Smitty: Well, “Black River” has such a classy groove, you know?
KM: Mm-hmm.
Smitty: It’s one of those songs that is just totally embraceable. I love it.
KM: Oh really?
Smitty: Yes, love that. And you’re going back to the Ukraine like you mentioned and they have a special love for you over there, don’t they?
KM: Yeah, somehow, the temperature was almost -0 there and this time it’s warmer, but like last February we went to Eastern Europe to tour and I couldn’t imagine that almost two thousand people are waiting for me at each theater.
Smitty: Wow. That’s true love!
KM: A great feeling and they remember the tunes a lot. (Both laugh.) And especially in Russia because the figure skater Irina Slutskaya is skating to my song, so people remember from that too.
Smitty: Oh wow, yeah, that’s right.
KM: Yeah, there are lots of loyal fans so I’m very happy to see them again.
Smitty: Yes, well, I know they’re looking forward to you coming back.
KM: Hmm. Yeah, I’m looking forward to it too.
Smitty: Yes, well, you know, in a way, you’re celebrating somewhat of an anniversary this year.
KM: Ah, actually, right, right. My first album, I mean, of this music tenure, right?
Smitty: Yes, how ‘bout that?
KM: Yeah, and so my first album was released in ’87 so this is the 20th anniversary.
Smitty: Yeah, 20 years.
KM: Yeah, a long time.
Smitty: Yeah, and I remember something special about your first album, A Drop of Water?
KM: Hmm?
Smitty: I remember when you released that one in the U.S., you wrote a letter….
KM: Yes, I did.
Smitty: .…and I noticed that you wrote a letter this time too with this new record….
KM: Mm-hmm, yeah.
Smitty: .…but the letters are totally different now, aren’t they?
KM: (Both laugh.) Yes, and this time, I mean, it’s really a personal letter I wrote and it came from this experience going through Moyo.
Smitty: Yes.
KM: So, yeah, that’s the feeling I have now.
Smitty: Yes. So talk a little bit about the title Moyo.
KM: “Moyo” means in Swahili language “heart and soul,” and also there are so many meanings, like courage or passion and spirit, that kind of thing. And the tune came to me, but I really felt these words matched to the tune and it became the album title.
Smitty: Yes, a great song too.
KM: Thank you. And Richard Bona, I met him about a year ago and this is my first time working with him. He played a great part too.
Smitty: Yes, he’s an incredible bass player, isn’t he?
KM: Yes. He is a genius. He can play everything and his voice carries so well.
Smitty: And he’s a lot of fun too.
KM: Yeah and after this recording….actually, with Richard he did it in New York in the studio. But after this recording, we had an opportunity to meet with everyone in South Africa again on December 4th and Hugh Masakela was there and Richard was there and I was there, so almost like we shared the same space one by one, actually.
Smitty: That had to of been a great experience.
KM: That was an interesting coincidence and we were talking about how I want to bring everybody for the tour.
Smitty: (Laughs.)
