There is spirit and fire in the music of The Zawose Queens. There's the vibrations of the ancestors, coming through on traditional instruments — soaring chizeze fiddle, buzzing illimba thumb piano, ngoma drums that chatter and thunder — and voices that go deep, high and out there. There's the connection to nature, to ceremony and ritual, in their dance-inspired fusion, their blend of the organic, harmonic and modern-day electronic. There are lyrics that tell, in their native kigogo, of the passion for music, the wonders of life. Of pride in environment, in tradition. In their East African roots.

Pendo and Leah Zawose showcase the fluid polyrhythms and rapturous polyphonic singing of the Gogo (aka Wagogo) people of the arid, hilly Dodoma region of central Tanzania. 

The most famous exponent of this musical tradition is the late, great Dr Hukwe Zawose (Pendo’s father and Leah’s grandfather).

Maisha, the debut album by The Zawose Queens, marks the first time that women from this famous musical family take their place as lead vocalists and performers. Emboldened by workshops in songwriting and music production with visiting UK-based producers Oli Barton-Wood (Jordan Rakei, Obongjayar, Nilufer Yanya) and Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist, Onipa), The Zawose Queens began writing their first ever songs. The resulting collection of songs range from the stripped back and traditional-sounding to those treated with subtle electronic elements, with beats and drops and found sounds and switch-ups.

XAMBI

Xambi (pronounced zam-bi) is an emerging Neo-soul band based in London, known for their infectious sound and heartfelt lyrics. They recently released their latest single, ‘All for You’ following their debut track ‘Take Your Time.’

Formed in June 2022, Xambi showcases their natural synergy with a bouncy bassline, seamless drum grooves, dreamy guitar and piano chords, and beautifully sung vocals, drawing comparisons to The Internet, The Isley Brothers, and D’Angelo.

Notable collaborations include London rapper Saiming and horn solos by Grifton Forbes Amos, creating a dynamic fusion of Neo-soul, Funk, Rap, Hip-hop, and Jazz. Xambi’s message of intimacy and fellowship resonates deeply, fostering a warm, welcoming environment for listeners. The band consists of five talented members: Zamar (bass), Malaika (lead vocals), Raph (drums), Maniko (keys), and Augustas (guitar). Their unique sound has been celebrated with remarks like ‘Nothing beats London Soul’