MUH6515 Wk2 - MDavis
Mhani (featuring Sunglen)
Spha Bembe
African
Drums, piano, trumpet, synth, bass, vocals, finger snaps, percussion
instruments (various shakers)
Percussion, brass, electronic and vocals combine to create
this work. I focus on the instruments used in this recording because the combination
is not unique to music, however when the piece began, time/meter was not
evident for me. This leads me to believe that the cultural rhythm that exists
played a role in the execution of the work.
A drummer begins the piece followed by keyboard, trumpet,
vocals and bass. For the first 40 seconds of the piece there is some sort of
vamp and then the rhythm settles into a smooth two or four (depending on
perspective.) Overall, it reminds me of
a smooth jazz piece with added components.
I enjoyed listening to Mhani by Spa Bembe. To me, this is definitely a fusion of American pop/jazz and African elements from their traditional music. There is definitely a different cultural approach in the way the piece begins slowly, and the African layering of rhythmic figures is present. It is interesting how the jazz elements combine so easily with the African elements.
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