Na Ku Randza - Gito Baloi

By Unholy Terror

When I was first asked to review CDs outside of my usual paradigm, I was rather nervous. However, I quickly found it very stimulating to explore music that I very rarely listen to. Of course, Gito’s music was no exception. Having said that, however, I thought it might be a good idea to admit my utter ignorance of his entire genre of music, just to prevent any misconceptions, miscommunications, false expectations, ridicule, and possible hospital bills… In short, and as I have warned before, what I share here is based on feelings and images provoked by the music, rather than any in-depth technical knowledge or understanding of any sort. 

In the liner notes to “Na Ku Randza”, Gito provides a rather splendid explanation of the album title – “ “I love you” in the language of my mother and my mothers’ mothers”. He explains the importance of love to him before stating that music “is the best way I know of expressing my emotions” and that music “conveys the essential quality of love”. I found that these notes set the stage very nicely for this 13-song album. But on to the songs. 

Not knowing where to start, I put my CD player on random and just pushed play. It kicked off with track 5 – “Muito Tempo”. It kicks off with some nice mid-tempo drumming and what I initially perceived to be a harmonica (hey, gimme a break, I am a metalhead!). I found the song to truly convey its intended meaning, explained in the liner notes as “a song in praise of peaceful coexistence in the world”. The album title is prominently featured in the lyrics, which contributes to the general feel of peace created by the music itself. The song also features some great alto sax work by Vaughan Tromp – an artist who makes a great contribution throughout the album.  

Next up was track 12, “Filosofia” (this title is for you Kai), which starts off slow, almost melancholic, with some sweet, almost bluesy tenor sax in the background. This song proclaims that we must “reclaim the ancient philosophy: respect all life”. Filosofia features Gito in duet with Chude Mondlane; two voices which together excellently support both one another and the general feel created by the slow guitar and bleeding sax.  

On to track six, “Tiamo”, “A love song with an Afro-Latin rhythm”. Up until now, my Afro-Latin exposure has pretty much been limited to artists like Carlos Santana, but this showed me another splendid side to this general style. Kicking of with some great flute, what sounds like an xylophone, and of course splendid bass work, the song drives a sweet romantic rhythm that makes me think of partying on the beach under a full moon. George Sunday lends his expertise here with some great guitar work, while Gito’s voice keeps the rhythm alive at all times. 

Track 2, “Fambaka”, or “a positive song about a clear vision of the future”, again features some great vocals and equally great guitar work, whereas “Marrabenta”, the first track on the album, does a great job in interpreting a “traditional rhythm from South Eastern Mozambique”. The last song, “A Um Lugar”, again features Chude Mondlane on vocals. Here, Gito shows his skill on percussion. This track conjured images of fire in my mind, almost in a ritualistic sense. The notes state that “there is a place”. Perhaps a holy place, or at least a place of great significance. At least, that is what the song told me. 

Some other great tracks on this album include “African Riff”; the title track “Na Ku Randza”; a track Gito wrote in celebration of his first born, “Lorha’s Aura”, and “Liberdade” – a song that calls for “international peace and understanding”. The latter, together with the liner notes, truly sum up what I perceived this album to be all about – peace, love, and understanding. 

 Having listened to the album a few times since completing this review, I truly wish I had a deeper knowledge and understanding of this style of music, perhaps then I could have been 1) more convincing in telling you it is a great album and 2) paying homage to the great talent of our bass-brother Gito. Perhaps the best thing to do for you is to give it a spin yourself and see what you think.