The Sunday Mail
Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu’s last release “Syllabus” seems to have set the bar too high for the Dendera music flag-bearer.
The musician has since taking over the reins at Orchestra Dendera Kings been consistent in releasing albums but the trend changed last year following the release of the multi-award-winning project.
Syllabus, which was released in 2012 featuring hit songs “Sean Timba” aka “Batai Munhu”, “Young Man” and “Njiva”, went on to bang four awards. The album competed with Alick Macheso’s “Kwatakabva Mitunhu” (Kure Kwekure).
Last year both artistes did not bring new material onto the market and by and large contributed in dampening the festive season mood. And indications this year are that we might be in for yet another dry season.
Interesting though is the fact that both Sulu and Macheso already have new songs that they have been sampling at their live shows, since last year, but are hesitant to officially unveil them to the public.
Pundits have been arguing that none of the two musicians are willing to draw first blood as their projects have become subject to comparison following Sulu’s surprise Nama victory over Macheso.
Early this year, Sulu’s camp hinted that the release of their forthcoming album was going to coincide with the Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu anniversary celebrations held every August since his death, but the plan was postponed at the last minute.
Speculation was that the album failed to hit the market since a planned collaboration between him (Sulu) and self-exiled Chimurenga music guru Dr Thomas Mapfumo failed to come to fruition.
Macheso’s camp has said a new album is going to be released this year but is not willing to give dates.
However, the Dendera camp appears to have finally summoned their guts and seem ready to draw the battle lines.
In an interview last week, Sulu’s publicist Joe “Local” Nyamungoma revealed that their album was now set to be released on November 26. He said all the songs from the forthcoming project have been recorded.
“I can confirm to you that our album is going to be released on November 26. We have finished working on all the songs. We are now working on printing copies to be availed on the launch date,” said Nyamungoma.
Previously Sulu’s projects have consisted of an average of seven songs. But this time around he has pushed the number to 12 songs done in Shona and Swahili. This, some argue, is desperation on the part of the Dendera crooner to come up with a hit(s) that surpasses his previous set record.
“The group took its time in recording this project. I can say we have recorded 12 songs including a collaboration track we did with Soul Jah Love. The forthcoming CD might come in the form of a two-in-one since all the songs are ready for release,” said the publicist.
The spokesperson said the album launch was going to coincide with a special event meant to honour the country’s President Cde Mugabe before his party goes for its elective congress.
Suluman’s father, the legendary Simon Chimbetu, was a war veteran and is buried at Mashonaland West’s Provincial Heroes Acre.
The Dendera outfit is working in conjunction with a Kuwadzana-based artiste, Joshua Mboya, who has created a three-metre-long portrait of President Mugabe that will be unveiled on the album release date.
“We are no longer going to shift the dates since we have already run out of time. Besides, this time around we will be unveiling the album to the public on the same day that we will be presenting the President with his life-size statue, one similar to that done for Father Zimbabwe (the late Joshua Nkomo).
“Plans have been set in motion and we are in the process of engaging relevant Government officials,” he said.
Mboya confirmed the venture.
“I have been working on this project for quite some time but have struggled to get it done due to financial constraints.
“However, Sulu and his team want the piece of art to be done before the end of next month (this month) since they also want to present it to the President when they launch their album,” he said.
Nyuchi, Skero and Sekuru Benson (not real titles) are some of the songs to feature on the forthcoming album, which will be his fifth.
