The Sunday Mail
TUKU
SUPERSTAR Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, who is back home from an overseas tour, will not be spending any of his time responding to Shepherd Mutamba’s “tell-all” biography of him, an official from the Black Spirits has revealed.
The biography was released last month after Tuku left for an international tour to perform in South Africa, United Kingdom and North America.
Thus many have been eagerly awaiting the return of the legend and hoped the superstar would address some of the issues raised by Mutamba in the biography, “Tuku Backstage”.
But that is not going to be. The veteran musician has opted to remain tight-lipped on the matter and instead hit the ground running — doing what he knows best, music.
In an interview last week, Tuku’s manager Sam Mataure said the superstar would rather expend his energy entertaining his legion of fans.
“We are not going to make any public comment about the book. It’s a thing in the past and we are moving on. For the group it’s just work as usual and we are focusing on various projects that we are working on,” said Mataure.
The manager added that the ensemble was not going to be derailed by “trivial issues”. This, he said, is the reason why the Black Spirits is going to make sure that it increases its visibility both inside and outside the country.
According to a provided schedule, the Black Spirits will hold three local shows in the remaining weeks of this month before they embark on yet another European tour next month. Of the shows, only one at Pamuzinda, a welcome back gig and farewell show rolled into one, on May 29 will be in Harare.
The other two gigs will be in Masvingo and Zvishavane on May 15 and 23 respectively.
“The idea is to reach out to all corners. We have fans everywhere. Thus this month we will play in Masvingo and Zvishavane. But according to our schedule, our last gig in Zimbabwe before our upcoming tour will be on the last week of May at Pamuzinda,” said Mataure.
“The previous tour was short but good. It gave us lasting memories and we hope next month’s tour will also do the same,” he added.
During the European tour, Tuku will share the stage with Ugandan artiste, Dr Jose Chameleone, in London. While in Leicester he will exchange notes with fellow countrymen, Jah Prayzah, Zivai Guveya and dancehall artistes Kinnah and Tocky Vibes. Local fans will only get to date the musician live on stage in September when he holds his Tuku and friends gig, which coincides with his birthday. The show will feature different top artistes from the region.
Music promoter and organiser of the Pamuzinda gig, Josh Hozheri or simply Josh said he planned the event cognisant of the fact that it was the superstar’s last before he takes a three-month break on the local front.
With this in mind, he said, he put all necessary ingredients to make it a worthy event.
“It will be his last show in the capital and probably in the country before he takes a break. Against this background I have come up with a line-up that will cater for every music taste for the May 29 show. The event will come loaded and should not be missed,” said Hozheri aka Big Josh.
At Pamuzinda, Tuku will share the stage with dendera crooner Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu, dancehall artiste Tocky Vibes and celebrated DJ, DJ Cables.
Meanwhile, the superstar will next month be releasing a new live recording album. Titled “Live at Carnival City”, the13-track project will be produced in both DVD and CD albums.
The musician has produced a number of similar projects in his illustrious career stretching more than four decades.
“I’m not certain of the exact release date. But indications are that the project is going to be on the market next month or in the early weeks of July,” said Mataure.
