Musakayike (Vinyl LP)

Madalitso Band have taken their exuberant, Malawian folk music from the streets of Lilongwe to thrilling audiences across Europe and are now gear up to release their third album Musakayike via the acclaimed Swiss imprint Bongo Joe. Recorded in Malawi in November of last year, the duo, along with their “accidental manager” Neil Nayar, headed into the studio with a clearer idea of how to to capture that Madalisto Band sound without losing any of their groove and infectious energy. After all, this is music to make you clap, dance and smile.

The Malawian duo’s setup comprises a homemade one-string slide bass (Babatone), a cowskin foot drum thumped with the heel and a 4 string guitar. The guitar, played by Yosefe Kalekeni, holds close to the rhythm while lead singer Yobu Maligwa’s long-necked, babtone serves as both the bottom end and lead. When asked why they make their own instruments, they will simply reply “that’s how we get the sound we want.”

Live, these songs stretch out well over 10 minutes, designed to get and then keep the audience dancing, but on this new record they were fine tuned and trimmed back before heading into the studio. Album opener Ali Ndi Vuto zips out of the tracks, with Yobu Maligwa lamenting the fact that whether you're rich or poor, people will find fault with you. Title track Musakayike is as infectious as they come, with a playful groove and the pair’s harmonizing vocals creating a sound that defies their stripped back set up.