With its dance-inspiring fusion of lively marrabenta, Fena and Xingombela rhythms, Congolese guitar melodies, and the soulful vocals of female singer Mingas and male singer Wazimbo, Orchestra Marrabenta Star De Mocambique was one of Mozambique's most exciting bands in the 1980s and early-'90s. Formed in 1979, Orchestra Marrabenta Star De Mocambique served as the house band for Mozambique's national radio station. The group's style of marrabenta, Mozambique's urban dance music, featured two lead guitars set to the harmonic strains of a keyboard, a rhythm section that included bass, drums, and hand percussion, and a horn section featuring two trumpets and saxophone. Wazimbo, who had previously performed with Grupo Radio Mocambique, wrote most of the band's material. His most successful tune, "Nwahulwana," was used for a global television advertising campaign by Microsoft. Since the disbanding of Orchestra Marrabenta Star De Mocambique, Wazimbo and Mingas have gone on to successful solo careers. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi
