Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi at Somerville Theatre, Oct. 19.
The news from Zimbabwe is an unremitting disaster, as one of Africa's great hopes has collapsed into hyper-inflation, repression, and political paranoia. The country's musical offerings remain stellar, however, and though it might take more than Oliver Mtukudzi's gentle voice and soul-filled midtempo music to alleviate the country's suffering, it's surely a welcome balm. "Tuku," a cult figure in Zimbabwe and one of African music's living legends, has a new album, "Tsimba Itsoka." The title means "No Foot, No Footprint," which rings like an oblique statement about action and responsibility. Tickets $28. world music.org or 617-876-4275

By Siddhartha Mitter