Shida is one of those timeless classics that effortlessly transports you back to a vibrant era of East African dance music, courtesy of the late, great Mbaraka Mwinshehe. This self-taught guitarist and bandleader wasn’t just strumming chords—he was weaving the very soundtrack of his time.
Born on June 27, 1944, in Morogoro, Tanzania, Mwinshehe cut his musical teeth with Morogoro Jazz Band back in 1964, before taking his talents to Kenya and forming his own powerhouse, Orchestre Super Volcano. Imagine the scene: while the Tanzanian People’s Defence Forces were out there toppling Ugandan dictator Idi Amin ‘Dada’ in Kagera, Mwinshehe was cooking up pure musical magic in neighboring Kenya—a reminder that even amidst turmoil, art finds a way to shine.
Shida stands as one of Mbaraka Mwinshehe’s best musical works. With a sound that blended kwela, highlife, and the irresistible pulse of East African rhythms, Mwinshehe’s music was as explosive as his band’s name suggests. Sadly, his creative journey was cut short by a tragic motor accident in Mombasa on January 12, 1979. But even in his untimely absence, the legacy of Mwinshehe’s groundbreaking work lives on, reissued in 2000 by Dizim, ensuring that his vibrant spirit and revolutionary sounds continue to inspire dance floors and hearts alike.
So, if you’re ready for a musical time-travel adventure that’s as historic as it is foot-tapping, let Shida by Mbaraka Mwinshehe remind you that sometimes, the best way to honor the past is to get up and dance!
- Song: Shida
- Artist: Mbaraka Mwinshehe
- Band/Label: Orchestre Super Volcano
- Duration: 7:54