The Sunday Mail
Prince Mushawevato
VETERAN instrumentalist and music producer Clive “Mono” Mukundu is set to launch a jam session compilation album this week.
The project features several artistes that have taken part in jam sessions held at Mono’s studio — Monolio Studios — since the beginning of the coronavirus-induced lockdown in March last year.
“If all goes according to plan, I intend to release the compilation album next month on June 1. The album is just meant for airplay and free distribution,” revealed Mono.
The album features both seasoned and upcoming musicians, among them Isaac Chirwa, Hitondo, Mbeu, Elroy Davis, Dereck Mpofu, Nelly, Leah Kasinamunda and Mwenje Mathole.
The musician said he decided to distribute the album for free as it was the most sensible thing to do.
“If I am to sell the album, the process will involve too much paperwork and other difficult logistics since there are 20 different artistes on the project. After all, all music in Zimbabwe is not selling because of piracy, so it would be a waste of effort. I have communicated everything to the artistes involved,” he said.
A combination of the pandemic and lack of funds, he added, forced him to forgo an official album launch.
“It would have been nice to have a launch for such a unique project, but circumstances are not permitting. Besides the pandemic, we have very few people that are willing to fund such initiatives.”
The award-winning guitarist and music producer said the jam session initiative was his son’s idea.
“It was my son Takakunda who came up with the idea during the first week of the initial lockdown in March last year. At first, it was just the two of us jamming, then we decided to include other artistes who passed by the studio to record Covid-19 awareness material,” he said.
Most of the sessions were previously posted on the singer’s social media platforms.
“The idea is to keep on doing them in seasons until the lockdown period is over. We just have to find something to keep us busy in these trying times.”
Mono has worked with several local musicians both as an instrumentalist and as a producer.
Some of the top names to have benefitted from his rare gift include Chimurenga music guru Dr Thomas Mapfumo, the late Dr Oliver Mtukudzi and Andy Brown.
