singing is also good.” The lyrics seem to allude to someone calling out to their parents for consolation after experiencing deep sadness or reliving memories of troubled times.
Approximate Swahili lyrics and English translation is available via close caption. Please comment if you have any corrections!
Believed to have been recorded circa 1957-58.
Released as Gallotone CO.126.
Credits:
Jean Bosco Mwenda – guitar, vocals
Unknown artist – bottle
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