Macheso to sample new songs

Cheso Power

SUNGURA musician Alick Macheso and his new-look Orchestra Mberikwazvo are set to sample new songs and dances for 2012 when "Extrabasso" squares off with katekwe music exponent Oliver Mtukudzi at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex on March 2. 

The massive gig will also act as a way of proving to all and sundry that Orchestra Mberikwazvo is still one of Zimbabwe's leading sungura music groups despite losing some of its key members earlier this year. Cheso Power assistant manager Jethro Machanja revealed that the band would sample some of the new songs and dances they have been rehearsing with their new band members. "We are ready to give our fans a memorable show because we have been perfecting some of our new songs and dances with our new members," Machanja said.

Some of these new recruits include First Sakala and Wilson Mega. Dancer Sakala came in to replace Francis "Slomo" Dhaka, who crossed the floor to join Suluman Chimbetu's Orchestra Dendera Kings, and according to Machanja, this development has seen Macheso's group introducing new dances that fans should expect during the show with Tuku. "New dance moves and songs by the group (Orchestra Mberikwazvo) will be sampled at the Chitungwiza show with the sole purpose of showing people that we are never short of new material," Machanja said.

Machanja also poured cold water on former Orchestra Mberikwazvo rhythm guitarist Innocent Mijintu rejoining the group, stating the group was in good nick and did not require any reinforcements. "Innocent (Mijintu) is not rejoining Orchestra Mberikwazvo as he has his own group to concentrate on, and we have a talented line-up that does not need beefing up," Machanja said. This is not the first time that Extrabasso and Tuku have shared the stage.

The two artistes - who are without doubt two of Zimbabwe's leading musicians in their respective genres - last year obliged fans with a shutdown show and opened the year with an ignition concert. Both boast a catalogue of award-winning albums that have garnered fame and fortune for the artistes both at home and abroad.

Tuku's music recently saw him being conferred with Unicef's ambassadorial status while Extrabasso's album "Zvinoda Kutendwa" released last year saw the song "Tafadzwa" being voted the Best Song of the Year in the Radio Zimbabwe Coca-Cola Pimped Up Ride Top 50 awards. (Herald)