This project features long distance collaborations with several friends of many nationalities. Although geographically separated, we came together by exchanging tracks over the internet, unified in our love of music and our common desires for peace, prosperity and justice. I remain eternally grateful to all of those who collaborated, contributed and participated. In addition, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Key Ingredients of African Soul musicians with special thanks to my friend and colleague, Praise Zenenga. Without his creative and practical support this project would have never happened. I dedicate this album to the man who inspired its inception, Dr. Thomas Mapfumo. Thank you, Mukanya- Mike “Doc Twang” Olson, Producer. Recorded, mixed and mastered in Tucson, Arizona at “We Like It” World Music. Additional tracks recorded at: Monolio Studios, Harare, Zimbabwe (Albert Nyathi, Bulawayo Kwela Kings, Mono Mukundu), ODD Audio, Harare, Zimbabwe (Ian Mhlanga), House of Rising Sound, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (Iwisa) and Auricle Recording, Champaign, Illinois (Patience Mudeka). It's All About the Cash Anyway, Ian's mix- Described by Ian Mhlanga as “New Chemurenga” and a tribute to Thomas Mapfumo, this is one of many overseas collaborations included in this project and features this great young composer, musician and producer from Zimbabwe. Lyrics and music- Ian Mhlanga. Ian Mhlanga- vocals, piano, keyboards and synthesizers, Mike “Doc Twang” Olson- guitars, Joe Townend- bass, Brad Rickel- drums Gwenyambira- This is the song that initiated this project. Rooted in a traditional Mbira/Chemurenga groove that Thomas Mapfumo himself and his guitarist Gilbert Zvamaida shared with me, it became a tribute to Mukanya and his clan. Featured guests are Mono Mukundu, John Gumbo and Patience Mudeka. Lyrics- Praise Zenenga, Music- Traditional with arrangement by M. Olson. Praise Zenenga- Lead and backing vocals, Patience Mudeka- Additional lead and backing vocals, Mike “Doc Twang” Olson- rhythm guitar, marimba and backing vocals, John Gumbo- lead guitar, Mono Mukundu- rhythm guitar, Ryan Brock- drums, Joe Townend- bass, Joe Whitley- hosho, Jeff Simpson- marimba and backing vocals, Kuumba Piazza- backing vocals. Ukuthula- I met Iwisa in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe back in 2010. When they heard about this project, they asked if I would like to use their vocal tracks for a collaboration. Needless to say, I was honored and this is the result. The title means "Peace" and is sung in Ndebele (similar to Zulu). Also featured is renowned Harare guitarist and producer, Mono Mukundu. Lyrics- Iwisa Music and Dance Company, Music- Mike Olson. Iwisa- lead and backing vocals, Mike “Doc Twang” Olson- rhythm guitar, marimba and percussion, Mono Mukundu- lead guitar, Brad Rickel- drums, Joe Townend- bass. Tarira Mukoma- "Brother, look at me", a plea from those "invisible" ones who are wasting away from poverty and disease. Singer Patience Mudeka and guitarist Mono Mukundu are featured guests on this song which is a fusion of Chemurenga, Sungura and Rock styles. Lyrics- Praise Zenenga, Music- M. Olson. Praise Zenenga- lead and backing vocals, Patience Mudeka- additional lead and backing vocals, Mike “Doc Twang” Olson- drums, bass, lead and rhythm guitars, marimba and backing vocals, Mono Mukundu- guitar, Joe Whitley- hosho, Cavetta Green, Uzo Nwankpa, Jeff Simpson- backing vocals. River of Hurt- This song came to me from a place I usually avoid, my own personal feelings. At first, I was going to ignore it, but it wouldn't let me be. So, there was no choice but to record it. This version features yours truly on all instruments