By Desire Tshuma and Richmore Tera.
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News of The South) – ALTHOUGH most people are waiting with bated breath for sungura musician Alick Macheso’s new album to hit the streets, there are however a plethora of other artistes who are emerging in the genre.
Given the relevant marketing and promotion, these musicians have what it takes to become household names in the year 2016.
Lucky Kumene – Poronki
To many people, this name might not instantly ring a bell, but the moment that they hear his music, then their interest is whetted.
Kumene – who was largely inspired by the late Utakataka Express founder, Tongai Moyo – does not make it a secret that he adores his late idol hence the decision to dedicate one of the songs on the album, “Tomutsa Dhewa” to “Muchina Muhombe”.
As is expected, Kumene brings in a feeling of nostalgia for the late Dhewa through his voice that bears an uncanny resemblance to that of the former.
Kumene sings effortlessly and doesn’t stifle his voice in order to sound like the late music guru.
No wonder the track “Tomutsa Dhewa” is central to the album which from the outset reminds many of the music of the late music icon.
In the song, Kumene laments the loss that the country experienced following the death of Dehwa and he further goes an extra mile by saying that Tongai Moyo’s musical spirit should be kept alive.
Kumene becomes the patriot whose duty is to jealously safeguard his motherland Zimbabwe, and he does this in the song “Zimbabwe”, in which he urges people to be proud of their country.
The word “Poronki” which Kumene borrows from Botswana, is on this album used to refer to someone whose mission is to destroy the good things that others would have built, while “Zviwana Vanhu” talks about the problems that befall people along the journey of life.
Just like his icon Dhewa who was in the habit of throwing in at least one self-praise song on most of his albums, like “Samanyemba” and “Ganda Remvura” among others, Kumene also does the same with his track “Kumene Power” that is basically about himself and his group The Power Express.
There is nothing wrong in that, since there is a saying that goes like: “If no one can praise you, then why not praise yourself?”
“Diaspora is the last track on this album that was recorded at Diamond Studios by seasoned music producer, Jabulani Ndlovu.
Papa Sodza – Six Bullets
Papa Sodza did a mature man’s job on his debut offering “Six Bullets”. From the first bullet “Vachishiri” to the last “Ndoitasei” this album is a gun targeted at social ills bedeviling society.
Unlike most sungura musicians whose style is monotonously predictable, Papa Sodza tries to vary all his songs by infusing them with reggae, rhumba and jazz feels, which enhances the appeal of the project.
The opening track “Vachishiri” is about the callousness that some landlords have towards their tenants, especially in these biting economic times, while “Ndoitasei?” is a touching in the way that the musician sings about a post graduate who is failing to secure a job.
“Child Abuse” reminds us that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect and guard against child abuse, violence and exploitation.
“Whatever you do, wherever you go, child abuse is not good,” he sings.
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The late Lucky Dube is also resurrected on the song “Jesus is the Way” which is on a deep conscious reggae tip while “Nyaya Yekupfuma” goes the rhumba way.
One impressive thing on this album is the originality of the lyrics; he explores his subject matter in a way that no other artist has done before. His massage is clearly and precisely communicated without repeating the same massage. on other songs, his content is quite mature and well planned.
The project was mixed and mastered by music producer Jabulani Ndlovu of Diamond Studios.
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