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SUNGURA maestro Alick Macheso who has not visited Bulawayo for a long time, is set to perform at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre early next month.
The promoter of the show, Tafadzwa Maridadi of Maridadi Entertainment, said fans have been complaining that it has been a long time since Macheso last performed in the city hence the decision to bring him to the City of Kings and Queens.
“Yes BaSharo is coming to Bulawayo and fans should expect the best ever show from him as the new band members showcase their talent. The new guys are coming to prove to Bulawayo fans that they have fitted well into the shoes of those who left the band,” he said.
Maridadi’s sentiments were echoed by Macheso’s manager William Tsandukwa who said the show will be the first in Bulawayo for most of the band members.
A few weeks ago a planned Macheso gig in Bulawayo was cancelled to pave way for the Bulawayo Carnival.
“Last time we disappointed our Bulawayo fans and now we are coming with a new look band that has a lot of energy and talent,” said Tsandukwa
Lovemore Chekumanyara and Zhli Mulapi Mumba joined Macheso after some of his band members left to form Orchestra Kwazvose. The two are said to have fitted in well especially Chekumanyara who has developed an understanding with Macheso’s bass guitar in no time.
Tsandukwa called on their fans to come in their numbers saying a good atmosphere always spurs Macheso to be at his best.
“It seems the boss’ spirits are lifted each time he is overwhelmed by a good attendance,” he said
His most popular new song is Ane bhora ndiye anomakwa which has a line “Alick ndiwe unaro ndosaka uchimakwa,” a statement loosely translated to mean “the focus is always on (the person) who matters.”
Meanwhile, Orchestra Kwazvose, a break-away group from Orchestra Mberikwazvo had a show last Friday at Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza where they introduced their debut seven-track album Ndizvo Zviripo.
Jonasi Kasamba composed three songs namely Amen, Julius and Africa while Franco Dhaka did Amai VaBonnie, Gurajena, Ishe Ndinotenda and Mudiwa Wangu. The album was produced by Walter Paradzai at Gramma.
Vocals on the album are largely similar to those of Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria, though the shallow
lyrics and an imposing keyboard betray the sungura entrants. Some fans who witnessed the show have likened Orchestra Kwazvose to a dance group since they spent more time dancing than singing.
But members of the new band defended their performance with Obert Gomba saying they cannot impress everyone.
“We did our best and we had only our songs to perform. We did not take a lot of time on stage but for the time we were there, we surely made a mark and fans will love us and our album,” he said.
Peter Moyo, Jah Prayzah and Sulumani Chimbetu stole the limelight at the show from the rebels.
“This was our first show and fans did not know what to expect from us. They had not even heard our songs but after our release fans will be singing along to our songs on upcoming shows,” said Gomba.
Said Kasamba: “Fans have not started talking about us yet. Of course, that is because we have not visited them but wait until we visit the whole country. Bulawayo will know of us soon.”
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