Recording: Evelyn Mukwedeya & Memory Makuri

Artist: Evelyn Mukwedeya & Memory Makuri

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Sonic Boom Records ("The Toronto Music Moment" talk + event – Wavelength FOURTEEN), February 16, 2014.

Evelyn Mukwedeya & Memory Makuri - unknown

Full review to follow. The second in-store event of the Wavelength FOURTEEN festival took over Sonic Boom's stage for an afternoon, presenting a talk called "The Toronto Music Moment" that looked at problems and opportunities in conceiving of T.O. as a "music city". And, surrounding that were three entirely diverse sets of music.

Evelyn Mukwedeya & Memory Makuri filled the store with their contemporary Canadian take on traditional Zimbabwean music, the bounce of the mbira radiating a joyful energy. This set really brought home the point that our stages and our festivals need to reflect the real range of music that's out there in Toronto — not just to check off some "diversity" box, but so that we're not missing out on some of the best stuff that's out there.

^* Evelyn calls out the title of this traditional number at the top, but I don't think I can render it correctly. Anyone know the proper title?

Bonus! Check out some more photos from the festival over at the MFS Facebook page.

Recording: Evelyn Mukwedeya & Memory Makuri

Artist: Evelyn Mukwedeya & Memory Makuri

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at The Music Gallery (Afro-European Soundscapes), September 9, 2012.

Evelyn Mukwedeya & Memory Makuri - unknown

Full review to follow. A nifty opening set of traditional-style, mbira-based Zimbabwean folksongs from Mukwedeya & Makuri, who wanted the sit-and-listen Music Gallery crowd to clap and dance a little more. I hope to get another chance to hear from this duo.

^* The title to this one was called out at the end: it's something like "Namun", but since I can only render it phonetically, please leave a comment if you know it for sure!