The Sunday Mail
BUDDING musician Kutenda Gabriel was been born to sing.
At the tender age of eight, when most of his peers are glued to their Play Stations, Kutenda is a little Mozart whose biggest interest is composing music.
The young musician, known as Kutenda Gabs in music circles, already has a seven-track album — “Merciful God” — to his credit. Encouraged by a very supportive mum in Eve Nyasha Maforo, and steered by revered producer Munyaradzi “Vialy” Viya of Vialy Studios, Kutenda is certainly destined for greater heights.
Vialy, who is Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi’s keyboardist, is the man behind huge hits like Jah Prayzah’s “Tsviriyo” and “Jerusarema”, Suluman Chimbetu’s “Gunship”, and Tocky Vibes’ “Toti-Toti”.
The serial “Best Producer Award” nominee’s touch is unmistakable in Kutenda’s project.
“Merciful God” has mellow instruments that are well-knit, led by a warm and fresh voice. Special mention goes to the female backing vocalists. They gave a brilliant swill throughout. However, I feel there was a slight glitch in track three titled “Makanaka Mambo Jesu”.
In the song, Vialy abandons his core job of producing and experiments unsuccessfully with the microphone. He should have let the kid do his thing and not intrude by being a pseudo lead vocalist.
Vialy’s rugged vocals are not in sync with Kutenda’s smooth style. At least in the opening track “Vakafa Vose Vachamuka” he was a bit passive.
Last week, Kutenda opened up about his budding career.
“I chose music because I like singing and I love gospel music. I wish to convert many souls to Christ through singing and also to become the greatest gospel artiste. I write all my songs and I also sing songs from my church hymn book. My producer Munya Vialy is responsible for producing the beats,” said Kutenda.
The young crooner is in Grade Three in Harare and is a member of the United Methodist Church and the Zimpraise Kids.
His mother said music had long run in her son’s blood.
“I noticed his passion for music when he was four-years-old. However, he became serious with the music path at beginning of this year. I can say it took him less than a year to come up with this debut album, ‘Merciful God’.
“When listening and singing along to music, he pays more attention to gospel music as compared to any other type of music,” Maforo said.
Kutenda’s album was launched last month and he is working on a video album. One song, “Vakafa Vose Vachamuka”, has already been released via his Facebook Page (Kutenda Gabs) and on YouTube.
How is the little fellow balancing school work and music?
“Music has not in any way affected his performance at school. Kutenda is in actual fact doing well in school. I help him do his homework and revisions and we always pray for good results. He has a timetable that he follows, meaning there is time for everything,” said Maforo.
On his album, Kutenda got support from guitarist-cum-vocalist Liethens Musoni, Reverend Chivaviro, Zimpraise Kids and Southerton United Methodist Praise Team.
Vialy’s studio minimised its charges to help Kutenda’s dream come true.
To date, Kutenda has curtain-raised for Rev Chivaviro at his “Maranatha” album launch, and he is a regular feature at high profile church events.
