Madzibaba’s 26th portends sungura revival

26 Mar, 2017 - 00:03 0 Views
Madzibaba’s 26th portends sungura revival

The Sunday Mail

Prince Mushawevato
WILL Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria’s album “Takakomborerwa”, set for launch this Saturday, be the fuel that fans the embers of sungura into a blaze?

Fortunes of the genre have in recent years waned, overshadowed by a Zim dancehall wave that does not seem to be dissipating any time soon.

The granddad of sungura music launches his 26th album at Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza on April 1.

What makes the six-track album special is that it features two of his former Khiama Boys band members, Alick Macheso and Zacharia Zakaria, rekindling nostalgia of the heydays of the super group.

Madzibaba Zakaria and Macheso last worked together at Khiama Boys in 1997, and these are the kind of fairytales that may breathe new life into a genre that is in dire need of rejuvenation.

The vintage touch of the veterans, aided by the new talent of Simon Mutambi, could bring sungura music back to the fore.

And Madzibaba’s potentially mouth-watering album can easily produce chart-topping songs.

Also, its presence on the market coupled with Macheso’s 11th studio album, which is expected in the first half of the year, could push sungura back to its place at the top of Zimbabwean music. Madzibaba sounds giddy when he talks about the future.

“I have over the years told my fans never to lose hope. What they have been calling for in the past two decades is now here. This is an album tailor made for them,” said an ecstatic Zakaria. (Fans) are the reason we have decided to rejoin forces and record this masterpiece. It has everything that they have been yearning for.”

“Murombo”, “Muromo”, “Sarudzo”, “Mira Pako”, “Mwambo” and the title track “Takakomborerwa” make up the album.

Macheso aka Baba Sharo features in “Mira Pako”, playing the bass guitar.

The sungura supremo, who Madzibaba describes as his best student in a career spanning close to four decades, adds his golden voice on the Chewa song “Mwambo”.

Baba Sharo reckons the album will be better than what they produced back in the day because “they have all matured musically”. Madzibaba’s brother Zakaria plays his trademark rhythm guitar on three songs and also does backing vocals, while Mutambi strums the bass guitar and lends his vocals to one track.

“A lot of things are said in the industry; some good, some bad. But the bottom line is Macheso and I are very much okay and that is the case with my younger brother Zacharia Zakaria who also features on the album. I hope with this lovely piece we put to bed all speculation.

“I’m proud of Macheso. He has always exhibited characteristics of a victor from the beginning and I’m happy he has held fort even in the face of harsh challenges. This kind of engagement helps us reconnect both as artistes and with our fans,” added Madzibaba.

Madzibaba has a poignant beat and message that is generally appreciated by many, though his live show figures tell a different story altogether.

Commenting on “Takakomborerwa”, he said: “It will help address a number of issues that affect our day-to-day lives. People need to understand what some of challenges they face in life mean and that can only be possible when they get a different and neutral perspective.”

The musician, not taking into account the period he took a break from the guitar and went into truck driving business, has remained consistent with regularl releases of superb works.

But financial challenges have not spared him. The official launch of “Takakomborerwa” stalled due to the prevailing liquidity challenges.

Fortunately, the Zimbabwe Business and Arts Hub (Zibah), Nash Paints, Club Joy Centre and Esteem Communications come through to sponsor the artiste.

Zibah chairperson Takemore Mazuruse, who is organising the album launch, said Madzibaba deserved “unconditional support” because of his immense contribution to the music industry.

“We believe in promoting excellence and productivity both in the arts and the business sector.

“Supporting artistes and businesspeople regardless of obtaining challenges and limitations like piracy is therefore in sync with our aspirations and we will continue doing the same moving into the future,” said Mazuruse.

“Zibah is putting together a memorable launch event and through our networks we will try to make sure the album reaches as far as possible and that the launch befits Zakaria’s (Nicholas) status.”

Nash Paints chief executive Tinashe Mutarisi weighed in: “As the Zibah treasury department we have done the best we can to pull together resources and the Nash Paints brand has come on board to support this initiative because building strong brands is our area of interest.”

The Chitungwiza launch will feature a star-studded line-up.

Baba Sharo will lead Andy Muridzo, Tryson Chimbetu, Progress Chipfumo, Cindy Munyavi, Freeman,  and Simon Mutambi among others for the launch. Pastor Charles Charamba and wife Olivia, along with Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, will also bless the event. The launch starts at 6pm and is billed as an all-nighter.

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