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Yellow Card, is the first album released by Tanzanian guitarist/songwriter, Ndala Kasheba, in the United States. Released by Limitless Sky Records in 2002, Yellow Card is a great introduction to East African popular music. A veteran of the East African music scene, Ndala Kasheba has been an important force in Tanzania since the 1970's when he first immigrated to Dar Es Salaam from the Congo. He is known for his flashiness, very much a Congolese trait. For example, he dons a Mexican sombrero hat both on stage and off. The East African rumba is smooth and best known for the soaring paired guitars that ride on top of virtually every song. Yellow Card works in this style, the perfect album for upbeat dancing and having fun.

One aspect of this music which immediately strikes you is the sense of happiness and joy conveyed through the lyrical guitar and bouncy bass lines. Like most popular music, Kasheba takes his music from the language of his people. Since the days of revered socialist president, Julius Nyerere, the common language spoken throughout Tanzania is Kiswahili. As this reviewer can attest from personal experience, Kiswahili is a beautifully lyrical language, which is bright and sunny, very much a reflection of the climate of East Africa. In addition to Kiswahili, Kasheba speaks numerous other African languages, English and French. His repertoire includes many diverse influences, spanning through both African and Western genres. [This is most clearly reflected in his songs like "Kadi Ya Njano" (which means Yellow Card) and in "Kokolay," the first track of the album.] Ndala is accompanied by his big band consisting of lead, electric and rhythm guitars, alto and tenor saxes, ranging from two to four vocalists, drum set and conga's.

"Kokolay" is a driving introduction to the album. It starts with an acoustic guitar strumming chords which are reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix or Bob Dylan, then segways into a joyful bass line accompanied by the tenor and alto horns. Kasheba's lead vocals are backed by the rich vocal triads who respond in the common African call and response dialogue. The second track, "Marinella" is similar in style to "Kokolay," with the intertwined three part harmonies backing two lead singers singing the same falsetto line. "Kadi ya Njano" (or Yellow Card) is the third track which involves a bit of controversy. In his long lived career, Ndala has become a celebrity of sorts in Tanzania. He is the sponsor of several daily household items like laundry detergent. Part of the success that he has achieved has led him to be the subject of occaisional slanderous and false rumors which have spread through the Tanzanian press. One particularly fraudulent rumor mentioned that Ndala had died, many of his friends thought it was true, and he had to work hard to convince everybody that he, in fact, was still alive. "Yellow Card" refers to the warning card a soccer player gets in a match when he has committed a foul. Here Ndala is warning the press and anyone who might want to slander him again.

All of the tracks on this album are well crafted and lively. With the exception of "Yellow Card", they all are upbeat and joyful in the dancing style. The groove moves quickly,a trademark of the 4/4 rhythmic cycle, and you get the sense that you are walking along with a bounce in your step. Check out tracks "Mpaka Manga" and "Sung'ula Weba," for their flowing vocal passages. "Massamba" and "Umbeya" are great for their bass lines and horn sections. If you want to get a flavor for Ndala's masterful guitar playing, check out "Dezo Dezo," and "Nimlilie Nani?" Both of these songs feature the high register guitar solo so familiar to East Africa.

When visiting one of the countries of East Africa, you will hear music like Ndala Kasheba's in nightclubs, bars, but also on a daily basis walking through the marketplace and business districts. Store owners will often place stereo speakers outside their stores playing music from Eastern and Southern Africa to attract customers. This is one feature of marketplaces which add to the excitement and delirium already so present amidst the endless transactions taking place. Whatever state you may find yourself in the marketplace, the sounds of the lead guitar soaring through the high register make a unique and lasting impression. In its wide range of distribution throughout region, Ndala's music is an ideal way to become familiar with a very popular East African sensibility.