Mbira is the name of the national instrument of Zimbabwe, the thumb piano, as well as the music style of the Shona people. The hypnotic play on the thumb piano makes contact with the spirits of the Shona ancestors. Because of these 'diabolical' magical powers, the mbira was a forbidden instrument in colonial Rhodesia. Furthermore, the mbira was traditionally a men's affair. A brave woman ignored
… these restrictions. Stella Chiweshe, born in 1946, secretly played the mbira during healing ceremonies, weddings, funerals, concerts and parties. After Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, Chiweshe became a mbira soloist, dancer and actress in the National Dance Company of Zimbabwe. The company has toured Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Australia, India, North Korea and Europe. As a solo artist, Chiweshe has continuously toured Europe, America and Africa since 1987 and released successful albums internationally. Double Check is Chiweshe's first double album. The first disc Trance Hits contains new recordings, recorded in 2005 under difficult conditions in Zimbabwe. Accompanied by traditional (percussion) instruments, Chiweshe sings and plays traditional music and makes contact with the Shona spirits. The second disc Classic Hits shows a side of Chiweshe more familiar to Westerners: a compilation of swinging urban afropop performed with the Earthquake Band. (SvdP) recorded in 2005 under difficult circumstances in Zimbabwe. Accompanied by traditional (percussion) instruments, Chiweshe sings and plays traditional music and makes contact with the Shona spirits. The second disc Classic Hits shows a side of Chiweshe that is more familiar to Westerners: a compilation of swinging urban afropop performed with the Earthquake Band. (SvdP) recorded in 2005 under difficult circumstances in Zimbabwe. Accompanied by traditional (percussion) instruments, Chiweshe sings and plays traditional music and makes contact with the Shona spirits. The second disc Classic Hits shows a side of Chiweshe more familiar to Westerners: a compilation of swinging urban afropop performed with the Earthquake Band. (SvdP)more
