Recorded live on location in the mud hut village of Mnase, Tanzania - this album captures the heart of the Gogo people who are renowned for their musicality. The tracks cover a diversity of styles and instruments. From ancient close harmonies to the intoxicating rhythms of the female Muheme drummers....from the Pygmy-like vocables to the percussive rings of the dancer's leg bells (Njuga). Hear the master players of both the 3 stringed (bow- played) Zeze, and the previously undocumented 10 stringed (plucked) Zeze. The songs cover many themes of life in this village from a girl singing about hoeing to different groups singing about farming, aids, celebration and welcome. An old man, the last known player (in the area) of the Donondo, sings whilst playing his strange musical bow sounding like a cross between a Jews harp and a Berimbau.....With the sounds of the side blown Baragumu horn, Kayamba shakers, and the tongue wagging shrills of the women to the melodic tones of the Marimba Ya Vibao the tracks take us on a musical journey into the heart of this vibrant musical people. "With the sound of beating drums and chanting voices all around, the small African compound had come to life, illuminated by the light of a new moon. As the heat of the day subsided, the cool breeze of the evening brought renewed energy into village life. Scraping, sliding sounds of dancing feet against the red ochre coloured earth floor, swished in time with the hourglass shaped percussive instruments, enticing everyone into the intoxicating rhythm. No one could keep still, even a feeding mother sitting cross-legged swayed in time, picking out vocal harmonies or answering sung phrases, seemingly oblivious to the clinging child at her breast. As we sat entranced by the spontaneous nature of this musical explosion the day to day survival of these Tanzanian’s had been forgotten. Patiently waiting for the rains, their crops were slowly but surely withering under the brutal heat of an East African sun. Yet, there was hope in the air, and this evening it had come, as it often did, beginning with the sound of a drum, coaxing us to dream of a new day. "Martin and Rebekah Neil ….. February 2003. The story …….. Tanzania in East Africa is home to 126 different people groups whose national language is Kiswahili, yet each has their own unique cultural expressions and Bantu heart languages. In the centre of the country around Dodoma, (the Tanzania capital) is one of the most prodigious musical areas, home of the Wagogo. This is the story of a village, its people and their songs, whose simple existence is determined each year by the weather. It is a farming community of approximately 4000, who eke out a living in a sometimes inhospitable land, where dry river beds are the norm, and walking 2 km for water is considered a favourable year. Yet woven into the very fabric of their lives is a unique traditional music which brings a story of hope within the struggles of day to day life. This project is a musical glimpse of the sounds, stories and rhythms of a beautiful people, the Wagogo, whose lives are not stifled by their harsh realities, but who still have a creative passion to sing, dance and give thanks. Our adventure began when visiting this region in February 2003. In living with and sharing life amongst the people we were amazed at their generosity and hospitality in a time of uncertainty. Their total reliance on the land and its harvest brought a day to day existence that was intrinsically linked with their faith and hope in God. On arriving home we began to ask, "How could we help?" So after much thought we wondered if it could be possible to partner with, and thus honour the Wagogo, enabling them to tell their story to the wider world. Also we hoped to encourage their wonderful cultural music in a time when more Western styles of music are encroaching, enticing the youth to forget their heritage and traditions, some feeling a “west is best” mentality. It’s one thing coming up with an idea, it’s another thing putting it into action! Recording in a remote location with no electricity, plenty of dust, wind and a hot African sun, is a recipe for disaster. But in April 2005 we found ourselves back in the village, armed with laptop, Mbox, batteries and microphones. This music is the result, and will hopefully give you a small glimpse into the world of the Wagogo. Through this project we hope to raise enough funds to help dig new wells within their village. Thank you for your help ….. “Asanta sana!” ….. the well where the Lord said to Moses, "Gather the people together and I will give them water". Then Israel sang a song: "Spring up, O well! Sing about it, about the well that the princes dug, that the nobles of the people sank …” Numbers 21:16-18. A Voices from the Nations production. Recorded on location in the village of Mnase, Tanzania Recorded, edited and produced by Martin Neil Tracks 2,3,4,5,6,7,10,11,12,14,15,16,18. Mixed by Neil Costello at ICC studios Eastbourne, UK Tracks 1,8,9,13,17 and extra DVD songs Mixed by Martyn McQuade at Oceanview Recording Studio East Lothian, Scotland. Mastered by Jon Blamire at Digital Audio Photography Rebekah Neil Video clips Jeff Hobbie Cover Design Andy Colthart DVD editing and production Jerry Curd Special thanks to the Chairman, elders and people of Mnase. To all singers, musicians and dancers The wonderful hospitality of Julias and Clen Galundo. To Seth Gidiony without whom, none of this would have happened. Elisha Walimu, for helping us with translations. Jeff, Lori, Isak, Zach, and Chloe Hobbie, who first invited us out to Tanzania, and have been partners in this adventure, you guys are amazing. We would also like to offer our sincere thanks to all those who contributed in so many other ways and made this project a reality Kevin and Shelly Prosch and More Church, Amarillo, TX. Loren and Christine Johnson, David and Ann Clark, CA Spring Harvest, UK for equipment grant. Mike Spratt at Wigwam, thanks for lending us the microphones. All our friends at the Northumbria Community. Please check out our website for more info: Voices from the Nations