Timbila Ta Venancio - Ecos Do Legado: Chopi Timbila Music from Southern Mozambique Timbila Ta Venancio
Pickup available at Record Plant Farsley
Usually ready in 24 hours
The Chopi Timbila is one of Africa's great orchestral traditions. The tradition lives in Zavala, Mozambique, and continually references Chopi ancestors. Their mwenje wood xylophones are tuned in seven equidistant pitches giving them a microtonal quality starkly different from the tempered scale (European classical music, the Beatles, etc). From enormous sub-bass behemoths to higher-pitched, sometimes shoulder-strapped instruments, there are five types of xylophones in the orchestra. They anchor a defined musical structure rooted in rural life and a strong sense of community. The ensembles consist of varying ages and skill levels (beginners through masters) and new song cycles are composed and performed each year. In 2008 UNESCO listed it as Intangible Cultural Heritage and people across Mozambique recognize it as one of the most complex and beautiful forms of traditional music in the region.
The seemingly monolithic, chaotic sound of Timbila Ta Venâncio at full tilt is disorienting at first, until the undulations wash over the listener, sync somewhere internally and become invigorating.
Yet all the rhythmic energy bubbling through this recording is more than a ritual. It follows a cadence that begins within the family. The group's members are all brothers. That is hardly surprising: they are the sons of the celebrated Venâncio Mbande, a true master of timbila. An icon and the focal point of timbila festivals during much of his lifetime (he died in 2015), leaving us the legacy presented here. Ecos do Legado (Echoes of the Legacy) is a new recording made in a state-of-the-art Studio Bom Dia in Inhambane Province in 2026. This album stands as a monument to the master Venâncio Mbande, a tribute to the Chopi people, and an interpretation of Mbande's unforgettable work.
The order of the pieces is not random: they are interconnected and tell a coherent story. The ten pieces unfold in the traditional sequence across two sides, following long-established principles. Learning to play begins very early and unfolds naturally, since children are in constant contact with the instruments. Women, too, are now beginning to take an interest in this cycle of learning. This is a clear sign that the tradition remains vibrantamong the Vatxopi, who regard timbila as the heart of their culture.
Product information
UNITED KINGDOM
Singles/7” £3.50 + £1 per each additional record.
LPs and 10”: £5.00 for up to 2kg and between £51 and £150 – Tracked 48
LPS and 10”: £12.00 for up to 2kg and over £150 – Royal Mail Special Delivery
For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £10.95 up to 5kg and 15.95 from 5k to 10k
Delivery is by Parcel Force
EUROPE
Singles/7” : £10 Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
LPs and 10”: £13 for up to 2kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £18.75 up to 10kg.
WORLD ZONE 1
United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, India, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Israel, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Vietnam.
Singles/LPs/10”: £15.00 up to 1.5kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
Singles/LPs/10”: £20 over 1.5kg and less than 2kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £35 up to 10kg.
WORLD ZONE 2
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Fiji.
Singles/LPs/10”: £18.00 up to 1.5kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
Singles/LPs/10”: £24.00 over 1.5kg and less than 2kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £43 up to 10kg.
All customers are responsible for paying the necessary customs1 fees charged. We will not be able to under declare the value of any order for customs as it is unlawful to do so.
RETURNS AND CANCELLATION POLICY
At Record Plant, we are committed to ensuring your satisfaction with every purchase you make. We understand that circumstances may change, and you might need to cancel an order or return a product. Our Returns and Cancellation Policy is designed to provide you with clear guidelines and information on your rights and responsibilities when it comes to cancelling orders and returning goods under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation & Additional Charges) Regulations. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the key points outlined below.
RIGHT TO CANCEL
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, you have the right to cancel your order for goods. This right begins the moment you place your order and lasts for 14 days from the day you receive the goods.
CANCELLATION DEADLINE
To meet the cancellation deadline, kindly notify us of your decision to cancel your order before the 14-day cancellation period expires. You can contact us via email or phone to initiate the cancellation process.
RETURNING GOODS
If you decide to cancel your order, you are responsible for taking reasonable care of the goods while they are in your possession. To complete the return process, send the goods back to our contact address at your own expense. Exceptions apply if we delivered the item in error, or if the item is damaged or defective.
COST OF RECOVERY
In case the returned goods are not received within the specified conditions, we reserve the right to charge you for the direct costs incurred in recovering the goods.
REFUNDS
Once you have notified us of your decision to cancel the order, any payments made will be promptly refunded to you. You can expect the refund to be processed within 14 days of your cancellation.
ITEMS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CANCELLATION OR RETURN
Certain goods and services are exempt from the right to cancel, including prescription medicines, personalized goods, rapidly perishable items, and more. Please refer to our policy for a comprehensive list of non-cancelable and non-returnable items.
FORFEITURE OF CANCELLATION RIGHT
Your right to cancel may be forfeited if you unseal goods that are not suitable for return due to hygiene or health reasons, unseal sealed audio/video recordings or software, or combine goods with other items to make them inseparable.
At Record Plant, we value your satisfaction and aim to make your shopping experience as smooth as possible. Our Returns and Cancellation Policy ensures transparency and fairness in all interactions. If you have any questions or concerns about cancelling an order or returning goods, our dedicated customer service team is here to assist you.
Please note that specific regulations and details may vary based on your location and the applicable laws. For a detailed understanding of our policy and your rights, we recommend reviewing our complete Returns and Cancellation Policy or contacting our customer service representatives.
