Music According to Percussion (MAP)

Music According to Percussion (MAP) is a music ensemble from Zimbabwe which sets Percussion as the sole driver of its Music.

The root of MAP's music is the Ngoma drum (the oldest type of African drum), and rhythms which evoke ‘a certain mood in an individual, strong feelings from the heart’ - used for centuries in Southern and Central Africa to send messages; to summon people for rain-making other ancient rituals, for celebrations and other festivities.

After dominating traditional music for centuries, in more recent years the Ngoma has been used only as an accompanying instrument in modern music setups. Now, MAP restores the Ngoma to the forefront of the ensemble as the lead instrument, in its traditional role, producing a unique feel as the balance of the music shifts, imperceptibly, to drum-centred.

Overlaying these pulses, MAP branches out to embrace other percussion instruments and styles from around the globe, playing instruments from different parts of Africa and the world, including Marimba, Mbira, Xigubhu, Gandira/Ndandanda (Zimbabwe), Djembe, Balafon (West Africa) and custom-made tunable Ngoma and timbales. They shift from technical artistry to a more trance-like style that requires certain levels of concentration and ‘takes one to places they have never been before’. Along with traditional southern African styles are flavours of reggae and samba, --- and ---.

The vocals incorporate Ndebele-style harmonies of southern Africa, Shona yodeling, Shangana and Griot styles, a colourful array of folklore and contemporary styles. They sing of thankfulness, creativity, encouragement, change. In true African oral tradition they sing of warnings and advice, the ills of poverty and a rebuke to xenophobia.

Othnell Mangoma Moyo* (Zimbabwe master hand drummer) leads MAP, playing a number of percussion instruments, together with 4 women drummer/vocalists, accompanied by bass, lead guitar and keyboards.

The first two MAP CDs in 2017 are well received by Zimbabwean music-lovers, and receive good airplay on national radio stations. The group perform widely in Zimbabwe, from humble community spaces to the highest stages and venues of the country.

Collaborations
MAP is very open to collaborations and exchanges, which could include anything from a 3-piece ensemble right up to the full 8-piece band.

Below are web links to MAP's work.

*Othnell Mangoma Moyo is a dancer, actor, musician, drum-maker and ethnomusicologist; a skilled and highly-valued artist who has performed and recorded with many Zimbabwean and foreign artists. To date he has represented Zimbabwe in more than 30 countries in over 400 venues and international festivals, and participated in international music collaborations with artists from Norway, Austria, Sweden, Indonesia, Burkina Faso, France, India, Indonesia – and more. In 2016 he was selected for the One Beat (USA) programme, where he collaborated with artists from 17 countries of the world. Mangoma makes three-quarters of the instruments he uses, and has recorded two albums under the name ‘Music According to Percussion’. In 2018 he launches his first book, ‘Bulawayo Township Rhythms’.

Links for Music According to Percussion (MAP)

MAP video links
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