The Sunday Mail
Prince Mushawevato
A new wave is sweeping through the sungura landscape.
Those that can sing, compose songs and have deep pockets are as good as ready for the studio. Yes, no need for a permanent band and the usual rehearsing toil.
How so? One may ask. There are sungura specialists (instrument players) that are offering their services to aspiring musicians, and these are not your ordinary instrumentalists.
They are household names that have helped define sungura over the years, working under groups like Orchestra Mberikwazvo, Utakataka Express, Khiama Boys and Orchestra Dendera Kings. One can hire them as a package (session band) or select individuals.
The acknowledgement section of sungura sleeves like that of Panganayi “Mukoma Panga” Hare’s debut six-track album “Mbuva yeHwiza” tells the full story. Featuring such names as Spencer Khumulani, Innocent Mjintu, Shiga Shiga, Takauya Karikodzi, Matthew Perego, Charles Maibvisira, Obert Gomba and Musaope Nkoma — Mukoma Panga’s debut offering is well-woven.
From the opening track “Panganayi” featuring Ethel Musonza to the eight-minutes-13-second “Mandiregerera”, the instrument players worked their magic. “Zvibatwa”, “Mariah” featuring Somandla Ndebele, “Jojo na Jojina” and “Zinonganonga” make up the rest of the effort from Mukoma Panga, who insists he does music “just for fun”.
Hare, a corporate lawyer-cum-promoter-cum-singer, said he wanted the finest music and because of his background as a music promoter, knew exactly which people he wanted to work with.
He is following in the footsteps of accomplished composer and singer, Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and broadcasting Services Hon Energy Mutodi, whose use of various talented instrumentalists, chanters and dancers marked a paradigm shift within sungura.
Unlike in Zim dancehall or other modern types of music where a single producer can create beats for different artistes, the same was considered taboo in sungura. It was a rarity (if ever it happened) for the late Leonard Dembo’s guitarist, for instance, to be temporarily hired by the late John Chibadura or another aspiring musician.
Competition within the genre has for long never been just about the lead vocalists. The instrumentalists also play a crucial part in luring fans to a band through distinguishable sounds. Actually, they are gods in showbiz.
Debate on who strums better a particular guitar or drums in the genre is not unusual. Mjintu, Noel Nyazanda, Khumulani, Knowledge Nkoma, Nasho Azati, Devine Muzenda, Evidence “Baba Gari” Tarabuka, Donald Gogo, Gomba and Carlton Mparutsa are some of the characters that are occasionally thrown into the discussion.
Sungura king Alick Macheso’s fallout with his counterpart Somandla “Mafia” Ndebele at the turn of the new millennium shows the sensitivity of the matter. Mafia enlisted the services of bass guitarist Khumulani when he recorded “Makobvu Nematete” and this did not go down well with Macheso. He accused Mafia of copying some of his beats (bass riffs) through Khumulani who had then left his ensemble.
Mjintu acknowledges the industry is no longer the same.
“I have been playing since the days of Dembo (Leonard) and I can say a lot has changed. Back then we would only focus on playing for the group that employed you but these days we are now flexible. I can play for any person requiring my services.
“I have my own group (Zare) but to date I have helped a lot of artistes record albums. They include Somandla Ndebele, Gift Amuli, Energy Mutodi, Richard Makuvamhandu, Ngoda, Panganayi Hare et cetera. My services are paid for but it can also be free depending on relations,” said Mjintu.
Aleck Musuki, Brian Samaita and Joseph Garakara are other artistes that have made use of the ‘sungura specialists’ in the past.
Could this be a welcome development in the music industry?
Hiring the team guarantees one of quality sound but there is a danger of monotony. Also, fans have often been left perplexed with uninspiring vocals that accompany the pulsating beats.
A combination of resources and desire to sing does not qualify one to be an artiste. However, Utakataka Express band member, Khumulani, argues they are doing wonders for the industry.
“We don’t have much to do yet we have a lot of experience that can help both budding and seasoned artistes. We create unique sounds that fit specifications of a particular artiste. But in some instances I end up directing the beat after noticing shortcomings on the part of the project owner,” revealed Khumulani.
“My boss (Peter Moyo) has no qualms with what I do since I make use of my free time. I have over the years helped identify talent. One just has to be creative, be able to separate beats so that there is no monotony.”
Firebrand chanter Gift “Shiga Shiga” Katulika fires from the hip.
“I have a family to feed. There is no need for me to stick with one band yet complaining of poor remuneration. I have a sought-after skill. I should make the best of it. I have worked with countless artistes ever since I came to Zimbabwe from Congo (DRC) and I’m not stopping anytime soon,” declared Shiga.
