Chimombe was a legend

Daniel Ngwira Own Correspondent
Last Thursday, October 23, was a special day in the music industry as it marked the date that James Mbatete Chimombe passed away in 1990. He was 39. When James died 24 years ago, I was only 15 and writing my examinations for Junior Certificate. Despite this tender age, his music had already made an impact in me and today my rhythms are deeply inspired by this late great musician although I don’t sound like him. James inspired me to get into music, of course together with the late Biggie Tembo and the late Prince Tendai, who heavily discouraged me from having live shows arguing that “hazvina staira”.

Chimombe’s lone powerful voice did not need backing vocals or at least the few that were done left his voice dominant and less crowded.
Do you remember the song “Botswana?”, he sings “ . . . Tipeiwo madhora, tiende Botswana . . . ndibheje rotari ndinongodyiwa”.

In the song “Chikende”, he sings “Vasikana varipano hona vanodadisa hona mutambiro wavo uyo, chikende . . . vanambuya we sungai nhikiza ngoma ndiyo ndiyo . . . ” The “Bindura Lion” also sang patriotic songs as evidenced by the song “Mureza we Zimbabwe” in which he sings “Baba namai kana monditsvaka ropa rangu munoriwana pasi pemureza we Zimbabwe . . . ” and the song “Zimbabwe” in which he sings “Zimbabwe . . . ndeyemadzibaba”.

In the same song he addresses what seems to be a prediction of his death when he says “ . . . life is a journey, not a destination, remember there is a committee somewhere discussing your future only you are not invited . . . ini handimboziva tose hatimboziva kwatinoperera . . . ”. This song is found on the album “Zvaitika”. James also addresses the beauty of the gift of a child in the song “Mwana Mudiki” in which he sings “ . . .ingirozi yamwari…mubati mukuru weimba . . .” The vocal power, the guitar work, the mixing and the mastering on this song like that on many of his songs including “George Mudiwa” really makes one feel they are recently recorded songs.

James played various musical instruments though he was well known as a vocalist and guitarist.
He played rhythm at Acid Band which at the time was fronted by Thomas Mapfumo.

It is very ironic that in the bands he played for and earned massive popularity like Ok Success, and Ocean City Band, he was neither the leader nor the owner.
He simply was talented.

In fact James was fired from the Ocean City Band after a successful and very profitable career having recorded smash hits like “Mavanga”, “Jikinya”, “Cecilia”, “Siyawaoneka” and “Munakandafa”.

This resulted in him starting his own only known band called Huchi.
This was to be his final working place.

It is also ironic that one of the greatest musicians to come out of Zimbabwe, Biggie Tembo, was not the owner of the Bhundu Boys, and in fact he was fired, like James, and the last known band he worked with was Ocean City Band.

James recorded chart toppers like Zvaitika and the last album Jemedza which was released posthumously.
Jemedza stayed on the Top selling album for ZMC for a long time after his death and had at least two songs in the Radio 2 top twenty after his death.

James will forever go down in history as a great musician fusing Kenyan, South African, Congolese,country and western sounds into his music, yet, maintaining the Zimbabwean identity.

The Congolese influence into his music can be explained by his stay at OK Success which he had joined from Acid Band.
Together with Oliver Mtukudzi, they became the first to do a very successful duet called “Ini newe.”
Ironically Alexio Kawara, Diana Samkange and I were to do a comparable track called “Tine Basa” which I composed.

Of course in the song we were fighting piracy and also promoting the brand Zimbabwe.
Today, collaborations are now common, yet it is these two great musicians, Tuku and Jimmy, who opened the doors.
The journey from Acid Band to Blacks Unlimited, Pop Settlers, Ok Successto Ocean City Band and finally Huchi Band left us with great pieces of music to enjoy.
Those who know our music industry will testify that these were great bands and to fit into the line-up meant one was of calibre.

James also played for the Real Sounds of Africa just like Energy Mutodi in recent times, though the two musicians are worlds apart in comparison.
Chimombe kept it simple but powerful as exemplified by the song “Muchiti Mugere”.
If you are a musician or want to become one, you need this song to practice “thirds” on your guitar.

James became known as “Bindura” after his song which is on the album “Cecilia.”
The song “Cecilia” attracted the attention of Steve Kekana such that he had to do his Zulu version.
Of course James was not happy that the song was taken without his approval.
He came from Chivhu not Bindura.

