ndakondwa

The 11th album from Larry Maluma is a welcome addition to the afro-reggae lexicon.  Maluma, a star in his native Zambia, has been living in Australia since the 80’s, but has yet to reach the same acclaim here as in his homeland. Which is a shame because he is a wonderful exponent of afro-reggae music.

As with all reggae music, he has an extensive backing band and they wonderfully support his distinctive singing with tight rhythms and backing vocals. Larry has a voice that is reminiscent of smoky flavours and sipping rum, rich and a little rough, but smoothed out with aging.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUCBt94PBso&w=854&h=510]

His songs are sung both in English and his native Nyanja, Bemba and Tonga. The music is reminiscent of classic reggae, which is no bad thing and his lyrics are refreshingly positive in their message and outlook.  This is music that might not change the world, but it certainly makes it a better place with such happiness imbued in every song.

Ndakondwa is an irrepressibly upbeat album,  music to put a smile on anyone’s face.

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