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The acclaimed Mozambican, Norway-based saxophonist and composer Ivan Mazuze breaks new ground with his latest album Penuka, where he delves into the profound influence of Arab and Indian cultures on African traditional music presented through a contemporary jazz lens. The music is a testament to the centuries-old cultural exchanges facilitated by trade routes across the African continent.
Mazuze’s deep dive into this historical tapestry forms the core of the album, showcasing how African musical traditions have absorbed and reinterpreted elements from Arab and Indian musical heritage over time.
“This album is a celebration of the enduring cultural connections between Africa, the Arab world, and India. Through Penuka I aim to offer a fresh perspective on how these influences have shaped African music, blending traditional rhythms with modern jazz improvisation.” – Ivan Mazuze.
The rhythm section on Penuka features seasoned musicians with longstanding musical relationships with Mazuze. This includes artists with roots in Cuba, Norway, and Mali, all currently based in Norway. Their collaboration adds layers of rhythmic complexity and global flair to Mazuze’s compositions, enhancing the album’s dynamic fusion of styles; in addition, Mazuze
collaborates with a diverse array of guest artists, each bringing their unique cultural backgrounds to the project; these include musicians from India, Pakistan, Morocco, Senegal, Gambia, and Zimbabwe, whose contributions enrich the album’s eclectic sound palette and introduce new musical expressions such as Gnawa and languages such as Shona, Urdu, Wolof, Rajasthani and Indian Sargam. Penuka is a collaborative effort that bridges continents and cultures. It reflects the diversity and vibrancy of our interconnected world, celebrating the richness of musical expression that emerges from cultural exchange, Mazuze emphasized.
Penuka is commissioned by Global Oslo Music in Oslo, Norway. Established in 2008, Global Oslo Music was started with the vision of becoming Oslo´s most active and current stage arena for live music with roots firmly based in, and reflective of the diverse number of world cultures found in Norway´s capital city and across the globe. Through club evening events and concerts, Global Oslo Music presents and exposes its audiences to the international music scene, with musicians from around the world, but who primarily live and work in Oslo. Global Oslo Music aimed to establish an open and creative arena for artists who wished to explore new forms of collaboration across all cultural genres, to cultivate new artistic forms and has provided opportunities for new artistic forms to meet and contend with more traditional ones.
Ivan is thrilled to launch Penuka at this cherished venue, one of the most central stages for Norwegian and international music from different corners of the world, with its vibrant atmosphere and enthusiastic audiences with whom he has a long-standing relationship with.
All music composed and arranged by Ivan Mazuze. Lyrics written in collaboration with Maxwell Vidima for the track Mamidje, and with Khaleed Laaouam for the track Kanawa.
Recorded at Newtone Studios, Oslo, Norway (2024)
Sound engineering: Leif Johanssen
Additional recordings: Ivan Mazuze at Imazuze Music Studios Editing, mixing and mastering: Leif Johanssen
Producer: Ivan Mazuze
Executive Producers: Global Sonics and Ivan Mazuze
Photos: Tom Atle Bordevik
Musicians
IVAN MAZUZE – Vocals (1, 2, 6, 7), Soprano saxophone (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), Alto saxophone (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10), Tenor saxophone (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10), Flute (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10), Mbira (3), Shakers (2)
SIKANDER LANGA – Vocal (1)
MINUDDIN KHAN – Malikpur vocal (1)
RAHIS BARTHI – Vocals (1), Tablas (1, 6)
MAXWELL VIDIMA – Vocals (3, 4)
RESHAIL MANSOOR – Vocal (6)
JAI SHANKAR – Vocals (7), Tablas (7, 9)
KHALEED LAAOUAM – Vocals (8), Guembri (8), Krakreb (8)
MARIAMA NDURE – Vocals (10)
OLAV TORGET – Guitar (all tracks), Ngoni (9, 10)
ROHINI SAHAJPAL – Sitar (6)
JØRN ØIEN – Keyboards, Synths (1, 2), Keyboards (3, 4, 5, 9, 10), Piano (6, 7, 8)
PER MATHISEN – Bass (all tracks)
PAPA ASANE SAMB – Sabar percussion (2, 3, 4, 5, 10)
MODOU MBAYE TAMA – Talking drums (2, 3, 4, 5, 10)
RACIEL TORRES – Drums (all tracks)
Track Information by Ivan Mazuze
1. Bongile
“Bongile” is a name of Xhosa origin, meaning “we are thankful” or “we are grateful.” The title “Bongile” is inspired by the traditional music styles of the Rajasthani Indian nomadic gypsy peoples. This piece tells a story of migration and cultural exchange, highlighting the interactions between Rajasthani culture and other cultures, including those in Africa.
