Afro-jazz artist Erna Chimu has released a 10-track album, titled
‘/Nanu’, featuring regional collaborations and celebrating the joy and spirit of rain.
‘/Nanu’, which is currently being printed, means ‘rain’, the artist says.
Chimu says four producers worked on the album: Christian Polloni, the late Araffath Muhuure, Manneckey Khoe-Aob and Sam Batola.
What makes it different from her previous work is her collaboration with Setson Wahengo, Bollie Mootseng, Patricia Ochurus, Gerson Doeseb, Jean Pierre Ntsika and Sam Batola, she says.
“The songs on the album will make you tiptoe and dance. It’s always fun creating and working with the crew. Of course, challenges were there, as it isn’t cheap recording with a live band, and every musician must be compensated for the work done.
“Then comes various costs such as studio fees, transport, album design and photos,” she says.
Chimu says the title song is a happy one portraying the excitement rain brings.
‘/Nanu’ was inspired by a trip she took to attend Fespam Music Festival in Congo (Brazzaville) two years ago, she says.
“We met a Kora player from Gambia and from jamming about the places like Kintele, where the crowd gave me a new name: ‘Mama Africa’.
“I would like to take the listener to that beautiful place through song. This song featured the band and that specific Kora player from Gambia, called Mamadou.
“Everyone is happy if it rains – the birds flying high, and the crawling ones. Even if my roof is leaking, rain comes and quenches my thirst,” she says.
Chimu says ‘Arusa Dubure’ (‘hit the percussion’), featuring Wahengo, is a blend of shambo and Khoe-jazz.
She says the song shows music is universal, and it doesn’t matter which tribe you’re from.
“’Besu’, actually refers to an Afrikaans word meaning ‘besoek’. ‘Besu’ is the word Damara people use for a function, a celebration – be it a birthday, wedding, a 21st birthday party, or simply a happy occasion.
“This song was produced and composed for me by my good friend Christian Polloni, and it features Bollie Mootseng.”
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