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The multi-talented Ndlovu, a singer, composer and producer is in the country working on a second album, a follow up to his successful solo project, Spirit of Ubuntu.
The album Spirit of Ubuntu was released in 2006 and was well received across Europe followed by a series of tours to countries such as Poland, Zanzibar, France and The Netherlands.
Saturday Leisure caught up with the bulky vocalist in Bulawayo and spoke to him on his music. He moved to the European country in 1996. He said he was back home to make final touches on his double 15-track album titled Vocalizm which he did with several established and budding artistes in the country.
“I am in the country to work on my forthcoming album Vocalizm as I felt that there are a lot of talented vocalists in the country and my album is titled Vocalizm to bring out the great vocalists in Zimbabwe. On the album I worked with vocalists who include Nomathamsanqa Mkhwananzi from Iyasa, Future Sibanda former Iyasa member, Butshilo Nleya, local poet Tswarelo Mothobe, Mercy Kaumba from Iyasa, among others,” said Ndlovu.
The vocalist said he could not tell the genre of his music but leaves it to the listener to judge.
“I consider myself a musician, I play live instruments, my music is not computer programmed, but some describe it as Afro-jazz or imbube,” said Ndlovu.
On his first album he was backed by a band made up of Austrian piano player Roland Guggenbichler, German born percussionist Stephan Maass and Congolese guitarist Pascal Lopongo.
“I met the three instrument players through sessioning in the studios and I felt that they were the right candidates for me as they are very talented and are of sober habits just like me,” said Ndlovu.
The 37-year-old musician who last performed in the country last year with the imbube ensemble Insingizi said he was planning to perform in the country as a solo artiste after the release of his album.
A full time musician, Ndlovu said he was able to survive through the trade because people in foreign lands appreciated music from Africa.
“They appreciate music very well. That is why as a group and solo artistes we have managed to survive through the years. We have groups such as Iyasa, Intombi Zomqangala ,super star Oliver Mtukudzi, mbira princess Chiwoniso Maraire who have performed in Austria and many other European countries,” he said.
Ndlovu said he was saddened by local music standards which he said continued to fall as up and coming musicians were striving to be celebrities overnight rather than producing quality, timeless music.
“I do not see any improvement in today’s music; it is unfortunate that most of these young and upcoming musicians strive to become celebrities overnight which is not the concept behind being a musician.
“Back then we had musicians such as Lovemore Majaivana, Fanyana Dube, Solomon Skuza, Sunduza, and Themba Ndlovu who did music that you can listen to even today. We have a lot of celebrities walking down the streets in town who emerged during the introduction of the urban grooves era but can barely play for an hour let alone put up a live performance,” he said.
The 15-track album due on the market in August was recorded at 10th District Studios owned by fellow group member Ramadu and would be produced, marketed and distributed by ARC Music productions which has offices in the United Kingdom and USA.
“I don’t know how people would get the album because I am afraid that it would be pirated and be sold at Egodini,” he said.
Online Reporter