Various Artists – Sounds of Malawi, Vol. 1 (Hen House Studios, 2026)
Malawi remains one of Africa’s least internationally recognized music destinations, despite its rich variety of artists and regional traditions. Many of the country’s musical styles receive little documentation and face an uncertain future. As a result, organizations such as the Jacaranda Foundation have expanded efforts to preserve and promote Malawi’s cultural heritage through education, live performance, and recording projects.
Although the Jacaranda Foundation primarily operates as a school for orphaned children, it also presents the weekly Sounds of Malawi concert series every Thursday at the Alliance Française de Blantyre. The program has developed into an important platform for performers from across the country. Malawian ethnomusicologist and musician Waliko Makhala plays a fundamental role in coordinating the series, which attracts local audiences alongside international visitors interested in Malawi’s musical traditions. According to Jacaranda Foundation director Luc Deschamps, the initiative seeks to preserve the country’s musical legacy and introduce it to younger generations, so those traditions continue into the future.
This concert series also laid the foundation for Sounds of Malawi, Vol. 1. In 2024, Los Angeles recording engineer, producer, and label director Harlan Steinberger collaborated with Deschamps and Makhala during a ten-day recording project at Jacaranda Studios on the outskirts of Blantyre. Steinberger, who has worked in Malawi since 2009, previously produced recordings for Keturah and The Kasambwe Brothers. This session, however, represented his most ambitious effort in the country.
During the project, Steinberger recorded 18 groups and 85 songs. As news of the sessions spread, additional musicians arrived, eager to participate. Ultimately, fourteen recordings were selected for the dazzling Sounds of Malawi, Vol. 1, which was released on July 24, 2026. The compilation offers a broad picture of Malawi’s roots music with artists from different regions, generations, and musical backgrounds.
Several performers may already be familiar to international audiences through Steinberger’s earlier productions. Singer Keturah gained recognition in the United States and Europe after the release of her self-titled debut in 2023. In Malawi, she has also established a strong public profile through social media and her distinctive, captivating vocal style. She contributes the new recording “Nsanje” to this collection.
Goma band is one of Malawi’s finest modern roots bands. “Moto Kumapiri” displays their talent with intricate jazzy guitar and inventive rhythm section.
The Kasambwe Brothers also return with a live version of their well-known song “Mtima Wanga.” The group, whose homemade instruments reflect their origins as street musicians in Blantyre’s Ndirande township, received international attention following their 2025 self-titled release, The Kasambwe Brothers, on MASS MoCA Records.
Waliko Makhala opens the compilation with “Moto Wayaka,” a song that encourages resilience and self-reliance during difficult circumstances.
Other contributors introduce audiences to artists who remain relatively unknown outside their local communities. Eunice, previously recognized for her theater work in Blantyre, makes a strong impression with the powerful vocal performance on “Uchindere.”
The compilation also highlights Malawi’s musical diversity across generations. Younger performers such as Kefasi appear alongside established artists including the excellent Ben Mankhamba, who also serves as the traditional chief of Chingalire village near Lilongwe. The song “Anajere” by Ben Mankhamba Band is one of the highlights of the album. Another favorite is Kafasi’s supremely addictive “Iwe Mwana.”
At 95 years old, Giddes Chalamanda represents one of Malawi’s most respected veteran musicians. Known for decades of performances on his homemade banjo, he makes his first professional studio recording with “Linny Ho,” a song that has attracted millions of views on Malawian TikTok.
Elsewhere, Boniface Ndamera and The Lucky Stars combine musical traditions from southern and central Malawi through the compositions of blind guitarist and bandleader Boniface Ndamera.
Nyago’s soulful vocals appear on the charming song “Mwana Akalira.”
Vanessa Little represents the modern side of Malawian music with her spirited, captivating song “Chikondi.”
Northern Malawi receives representation by way of guitarist and singer Goma Nyondo.
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Ibbu Snowden presents the joyful acoustic song “Thalaveni.”
Winnie Msowoya offers an example of enthralling call and response vocals on “Thilamanya.”
Many of Malawi’s musical traditions remain closely connected to ceremonial dances, community celebrations, and rites of passage. Nevertheless, social and cultural changes have reduced opportunities for these practices to continue in everyday life. Consequently, the Jacaranda Foundation and the Sounds of Malawi concert series have focused on documentation, preservation, and public presentation.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.