LIFE IS SWEET: NEW MUSIC FROM SAMBA MAPANGALA

LIFE IS SWEET: NEW MUSIC FROM SAMBA MAPANGALA
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Samba Mapangala, East Africa’s most beloved singer, offers an advance taste of a new studio album to be released in Spring 2011: Maisha Ni Matamu. The joyous title track, aimed squarely at East Africa’s dance floors, bears the message: Life is sweet, but short. Let’s have some fun – Come dance with me!

The lush rumba “Zanzibar” is a souvenir from Samba’s voyage to that beautiful island to appear at the Sauti za Busara festival, where he encountered the venerable Tanzanian legend Bi Kidude in Stone Town. The mighty Orchestra Virunga is joined here by guest vocalist Awillo Mike Otieno of Kenya’s Ja-mnazi Afrika band, and Zaiko Langa Langa guitarist Beniko Popolipo, who contributes sizzling guitar solos on both songs.

The first two tracks from the forthcoming album are released as a digital-only advance EP, available on CD Baby and distributed on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster and elsewhere. "Maisha Ni Matamu" is also available as a free download for a limited time on CD Baby (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mapangala7), and streaming on ReverbNation. http://www.reverbnation.com/sambamapangala The video clip for "Maisha Ni Matamu," filmed in the heart of New York City, features the Nabtry Cultural Dancers and a surprise guest appearance by the NYPD. It was directed by Sam Epstein and Bob Coen, camera by Samantha Conti. Watch it here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA5ylLYjc98



Samba will launch the new songs and make media appearances in Kenya and Tanzania during an East African publicity tour in March. The full album will be released worldwide by Virunga Records, supported by tours of East Africa, Europe and North America. Further developments to be announced on the Facebook fan page and ReverbNation.

LINKS
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mapangala7
http://facebook.com/sambamapangala
http://www.reverbnation.com/sambamapangala
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA5ylLYjc98



Recording information

1. MAISHA NI MATAMU (Life Is Sweet) 5:22

Guitar solo Beniko Popolipo
Guitar rhythm Syran Mbenza
Bass John Bashengezi
Drums Komba Bellow Mafwala
Percussion Alfredo Mojica
Keyboard Fabio
Vocals Samba Mapangala, Jonal Buya di Lutete, Wuta Mayi
Animation John Bashengezi, Komba Bellow Mafwala
(Special thanks to Siama Matunguzidi)

2. ZANZIBAR 5:32
Guitar solo Beniko Popolipo
Guitar rhythm John Bashengezi
Bass John Bashengezi
Drums Komba Bellow Mafwala
Percussion Alfredo Mojica
Saxophone Jimmy Mvondo
Vocals Samba Mapangala, Awillo Mike Otieno
Animation John Bashengezi

All compositions by Samba Mapangala
Recorded at Ketebul Studio, Nairobi; Art of Music, Arlington VA; Master Sun, Paris
Realization by Syran Mbenza
Art Direction: Saki Mafundikwa
Photo credit: CC Smith
Maisha Ni Matamu video clip directed by Bob Coen / Sam Epstein
Produced by Samba Mapangala
Executive Producer CC Smith

Virunga Management: CC Smith, virungamgmt@gmail.com
Booking: Mel Puljic, MondoMundo.com (U.S.); Dirk Feys, Tsahara.com (Europe)