Obviously no-one has told the irrepressible Madalitso Band about the third album wobble. The Malawian roots duo, Yosefe Kalekeni and Yobu Maligwa, are a partnership who take everything in their stride, including their steep rise from years spent busking on the Lilongwe streets to delivering knock-out sets at recent Roskilde and WOMAD fests. Supported by Malawi-based ex-pat musician Neil Nayar, the Madalitso Band nudged their way onto the World Music circuit via 2017’s Sauti Za Busara festival in Zanzibar, signed for the fine Swiss label Bongo Joe and have landed two pulsating albums so far, ‘Wasalala’ in 2019 and 2022’s ‘Musakayike’. Now comes their hat-trick with ‘Ma Gitala’, a set which sees the partnership staying true to their joyfully raw banjo-band sound, all stomping beats and crisp tunes but also packing in new thrills.
Their winning Madalitso formula is shaped around Kalekeni’s trusty, battered guitar riffs and cow-skinned kick drum thump, Maligwa’s throbbing babatoni, a two metre, one-stringed home-made bass, plus the sweet call out of their vocals. On the surface it’s infectious, irresistible and made to share but the Madalitso Band’s music gets its real power from the honesty and warmth of Kalekini and Maligwa’s friendship, forged in hardship and fuelled by deep faith. They conjure up pure soul music and ‘Ma Gitala’ brings another welcome dose.
The band breeze in with Anafera Chiboda and you immediately know that you are in the Madalitso zone. The characteristic flick of Kalekeni’s driving chords, the four to the floor pump, the doo-wapping undertow of the babatoni bass line and Maligwa’s ringing voice burst out into the airwaves. The prudent story of someone pursuing a rich partner and rejecting real companionship, it’s minimal, insistent and a breath of fresh air. Another full energy stomper shapes up with Chemwa which bounces along full of Bhundu Boys jump-jit adrenaline. Those moments when Maligwa twangs his babatoni’s single string until the makeshift body rattles or finds the off-beat or slides the notes to a vocal whoop, shows real flare. With fellow Malawian musician Gasper Nali pushing the instrument in a more percussive direction, the babatoni’s future is in real safe hands.
Like many of Madalitso Band’s tunes, Chemwa hones in on telling home truths. “Why are you eating the relish, but not the nsima” the song asks, prodding at those who only thrive on pleasure while others do the hard work. Striking out with everyday proverbs that resonate anywhere clearly inspires the duo’s music. They are a band with things to say. Mwadala is another allegorical tale which echoes the Madalitso Band principles, hard work, diligence, faith and reward. It’s a breathless romp, galloping along with Kalekeni’s tight-circling, singularly tuned chords at the heart of the locomotion.
Generally though ‘Ma Gitala’ sees the Maligwa/Kalekeni partnership bringing more contrast to their core sound and smoother flow to their songs. Not that the Madalitso Band have gone self-consciously slick. The shift simply underlines that these two most natural musicians are not content with standing still. Zili Komweko may have that familar hot stepping skip about it but the voices are toned down and carefully balanced. Such confidence in easing back also shines through on the simple and sincere La Bwino. Here the duo capture their love for their home country with toned down guitar picking, softly tapped percussion and a rich, folksy vocal.
Such gentle progression also underpins several of the album’s tracks where guest players are drawn into the Madalitso soundscape for the first time. On Princess Wanga Patrick Thima Sam brings his chiming thumb-piano peels to broaden the sound of a love song which chugs graciously along after a bumping, almost ‘Louie Louie’, babatoni intro. The album’s title track unwinds to a gorgeous mid-tempo Soca lilt with the voices of Maligwa, Kalekeni and co-producer Neil Nayer’s children bringing a timeless spring to the song’s winning hook. Perhaps the most surprising collab is left to ‘Ma Gitala’s closer Po Lankhula. Here musicologist and horn player, Rick Deja, who’s sessioned with Malawian stars such as Wambali Mkandawire and Nathaniel Chalamanda as well as The O’Jays and 10000 Maniacs, drops in to add the earthy croon of his sax. Po Lankhula finds the Madalitso Band kick back to think aloud about privilege and the perils of looking down on others, not with a bitter bark but a calm, knowing wisdom. Set to a soothing calypso shimmy Kalekeni’s low, weathered voice and Maligwa’s effortless tenor mingle with the sax lines in fine dance-band style. It’s a highlight, a worthy end to the album and maybe a pointer to Madalitso Band volume four.
In a recent Songlines interview Yosefe Kalekeni has reckoned the reason the band’s music has cut through both at home and beyond is because they’ve been prepared to develop the traditional Malawian street-busking sound. In his words “there’s something cool” about what they’ve arrived at and on listening to ‘Ma Gitala’, you know exactly what he means.
Get your copy of ‘Ma Gitala‘ by the Madalitso Band from your local record store or direct from Bongo Joe HERE
