Guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi just released his debut album on Heads Up International, “Nhava.”

The Zimbabwean superstar has been performing for 30 years. HE merges traditional Shona music with sounds from other parts of Africa as well as the Caribbean and American blues and folk. He fuses them together into an immediately accessible mix.

The lyrics, which are summarized in the helpful liner notes deal with social issues (such as migrant labor, environmental concerns, and parent-child communication). Interspersed with his narratives are bits of advice, like “attend to the more urgent, dangerous problems instead of rushing to settle minor, less visible ones.”

Mtukudzi says the album – named after the Zimbabwean word for “carrying bag” – is a satchel filled with nuggets of advice, encouragement and wisdom for travelers on the journey of life as they make their way through an often-perilous world.

“Every song on this album has something to teach about life, something to remind you and encourage you about what is important in life… All of these ideas are universal. They are the same for every human being, regardless of their culture or their environment.” Mtukudzi makes more sense than a lot of our elected officials. And he makes delightful music at the same time. His arrangements are rather complex; he uses a ten-piece band and often carries on a dialogue with his female backup singers (an African version of the Rae-lets).

On June 10^th, he will make a appearance at Town Hall.

-Barry Bassis