From Talking Drum To Ilanga

ZIM MUSIC MATRIX CLIVE MALUNGA

THERE were many groups which revolutionised the Zimbabwean music scene.

These groups came up with new ideas, rhythms and new approaches. 

One such group is Talking Drum which emerged in the mid ‘80s.

It was composed of talented musicians – Henry Peters on bass guitar, Brian Rusike on keyboard, Saba Mbata on drums, Louis Mhlanga on lead guitar and Michael Lanas on lead vocals and sub lead.

The cast came up with a refreshingly new sound to the Zimbabwean music landscape; something well-polished and fresh to the ear.

The group’s front man, Lanas, was a good songwriter.

He composed mature music and his songs still appeal to us to this day.

Lanas was a professional pharmacist and I first met him at his Montagu Pharmacy in Harare. It was during the early days of the formation of the group, Talking Drum.

I wanted to sell a disco set which I had bought with the money I had got as an allowance when I was at Tongogara Assembly Point.

We would get allowances to buy essential commodities for use at the camp.

Fellow freedom fighters like Cde Chihombe Madhara and Cde Chapungu would bring cash to pay comrades’ allowances. 

I kept that money and used it to buy a disco set at Strobe Company in Msasa.

I travelled with the disco to many places such as Dotito, Mount Darwin and Norton with Cde Freedom “Lovers” Mudiwa.

At that time, Cde Freedom was working as a security agent at ZANU (PF), 88 Manica Road. 

Most of the money I got from gate takings would go towards transport and advertising. 

I used hired transport since I did not have mine. That is what prompted me to decide to sell the disco set to Lanas.

He bought the disco set and gave it the name “Disco Deluxe”.

Before Talking Drum went on Stage, a disc jockey would entertain fans with the disco set. 

Talking Drum left a huge mark on the Zimbabwe music landscape.

Whatever Lanas touched turned into gold.

When Lucky Dube came to perform in Harare at Rufaro, Lanas and Talking Drum opened the show with a big bang.

The Rufaro concert had three groups – Solomon Skuza, Lucky Dube and Talking Drum.

 I was privileged to attend the pre-concert cocktail party a day before the show.

Promoter JJ Chavhunduka, a big brother who loved me so much, invited me to the party. What made Talking Drum so successful was that they had an identity. 

They produced hit after hit, among them, The River, (Come to Me) Hapana Mazwi and Iyi Ngoma.

We still love Talking Drum and we will always love the group.

Lanas succeeded because he was original and sounded Zimbabwean

Another musical group, which must never be omitted from the narrative of Zimbabwean music, is Ilanga.

The star-studded group came on a mission to conquer the world. If I am to compare them, they fared equally the same with the Jo’burg-bound hit-maker, Band New Tutankhamen.

Ilanga was in a class of its own.

Ilanga lined up as Don Gumbo on bass guitar, Andy Brown on lead guitar, Charles Mangena on keyboards, Keith Ferguson on keyboards, Gibson Nyoni on drums, Adam Chisvo on percussion, Busi Ncube and Chinx Chingaira on vocals; an unbelievably large galaxy of stars to be in one group.

When I first saw Ilanga performing at the Holiday Inn Nite Spot, I told myself that the group was destined for success.

 Most of their shows were sold out.

They performed for huge crowds.  

They had struck the correct musical code. 

That was one group that made my heart beat fast, whenever I saw them on stage.

I knew what was to come because the group coordinated their act on stage professionally. 

Ilanga would look very simple when going on stage and doing their sound check.

You would be surprised with how they changed gears into overdrive when they started performing.  

Ilanga worked very hard to reach such a high level. Ilanga produced hit after hit.

Cde Chinx produced Nerudo, a blaster of a song.

Busi Ncube produced True Love, which is still relevant to this day.

Don Gumbo was a great composer, singer and performer.  

Don gave us Joy, Love and Happiness, Who Shall Save the Human Race, Shosholoza and Tshisalanga to mention but a few.

Surely any history of Zimbabwean music that leaves out Ilanga would be woefully inadequate.

Zimbabwe produced many other groups and individuals who sounded original and produced great music.

Innocent Utsihwegota, Mateu, Willom Tight, Fortune Muparutsa, Tanga wekwaSando, Chiwoniso Maraire, Giraffe, Plaxedes Wenyika and the list goes on.

All these artists require time and space to tell their stories. We will talk at length about them in some installments to come.

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