Omnivore Recordings to Release Malawi Mouse Boys' 'Forever Is 4 You'

Photo: Marilena Delli

Critically acclaimed world-music group finally
sees a North American release.
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Produced by Grammy-winner, multiple past nominee, and author Ian Brennan (Tinariwen, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Peter Case) The Malawi Mouse Boys were the first artists ever to release an album internationally in the Chichewa language (which the BBC once rated as the most musical tongue after Italian). 
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“What a joyous, ragged sound they make. Think South African gospel meets the Ramones and you’ll be halfway there.” —The Independent

“Nelson Muligo’s lead guitar lines bridge the 1930s and the 1970s.” 
—Financial Times

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Press Release) — Landlocked in southeastern Africa, Malawi is among the world’s least-developed nations and now ranks as the world’s #1 poorest. It is not a place that is often thought of by outsiders as very “joyful.” However, there is one universal joy — the joy of music. Thanks to Ian Brennan, 2011 Grammy winner for his production work on Tinariwen’s Tassili, a group of regional gospel singers have emerged onto the world stage.
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Forever Is 4 You is the newest release from Malawi Mouse Boys, who take their name from the job the Boys had — selling mice on sticks, as snacks or meals to passing travelers, which is what they were doing when Brennan discovered them in 2011. Their previous recordings have garnered rave reviews around the world, and their third album finally marks the first official release in North America.

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“Their voices are really the core,” according to Brennan. “They have such a unity that I think is very similar to the Carter Family or the Jackson 5, where it’s familial. They’ve been singing together their whole lives, people that have developed their voices literally together, that have learned to listen together, have opened their ears to each other and with each other.” 

Forever Is 4 You bears the influence of their travels abroad to the U.K., U.S.A., and Australia/New Zealand, while also continuing to center around their vocals, four-string, homemade, sheet metal guitar and makeshift percussion.
Available on CD, with notes from Brennan, as well as digitally, Forever Is 4 You is poised to take the world by storm by revealing the power that is its music. And its joy. 

Track Listing
1. Chisomo (“Grace”) 
2. Ndiyenda Nkuunika (“I Walk in the Light”) 
3. Ndatopa Nawe (“I’m Tired of You”) 
4. Kulira Kwambewa
(“The Crying of the Mouse”) 
5. Yesu Ndinkhulupirira (“I Believe Jesus”) 
6. Mabvu (“The Wasp”) 
7. Zikutamanda (“It Is”)

8. Yasowa Mzeru (“That’s Not Wise”) 
9. Ian, a Blessing . . . 
10. Mau a Mulungu (“The Ways of God”) 
11. Ndili Ndi Nyumba (“I’ve Got a Home”)
12. Ndikukondani (“I Love You”)
13. Kuthokoza (“Thankful”) 
14. Umasiye Wanga (“My Loneliness”)
15. Ambuye Konzeni (“He Made Me”)  

Watch the Malawi Mouse Boys trailer:
https://youtu.be/zv97kbk8Ysc