except keyboards, which are played by Tom Fetter. Mike “Doc Twang” Olsonlead and backing vocals, drums, bass, congas, lead and rhythm guitars, and marimba, Tom Fetter- keyboards, Cavetta Green, Uzo Nwankpa - backing vocals. Pure Intent- "There is only one moment; this moment". This is the sequel to an earlier song of mine ("Circle Song") in which I insist that "what will be now was". Lyrics and Music- M. Olson. Mike “Doc Twang” Olson- lead and backing vocals, bass, guitars and mbira, Ryan Brock- drums, Joe Whitley- hosho, Cavetta Green, Uzo Nwankpa, Jeff Simpson- backing vocals. Dai Hudiki Hwaidzokerwa- Another overseas collaboration, this one featuring Masvingo, Zimbabwe mbira player Tafadzwa Matamba (author of the song) with whom I began corresponding after seeing a grainy cell phone video clip of him on YouTube. These tracks were recorded using laptops and cell phones and shared via internet file sharing sites. The title means "I wish I was young again". Lyrics- Tafadzwa Matamba, Music- Tafadzwa Matamba and M. Olson. Praise Zenenga- lead and backing vocals, Tafadzwa Matamba- mbira and backing vocals, Mike “Doc Twang” Olson- bass, guitars, percussion, marimba and backing vocals, Ryan Brockdrums, Jeff Simpson- marimba and backing vocals. Africa, Africa- The music I wrote for this was inspired by the old style “Kwela” music and features Thompson Banda, John Gumbo and Elliot Phiri of the Bulawayo Kwela Kings with lyrics co-written by revered poet, Albert Nyathi, all of whom I met in 2010. I find it interesting that this theme runs deep with every African artist asked to contribute to this project. Lyrics- Albert Nyathi/Praise Zenenga, Music- M. Olson. Albert Nyathi- lead vocal, John Gumbo- rhythm guitar, Elliot Phiri- lead guitar, Thompson Banda- penny whistles, Mike “Doc Twang” Olson- bass, marimba and backing vocals, Ryan Brock- drums, Cavetta Green, Uzo Nwankpa, Jeff Simpson, Praise Zenenga- backing vocals. Hondo, Nzara Nehurombo- Another version of the previous song and meaning "War, Hunger and Poverty", this is an all out rejection of those things. Lyrics- Praise Zenenga, Music- M. Olson. Praise Zenenga- lead and backing vocals, Thompson Banda- penny whistles, Mike “Doc Twang” Olson- bass, rhythm guitar, marimba and backing vocals, Ryan Brock- drums, Joe Whitley- hosho, Cavetta Green, Uzo Nwankpa, Jeff Simpson- backing vocals. Who's the Criminal Here?- "If someone dies in the desert today, who's the criminal?". "If a dream is laid to waste by snakes and vultures, who's the criminal?". The Key Ingredients of African Soul perform a song originally written by Tucsonan Ted Warmbrand. Additional lyrics/Music arrangement- M. Olson. Additional lyrics in Part 2- "Ralph Brown" (not his real name). Mike “Doc Twang” Olson- lead and backing vocals, guitars, marimba and percussion, "Ralph Brown”- lead and backing vocals, Ryan Brock- drums, Joe Whitley- congas, Benjamin Daniels- bass, Jeff Simpson- marimba and backing vocals, Ricardo Peron- trumpet. It's All About the Cash Anyway- This is my instrumental mix of this song. Music- Ian Mhlanga. Ian Mhlanga- piano, keyboards and synthesizers, Mike “Doc Twang” Olson- guitars, Joe Townend- bass and Brad Rickel- drums. River of Hurt, acoustic mix- I had already mixed the previous version of this song. But, the fellows from the Bulawayo Kwela Kings in Zimbabwe liked the song and were inspired to contribute, so I put together this mix featuring their acoustic guitars and penny whistle. Lyrics and music- Mike “Doc Twang” Olson. Mike "Doc Twang" Olson- lead vocals, congas, percussion, marimba and guitars, Marko Sithole- penny whistle, John Gumbo- acoustic guitar, Joe Townend- bass, Uzo Nwankpa, Cavetta Green- backing vocals.