Now see we all know music transcends all cultures and vibes with the best or worst of emotions it evokes in one’s moment of listening. This would not be the exact idea that Tanzanian act Harmonize had while coming up with his most recent project, but for sure it touches on the concept of music beyond cultures.
The Tanzanian singer recently released his ‘AfroBongo EP’ a concept project that blends sounds from the West and the East of Africa and to achieve this the singer featured a number of great artists including the likes of Nigerian artists Yemi Alade. Mr Eazi and the sensational Burna Boy on the lead single ‘Kainama’ together with the celebrated Tanzanian singer Diamond Platnumz.
The EP is a 4-track project with excellently packaged African pop sounds that would be described as wholesomely experimental albeit common to the ear. Konde Boy as otherwise known, tapped some of the influential artists from Africa to make a statement with this release and gave them ample time to exhaust the tracks and ably they did.
The EP is heavy on the party aspect of the urban popular African music scene with the expression of love at the center of it all. The groovy tunes perfectly enhance the uneven aspect of liberal sound. Harmonize may be attempting to make a statement to how far his vocals would be accepted around the continent or bridge the music gap, but in doing so he has allowed for more artists to explore a different pattern to contemporary African urban sounds, that was already in place just for one to tap into with their own creativity as he has.
‘Kainama’ video was directed by Kenny, a familiar figure with putting visuals to the Wasafi team’s music. The visuals are no doubt excellent, predominantly shot in hues of blue, red and white, the hues are a kind of signature to Kenny’s directing gives a kind of fun vibe, as it were for Wasafi it’s never serious but fun!.
Check out the video here:
Image: Peruzi Media: https://www.flickr.com/photos/156275408@N02/30478836938/in/dateposted/ CC BY 2.0
