The thumb piano, which in Zimbabwe, is called “mbira,” in Uganda, “kalimba,” in the Congo, “likembe,” – is an instrument made of a wooden board to which staggered metal keys have been attached. We’ll have an hour of music involving the thumb piano for this New Sounds program, from a gentle song by Arthur Russell, interpreted by Jens Lekman to the Kronos Quartet, to the psychedelic electronic music in the Congotronics series of records.
PROGRAM #3340, Music for Opposable Thumbs (First aired on 5/17/2012)
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ARTIST(S) |
RECORDING |
CUT(S) |
SOURCE |
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Various Artists: Erick Muchena |
Nonesuch Explorer Series: The Soul of Mbira, Traditions of the Shona People |
Taireva [4:04] |
Nonesuch Explorer #79704** |
|
Francis Bebey |
Akwaaba |
Akwaaba (“Welcome”) [5:48] |
Original Music #105 |
|
Mbira DzeNharira |
Rough Guide: African Roots Revival
|
Tozvireva Tingaputike Neshungu [8:03] |
World Music Network RGNET1269 |
|
Thomas Mapfumo |
Chimurenga Forever (Best of) |
Hanzvadzi (Sister) [5:40] |
EMI / Hemisphere #35582 |
|
Konono No. 1 |
Congotronics |
Paradiso [6:48] |
Crammed CRAW 27 |
|
Various Artists: Andrew Bird Vs Konono N°1 & Sobanza Mimanisa |
Tradi-Mods vs Rockers: Alternative Takes On Congotronics |
Ohnono-Kiwembo [5:59] |
Crammed CRAM 169 |
|
Jens Lekman |
Four Songs by Arthur Russell |
A Little Lost [3:32] |
Rough Trade Records |
|
Kronos Quartet with Dumisani Maraire |
Pieces of Africa |
Kutambarara ('Spreading'), excerpt [3:14] |
Nonesuch #79275** |