Wonai

Sadly, Wonai not a new album, but a trawl through Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi's catalog for a sort of greatest hits from Zimbabwe's most popular artist. The problem is that some of the material has already appeared on at least one similar set, although this does delve back to find some very satisfying earlier material, too, and paints a more complete picture of the artist, too. And what an artist he is, ranging from jumping jit to the solemnity of the aching ballad "The Third World Cries Every Day." There's true passion in his singing, and plenty of power, while his band can turn on a dime and produce some remarkably soulful sounds -- there's nothing by the numbers in this collection. It's not perfect -- no collection ever can be, really -- but for those just coming to Mtukudzi, this makes an excellent career overview.