Yours truly attended school at Chipindura High School in Bindura. Those who know Chivhu will know what Jemedza is.
He titled his last album Jemedza which referred a lot to ancestral homes.

The video to the song Jemedza was a makeover from his previous videos which became popular through the programme “Mvengemvenge”.
His long time producer, the late Tymon Mabaleka said James sensed death was imminent.
Early in 1990, James was rumoured to have died and he had to come on radio to prove he was alive, he sang and whistled for the listeners to really be comforted.
There was basis for the rumour because he was sick, becoming one of the first celebrities to die of AIDS in Zimbabwe.

This is unlike the rumour that Jah Prayzah had died.
There was no basis, he was not sick and he was not involved in an accident.
In fact he was on stage in Karoi.

It is sad that James, Kudakwashe and Freddy died very painful deaths. May their souls rest in peace.
To many “Kudakwashe” was a song, but to James he was a son whose paralysis inspired James to record a song.
Those who saw the video to the song will testify that James indeed sang this from his heart.
“The Bindura Lion is no more” was one of the headlines when James died.

The “Chigwaya” and “George Mudiwa” hitmaker was a revolutionary in our music industry, he was a hero, the same heroic status which can be attached to Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Safirio Madzikatire, Jonah Sithole, Picket Chiyangwa, Ephat Mujuru, Tinei Chikupo and those whose names are far too many to mention.
The music industry is what it is today because of these men, James included.

He was not only the handsome but the talented.
Besides a successful career in music, James was actively involved in music related affairs, being a director of ZIMURA(ZIMRA at the time) and teaching music at the Zimbabwe College of Music through the ethnomusicology programme.

In 2001, I was to meet the late Dave Moyo who played drums for James when I was on the ethnomusicology programme at the College of Music.
In 2004, I recorded with Dave. I did interview him seeking to know more about James.

Among other things, he said he missed James because he had a kind heart. This interview was certainly nostalgic. Dave was a brave man but he almost shed a tear.
Unlike many a musician, James did not die a pauper. He left behind an estate which his family began fighting for after his death.

The estate included a house in Cranborne and another in Highfield. This is also unlike musicians of my generation. Almost two decades in the industry, I have not been able to buy a guitar with money earned from music. I hope I will not join the late Biggie Tembo, who at the time of his death did not have even a simple guitar and had to ask for one from his neighbour each time he wanted to practice.
I am sure I could do with a house in Cranborne.

In his video for the song “Jikinya”, he showcases his wealth which he got through music, “…imba yangu yandinayo varume woye hona, ndakaiwana nekutamba jikinya…hona ndisiyei zvangu nditambe jikinya, jikinya maoresa”.

I have watched in dismay that every year we commemorate the death of Bob Marley but do not remember our heroes in the name of James Chimombe.
There was a time we used to remember our music heroes through the Zimbabwe Musicians Day. This has since fallen off the calendar.

I hope the new Zimbabwe Musicians Union of which I am the publicist and spokesperson will work hard to restore the glory of the man behind the mic and holding a harmless “AK47”, the guitar.

My son cannot believe James died 24years ago, he thinks his sound is too modern. His songs don’t fade unlike the songs we hear about whatsapp, facebook and God knows what else the modern musician is going to sing about.

James was a superstar no doubt. His influence went and goes far and wide. Even Diana Samkange had to do a rendition of “Zvaitika”, now Diana is quite young and modern but still she was touched by the music of a man whose time in the grave is almost her age.
The same great superstar touches energetic SFM presenter Gertrude Jaricha.

As I conclude, I keep wondering, who is benefiting from the work of this late great superstar? In many cars, homes and public places, James Chimombe’s music is played often. Where is the money going to? Can government not do more to help us musicians fight piracy? Is there nothing else the marketing and distribution companies can do to fight piracy?

Is it not possible for Zimbabweans to start refusing to buy pirated music? What will it take for everyone to realise that piracy impoverishes artistes. From the time James died to date, he could have earned millions posthumously.

James goes unnoticed in death with no award or symbol to show his greatness. I plan to retire from active music in five years time to concentrate on administration and promotion and pave way for the music awards I plan to start. If God allows me that opportunity, I will give James the lifetime award.

Daniel Ngwira is a musician, banker and chartered certified accountant. He can be contacted on [email protected] or 0775018636.