Gabriel Mbanda - Iwiye (2020) [Hi-Res]

Iwiyé (engl.: aurora), the new album title by Gabriel Mbanda expresses hope, courage and the feeling of a new beginning. Leaving an old life behind and starting a new one somewhere else often brings uncertainty, disappointment and sadness. In his new album Gabriel Mbanda not only deals with his own experiences of leaving his home country Cameroon, he also addresses larger themes such as the search for identity, abduction, forgotten roots and own trust. Musically, his songs unite different rhythms and languages. For example, the two Cameroonian dialects Sawa and Medumba are strongly represented, but South African Swahili and westafrican Pular (Fulani) can also be heard.

Gabriel Mbanda himself describes his musical style as Afro-Jazz. With a lot of piano, solo trumpet, string ensemble and his soft voice his songs fit wonderfully into a pleasant sound. However, African style elements like percussion, congas and different rhythms bring variety and result in a special musical style of its own, which cannot be compared. Also the cooperation of different international artists, like Cesar Gamero (percussion, Peru), Ben Todd (drums, Australia), Judy Shin (piano, USA), Suwon Yim (piano, Korea), Davide Calvi (piano, Italy), Stefan Sigg (flugelhorn, Germany), Mjali Suso (Kora, Gambia) and James McMillan (Trumpet, England) contribute their part to a culturally open mix. The concluding work of James Mcmillan (Mix and additional Production for Quietmoneymusic), multiple Jazz Award winner, results in a highly complex and musically rich work that will delight every connaisseur.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Gabriel Mbanda - Iwiye (5:55)
1.02 - Gabriel Mbanda - Massoma (5:23)
1.03 - Gabriel Mbanda - For You (5:17)
1.04 - Gabriel Mbanda - Neni (4:34)
1.05 - Gabriel Mbanda - Leye Mba (5:25)
1.06 - Gabriel Mbanda - O Moin (4:51)
1.07 - Gabriel Mbanda - Mu Samba (4:35)
1.08 - Gabriel Mbanda - Struggles of Joseph (5:42)
1.09 - Gabriel Mbanda - Samama Mise (5:25)