Ngatibatanei / Let Us Unite!

...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 inescapable dose of the Pacific Northwest, Ngatibatanei celebrates the sounds of its diverse roots with tart melodies sailing amongst inspired grooves, creating surprising moments throughout. Mhondoro is Israeli saxophonist Idit Shner, Zimbabwean vocalist and 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.

Production Info:

Produced by Mhondoro
Recorded & mixed by Bill Barnett
at Gung Ho Studios, Eugene, OR
Recorded on September 21-22, 2023
Mastered by James Driscoll
at Hot Tonic, Dallas, TX
Band photo by Athena Delene
Cover design & layout by John Bishop