Through “Bongile,” the narrative of shared histories and the blending of musical traditions across continents is celebrated, emphasizing the gratitude that arises from these rich cultural connections.
2. Penuka
The title “Penuka” means “to expose” in Xichangana, a language of Mozambican origin.
In the context of Ivan Mazuze’s album Penuka, “Penuka” celebrates the shared rhythms and harmonies found across the African continent, which have emerged as a direct result of historical contact and trade routes with Indian and Arab merchants.
These interactions left cultural imprints, influencing the development of music and bringing about a rich, interconnected musical heritage that “Penuka” seeks to expose and honor.
3. Mamidje
“Mamidje” is a song that pays homage to African religious practices, particularly those centered around spirit possession rituals, which are prevalent in the southern African regions. These rituals, rooted in the belief of mediating with ancestors, are a significant part of the cultural and spiritual life in these communities. The song is named after Ivan Mazuze’s late older brother and serves as a musical ceremony to honor and celebrate his life.
“Mamidje” also features the highly acclaimed Zimbabwean vocalist and guitarist Maxwell Vidima.
The song specifically praises the spirit possession ritual known as Bira from Zimbabwe, a traditional ceremony where music and dance are used to invite ancestral spirits to communicate with the living. Through this composition, Mazuze pays tribute to both his brother’s memory and the enduring cultural significance of these ancestral rituals.
4. M & S
“M & S” is a vibrant fusion of soukous and kwasa kwasa with a Latin twist, featuring Senegalese percussion, Shona backing vocals by Maxwell Vidima, and freestyle in Wolof. The song celebrates life through music and dance, highlighting the cultural connections between African and Latin musical traditions.
5. Belonging
“Belonging” is a percussion-driven song featuring African instruments like the sabar and talking drums.
Inspired by the dynamic, performative nature of African rhythms, the song showcases a variable 6/8 rhythm, drawing parallels to celebrated Indian 6/8 rhythms. This fusion creates a powerful connection between African and Indian musical traditions.
6. Ayaan
The word Ayaan means “God” and has drawn inspiration from northern Indian classical music. “Ayaan” features Indian Rajasthani tablas style played by Rahis Bharti from Dhoad Ensemble, the Pakistani singer Reshail Mansoor and Indian sitar player Rohini Sahajpal both based in Norway.
7. Adufo
On the album Penuka, Mazuze pays homage to the Makhua ethnic group of northern Mozambique, which has been highly influenced by the Arab culture and music through the commercial trading in the northern region of Mozambique. “Adufo” is a modern interpretation that adapts the original terminology of Tufo. Through this piece, Mazuze honors the enduring influence of Arab-African trade routes on Mozambican music and reinterprets the Tufo tradition for contemporary audiences. The song features Indian/Norwegian tabla player, Jai Shankar.
8. Kanawa
“Kanawa” is a song inspired by the Gnawa style of Morocco, celebrating the rich history of African migration and trade routes. It highlights the enduring cultural exchange within the continent and the influence of Arab culture on African traditions. Through its Gnawa rhythms and melodies, “Kanawa” pays homage to the historical and cultural connections between Africa and the Arab world.
9. Nhaka
“Nhaka” is a song that celebrates the Chopi tribe of Mozambique, known for their unique Timbila ensemble. The track blends Chopi rhythms with tablas, highlighting the cultural fusion resulting from historic trade with Arabs and Indians. “Nhaka” reflects the rich musical heritage and cross-cultural influences of the Chopi people.
10. Yangulanu
“Yangulanu,” meaning “dialogue,” celebrates the exchange between musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds. The song features a rhythmic inspiration from the Manding rhythm of Mali, combines Gambian singing styles, and includes Senegalese percussion. It highlights the common musical elements shared across cultures through a dynamic and harmonious blend.
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ImazuzeMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivan_mazuze/
Ivan Mazuze: https://imazuzemusic.com/
Album Penuka (CD): https://imazuzemusic.com/my-store
Album Penuka (Digital Service Platforms):
https://imazuzemusic.com/epk-penuka-2024
Global Sonics: http://globaloslomusic.com/gom/about/
Global Oslo Music: http://globaloslomusic.com/