The Sunday Mail
Prince Mushawevato —
SULUMAN “Sulu” Chimbetu’s ingenuity combined with his never say die spirit is certainly going to see the dendera crooner perpetually transcend confines. The musician has colossal staying power! One can fault him for anything else but never his creativity.
Just when most people thought the dendera flag bearer was now down and out, he has dared to come up with a new and different sixth studio album, “Jamboree”. The album, which was officially released a fortnight ago has not only rejuvenated the Orchestra Dendera Kings’ fortunes but proves that Sulu is far from being a spent force.
This is one musician who has literally done everything using the dendera beat including winning awards, first with his debut project “Ndomusiya Nani” and then with his later projects.
But past glories have not caused the cunning and arguably the most successful dendera musician of his generation to rest on his laurels. Sulu appears to be always on the move in search of fresh styles to modernise the dendera timbre.
In fact, his latest 10-track album “Jamboree”, is dendera for the new generation. The project is deep-rooted in the founding principles of the dendera genre, yet there are additives that breathe fresh life to compositions on the album.
Apparently it is no longer difficult for the man also known as Captain Sulu to run with his music experiments since he now has his own studio at home, Cockpit Studios. Interestingly diversions are not a new phenomenon in Sulu’s music.
His most popular track “Sean Timba” aka Batai Munhu, which can also be argued to have officially helped give prominence to a new voice in the form of Jah Prayzah, is not an outright dendera reverberation but is a result of his unending twists to the beat.
To those who know their music onions, this trend is not only peculiar to Sulu. Rather it is a style he appears to have successfully copied from his late father Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu.
Chopper made transitions with his music over time as evidenced in albums like “Boterekwa” (1989), “African Panorama Chapter One” (1999), “2000 Blend” and “10 Million Pounds Reward” (2005).
The aforesaid projects in a way marked a new dendera era in the respective times they were released. Sulu says the changes are in line with market demands and trends.
“As a musician I’m always in touch with my fans getting their feedback. ‘Jamboree’ was created in response to their demands,” said the affable dendera crooner.
“Music is ever evolving. It requires a special skill or ability for one to stay relevant through the passage of time. What fans want today might not be what they want tomorrow and it is those kind of things that you have to pay attention to and swiftly respond to as an artiste.”
To his credit, Sulu managed to create a balance in “Jamboree”. The aptly titled album easily caters for the taste of any generation within his cluster of fans. By definition Jamboree is a large celebration or party, typically a lavish and boisterous one.
Certainly there are those fans that prefer the dendera beat as pure as possible and the younger generation that opts to have the genre in a contemporary version.
Also they are some who fancy both versions of the music. The 10-track album is a mixed bag with six traditional dendera songs while the remaining tracks are fusions.
The album shows Sulu has greatly improved in his composition skills. He uses simple and easy to follow lyrics yet delivering poignant messages.
A danceable track “Tiringwe” in which Sulu praises the Almighty for protecting him and others opens the effort. In the same song, he narrates the difficulties he has gone though in a bid to fend for his family, something that will remind people of the need to work hard in order to have a better life.
The opening track gives guitarists an opportunity to display their artistry but one gets the feeling the song was supposed to end soon after the third from last chorus. In short it was unnecessarily made long.
Systematically interchanging instruments and an easy narration of a past event sums up “Alice Mbewe”. This is a song that encourages parents to take proper care of children.
It is based on a true story of a child who got lost at a show, but in general the song is hinged on negligence that comes with careless merry-making. The song has a good sing along chorus, which names the faulting mother as well as Sulu’s intentions.
“Error” discourages people from being big-headed after smelling or achieving success in life. Such behaviour, the musician sings leads into pits but the sad coming can be avoided by following best principles of life for example listening to elders/veterans.
The laid-back lead guitar supported by the gentle booming bass guitar makes this track an exceptional piece of art. Rather there is true artistry from the men of instrument. They blended well.
“Mhasuru” is another well composed and executed song that deserves special mention. Peace across board is the major theme of the song. Captain Sulu advices people to desist from violence.
He calls upon weight-lifters to be tactical in their operations so as to earn respect. The rich rhythms that characterise the song can easily push one to dance.
Even music superstar Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi appears to endorse “Mhasuru” on a currently trending social media video message.
“Hello there, this is Oliver Mtukudzi, I’m busy listening to Suluman’s new album (Jamboree), wow! What a beautiful piece. Merry Christmas and happy New Year. Hope to see you in the next shows,” he jovially says with the song playing in the background.
Sulu revisits his roots when he sings “Chirombo”. The track is a blend of Shona and Chewa lyrics. In the piece, the dendera crooner warns hunger can be a real threat to family unit just as well as a nation.
Equally he advocates for people to share and make use of the little available food in dire situations. The only downside of this song is the musician appears to strain his vocals half-way through.
A different kind of Sulu is witnessed on track five “It’s Not Necessary”, which is a fusion of the dendera sound and contemporary beats that create electro dance music. The Clive Mono Mukundu-produced song is a typical club-banger.
Already the song has won hearts of the young generation due to its hard to ignore appeal and looks likely to continue doing so in the coming weeks and months. The lyrics encourage people not to backstab each other but it is the beat that is likely to make waves in showbiz.
In brief, it is a short and sweet party track with hard hitting lyrics. Other songs in the “It’s Not Necessary” mould are remixes to “Alice Mbewe” and “Error” that were done on an afro-fusion beat with a bias towards house music.
On “Moses” the musician calls for salvation from a terrible and apparently perennial curse that has hit a family. He questions and begs for answers that appear not to come. Captain Sulu folds “Jamboree” with “Mugomo”.
This song can mean anything to anyone depending on your standpoint. However, the general feeling among music enthusiasts is the song was composed for self-exiled Chimurenga guru Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo.
“Jamboree” is clearly a brilliant effort, which is a continuation from the musician’s previous efforts. “Reverse Deal”, “Non-Stop”, “Syllabus” and “Gunship” are Sulu’s other albums.
