In the late 1980s, singer Bizimungu Diudonne, his wife Agnes Uwimbabazi, and a backing band of family and friends self-released a visionary cassette, featuring stuttering electric guitars, loping bass lines, and call and response vocals. Their combo of 80s studio wizardry rooted in traditional Rwandan praise songs resulted in hypnotic, extended jams unlike anything else released in East Africa at the time. The lyrics praised the beauty of the countryside and the exploits of the ancient gods. On plaintive acoustic tracks squeezed between the electric bangers, Bizimungu and Agnes called for unity in the divided nation. Their message was an eerie presaging of the coming Rwandan Genocide. Bizimungu and Agnes, along with bandmates Bigirimana Augustin and Niyongamije Emmanuel, were murdered by Hutu militias in 1994. Their music was silenced, any traces almost lost in the ensuing decades.
In the late 1980s, singer Bizimungu Diudonne, his wife Agnes Uwimbabazi, and a backing band of family and friends self-released a visionary cassette, featuring stuttering electric guitars, loping bass lines, and call and response vocals. Their combo of 80s studio wizardry rooted in traditional Rwandan praise songs resulted in hypnotic, extended jams unlike anything else released in East Africa at the time. The lyrics praised the beauty of the countryside and the exploits of the ancient gods. On plaintive acoustic tracks squeezed between the electric bangers, Bizimungu and Agnes called for unity in the divided nation. Their message was an eerie presaging of the coming Rwandan Genocide. Bizimungu and Agnes, along with bandmates Bigirimana Augustin and Niyongamije Emmanuel, were murdered by Hutu militias in 1994. Their music was silenced, any traces almost lost in the ensuing decades.
Tracklisting:
A1. Inzovu Y'Imirindi
A2. Imbabazi Twese
A3. Tabara Ryangombe
B1. Inyange Ibarusha Kwera
B2. Urujeje Rw'Imisozi 1000 Nᵒ1
B3. Ibango Ry'ibanga
Label: Mississippi Records
Cat. #: MRI-216LP
Format : LP
