Hukwe Zawose & the Master Musicians Of Tanzania - Mates (1987)

Quite astounding performances recorded during several all night studio sessions when Hukwe Zawose first visited the UK in 1984 and 1985. 'Mateso' is Swahili for 'suffering' and the musical result here, with its complex accompaniment of thumb pianos, marimbas and fiddles is intense "bush music for hi-fi listening". Sadly life now mimics art as, for a long time the last surviving member of these sessions, Dr. Hukwe Zawose died on 30 December 2003.

Born 1940 in the Dodoma district of central Tanzania, Hukwe Zawose spent his childhood rearing his father's cattle. It can safely be said that he was Tanzania's foremost traditional musician as he traveled the world promoting and performing the music of Tanzania.

Voted as one of the 'Best Of 1985' by The Beat magazine.

"...rises above Occidental fantasy with vibrantly memorable tunes." -- Melody Maker

"...singing is an anguished cry and gorgeous sound all in one ...." -- TNT