The Sunday Mail
WITH the festive season fast approaching, the merry-making mood is upon everyone and for Dendera music lovers; it seems the race to the claim of who actually rules the roost in this genre has started.
Like no other music genre, Dendera music has spawned a lot of artistes from the same family and music fans are divided on who is actually the best.
People are now waiting with bated breath to see whether Suluman Chimbetu’s much-anticipated album will surpass that of his cousin, Douglas, who has already unleashed onto the market a new offering titled “Southern Letter”.
Of course, there is Douglas’ father, Allan – who is the most seasoned musician among them all after having learnt the ropes directly from the exponent and founder of the genre, the late Simon Chimbetu.
Simon Chimbetu died in August 2005 leaving behind the rich Dendera music heritage that has inspired a plethora of other artistes who are now following in his footsteps.
If the truth be told — that is if we take away the misfortunes that have been besetting him left, right and centre both in his personal life and music career – Allan is a master of the genre.
Being the taciturn person he is these days, who knows, Allan might be waiting for the right time to spring a surprise and join the fray by unleashing his own new production.
And as the jockeying is revolving around the usual and obvious names, there is a dark horse that is most likely to cause a lot of upsets in the genre.
This is none other than Richard Sakala, who ironically is the Chimbetus’ nephew.
Sakala’s late father, Badson, was also a musician who worked for Simon Chimbetu’s Orchestra Dendera Kings outfit behind the scenes, apart from leading his own group, Budiriro Kings.
Badson was married to Esnath, the second-born in the Chimbetu family.
Sakala released his debut album “Get Ready” in 2000.
This is enough testimony that the artiste has come a long way and he sure is some kind of Dendera force to reckon with.
That alone is enough to whet the appetite of music lovers.
On his latest album “Together – Pamwe Chete”, Sakala worked on maintaining the original Dendera beat.
Sakala roped in the services of his uncle Allan to play the guitar on one track, “Ndifambe Nemi”.
Sakala’s desire to maintain close relations with his Chimbetu relatives, especially musically, is resonant in the title of the album itself “Together – Pamwe Chete”.
Like Simon, Sakala is a peace-builder, a social preacher, as well as a loverboy.
“Your Woman Your Flower”, “Hasha Kure”, “Unosvika Riinhi”, “Huyai Kwedu” and “Rudo” are songs laden with constructive words that promote the good and positive side of life.
Diamond Studios are marketing and distributing the album that is Sakala’s sixth offering after “Get Ready” (2000), “Varegererei” (2003), “Ndinorevesa – Be Mine” (2006), “Kurauone” (2007) and “Village” (2009).
