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Ecos Do Legado (Echoes of the Legacy) celebrates the music of renowned timbila composer Venâncio Mbande, performed by his sons as Timbila Ta Venâncio. Recorded at Studio Bom Dia in Mozambique’s Inhambane Province in 2026, it honours both the composer’s legacy and the Chopi people’s living musical tradition.
Rooted in Zavala, southern Mozambique, Chopi timbila orchestras bring together five types of wooden xylophone, from enormous bass instruments to higher-pitched, sometimes shoulder-strapped examples. Made from mwenje wood and tuned to seven equidistant pitches, their microtonal sound creates an intricate, invigorating weave of rhythm and melody.
The ten interconnected pieces follow the traditional song-cycle sequence, presenting a rarely recorded complete musical journey. Passed between generations through daily contact with the instruments, timbila remains a communal practice shared by beginners and masters alike.
This recording stands as a tribute to Mbande, who died in 2015, and an interpretation of his enduring work. Available on LP, CD and cassette.
Tracklist
- Mtsitso Wo Kheta (1:42)
- Mtsitso Wa Wumbide (2:46)
- Mtsitso Wa Wuraro (3:06)
- Mtsitso Wa Wumune (3:41)
- Mgeniso (4:53)
- Mwemiso (6:32)
- Chibudo (4:42)
- Mzeno (9:43)
- Mabandla (3:14)
- Mtsitso Wogwita (1:26)