The Sunday Mail
DENDERA unity was once again put to test last week when Orchestra Dendera Kings (Central Committee) front-man Allan Chimbetu launched his fourth studio album, ‘Covenant’, following a seven-year hiatus.
The family usually unites for the late Simon and Naison Chimbetu commemoration gigs.
However, this time around, they gathered at Bar Rouge, situated at Long Chen Plaza, to help surviving dendera “father” Allan launch his project.
The support was necessary, considering that most people had long written-off the sole surviving godfather of dendera.
In 2013, the musician had a brush with the law after being arrested for illegal trading cellphones. After that incident, he went on to develop an interest in mining, in the process reducing the frequency of his live gigs.
As a result, many people concluded that Allan’s interest had shifted from the stage.
But the dendera musician is keen to correct the perception.
He notes that the launch of ‘Covenant’ signals the beginning of a new chapter in his musical career.
“I took a seven year sabbatical giving my boys (Suluman, Tryson and Dougy) a chance to express themselves through song. Now that they have managed to be their own men, I have decided to record and show them how it’s done. It’s now game on,” says Allan.
However, Allan’s son Douglas and his cousins Suluman and Tryson arrived a bit late for the event.
Perhaps being stars in their own rights, they are used to having the grand entrance.
Suluman aka Captain Sulu was the first among his peers to enter the launch venue soon after Allan’s first song.
Tryson followed while Douglas came in last, soon after the official launch of the album.
He said he had arrived late because he had been working on the launch’s logistics.
However, a sizeable crowd of invited guests attended the launch.
Among the guests was promoter of the year Daniel Masaiti, the guest of honour Regis Munhenzva, musicians Alick Macheso, Romeo Gasa, Alexio Kawara, Peter Moyo and Mark Ngwazi.
‘Covenant’ is Allan’s fourth album following ‘Sony’, ‘Professor’ and ‘Simukai’.
Allan reckons that the six-track album will rejuvenate his waning career and guide the young dendera crooners.
“They should be learning from me because I have the dendera curriculum direct from the founders,” Allan said.
Tracks on the album include ‘Nguva Yekuita Mari’, ‘Viva Dendera’, ‘Ndisina Mari’, ‘Mhuri Yakura’, ‘Lisa’ and ‘Covenant’.
Speaking during the launch, Suluman said he has great respect for his uncle, both as a father figure and as a musician.
“My uncle is like my brother because we grew up together in Saruwe, Chegutu. He is the last born in my father’s family so we do not have a big age gap.
“Zvinotaurwa zvinotaurwa (Things are always said), but the truth of the matter is that we do not have bad blood between us. I say to him congratulations and tisazo pesaniswa nemari (may money not separate us),” said Captain Sulu.
Douglas said: “I need at least a week listening to the album to comment on it. But I know mudhara can produce good music.” His cousin Tryson said the Chimbetus will keep supporting each other as family.
During an auction at the launch, copies of the CD were bought for US$300, US$250, US$200 by Munhenzva, Masaiti and Sulu respectively.
Another bidder pledged to pay US$5 000 for the album.
