Sam Mtukudzi, singing from the grave

Kennedy Khombo : Leisure Correspondent

FOLLOWING news that the late Sam Mtukudzi had released a fresh album recently, I visited Zimbabwean music icon, Dr Oliver Mtukudzi’s Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton to get a copy of the album. Having had the opportunity of watching Sam performing at the Winter Jazz Festival in July 2009 at the now defunct Jazz 105 when he opened for Victor Kunonga and had listened to his debut album “Rume Rimwe”, as well as his second offering “Cheziya”, which too was released posthumously, I knew what the former Prince Edward High School Jazz band member was capable of.

However, what I was not sure of was his ability to release a “new” album from the grave, more so, six years after the car crash that claimed his life and that of his friend and sound engineer Owen Chimhare. Titled “Misiirwa”, the posthumous album has 14 tracks and was produced by Sam’s father, Oliver, having been recorded at his Samanyanga Studios in 2010, two months before the tragic death.

At Pakare Paye, fortunately for me, coincidentally I met the towering Zimbabwean music legend and father to the late “Mwana Chiedza”-singer Oliver Mtukudzi. While he agreed to an interview without prior booking and answered all my questions submissively, I could see in his eyes that he was hurting and did not feel comfortable talking about his departed son.

Nevertheless, the superstar explained that the posthumous album is a collection of music and live sessions, which the youthful Sam had recorded before he passed on. Said Mtukudzi: “Basically, it (Misiirwa) means ‘what was left for us’. In essence, these are the songs, sessions and memories that Sam Mtukudzi left behind for us.”

Prolific bassist Samuel Tsatsi who worked with Sam in the AY Band and played a key role in the production of both “Cheziya” and “Misiirwa” posthumous albums said the late pencil slim singer was the most talented, complete and highly creative musician he has ever worked with.

“The late Sam Mtukudzi was fun loving, straight forward, humble, cheerful, hardworking, enterprising and very creative musician I have had the privilege to work with. Working with him in the AY Band as well as in the studio was not only an honour but a dream come true,” said an emotional Tsatsi.

The bassist equated Sam to the biblical Samson and urged people to turn to God in the face of all the hard and trying times. “Like Samson of the bible, Samson Mtukudzi also left us deep messages in his songs urging us to seek God while He can still be found for His grace is sufficient for us all. We should heed Sam’s call in that regard,” Tsatsi said.

“Misiirwa” becomes Sam’s second posthumous album and carries songs such as “Ngariende”, “Kusatenda Huroyi”, “Ngoromera”, “Baba Wedu”, “Maria Wanetsa”, “Rwendo Rwauya” and a live performance of the song “Tibatane” from his debut album named earlier. In the song “Ngariende”, Sam speaks against societal ills such as grudges and jealous bedeviling our communities while in “Kusatenda Huroyi”, he teaches the significance of appreciating and gratifying one another in a marriage institution.

“Rwendo Rwauya”, a soulful and profoundly expressive tune, Sam seems to be foretelling his own passing on and bidding farewell to his parents. In a highly subtle way, and in very few but hard hitting words, the young talent implied to kiss goodbye to his father and mother as he embarks on an indefinite journey. Those who have listened to the song, say it is as if Sam knew that his days on mother earth were numbered when he wrote and sang the song two months before his untimely death.

“Rwendo rwauya, rwendo rwangu rwauya amai ndoenda… Baba batai nepapo, baba wee… Rwendo rwangu rwauya amai ndoenda…” sang the late saxophonist.

“Ngoromera” and “Baba Wedu” are both renditions of his father’s songs and Sam adds his inexhaustible musical touch and changed a few aspects to make them sound contemporary and difficult to resist. In “Ngoromera”, Sam added his distinctive saxophone feel, acoustic guitar and showcased his vocal prowess beyond words.

If I didn’t know better, I would say he wanted to show off that he had what it takes to equal or even surpass the musical standards set by his legendary father.

The sound quality, vocal arrangement and clarity as well as creative ingenuity leaves one wondering whether Sam is really dead.