Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi has had a long career, which began thirty years ago and has continued as he innovated in the African music scene, developing a his own "Tuku Music", a genre named in recognition of his unique style and approach.

His work has been well appreciated outside his homeland, despite the inevitable language barrier. In fact, he mentioned how he has noticed the presence of a predominantly Caucasian audience at his gigs.

On his new album "Nhava"("Carrying Bag") "Tuku" explores several influences as he blends his native sounds with several Western instruments and influences, a feat he accomplished with the help of skilled musicians who participated in the album's recording sessions, which came together after two years. The result is a record with mostly upbeat songs that convey some kind of message in its lyrics, which are explained in English in the CD's sleeve.

While Mtukudzi's music is essentially African, you recognize several elements of jazz, reggae and other beats in his sound, which includes western instruments such as electric guitars and keyboards alongside African percussive elements.

The main umbrella", he says on the album's theme, "is self-discipline, which enables us to be able to do what we are supposed to do."

For instance, on "Izere Mhepo", he speaks of the hardships of migrant labor - people who leave their native lands in search of greener pastures, often to be disappointed by the meager rewards that they reap - "the bag is empty(nhava izere mhepo)". On "Tiregerereiwo", Mtukudzi borrows sounds of the Caribbean with a rock steady beat that carries a plea to God where the singer begs for forgiveness for past sins. Using the same kind of feel on "Pindirai", he speaks of how modern society damages the environment, leaving "no more trees to shelter us from the sun".

The album closes with "Dzidziso", a mostly instrumental tune that features his skilled acoustic guitar in a calypso-like melody where he begs to have ungratefulness removed from his soul

Mtukudzi has been happy with the public's reaction to his album. "The feedback has been pretty good, people are talking about the album in mostly a positive way".

Town Hall, Friday, June 10th at 8 PM. Tickets $ 30-35.00 123 W 43rd St. 212 840-2824

-Ernest Barteldes