Frank and His Sisters, by Frank and His Sisters

Frank and His Sisters

by Frank and His Sisters

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danielolneyfme Just listen to Frank’s acoustic guitar work on Kafo Mshiski, the warmth and patience are truly beautiful. My favorite mixing of the harmonies is Nimechakaa where Thecla Clara and Maria Regina mix in the background leaving Frank the foreground creating layers that are every bit as colorful as the cover to this album. Favorite track: Nimechakaa.

balatico Sweet sweet songs! I love the delicate harmonies.

BenPujara The sweetest cup of tea. Favorite track: Mwanangu Lala.

ren-and-jimpy Sweet acoustic melodies that are perfect for slow strolls on sunny spring days. Favorite track: Tuwe Sawa.

agutterfan 50s Tanzanian acoustic guitar & vocal harmony pop, Frank on guitar, his sisters on vocals. Think 50s/60s U.S. girl group harmonies and Carter Family wedded to African guitar melodies. Quite delightful. Favorite track: Mwanangu Lala.

more...

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Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
BACK IN PRINT !!! 12" vinyl version of the album comes with 8-page full color notes featuring rare photos, interviews with the Huplick family, and research by Tanzanian musician and historian John Kitime.

Includes unlimited streaming of Frank and His Sisters via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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Purchasable with gift card

$15 USD or more
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$7 USD or more
Tape version
Cassette + Digital Album
Marigold cassette with white ink imprint and 3-panel color cover. Includes 10 additional rare songs (including several with Frank fronting the Jambo Boys).

Includes unlimited streaming of Frank and His Sisters via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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	1.	Mwanangu Lala 02:46
	2.	Kafo Mshiki 02:49
	3.	Kokoya Mdu Meku 02:45
	4.	Nimechakaa 02:49
	5.	Nisamehe 02:37
	6.	Shida 02:49
	7.	Sharu Shechisia 02:31
	8.	Efo Kulale 02:43
	9.	Tuwe Sawa 02:38
	10.	Mashamsham 02:37
	11.	Beba Jiwe 02:53
	12.	Nakusalimu 02:30

about

The world’s first collection of gorgeous pop songs from Frank and His Sisters, a family band from Moshi, Tanzania. Formed in the early 1950s by Frank Humplick, Thecla Clara and Maria Regina, the trio recorded and toured throughout East Africa and issued a string of instant classics, capturing fans with their beautifully harmonized singing, clever lyrics, and Frank’s stunning guitar work. Imagine the fingerstyle finesse of John Fahey with a pure pop melodicism, combined with the family harmony of groups like The Carter Family, The Roches, and The Beach Boys, set in the golden age of Tanzanian music!

Frank composed many of his songs while working the land on his beloved tractor (really), and once instigated a house-to-house search to destroy all copies of his record “Yes/No” due to its politically subversive lyrics. He went on to record and tour with the Jambo Boys band before retiring from the music industry in the early 1960s, to focus on his passion for agriculture. But his favorite songs were always the ones he created with his sisters, and we are proud to present 12 of their best.

Previously only heard on extremely rare 78 rpm discs and Tanzanian oldies radio, this album collects the trio’s finest songs, lovingly restored and remastered. We love this music so much that in late 2018 we traveled to Tanzania to meet Frank’s family and collaborate on this album. The result is a colorful 8-page booklet featuring complete lyrics in English, Swahili and Chaga, as well as previously unpublished photographs, extensive interviews and anecdotes, and a biography by Tanzanian musician and radio host John Kitime. All tracks fully licensed from the Humplick family.

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released January 14, 2020

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