No Wambali voice in new album

Musician Wambali Mkandawire says his fans should not expect a voice from his seventh album to be out at the end of the month.

The Afro-jazz maestro told The Nation that he has said enough in his previous six albums.

Said Wambali: “There is no voice [in the new album]. I am not singing. I have done enough singing. I have said what I wanted to say. If people want to know what I have to say let them go back to what I said. Let the music speak.”

Some of Wambali’s songs were banned in the 1980s for their political content.

But songs from his fourth album in 1992 were not banned although most of the local radio DJs avoided identifying themselves with his work.

On the contrary, his albums attracted international recognition.

In 2002, he was nominated for a Kora Music Award and the album, Zani Muwone, was playlisted on SAFM/Kaya FM and numerous other southern African radio stations.

Wambali won the South African Music Award (Sama) in 2003 for the Best African Artiste.

This time, he says the 12-track album is saxophone driven which, he said, means that “it’s all jazz” and “all instrumental”.

Last month, Wambali was quoted by The Nation as having decried the lukewarm reception to his music in the country.

But he says he is not worried if his saxophone driven album will not have a good reception.

“I am not just focusing on Malawi. I know that other places people love it. If Malawi takes time to respond I will not be disappointed because it’s new. I will move on with other places where I am sure I will get a good response,” he said.

Wambali kept a tight lid on the title of the album which he has completed recording at Joe’s Garage in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Presently, Wambali pastors to a church on the outskirts of Mzuzu.