Macheso ropes in Muddy Face

Alick Macheso

EXCITING sungura giant Alick Macheso will this weekend welcome a rejuvenated Muddy Face at a family show set for City Sports garden on Sunday. The family show is expected to produce fireworks between the two groups made up of legendary musicians in their own right.

Macheso will this time do without the emerging dendera kingpin Tryson Chimbetu, who had been a constant feature at shows pitting Cheso power and his Orchestra Mberikwazvo. The Muddy Face, which lost its founding leader Cephas Mashakada last year, has been thrown a lifeline by Macheso, who plans to hold quite a number of shows with the group, in a quest to establish them in the highly demanding music scene.

The loss of their leader had prompted the “Samson Waramba” hitmakers to appoint Shame “Chibage” Mashonganyika as interim leader. The pint-sized Mashonganyika impressed fans at the “Bob @ 88” Gala in Chipinge when he chanted his grinding vocals which were reminiscent of the late frontman, Mashakada.

The assistant manager of the Orchestra Mberikwazo, Jethro Machanja, says “Chibage” has matured as a band leader. “Chibage has grown into a more active vocalist from the previous position of backing the late Mashakada and can now lead the band (Muddy Face) to greater musical exploits,” said Machanja.

Machanja also hailed Macheso’s desire to help upcoming musicians by holding joint shows. “Macheso has always been touched by the plight of musicians in the country and knows quite well how hard it is for upcoming musicians to make a breakthrough in the music industry. “He has therefore made it his mandate to help up-coming artistes such as Biggie Tembo Junior and bands that have lost their leaders, including the Muddy Face, among others,” said Machanja. 

Macheso, who has been surprising fans with new lines in his familiar old songs, has become adept at introducing his offers from the album he is expecting to release in June this year through old songs. Culled from Herald