adminThe kwela music album was recorded at Media for Development Trust under the help of French national Antoine Rajon.
Commenting of the band, Nyathi, one of the country’s celebrated writers, poets, musicians and actors, said the recording of the album was as in response to public demand.
“The album was recorded four weeks ago with the help of Rajon who came to Zimbabwe with his sound engineer for the project.
“This was as a result of a request from the public who had watched the talented band performing two years ago during Hifa. The recording was supposed to have been completed last year, but failed due to logistical concerns,” he said.
Mr Nyathi said that the album is set to break on to the international scene soon.
“As we speak, the album is being finalised in Paris where the mixing and mastering is being done for international release. We promise that this project is going to be something special to those who grew up around the 60s and 70s,” he said.
Nyathi spoke glowingly of how he brought the band together sometime in the year 2000.
“Out of the group, only one is a female and I fell in love with their music after they exhibited a lot of talent during their shows held in beer gardens in Bulawayo. There is hardly a computer or keyboard in their sound which makes it a powerful township music known as kwela music,” he said.
The need to expose them to a greater audience saw the Imbongi frontman giving them a new lease of life.
“After noting the skill and talent in them, I thought of forming a band. This was after they lost chances during their days as boys and could not earn a living through music.
“My zeal for the penny-whistle was born when I went to Northern Ireland in 2000 and performed with a band from Cuba called ‘fro-Cuba All Stars’ Those guys were full of amazing talent when they played other wind instruments.
“I was inspired to come back home to look for some old people who lost their chances, but still have got talent,” he said.
Meanwhile, the talented Bulawayo-based band will this year for the second time thrill fans during Hifa at Lays Global Stage.
Online Reporter