Corruption
Studio album by
Thomas Mapfumo
Released1989
GenreChimurenga, Afro pop
LabelMango Records[1]
Thomas Mapfumo chronology
Chamunorwa
(1989)		 Corruption
(1989)		 Shumba: Vital Hits of Zimbabwe
(1990)

Corruption is an album by the Zimbabwean musician Thomas Mapfumo (credited with his band, the Blacks Unlimited), released in 1989.[2][3] The album criticized the government of Robert Mugabe.[4][5] Mugabe's displeasure with the criticism eventually forced Mapfumo into exile, and Mapfumo's music was barred from Zimbabwean radio.[6][7][8] The title track was discussed in the Zimbabwean parliament, around the same time as several government officials were indicted as part of a smuggling ring.[9]

Corruption was Mapfumo's first album to be released by a major label in North America.[10] A Zimbabwean version of the album, titled Varombo Kuvarombo, had been released by Gramma Records.[11]

Production

Similar to the signing of King Sunny Adé, Mapfumo was signed to Mango Records in part due to label head Chris Blackwell's desire to find a "worldbeat" star to replace the late Bob Marley.[12]

Mapfumo sang the title track in English, with the rest of the songs sung in Shona.[13][14] His intention was to inform the world of the conditions in Zimbabwe; to that end, the song's music incorporates elements of reggae and R&B.[15] Other songs address Zimbabwe's war with Mozambique.[16]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[17]
Robert ChristgauA−[18]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[19]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[20]
Spin Alternative Record Guide9/10[1]

Robert Christgau wrote: "Never have his guitars sounded more like mbiras; never have his rhythms better evoked their own intricate selves. The vocals are also relaxed, giving off an aura of ruminative wisdom that may even have some truth to it."[18] Trouser Press thought that "delivered with ... heavenly allure by pretty backing vocals, crisp horns and gently rolling tempos, the songs on Corruption grapple with troubles aplenty."[13] The Chicago Tribune deemed the album "an excellent introduction to Mapfumo's work," writing that "his music is richly melodic, rhythmic, accessible and filled with a strong social consciousness."[21]

The Washington Post stated: "Reflecting the dominant Shona culture, in which the thumb piano is the key instrument, Mapfumo's music reflects both Western instrumentation (rippling electric guitar lines in particular) and African tradition (the use of proverbs and innuendo in the lyrics and slowly evolving, complex interactions of rhythmic and vocal melodies)."[14] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution determined that "contrapuntal interplay in songs such as 'Muchadura (You Will Confess)' offer meter-mashing examples of his successful fusion of clashing African and European rhythms."[22]

AllMusic wrote "taking on the failed government that took power after independence, Mapfumo continues apace here with fluid grooves and potent barbs."[17]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Moyo Wangu"6:02
2."Varombo Kuvarombo"6:26
3."Shabeen"6:36
4."Corruption"8:29
5."Muchadura"5:03
6."Handina Munyama"5:27
7."Kupera Kwevanhu"5:46
8."Chigwindiri"6:00

References

  1. 1 2 Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. pp. 239–240.
  2. ↑ Snowden, Don (21 Oct 1989). "Musician's Dream Helps Make Revolution". Los Angeles Times. Calendar. p. 6.
  3. ↑ de Barros, Paul (October 20, 1989). "ZIMBABWE'S THOMAS MAPFUMO USES HIS MUSIC TO SPEAK HIS MIND". The Seattle Times. Tempo. p. 10.
  4. ↑ Hackel, Joyce. "Exiled Zimbabwean musician Thomas Mapfumo wonders if it's safe to go home". USA TODAY.
  5. ↑ Makombe, Rodwell (October 28, 2021). "Cultural Texts of Resistance in Zimbabwe: Music, Memes, and Media". Rowman & Littlefield – via Google Books.
  6. ↑ "Leader: In praise of...Thomas Mapfumo". the Guardian. August 1, 2006.
  7. ↑ "Thomas Mapfumo's Music of Struggle". Washington City Paper. July 22, 2011.
  8. ↑ Jones, Derek (December 28, 2001). "Censorship: A World Encyclopedia". Routledge – via Google Books.
  9. ↑ Dafoe, Chris (10 Aug 1990). "Lionized Mapfumo maintains struggle by musical means". Toronto Star. p. E3.
  10. ↑ Feist, Daniel (5 Apr 1990). "CORRUPTION; Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited". The Gazette. p. D12.
  11. ↑ Eyre, Banning (2015). Lion Songs: Thomas Mapfumo and the Music That Made Zimbabwe. Duke University Press. p. 338.
  12. ↑ Turino, Thomas (2000). Nationalists, Cosmopolitans, and Popular Music in Zimbabwe. The University of Chicago Press. p. 337.
  13. 1 2 "Thomas Mapfumo and the Acid Band". Trouser Press. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  14. 1 2 "WEST AFRICA'S KORA, KORA, KORA". The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  15. ↑ "Thomas Mapfumo, Zimbabwe's Cultural Advocate In Exile". NPR.org.
  16. ↑ Heim, Chris (26 Oct 1989). "Soul of Zimbabwe". Chicago Tribune. Tempo. p. 3.
  17. 1 2 "Corruption - Thomas Mapfumo | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  18. 1 2 "Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 1580". www.robertchristgau.com.
  19. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 491.
  20. ↑ MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 482.
  21. ↑ Heim, Chris (3 Nov 1989). "New rock and urban contemporary". Chicago Tribune. Friday. p. 63.
  22. ↑ "REVIEWS - RECORDS - Pop - -Corruption". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 6, 1990. p. L22.
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