DCC Mlimani Park Orchestra

DDC Mlimani Park Orchestra (Mlimani Park for short) has been one of the most influent Tanzanian muziki wa dansi bands. It was founded in 1978 by former NUTA Jazz Band members Muhiddin Maalim, Hassani Bitchuka and Abel Balthazar; they were later joined by Michael Enoch from Dar es Salaam Jazz Band. In the 1980s, Mlimani Park released a string of very popular hits, mostly written by Bitchuka, Cosmas Chidumule, and Shaaban Dede.

With respect to other muziki wa dansi bands of the 1980s such as Vijana Jazz, that was known for its technical innovations (e.g., electronic instruments) or and Orchestra Maquis Original, that frequently changed their mtindo (style), Mlimani Park stuck with the dansi tradition. The motto of the band was ngoma ya ukae ("the dance you will not change"). In their long career they remained faithful to a single mtindo, called sikinde, which in turn was inspired by traditional Tanzanian dances (ngoma).

Partial discography

• Sikinde (collection of hits, Africassette 9402)
• Sungi (Popular African Music 403)