Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
JUST when some music followers had begun to wonder whether Assegai Crew had quietly disappeared, the veteran Ragga Manyika outfit walked onto the stage at Manicaland Motoring Club last Saturday night and delivered a reminder of why they remain one of Mutare’s respected musical groups.
At a gig dominated by some of the biggest names in contemporary Zimbabwean music, Assegai Crew may not have been the headline act, but they left an impression.
The group was part of the star-studded Mutare Shutdown Gig, which featured Winky D, Nisha Ts, Blot, Bling 4, Xiba, Jah Signal, Candyman, Spy and Terrible Twins.
For Assegai Crew, the occasion was about much more than simply performing at another show.
For some time, the group has been relatively quiet on the live music circuit, with fewer public performances, leaving some fans wondering whether the once vibrant outfit was nearing the end of its journey.
Last Saturday’s performance answered those questions.
They came alive on stage, blending their trademark Ragga Manyika sound with seasoned musicianship, and the confidence of a group that knows its music still has a place on the entertainment scene.
The biggest surprise was the energy and composure displayed by the members.
The group dug into its rich catalogue, performing own compositions and cover songs such as Mapoto, Jenny, Kanyama Karipi, Soul Provider, Tozeza Baba and Mutserendende, giving old and new fans something to celebrate.
One of the night’s memorable moments came when Sham Torindo, affectionately known as Mutare Samanyanga, joined the band.
His voice, stature and stage mannerisms often drawn comparisons with the late music legend and national hero, Oliver Mtukudzi, and he took advantage of the occasion to pay tribute to the late superstar through some of his songs.
His rendition of Tozeza Baba was particularly well received, with fans singing along.
The current Assegai Crew line-up comprises, lead guitarist, Curtis Chipanga, bassist, Tonderai Kashiri, drummer, Silas Makumbe, keyboardists, Terence Makoni and John Chimboza, as well as vocalists, Nigel Dumba and Archford Taengwa.
Makumbe, the only surviving original band member still with the group, turns 62 this month, but last Saturday’s performance showed that age has done little to diminish his passion for music. Assegai Crew’s last album, Tauyahe — The Comeback — was released in 2014, and performed fairly well on the market.
More than a decade later, the group is still capable of commanding attention when given the platform.
That was perhaps the biggest takeaway from the Mutare Shutdown. The group may have been quiet, but it is not finished.
Winky D lived up to his billing as the main attraction.
The veteran chanter delivered an extended performance lasting more than two hours, taking fans through his repertoire, and demonstrating the experience and stagecraft that have made him one of the most enduring live performers.
The other artistes also contributed to a lively programme, ensuring that the show maintained momentum throughout the night.
Credit must also go to Chipaz Promotions for putting together a well-organised event. There was a clear sense of order at the venue, with performances running smoothly and the programme maintaining momentum.
Security was visible, crowd movement was generally controlled and there were no major incidents of violence to overshadow the entertainment.
The sound system provided performers with a solid platform, while stage management ensured that artistes did not keep fans waiting unnecessarily between sets.
For a large entertainment gathering bringing together performers from different generations and musical backgrounds, that level of organization was important.
But while Winky D was the name that brought many fans through the gates, Assegai Crew may have walked away with one of the night’s most important victories. They reminded Mutare that their story is far from over.
The outfit’s manager, Tawanda Chitsa, said the performance was proof that the outfit still had plenty to offer.
He said the response from fans had encouraged the group to remain active and continue exploring opportunities to perform.
“For a band that has spent considerable time away from the spotlight, Saturday’s appearance was therefore more than a performance. It was a comeback statement. The group is still intact and Saturday’s show was a testimony that we still have a lot to offer to the public and to Ragga Manyika fans,” he said.
Ends
Assegai Crew makes loud comeback
