Benediction

Polyphony Marimba

CD

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Benediction is a blessing or prayer, usually at the end of a ceremony. We offer up this album as a source of healing and celebration, enjoyment and strong artistic expression. These seven songs range from simple inventions to multi-section epic explorations, to deep traditional songs from Zimbabwe, sung by Zimbabweans. These tracks were laid down at the end of touring-- after playing five or six nights a week for seven weeks-- so the group is super tight. We trust you will find lasting satisfaction listening to the rich acoustic rhythms of the marimbas, percussion, and polyphonic vocal harmonies, expressing the longing of the soul for benediction.

We recorded this over three years and two continents... Starting in 2019 we recorded Tsaba, Vamudhara-Noah, and Benediction, and after this last tour in 2021 rounded out the album with the other four songs. We had mostly the same line-up of players for both sessions: Peter and Karyna Swing, Jesse Larson, Adam Halpin, David Onstott, Conrad Rice, Branson Seamons, Caden Davis, Julia Nelson, Tessa and DeeDee Wells. Superb players all! Then we sent tracks to Zimbabwe for vocal overdubs on Vamudhara-Noah by the brilliant Barnabas Ngalande and his student Tadiwa Mubayiwa. And to top it all off we had a guest appearance by Daniel Lockley, holding down a rock solid beat on Dreams 1. We hope you love the fruits of our efforts over the last few years, diving deep into these joyful and potent rhythms!

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  1. 1
    Tsaba 6:15
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  2. 2
    Vamudhara-Noah 10:42
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  3. 3
    Dangurangu 6:45
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  4. 4
    Dreams 1 17:16
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  5. 5
    Miles and Miles Away 5:50
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  6. 6
    Minanzi 2 8:02
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  7. 7
    Benediction 6:41
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Confluence

Polyphony Marimba (2015)

CD

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Rocking acoustic marimba music with deep roots in southern Africa and original expression in soaring vocal harmonies and complex poly-rhythms. This is Polyphony Marimba's third album, recorded two days after coming off the road playing 33 dates in 44 days. So the music is tight and clean, with bursts of deep spontaneity. The line-up is some of the best marimba players in the United States: Peter, Karyna, and Raven Swing, Jesse Garcia, Jesse Larson, Tara & Maren Padovan-Hickman, and Keenan Story. They tap the roots of Zimbabwean music, and reach for the stars with their own story expressed in original songs.

Recorded at Frogville Studios in Santa Fe, NM, by Bill Palmer. Mastered by Paul Blakemore. Cover art by Karyna Swing. Graphic design by Melissa Cara Rigoli.

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  1. 1
    My Soul My Home 7:12
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  2. 2
    Kiki 2 / Bangidza 7:00
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  3. 3
    Chemutengure 5:34
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  4. 4
    Siti 5:09
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  5. 5
    Chishanu 5:02
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  6. 6
    Anna 5:53
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  7. 7
    Muchongoyo 2 5:58
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  8. 8
    Dreams 5 10:45
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This Day

Polyphony Marimba (2014)

CD

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This is an album of all original songs, rooted in the ancestral music of southern Africa with contemporary and classical music influences. It is the culmination of a 25 year journey learning, teaching and playing the music of Zimbabwe on marimbas. Played on a hand-made set of marimbas keyed to Eb, about half the songs are instrumental by Peter or Raven Swing, with contributions by other band members. The vocal pieces are contemplative, reflecting a life given to the search for truth. Multi-layered vocal harmonies pay tribute to the rich vocal heritage of African music and western vocal groups alike.

Musicians: Peter & Raven Swing, Karyna Boyce, Harlin & Anton Pierce, Dylan Moon, Keenan McDonald, Eric Bauer, Jaden Rivers.

Recorded at Frogville Studios in Santa Fe, NM, by Bill Palmer. Mastered by Paul Blakemore. Cover art by Rujeko Dumbutshena. Graphic design by Sally Blakemore.

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  1. 1
    Nyunga Nyunga 3:15
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  2. 2
    Seein' Amiss 7:05
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  3. 3
    Nhamo 7:33
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  4. 4
    Tichazomuona 10:50
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  5. 5
    Ember 6:50
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  6. 6
    Sahara 6:56
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  7. 7
    Milk & Honey 5:13
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  8. 8
    Dreams 7, Pt. 1 6:29
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  9. 9
    Dreams 7, Pt. 2 6:09
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  10. 10
    Dreams 7, Pt. 3 4:14
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Polyphony Marimba

Polyphony Marimba (2012)

CD

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Our debut recording. Seven marimbas from soprano to bass play intricate poly-rhythms held on point by shakers ("hosho"), drawing deeply on the music of Zimbabwe; extending to our own compositions with soaring vocal harmonies.

