141: Makorokoto, by the Four Brothers

The Four Brothers (Zimbabwe)
Makorokoto (1988)
10 tracks, 45 minutes
YouTube

It’s not that often that you get a band fronted by its drummer, but The Four Brothers were just that, led by Marshall Munhumumwe from behind the kit – even more impressive is that he was also the lead singer too. It’s like if Phil Collins [insert unprovoked and probably uncalled for musical insult about Phil Collins here].

But for all Munhumumwe’s impressive musicianship and musical direction, The Four Brothers are a sungura band, and in sungura, it’s all about the guitars. The other three Brothers – at this time – were Edward Matiyasi on lead guitar, Aleck Chipaika on rhythm guitar and Never Mutare on bass, and each of them played an absolutely essential role in the band’s sound. It’s not like in so many of those two-guitars-bass-drums set-ups where the lead plays the solos, rhythm plays the chords and the bass for the most part plays the root notes. No, here, each musician has their own melody, each unlike the others and unlike the vocal melody either. You put them all together and they interlock, creating a really tight lattice of interweaving lines that still manages to sound airy and light.

Sungura is a big mix of styles from all over the region – soukous and rumba from the Congo (with their own influences after Cuba and Guinea), benga from Kenya and maskanda and Township jive from South Africa. Its unmistakably Zimbabwean sound comes from the country’s own traditional music, most notably the distinctive interlocking sound of the mbira lamellophone of the Shona people. Whereas other Zimbabwean music is quite serious, such as the ultra-political chimurenga style or the deeply spiritual bira ceremonies, sungura is primary music to dance and drink beer to, the quintessential sound of the pubs in 1980s Harare. The music’s easy-going attitude also extended to the opinions of musicians – sungura itself means ‘rabbit’ in Swahili, a mischievous animal that reflected the musicians’ renown as those that freely enjoyed fun, beer and women.

Makorokoto is actually a sort of ‘best of’ compilation, although it’s put together so well that it doesn’t really sound like it. It brings together the band’s material since the early 80s, including their biggest hit, 1980’s ‘Makorokoto’, meaning ‘Congratulations’, which celebrated Zimbabwe’s independence. Unfortunately, all four of the Brothers have now left us, and sungura music and its evolution, the jit of bands such as the Bhundu Boys, are no longer really performed. As such, this album may well be the best collection of the music that you’re going to find out there. So if you’re ever in need of a good dance or a soundtrack to some beer – this is the perfect record for you.