The return of Chamhembe

After a six-year silence from music, the flagship of urban grooves movement, Chamhembe, is back with a double CD compilation titled Chamhembe Forever. Chamhembe, under That Squad Studios is responsible for launching the careers of some of the country’s most celebrated urban grooves artists. Versatile producer Tatenda Jenami aka Take 5 told NewsDay the latest offering will reshape the landscape of urban music.

“It’s time for Zimbabwe to experience a new form of music that is ever changing since we are known for creating superstars.We are moving beyond music to expressing a new form of art,” he said. Just like the two previous compilations, Chamhembe Forever features renowned artists as well as new talent.

New look Ma’friq gets another dance on the compilation series and so do the soulful Tererai Mugwadi, BaShupi, Goridhe and Stunner. Rising hip-hop superstar Tehn Diamond, award winning duo of Mc Chita and Junior Brown also adds their artistry to the double album which has more than 25 tracks.

To watch out for is the dancehall trio of Sniper Storm, Shinso and Dhadza D whose deliveries affirm the growth of the dancehall genre in the country. New voices on the compilation set to be released in March include Herbie Dangerous, Technique, Shazzy and Tricky T, among a host of other unheralded artists. 

Inspector Fakasimba returns with his usual comic skits. On his long absence from music Take 5 said he never left the art, but instead was producing other genres of music as well as touring the region. “I realised that the growing genre in Africa is hip-hop and I shifted my focus, visiting countries like Zambia, South Africa and Angola as well as producing mix tapes,” revealed Take 5, who also said he ventured into advertising where he made a lot of commercials for local companies.

Samples from the release, which this reporter had a chance to listen to, revealed a more mature and refined sound, evidence that the multi-talented producer had gleaned musical knowledge from different genres he had experimented with. The Chamhembe series burst onto the scene in 2005 with Chamhembe Volume 1, the follow up Chamhembe Plus came in 2006. The third installment of the compilations which was set for 2010 failed to take off.