Imagine if you will, a band featuring Bob Dylan and an in-his-prime Leonard Cohen as lead singers and lyricists, backed by the wildly funky band the JB's, which James Brown used to record his "Sex Machine" record. To Tanzanians, Mlimani Park Orchestra is that band. The unique vision and poetry of the band's two lead singers, Hassani Bitchuka and Cosmas Tobias, are supported by the raucous instrumentation of a 26-piece rhythm section, and the result is one of the most popular bands in all of East Africa.

Mlimani Park Orchestra was formed in 1978 in Mwenge, a suburb of Tanzanian capital city Dar es Salaam. Tobias was one of the founding members of the band, and he had a singular approach to songwriting, particularly his lyric writing, that he wanted to share with the people of his homeland. Playing the experienced professor to his audience's eager pupils, Tobias dispensed his didactic lyrics wrapped within catchy tunes, punchy beats, and multi-layered guitar lines. Songs like "Mtoto Akililia Wembe" ("If a Child Cries for the Razor-blade, Give It to Him") and "Usitumie Pesa Kama Fimbo" ("Don't Use Money as a Weapon") offer Tobias's unique philosophies on life, while still giving audiences something to dance to. Under the leadership of Cosmas Tobias, Mlimani Park Orchestra aimed for the listener's body and mind.

However, it wasn't until Bitchuka joined the band in the early 1980's that Mlimani Park Orchestra became truly famous. Hassani Bitchuka was a calmer, more staid influence in the band. His voice was cool, high and liltingly melodic, offering a sharp contrast with Tobias, who often sang as if his he were investing his entire body into every powerful note. Along with a more relaxed vocal style, Bitchuka's lyrics are more love-oriented, more personal than Tobais's politically charged screeds. Among Bitchuka's most famous compositions for Mlimani Park Orchestra are "Fikirini Nisamehe" ("Consider Forgiving Me") and "Neema" ("My Comforter"), the latter of which won Radio Tanzania's listener's poll for Song of the Year two years in a row (1985-1986). This song typifies the mature, big band sound of Tanzania. Looping around a seductive guitar riff and full-force horn-section blasts, Tobias croons a soaring, lachrymose solo lead. The song's fast dance section mirrors the Congolese seben, but with layered horns and tricky guitar picking shot full of traditional Tanzanian rhythms.

The musical genius of the band is Michael Enoch, a former guitarist in the Dar es Salaam Jazz Band who rose to become the leader of that band before moving on to Mlimani Park Orchestra. The gifted musicians that comprise the Orchestra are encouraged to contribute their own guitar riffs and horn charts, but Enoch makes all the final musical decisions. It is not unusual to see Enoch himself on stage with his band, laying down guitar solos within the rich, multi-layered tapestries of sound he has arranged. Of course, it is not easy getting two lead singer-songwriters to coexist peacefully in the same band. Between them, Tobias and Bitchuka have quit the band several times; both have also re-joined the band several times. At the moment, Tobias is in, and Bitchuka is out. But no matter what the lineup is, the grandeur of Mlimini Park Orchestra's music will continue to fill Tanzanian dancehalls. An album compiling Mlimani Park's finest recordings for Radio Tanzania, Sikinde (Afrocassette), is well worth looking for.

Contributed by: Matt Ozga