Zimbabwe: The Highs And Lows of 2006

Zimbabwe: The Highs And Lows of 2006

The Herald (Harare)

COLUMN
January 1, 2007
Posted to the web January 2, 2007

Wonder Guchu
Harare

IN this second and last part of 2006 report on musicians Wonder Guchu looks at Isaac Tazvida's efforts to rekindle his late brothers' legacy, Josphat Somanje's struggle, Mitchell Jambo's dimming star, Leonard Zhakata's perseverance, Mbira DzeNharira and Mawungira Enharira after the split, Njerama Boys, Nicholas Zakaria and many others.

ISAAC Tazvida's wish to rekindle his late brothers' legacy did not pay off well this year. He tried to sound like System and went out to play in the outskirts of Harare but still it did not hold. Even an appearance at the Umdala Wethu Gala in Bulawayo did not help.

Then came the debt and the confiscation of instruments by Metro Studios that saw him lose his hold for the better part of the last year.

Ivy Kombo used to make headlines for both her music and private life but last year it was all about her private life. This time it's not denial but admittance of a love affair that had struggled under the wraps until Pastor Admire Kasi revealed that there could be a wedding next month.

While this was not shocking news, but it's not clear how Ivy's music career will be after a number of people showed anger and disbelief at the revelation.

He was crowned Zima's 2006 Best Marabi Artiste, received the award but then said his music was wrongly classified.

This was Jeys Marabini who was more visible last year than any previous years.

He held shows in Harare and Bulawayo and participated at a number of galas.

It's not clear whether Jonah Moyo is now resident in South Africa but it appears as if he is very popular, according to news received throughout the whole of last year.

He even organised shows for Zimbabwean musicians with whom he shared the stage. While he has something going on strong there, Moyo has not been very visible back home. There are no live shows and his new releases have not been played well.

The adage two is better than one is true for Josphat Somanje whose career dipped after the split from his brother, Daiton.

It's not that he has not been releasing albums but that his star seems not to be shining for him. Of course, his new album, Hope Dzehumambo, peaked at the top in the charts. He was also held a few shows in the last part of the year.

The late Kenneth Chigodora, who was on a comeback trail, passed away a few days before performing at the Umdala Wethu gala in Bulawayo.

Chigodora had an album - Dzikama - doing well on the charts.

Although his ride back was not an easy task, Chigodora, who made a name for himself with the song Sisi Dori, was determined to conquer but death thought otherwise.

First, nobody listened to Kireni Zulu.

After all, he was a solo guitarist trying to make a living from playing before a handful people in nightclubs. This perception changed last year when people found out that attending Zulu's shows was refreshing because of the jokes and the message in his music.

It was Club M5 at first and then as more and more people sought out the man with a gap in his tooth, more clubs enlisted him.

But his crowning moment was playing at the Mzee Bira in Masvingo towards the end of last year.

Leeroy Lunga Kamusena has been there and not there. Like System Tazvida, Lunga does not play in Harare's upmarket joints but in the outskirts.

Last year he released Imhosva Here? after a lull in 2005.

Leonard Mapfumo is probably the only Zimbabwean urban grooves artiste who is level-headed. He does not court media attention by unnecessary stunts neither does his music carry offensive lyrical content.

His song Maidei that appeals to both young and old shows his prowess. While he hangs around with wild characters in the industry, Leonard has remained himself.

He is a great lyricist. He has a great voice and has been churning out albums every year. Last year he released Tine Vimbo before touring the United Kingdom earlier in the year.

This is Leonard Zhakata who as usual has been holding live shows, some of which attracted small crowds. But then greatness sometimes is not measured today but in years to come.