WOMAD

Djaaka

From Mozambique

When it comes to music from sub-Saharan Africa, the Francophone and Anglophone countries have largely got it sewn up in terms of penetrating the European world music scene. But, once in a while, those nations formerly under Portuguese rule get to offer their wares – witness here the respective breakthroughs of Cape Verde’s Cesaria Evora, Guinea-Bissau’s Manecas Costa or Mabulu from Mozambique. It’s the latter that’s also home to Siyaya, a marimba outfit from the central Mozambican city of Beira who, upon forming in 2001 as an offshoot of a large traditional music and dance company, almost instantly won their hometown’s prestigious Music Crossroads competition. Swift to follow were tours to South Africa and across Europe. Although their sound sticks close to tradition (specifically the marimba style known as timbila), the group show they’re very much a product of these times as their songs tackle contemporary spectres like AIDS, poverty and social division. Despite the subject matter, the warm and fluid Djaaka sound makes itself irresistible to all those within earshot who fancy giving their limbs a little workout.In a few words… Tight-as-a-drum marimba music from Mozambique.