Musicians: Peter & Raven Swing, Karyna Boyce, Ansel Carpenter, Brian Crane, Ethan Walsh, Harlin Pierce.

Recorded winter 2012 at Frogville Studios in Santa Fe, NM and Mad House Recorders in Leadville, CO. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Tim Stroh. Cover art by Karyna Boyce. Graphic design by Sally Blakemore.

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  1. 1
    Minanzi 7:24
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  2. 2
    Music of Zimbabwe 8:39
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  3. 3
    Dreams 12 13:09
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  4. 4
    Phoenix 4:54
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  5. 5
    Kutambura Kwavo 10:13
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  6. 6
    Aiwa Zita 5:21
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  7. 7
    Dreams 9 7:31
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  8. 8
    Kiki 7:38
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  9. 9
    A Prayer 6:27
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From the archives

Trillium CD (2006)
  • Trillium CD (2006)
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$10.00

This is a defining recording for a decade of work with the Swing family: Peter, Mikaela, Quianna and Raven, supported by the finest players in New Mexico. Marimba-centered but several tracks featuring acoustic guitar, also some mbira and pennywhistle. Traditional Zimbabwean songs and more than half original compositions, with superb lead vocals by Mikaela and amazing lead marimba by Jesse Garcia. For those of you who know Raven, this is his first-ever recording, age 7, playing bass on "Kukaha".

TRACKS:

  1. Silently Comes The Sun

  2. Vanoriga Mukono (We Will Overcome)

  3. Tichazomuona (We Will Meet Again)

  4. Jerusalem

  5. Kukaha (For Each Other)

  6. In The Twilight Of My Mind

  7. Chigamba (Patch)

  8. The Ballad of Sojourner Truth

  9. Mukai Tiende (Wake Up Let's Go)

  10. Dreams

MUSICIANS: Peter, Mikaela, Quianna & Raven Swing, Jesse & Isaac Garcia, David Schaldach, Karyna Cragin, Daniel Lockley, Jeff Brahe, Eric Bauer, Lauri Benblatt, Joy Shulman, Tara Andrea, Carrie Ronneau.

Recorded in 2006 at Stepbridge Studios, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Tim Stroh engineer.

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Tatenda CD (2001)
  • Tatenda CD (2001)
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$10.00

Tatenda (we give thanks) Youth Marimba Ensemble was one of the first of it's kind in North America, and a powerful group it was, in every respect! This is an excellent album of mostly traditional Zimbabwean songs and a couple originals composed by the young band members. We worked very hard on the choral singing and it shows: highlights include "Chiro Chacho", "Isu Tauya Pano" and "Siyakudumisa".

TRACKS:

  1. Nzou Dziri Kufara (Happy Elephants)

  2. Chiro Chacho (The Thing Has Four Legs)

  3. Yakaipa (Bad-ass)

  4. Nyamaropa (Meat and Blood)

  5. Kashiri Kamambo (The Bird of God)

  6. Hande (Let's Go!)

  7. Taireva (We Have Told You Before)

  8. Dande (A Region in Zimbabwe)

  9. Isu Tauya Pano (We Have Come Here)

  10. Nhemamusasa (Temporary Shelter)

  11. Siyakudumisa (We Praise You)

MUSICIANS: Liam Bartels, Mario, Sophia & Tullio Becker, Manika Callewaert, Hountor & Lucy Gent, Ramon Lovato, Rachel Noll, Zach Quay-de La Vallee, Brendan Pierpont, Peter Swing.

Recorded in 2001 in Santa Fe, New Mexico at Stepbridge Studios, Tim Stroh engineer.

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Jaka CD (1998)
  • Jaka CD (1998)
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$10.00

Take seven men in their prime, high on life and high on Zimbabwean music, put them in an excellent recording studio with a rock-oriented engineer, and you get Jaka's debut album! This is super tight and rocking marimba music, kicked in the butt by great trap drums and heartfelt singing. Traditional Zimbabwean songs but mostly originals by Peter Swing and Dan Pauli, an amazing snapshot of an amazing time near the end of the millennium.

TRACKS:

  1. Butsu Mutandari (Boot Dance)

  2. Glory Train

  3. Music of Zimbabwe

  4. Kurota Panyika (Dreaming the World)

  5. Open Eyes

  6. She Moves in Truth

  7. Tsava-Tsava (Skokiana)

  8. Nhemamusasa (Temporary Shelter)

  9. Milk & Honey

  10. The Well

MUSICIANS: Dan Pauli, Peter Swing, David Schaldach, Ralph Klee, Greg Freeman, Stephen Golovnin, Robbie & Char Rothschild.

Recorded in 1998 in Santa Fe, New Mexico at Stepbridge Studios, Tim Stroh engineer.

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