LA producer Jacknife Lee gives Mokoomba’s singles ‘new spin’

‘Tamvela Mama (Jacknife Lee Remix)’ is a reworking of ‘Tamvela Mama’ off the group’s latest album Tusona: Tracings in the Sand, which was released in July last year via Outhere Records, while ‘Balimukondo (Jacknife Lee Remix)’ is a remake of ‘Balimukondo’, a new song from the group. Both songs can be streamed and downloaded on Bandcamp.

‘Tamvela Mama’ is a mother’s prayer of love and unity among her children. Sung in Nyanja and Luvale, the song sets the tone as a guitar-led dance groove, Mathias Muzaza’s expressive lead vocals are answered by harmonic chorus from his backing musicians.

“I came across Mokoomba through David Byrne’s The Beautiful Shitholes playlist,” Jacknife Lee, who is known for his work with artists such as U2, REM, The Hives, Two Door Cinema Club and Rokia Koné, among others, said. “The sound of the group stood out. Their voices are fantastic. I was making a record with a band called Two Door Cinema Club and thought Mokoomba could be great on a few songs.”

Jacknife Lee added: “We were in Los Angeles, far from them – or so I thought. I emailed them to ask to see if they might be interested in collaborating and crazily they said they were touring the States and would be in Los Angeles in a few days. My family went to see the show and we asked them if they would like to come to our house for some food and recording. They were beautiful people and I wanted to keep working with them. These mixes were done during their album recording sessions. I’m honoured to be allowed access to artists with such unique points of view like Mokoomba. They are a treasure.”

Tusona: Tracings in the Sand took the No 1 spot in World Music Charts Europe (WMCE) in September, while the album’s first single ‘Nzara Hapana’ earned the group Song of the Year trophy at Zimbabwe’s Classic FM’s end of year awards.

Meanwhile, Mokoomba has announced the first two dates of their next UK tour that will include a return to the Jazz Cafe in London on 21 August and a performance at the Shambala festival on 24 August.