Ngatibatanei / Let Us Unite - CD

... these five are original... Shner is undoubtedly a John Coltrane disciple, albeit with a personal sound... Together they bring an exciting cocktail that properly tightens the links between Western jazz and African traditions. A startling album and one for the year-end lists without a doubt! - Jazz'halo (Belgium). The Shona, "Ngatibatanei," translates to a call for unity and kinship, emphasizing the interconnectedness of people - a very appropriate sentiment guiding the second album by MHONDORO. The melding of traditional Zimbabwean music, American jazz, and an unescapable dose of the Pacific Northwest, "Ngatibatanei" celebrates the sounds of it's diverse roots with tart melodies sailing amongst inspired grooves, creating surprising moments throughout. MHONDORO is Israeli saxophonist Idit Shner, Zimbabwean vocalist & percussionist John Mambira, and the Oregon-bred rhythm section of pianist Torrey Newhart, bassist Garrett Baxter, and drummer Ken Mastrogiovanni, who discovered their collective sound - both global and hyper-local, truly American in the best sense of the word-during the long days of the pandemic. Meaning "the lion spirit" in Shona, MHONDORO is full of joy and brimming with the force of life.