The Sunday Mail
Prince Mushawevato
Features and Arts Editor
SEASONED sungura singer Somandla “Mafia” Ndebele’s latest offering “Kuruma Uchifuridzira” is certainly a pleasant Christmas gift not only for his fans but also every music enthusiast.
The pulsating six-track album speaks to the soul through poignant lyrics and well-crafted instrumentation.
Soma, as the singer is affectionately called by his legion of fans, revisited his vintage touch.
Songs on the latest offering easily remind one of the protest sungura singer’s yesteryear hits “Wakandidadira”, “Marwadzo Mukurarama” and “Nditungamirireiwo”.
The “Rovambira” hitmaker clearly took his time on the project, which was produced by Bothwell “Native” Nyamhondera.
The album is solid in all aspects.
The guitar work is simply exquisite, and so are the drums.
“I was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown just like every other person. But I decided to use that time to compose, perfect and record a number of songs which feature on this album, while others were released as singles,” revealed Soma in an interview with The Sunday Mail Society.
“Amai Vevana”, “Hwenyakwese”, “Zvimwe Ndiwe”, “Zivo Ndakakupa”, “Geza” and “Usandisiye” complete the new album.
With over three decades of experience in the music industry, productions can only get better for Soma.
His combination with the veteran producer, Nyamhondera, proved to be the icing on the cake.
So tight are the compositions that one can still enjoy and dance to the sad messages in some of the tracks.
“The album ‘Kuruma Uchifuridzira’ has been well-received by our fans. They are happy with the project. I did my best to make sure I incorporated some of the things they have been requesting through social media or at live gigs,” he said.
“I also want to thank radio stations for the support. It is through them that we are able to reach all our fans in different parts of the country. I am now working on a new video for one of the songs on the new offering.”
“Kuruma Uchifuridzira” is Soma’s 25th studio effort.
The singer also has two new DVD albums.
“I have a rich catalogue that attracts interest across the generational divide. Some of the songs are now way old, thus, I decided to bring them back to life through videos.”
The Dzivarasekwa-based singer has a good number of fans throughout the country.
However, most of his followers are in peri-urban, remote, farming and mining areas.
“Kuruma Uchifuridzira” tackles various social issues.
On “Geza”, he encourages women to be strong when they go through divorce. Likewise, he urges the fairer sex to always be presentable, even after marriage, so that their partners are comfortable to take them out for events.
“Hwenyakwese” takes aim at gossipers.
The singer pleasantly experiments with his beat as the track nears halfway of the 12 minutes of playtime.
Soma dedicates “Zivo Ndakakupa” to ungrateful people. He indicates that not every person in our lives means well. Similarly, he discourages the public from taking shortcuts in their quest for riches.
The power of prayer, he reckons, can never be underestimated.
“Amai Vevana”, “Zvimwe Ndiwe” and “Usandisiye” also have equally powerful messages.
“I carefully compose my songs. For some of the tracks, I use personal experiences, while in other instances I sing about issues that I observe in people’s day-to-day living,” said Soma.
Twitter: @princemusha
